How far is La Plata, MD from North Bethesda, MD?

The driving distance from La Plata, MD to North Bethesda, MD is about 56.6 miles (91.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 36.4 miles (58.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 24m 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
56.58 mi
01h 12m
Flight
36.43 mi
58.63 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
36.43 mi
Kilometers
58.63 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
56.58 mi
Kilometers
91.06 km
Drive Time
01h 12m

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 01h 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in North Bethesda
Sat, Apr 18, 7:44 AM EDT
Return by in La Plata
Sat, Apr 18, 8:56 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 North Bethesda
Sat, Apr 18, 7:44 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:12 AM to 11:12 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:06 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
Forestville
MD

Place in Maryland, USA

From La Plata
27 mi
00h 36m
To North Bethesda
29.6 mi
00h 36m

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
87°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 14 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Plata and North Bethesda.

  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 left to continue on Branch Avenue

    9 mi · 12 min · Branch Avenue

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park

    2193 ft · 53 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    18.3 mi · 25 min · Capital Beltway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway

    9.2 mi · 12 min · Capital Beltway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 355: Bethesda, Rockville

    1995 ft · 38 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto Rockville Pike

    1.8 mi · 4 min · Rockville Pike

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Nicholson Lane

    1816 ft · 1 min · Nicholson Lane

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Commonwealth Drive

    106 m · 18 sec · Commonwealth Drive

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Tudor Lane

    103 m · 16 sec · Tudor Lane

  14. 14

    Continue on Tudor Lane

    45 m · 7 sec · Tudor Lane

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Tudor Lane

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
15 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Capital Beltway
27.5 mi · 49%
Crain Highway
14 mi · 25%
Branch Avenue
8.96 mi · 16%
Rockville Pike
1.81 mi · 3%
I 95 North
0.42 mi · 1%
Charles Street
0.38 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Capital Beltway

Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

18.3 mi · 00h 25m

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
01h 12m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.2 mi
36.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Forestville
00h 36m from La Plata
Leave By
4:06 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving La Plata and Mostly Sunny near North Bethesda.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from La Plata to North Bethesda?

The road trip is about 56.6 miles (91.1 km) and usually takes 01h 12m 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?

Forestville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27 miles from La Plata and 29.6 miles from North Bethesda.

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

The direct path is about 36.4 miles (58.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.2 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 4:06 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.17 one way or $16.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Forestville

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 Forestville and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 8.4 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 8.9 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 5.9 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 11 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 Forestville.

RAIL

New Carrollton station

12 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Washington Union Station

13 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Union Station

17 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

Lorton station

34 mi away
8006 Lorton Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Plata and North Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 36.43 mi (58.63 km).

La Plata

#1 La Plata

Town in Maryland, United States

Population9,800
Coordinates38.5292900, -76.9752500
Altitude57
CountryUnited States
North Bethesda

#2 North Bethesda

A census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population43,828
Coordinates39.0445500, -77.1188700
Altitude120
CountryUnited States
Start: Kent Avenue (-76.975303, 38.529282)
End: Tudor Lane (-77.119003, 39.044548)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 91 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2 gal
7.56 L · about $8.17
Round trip
$16.34
4 gal · 15.12 L
Estimated CO2
17.8 kg one way
Round trip: 35.5 kg / 78 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $8.17 $16.34
Mid-grade $4.60 $9.20 $18.40
Premium $4.95 $9.91 $19.82
Diesel $5.98 $11.96 $23.92

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 North Bethesda. The current time is 06:32:49.

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.