How far is La Plata, MD from Bowie, MD?

The driving distance from La Plata, MD to Bowie, MD is about 35.6 miles (57.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 31.5 miles (50.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
35.6 mi
00h 50m
Flight
31.47 mi
50.65 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from La Plata.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
31.47 mi
Kilometers
50.65 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
35.6 mi
Kilometers
57.29 km
Drive Time
00h 50m

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 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bowie
Sat, Apr 18, 7:22 AM EDT
Return by in La Plata
Sat, Apr 18, 8:13 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Plata
2026-04-18T06:32
Arrive Bowie
Sat, Apr 18, 7:22 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:50 AM to 10:50 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:50 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in La Plata
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Rosaryville
MD

Census designated place in Maryland, United States

From La Plata
18 mi
00h 25m
To Bowie
17.6 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 14 mph E
Destination
83°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between La Plata and Bowie.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Plata and Bowie.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    3 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Kent Avenue

    17 m · 4 sec · Kent Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Charles Street

    2011 ft · 1 min · Charles Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Crain Highway

    14 mi · 22 min · Crain Highway

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on Crain Highway

    13 mi · 18 min · Crain Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on South East Crain Highway

    7.4 mi · 10 min · South East Crain Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left toward MD 197 North

    809 ft · 24 sec

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto Collington Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · Collington Road

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Evergreen Parkway

    1025 ft · 40 sec · Evergreen Parkway

  10. 10

    Turn right

    79 m · 20 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left

    33 m · 8 sec

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between La Plata and Bowie.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
12 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
33.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Crain Highway
27 mi · 76%
South East Crain Highway
7.36 mi · 21%
Collington Road
0.71 mi · 2%
Charles Street
0.38 mi · 1%
Evergreen Parkway
0.19 mi · 1%
MD 197 North
0.15 mi
Longest Stretch

Crain Highway

Turn right onto Crain Highway

14 mi · 00h 22m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.1 mi
31.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rosaryville
00h 25m from La Plata
Leave By
4:50 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving La Plata and Mostly Sunny near Bowie.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from La Plata to Bowie?

The road trip is about 35.6 miles (57.3 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?

Rosaryville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18 miles from La Plata and 17.6 miles from Bowie.

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

The direct path is about 31.5 miles (50.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.1 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 4:50 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.15 one way or $10.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around La Plata and Mostly Sunny near Bowie.

Stop Ideas Near Rosaryville

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 Rosaryville and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 14.6 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
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Meeting point 11 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
Alexandria Finance Department
Nearby stop 12.6 mi away

Alexandria Finance Department

Alexandria , VA
301 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Rating 3.5/5 8 reviews City tax office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rosaryville.

RAIL

New Carrollton station

22 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Union Station

23 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

Washington Union Station

23 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Lorton station

36 mi away
8006 Lorton Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Plata and Bowie. Straight-line distance: 31.47 mi (50.65 km).

La Plata

#1 La Plata

Town in Maryland, United States

Population9,800
Coordinates38.5292900, -76.9752500
Altitude57
CountryUnited States
Bowie

#2 Bowie

The most populous city in Prince George's County, Maryland.

Population58,212
Coordinates38.9427800, -76.7302800
Altitude42
CountryUnited States
Start: Kent Avenue (-76.975303, 38.529282)
End: (-76.730357, 38.94261)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 57 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.26 gal
4.76 L · about $5.15
Round trip
$10.30
2.52 gal · 9.52 L
Estimated CO2
11.2 kg one way
Round trip: 22.4 kg / 49 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $5.15 $10.30
Mid-grade $4.60 $5.79 $11.59
Premium $4.95 $6.24 $12.48
Diesel $5.98 $7.53 $15.07

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between La Plata and Bowie. The current time is 06:32:32.

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.