How far is Kensington, MD from Bethesda, MD?
The driving distance from Kensington, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 41.5 miles (66.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 28.8 miles (46.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 53m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census designated place in Prince George’s County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kensington and Bethesda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kensington and Bethesda.
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1
Start on Banyon Avenue
123 m · 23 sec · Banyon Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Brentwood Avenue
101 m · 17 sec · Brentwood Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Kensington Avenue East
105 m · 18 sec · Kensington Avenue East
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4
Turn right onto Benfield Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Benfield Road
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5
Turn left onto Laurel Drive
30 m · 3 sec · Laurel Drive
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6
Turn right onto West Benfield Road
1.4 km · 2 min · West Benfield Road
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7
Turn left onto Veterans Highway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Veterans Highway
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8
Turn right onto Maryland 3 Service Road
148 m · 14 sec · Maryland 3 Service Road
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9
Turn left onto Jabez Run
989 ft · 17 sec · Jabez Run
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10
Take the ramp straight toward Bowie, Fort Meade
685 ft · 12 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Robert Crain Highway
61 m · 3 sec · Robert Crain Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward MD 32 West: Odenton, Fort Meade
1.2 km · 60 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Patuxent Freeway
6.9 mi · 9 min · Patuxent Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward MD 198: Fort Meade, Laurel
1629 ft · 40 sec
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
79 m · 5 sec
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16
Exit the roundabout
579 ft · 10 sec
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Laurel Fort Meade Road
26 m · 2 sec · Laurel Fort Meade Road
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Laurel Fort Meade Road
2.6 mi · 4 min · Laurel Fort Meade Road
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19
Turn left onto MD 295: Washington
1656 ft · 47 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
4.6 mi · 6 min · Baltimore-Washington Parkway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Powder Mill Road, Beltsville
1621 ft · 42 sec
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22
Turn right onto Powder Mill Road
3.2 mi · 6 min · Powder Mill Road
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23
Turn left onto Baltimore Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Baltimore Avenue
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24
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 North, I 495 West: Silver Spring, Baltimore
1273 ft · 31 sec
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25
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
3134 ft · 41 sec · Capital Beltway
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26
Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway
7.4 mi · 9 min · Capital Beltway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase
2221 ft · 54 sec
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28
Keep slight left to continue on MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase
75 m · 8 sec
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29
Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue
2403 ft · 51 sec · Connecticut Avenue
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30
Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Jones Bridge Road
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31
Turn left onto Rockville Pike
676 ft · 26 sec · Rockville Pike
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32
Continue on Wisconsin Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue
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33
Turn right onto Commerce Lane
104 m · 17 sec · Commerce Lane
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34
Continue on Edgemoor Lane
1112 ft · 42 sec · Edgemoor Lane
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35
Turn left onto Arlington Road
1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road
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36
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue
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37
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kensington and Bethesda.
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.
Capital Beltway
Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway
7.44 mi · 00h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Kensington and Rain Showers Likely near Bethesda.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kensington to Bethesda?
The road trip is about 41.5 miles (66.8 km) and usually takes 00h 53m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
South Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.3 miles from Kensington and 23.2 miles from Bethesda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 28.8 miles (46.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.01 one way or $12.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Kensington and Rain Showers Likely near Bethesda.
Stop Ideas Near South Laurel
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
D C Government
City of Bowie
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to South Laurel.
New Carrollton station
BWI Rail Station
Washington Union Station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kensington and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 28.81 mi (46.36 km).
#1 Kensington
Town in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 2,448 |
| Coordinates | 39.0831700, -76.5799600 |
| Altitude | 19 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bethesda
A census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Maryland.
| Population | 62,448 |
| Coordinates | 38.9806700, -77.1002600 |
| Altitude | 97 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-77.100214, 38.980669)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 67 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.01 | $12.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $6.76 | $13.52 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $7.28 | $14.56 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $8.79 | $17.58 |
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 · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.