How far is North Bethesda, MD from Columbia, MD?
The driving distance from North Bethesda, MD to Columbia, MD is about 35.4 miles (56.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.2 miles (32.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 43m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Bethesda and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Bethesda and Columbia.
-
1
Start on Tudor Lane
45 m · 9 sec · Tudor Lane
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Tudor Lane
103 m · 21 sec · Tudor Lane
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3
Turn left onto Commonwealth Drive
106 m · 21 sec · Commonwealth Drive
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4
Turn left onto Nicholson Lane
710 ft · 27 sec · Nicholson Lane
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5
Turn right onto Old Georgetown Road
1445 ft · 33 sec · Old Georgetown Road
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6
Continue on Towne Road
1182 ft · 24 sec · Towne Road
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7
Turn right onto Josiah Henson Parkway
1531 ft · 30 sec · Josiah Henson Parkway
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8
Continue on Randolph Road
6.6 mi · 11 min · Randolph Road
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9
Turn left onto New Hampshire Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · New Hampshire Avenue
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10
Take the ramp right toward MD 200 Toll East
1190 ft · 29 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Intercounty Connector
2.1 mi · 3 min · Intercounty Connector
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 29: Silver Spring, Columbia
1170 ft · 29 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 North: Columbia
2435 ft · 59 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike
13.5 mi · 18 min · Columbia Pike
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15
Take the exit slight right toward MD 100 East: Glen Burnie
2623 ft · 41 sec
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16
Continue straight
1056 ft · 16 sec
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Long Gate Parkway
864 ft · 21 sec
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18
Turn right onto Long Gate Parkway
2301 ft · 1 min · Long Gate Parkway
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19
Turn left onto Montgomery Road
3232 ft · 1 min · Montgomery Road
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20
Take the ramp left toward US 29 South: Washington
1302 ft · 32 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike
1.4 km · 58 sec · Columbia Pike
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22
Take the exit slight right toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
2076 ft · 51 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Bethesda and Columbia.
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.
Columbia Pike
Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike
13.5 mi · 00h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Rain Showers leaving North Bethesda and Chance Rain Showers near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Bethesda to Columbia?
The road trip is about 35.4 miles (56.9 km) and usually takes 00h 43m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Burtonsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.2 miles from North Bethesda and 21.1 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.2 miles (32.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.30 one way or $10.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around North Bethesda and Chance Rain Showers near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Burtonsville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Griffith Park at City Hall
Gaithersburg City Hall
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
City of Rockville City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Burtonsville.
Rockville station
New Carrollton station
BWI Rail Station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Bethesda and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 20.18 mi (32.48 km).
#1 North Bethesda
A census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland.
| Population | 43,828 |
| Coordinates | 39.0445500, -77.1188700 |
| Altitude | 120 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbia
Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.2403800, -76.8394200 |
| Altitude | 124 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-76.839402, 39.240355)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 57 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.24 | $5.30 | $10.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.84 | $6.05 | $12.10 |
| Premium | $5.15 | $6.43 | $12.87 |
| Diesel | $6.36 | $7.95 | $15.91 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026