How far is Mountain Lake Park, MD from Bethesda, MD?
The driving distance from Mountain Lake Park, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 172.3 miles (277.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 125.5 miles (202 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 04m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town in Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mountain Lake Park and Bethesda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mountain Lake Park and Bethesda.
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1
Start on Maryland Highway
2542 ft · 46 sec · Maryland Highway
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2
Turn right onto Paul Street
952 ft · 23 sec · Paul Street
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3
Turn left onto East 3rd Avenue
834 ft · 17 sec · East 3rd Avenue
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4
Continue on Lothian Street
1049 ft · 21 sec · Lothian Street
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5
Continue on Gorman Road
8.7 mi · 15 min · Gorman Road
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto George Washington Highway
7.4 mi · 11 min · George Washington Highway
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7
Turn right
4.4 mi · 8 min
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8
Turn sharp right
756 ft · 21 sec
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9
Turn left onto Communications Drive
893 ft · 18 sec · Communications Drive
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10
Turn left onto Corridor H
49 mi · 57 min · Corridor H
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11
Continue on West Main Street
1.4 km · 1 min · West Main Street
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12
Turn right
5.1 mi · 6 min
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13
Continue on Wardensville Pike
5.4 mi · 6 min · Wardensville Pike
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14
Continue on John Marshall Highway
8.9 mi · 10 min · John Marshall Highway
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15
Take the exit left
1473 ft · 36 sec
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16
Merge slight left
3.5 mi · 4 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
1920 ft · 47 sec
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18
Continue straight
42.8 mi · 46 min
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19
Keep slight right
21.5 mi · 26 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner, Baltimore
3015 ft · 1 min
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21
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
6.4 mi · 7 min · Capital Beltway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Carderock, Glen Echo
922 ft · 22 sec
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23
Keep slight right to continue on Glen Echo Park, Washington D.C., Clara Barton National Historic Site
1917 ft · 47 sec
-
24
Turn straight onto Clara Barton Parkway
1.4 km · 1 min · Clara Barton Parkway
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25
Turn slight right onto Cabin John
810 ft · 35 sec
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26
Turn left onto Clara Barton Access Road
686 ft · 18 sec · Clara Barton Access Road
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27
At the end of the road, turn right onto MacArthur Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · MacArthur Boulevard
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28
Turn left onto Goldsboro Road
2 mi · 5 min · Goldsboro Road
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29
Turn right onto Bradley Boulevard
1680 ft · 53 sec · Bradley Boulevard
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30
Turn left onto Fairfax Road
554 ft · 33 sec · Fairfax Road
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31
Continue on Clarendon Road
701 ft · 32 sec · Clarendon Road
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32
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
48 m · 8 sec · Bethesda Avenue
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33
Turn right
14 m · 3 sec
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mountain Lake Park and Bethesda.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Corridor H
Turn left onto Corridor H
49 mi · 00h 57m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Mountain Lake Park 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 Mountain Lake Park to Bethesda?
The road trip is about 172.3 miles (277.3 km) and usually takes 03h 04m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Sharpsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.7 miles from Mountain Lake Park and 86.6 miles from Bethesda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 125.5 miles (202 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:50 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.84 one way or $49.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Mountain Lake Park and Rain Showers Likely near Bethesda.
Stop Ideas Near Sharpsburg
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sharpsburg.
Harpers Ferry
Martinsburg station
Hagerstown, MD
Frederick, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mountain Lake Park and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 125.54 mi (202.03 km).
#1 Mountain Lake Park
Town of the United States
| Population | 2,065 |
| Coordinates | 39.3984300, -79.3817100 |
| Altitude | 748 |
| 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: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $24.84 | $49.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $27.96 | $55.92 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $30.12 | $60.24 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $36.36 | $72.72 |
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.