How far is Hillcrest Heights, MD from Bethesda, MD?

The driving distance from Hillcrest Heights, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 26 miles (41.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 12.7 miles (20.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
26.04 mi
00h 45m
Flight
12.71 mi
20.46 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hillcrest Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
12.71 mi
Kilometers
20.46 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
26.04 mi
Kilometers
41.9 km
Drive Time
00h 45m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bethesda
Tue, May 12, 8:44 PM EDT
Return by in Hillcrest Heights
Tue, May 12, 9:29 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hillcrest Heights
2026-05-12T19:58
Arrive Bethesda
Tue, May 12, 8:44 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:45 AM to 7:45 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:00 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Hillcrest Heights
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Mount Rainier
MD

Stratovolcano in the U.

From Hillcrest Heights
8.1 mi
00h 22m
To Bethesda
18 mi
00h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 12:00 PM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph SW
Destination
72°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 6 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Hillcrest Heights and Bethesda.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hillcrest Heights and Bethesda.

  1. 1

    Start on 23rd Parkway

    1.5 km · 2 min · 23rd Parkway

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Oxon Run Drive

    1 km · 2 min · Oxon Run Drive

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Naylor Road

    54 m · 3 sec · Naylor Road

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto Naylor Road

    1543 ft · 51 sec · Naylor Road

  5. 5

    Turn straight

    90 m · 10 sec

  6. 6

    Turn slight right onto Naylor Road Southeast

    1.1 km · 2 min · Naylor Road Southeast

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Marion Barry Avenue Southeast

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Marion Barry Avenue Southeast

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast

    2387 ft · 54 sec · Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast

  9. 9

    Continue on 11th Street Southeast

    1754 ft · 52 sec · 11th Street Southeast

  10. 10

    Take the ramp left toward I 695 West

    1555 ft · 30 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Southeast Freeway

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Southeast Freeway

  12. 12

    Continue on Southwest Freeway

    1540 ft · 33 sec · Southwest Freeway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Maine Avenue Southwest, 12th Street Northwest, Downtown

    1102 ft · 27 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on 12th Street Northwest, Downtown

    1010 ft · 25 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on D Street

    156 m · 16 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 12th Street Southwest

    945 ft · 31 sec · 12th Street Southwest

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Independence Avenue Southwest

    3105 ft · 1 min · Independence Avenue Southwest

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on 17th Street Southwest

    1602 ft · 41 sec · 17th Street Southwest

  19. 19

    Continue on 17th Street Northwest

    2444 ft · 54 sec · 17th Street Northwest

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest

    2919 ft · 60 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest

  21. 21

    Turn right onto 22nd Street Northwest

    2750 ft · 1 min · 22nd Street Northwest

  22. 22

    Turn left onto P Street Northwest

    64 m · 8 sec · P Street Northwest

  23. 23

    Turn right

    159 m · 19 sec

  24. 24

    Turn straight onto Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Northwest

    1135 ft · 28 sec · Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Northwest

  25. 25

    Turn slight right onto Massachusetts Avenue

    1075 ft · 26 sec

  26. 26

    Continue on Waterside Drive Northwest

    1033 ft · 35 sec · Waterside Drive Northwest

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

    2.1 mi · 6 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

  28. 28

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

    65 m · 6 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

  29. 29

    Exit the roundabout onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

  30. 30

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Westmoreland Circle

    61 m · 3 sec · Massachusetts Avenue

  31. 31

    Exit the rotary onto Massachusetts Avenue

    1.1 km · 2 min · Massachusetts Avenue

  32. 32

    Turn right onto Little Falls Parkway

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Little Falls Parkway

  33. 33

    Turn right onto Arlington Road

    2833 ft · 2 min · Arlington Road

  34. 34

    Turn left onto Bethesda Avenue

    156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue

  35. 35

    Turn left

    14 m · 3 sec

  36. 36

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Hillcrest Heights and Bethesda.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
36 steps
24 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
1 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
138.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
3.25 mi · 12%
Little Falls Parkway
1.36 mi · 5%
Marion Barry Avenue Southeast
1.24 mi · 5%
Southeast Freeway
1.07 mi · 4%
23rd Parkway
0.93 mi · 4%
Massachusetts Avenue
0.93 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

Turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

2.13 mi · 00h 06m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 45m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.3 mi
12.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mount Rainier
00h 22m from Hillcrest Heights
Leave By
7:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Hillcrest Heights and Sunny near Bethesda.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Hillcrest Heights to Bethesda?

The road trip is about 26 miles (41.9 km) and usually takes 00h 45m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Mount Rainier is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.1 miles from Hillcrest Heights and 18 miles from Bethesda.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 12.7 miles (20.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:00 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.76 one way or $7.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hillcrest Heights and Sunny near Bethesda.

Stop Ideas Near Mount Rainier

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Mount Rainier and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 1.7 mi away

United States Capitol

Washington , DC
First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, United States
Rating 4.6/5 4,243 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical place,Historical landmark,Landmark,Federal government office
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 2 mi away

D C Government

Washington , DC
77 P St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office,Telephone answering service
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Meeting point 5 mi away

THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus

Washington , DC
1901 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Rating 4.7/5 64 reviews Recreation center,City Hall
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 8.7 mi away

Town Hall Liquor And Bar

College Park , MD
8135 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740
Rating 4.3/5 319 reviews Liquor store,Bar

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mount Rainier.

RAIL

Washington Union Station

6 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

New Carrollton station

9 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Union Station

17 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

Rockville station

22 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hillcrest Heights and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 12.71 mi (20.46 km).

Hillcrest Heights

#1 Hillcrest Heights

City in Polk County, Florida, United States of America

Population16,469
Coordinates38.8328900, -76.9594200
Altitude84
CountryUnited States
Bethesda

#2 Bethesda

A census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population62,448
Coordinates38.9806700, -77.1002600
Altitude97
CountryUnited States
Start: 23rd Parkway (-76.959514, 38.832813)
End: (-77.100214, 38.980669)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 42 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.92 gal
3.48 L · about $3.76
Round trip
$7.52
1.84 gal · 6.96 L
Estimated CO2
8.2 kg one way
Round trip: 16.4 kg / 36 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $3.76 $7.52
Mid-grade $4.60 $4.23 $8.46
Premium $4.95 $4.56 $9.12
Diesel $5.98 $5.50 $11.00

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Maryland · May 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Hillcrest Heights and Bethesda. The current time is 19:58:44.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.