How far is North Bethesda, MD from Indian Head, MD?

The driving distance from North Bethesda, MD to Indian Head, MD is about 51.2 miles (82.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 30.8 miles (49.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 30m 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
51.19 mi
01h 15m
Flight
30.8 mi
49.56 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North Bethesda.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
30.8 mi
Kilometers
49.56 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
51.19 mi
Kilometers
82.39 km
Drive Time
01h 15m

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 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Indian Head
Thu, Apr 23, 6:29 AM EDT
Return by in North Bethesda
Thu, Apr 23, 7:44 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North Bethesda
2026-04-23T05:14
Arrive Indian Head
Thu, Apr 23, 6:29 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:15 AM to 11:15 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:00 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in North Bethesda
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
Forest Heights
MD

Town in Maryland, United States

From North Bethesda
25.6 mi
00h 37m
To Indian Head
25.6 mi
00h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NW
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between North Bethesda and Indian Head.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Bethesda and Indian Head.

  1. 1

    Start on Tudor Lane

    45 m · 9 sec · Tudor Lane

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Tudor Lane

    103 m · 21 sec · Tudor Lane

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Commonwealth Drive

    106 m · 21 sec · Commonwealth Drive

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Nicholson Lane

    710 ft · 22 sec · Nicholson Lane

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Old Georgetown Road

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Old Georgetown Road

  6. 6

    Turn slight right

    89 m · 11 sec

  7. 7

    Turn slight right onto Democracy Boulevard

    1.6 km · 2 min · Democracy Boulevard

  8. 8

    Take the ramp slight left

    1259 ft · 46 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    1.2 km · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight right onto Capital Beltway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Capital Beltway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway

    18.5 mi · 23 min · Capital Beltway

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway (Local)

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Capital Beltway (Local)

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 210 South: Indian Head

    783 ft · 19 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on MD 210 South: Indian Head

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 210 South

    1391 ft · 34 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Indian Head Highway

    9.6 mi · 14 min · Indian Head Highway

  18. 18

    Continue on Indian Head Highway

    9.4 mi · 15 min · Indian Head Highway

  19. 19

    Continue on Indian Head Highway

    116 m · 17 sec · Indian Head Highway

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Indian Head Highway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between North Bethesda and Indian Head.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
39.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Capital Beltway
22.6 mi · 44%
Indian Head Highway
19 mi · 37%
Capital Beltway (Local)
4.26 mi · 8%
Democracy Boulevard
1.98 mi · 4%
MD 210 South
1.54 mi · 3%
Old Georgetown Road
1.39 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Capital Beltway

Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway

18.5 mi · 00h 23m

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 15m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.4 mi
30.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Forest Heights
00h 37m from North Bethesda
Leave By
4:00 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving North Bethesda and Sunny near Indian Head.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from North Bethesda to Indian Head?

The road trip is about 51.2 miles (82.4 km) and usually takes 01h 15m 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?

Forest Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.6 miles from North Bethesda and 25.6 miles from Indian Head.

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

The direct path is about 30.8 miles (49.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.4 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 4:00 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.40 one way or $14.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around North Bethesda and Sunny near Indian Head.

Stop Ideas Near Forest Heights

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 Forest Heights and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 8.2 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 9.3 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 7.8 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
District of Columbia Court
Nearby stop 8.2 mi away

District of Columbia Court

Washington , DC
430 E St NW #115, Washington, DC 20001
Rating 4.5/5 10 reviews City courthouse,Federal courthouse

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Forest Heights.

RAIL

Union Station

6 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

Washington Union Station

10 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

New Carrollton station

20 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Lorton station

23 mi away
8006 Lorton Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North Bethesda and Indian Head. Straight-line distance: 30.8 mi (49.56 km).

North Bethesda

#1 North Bethesda

A census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population43,828
Coordinates39.0445500, -77.1188700
Altitude120
CountryUnited States
Indian Head

#2 Indian Head

Town in Charles County, Maryland, United States

Population3,787
Coordinates38.6001200, -77.1622000
Altitude29
CountryUnited States
Start: North Bethesda (-77.11887, 39.04455)
End: Indian Head (-77.1622, 38.60012)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 82 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.81 gal
6.84 L · about $7.40
Round trip
$14.79
3.62 gal · 13.68 L
Estimated CO2
16.1 kg one way
Round trip: 32.2 kg / 71 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $7.40 $14.79
Mid-grade $4.60 $8.32 $16.65
Premium $4.95 $8.97 $17.93
Diesel $5.98 $10.82 $21.65

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between North Bethesda and Indian Head. The current time is 05:14:04.

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.