How far is North Bethesda, MD from Essex, MD?
The driving distance from North Bethesda, MD to Essex, MD is about 45.3 miles (72.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 39 miles (62.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 05m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Locality in Howard and Anne Arundel counties, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Bethesda and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Bethesda and Essex.
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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
5.2 mi · 7 min · Intercounty Connector
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 95: Laurel, Burtonsville
2257 ft · 51 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on MD 198: Konterra Drive
2986 ft · 39 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on MD 198: Laurel, Burtonsville
1.5 km · 1 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on MD 198 West: Burtonsville
2970 ft · 39 sec
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16
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 50 sec
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17
Merge slight left
20.1 mi · 24 min
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18
Keep slight left
4.3 mi · 6 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward MD 150: Eastern Avenue
1335 ft · 30 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on MD 150 East: Eastern Avenue, East Essex
78 m · 8 sec
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21
Turn right onto Eastern Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · Eastern Avenue
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22
Continue on Eastern Boulevard
1.5 km · 2 min · Eastern Boulevard
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23
Turn left onto North Taylor Avenue
64 m · 13 sec · North Taylor Avenue
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24
Turn right
159 m · 38 sec
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Bethesda and Essex.
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.
MD 198 West
Merge slight left
20.1 mi · 00h 24m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving North Bethesda and Mostly Sunny near Essex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Bethesda to Essex?
The road trip is about 45.3 miles (72.9 km) and usually takes 01h 05m 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 22.6 miles from North Bethesda and 22.7 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 39 miles (62.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.3 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 4:18 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.54 one way or $13.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around North Bethesda and Mostly Sunny near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near Jessup
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 Jessup.
BWI Rail Station
Pennsylvania Station
New Carrollton station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Bethesda and Essex. Straight-line distance: 39.04 mi (62.83 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 Essex
This Baltimore County community is situated at an elevation of 39 feet.
| Population | 1,832,752 |
| Coordinates | 39.3092700, -76.4749600 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
End: Essex (-76.47496, 39.30927)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 73 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.54 | $13.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.36 | $14.72 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $7.93 | $15.85 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $9.57 | $19.14 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.