How far is Lake Shore, MD from Bethesda, MD?

The driving distance from Lake Shore, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 44.9 miles (72.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 34.2 miles (55 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 53m 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
44.86 mi
00h 56m
Flight
34.15 mi
54.96 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lake Shore.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
34.15 mi
Kilometers
54.96 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
44.86 mi
Kilometers
72.2 km
Drive Time
00h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bethesda
Sun, May 31, 4:57 AM EDT
Return by in Lake Shore
Sun, May 31, 5:53 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lake Shore
2026-05-31T04:00
Arrive Bethesda
Sun, May 31, 4:57 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:57 AM to 10:57 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:36 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lake Shore
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
Jessup
MD

Locality in Howard and Anne Arundel counties, Maryland, United States

From Lake Shore
22.4 mi
00h 28m
To Bethesda
22.5 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NE
Destination
75°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Shore and Bethesda.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Shore and Bethesda.

  1. 1

    Start on Mountain Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Mountain Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway

    3.7 mi · 5 min · Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway

  3. 3

    Merge slight left onto Arundel Expressway

    2374 ft · 37 sec · Arundel Expressway

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway

    11.9 mi · 16 min · Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95: Baltimore, Washington

    1420 ft · 27 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South: Washington

    1.2 km · 2 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    14.8 mi · 17 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda, College Park

    1 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda

    1.3 km · 2 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    6.4 mi · 8 min · Capital Beltway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase

    2221 ft · 54 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase

    75 m · 8 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue

    2403 ft · 51 sec · Connecticut Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Jones Bridge Road

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Rockville Pike

    676 ft · 26 sec · Rockville Pike

  16. 16

    Continue on Wisconsin Avenue

    1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Commerce Lane

    104 m · 17 sec · Commerce Lane

  18. 18

    Continue on Edgemoor Lane

    1112 ft · 42 sec · Edgemoor Lane

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Arlington Road

    1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue

    156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn left

    14 m · 3 sec

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Shore and Bethesda.

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
22 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
49 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
15.6 mi · 35%
I 95 South
15.5 mi · 35%
Capital Beltway
6.4 mi · 14%
Mountain Road
1.63 mi · 4%
I 495 West
1.44 mi · 3%
Jones Bridge Road
1.12 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 95 South

Merge slight left

14.8 mi · 00h 17m

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 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.7 mi
34.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Jessup
00h 28m from Lake Shore
Leave By
4:36 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Lake Shore and Sunny near Bethesda.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lake Shore to Bethesda?

The road trip is about 44.9 miles (72.2 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?

Jessup is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.4 miles from Lake Shore and 22.5 miles from Bethesda.

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

The direct path is about 34.2 miles (55 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.7 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 4:36 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.46 one way or $12.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lake Shore and Sunny near Bethesda.

Stop Ideas Near Jessup

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 Jessup and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 10.8 mi away

City of Bowie

Bowie , MD
8614 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, MD 20715
Museum
Baltimore City Hall
Meeting point 14.5 mi away

Baltimore City Hall

Baltimore , MD
100 Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Rating 4.0/5 63 reviews City government office
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 13.1 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 Jessup.

RAIL

BWI Rail Station

8 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

22 mi away
1515 North Charles Street
RAIL

New Carrollton station

23 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Rockville station

33 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lake Shore and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 34.15 mi (54.96 km).

Lake Shore

#1 Lake Shore

City in Cass County, Minnesota, United States of America

Population19,477
Coordinates39.1070500, -76.4849600
Altitude17
CountryUnited States
Bethesda

#2 Bethesda

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

Population62,448
Coordinates38.9806700, -77.1002600
Altitude97
CountryUnited States
Start: Mountain Road (-76.484958, 39.107066)
End: (-77.100214, 38.980669)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 72 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.58 gal
5.99 L · about $6.46
Round trip
$12.91
3.16 gal · 11.98 L
Estimated CO2
14 kg one way
Round trip: 28.1 kg / 62 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $6.46 $12.91
Mid-grade $4.60 $7.27 $14.53
Premium $4.95 $7.83 $15.65
Diesel $5.98 $9.45 $18.90

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Lake Shore and Bethesda. The current time is 04:00:12.

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.