How far is North Bethesda, MD from Thurmont, MD?

The driving distance from North Bethesda, MD to Thurmont, MD is about 48.7 miles (78.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 42.9 miles (69.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 15m 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
48.62 mi
01h 07m
Flight
42.95 mi
69.12 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
42.95 mi
Kilometers
69.12 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
48.62 mi
Kilometers
78.25 km
Drive Time
01h 07m

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 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Thurmont
Tue, May 12, 8:29 PM EDT
Return by in North Bethesda
Tue, May 12, 9:37 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North Bethesda
2026-05-12T19:21
Arrive Thurmont
Tue, May 12, 8:29 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:14 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
Green Valley
MD

Town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States

From North Bethesda
24.3 mi
00h 33m
To Thurmont
24.3 mi
00h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW
Destination
65°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Bethesda and Thurmont.

  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 · 27 sec · Nicholson Lane

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Old Georgetown Road

    1445 ft · 33 sec · Old Georgetown Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Towne Road

    1182 ft · 24 sec · Towne Road

  7. 7

    Turn sharp left onto Josiah Henson Parkway

    1 mi · 2 min · Josiah Henson Parkway

  8. 8

    Continue on Montrose Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · Montrose Road

  9. 9

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 270 North: Frederick

    1983 ft · 48 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto I 270 North

    27.4 mi · 35 min

  11. 11

    Continue on Frederick Freeway

    4.5 mi · 6 min · Frederick Freeway

  12. 12

    Continue on Catoctin Mountain Highway

    11.8 mi · 16 min · Catoctin Mountain Highway

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Blue Mountain Road

    693 ft · 24 sec · Blue Mountain Road

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Catoctin Furnace Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Catoctin Furnace Road

  15. 15

    Continue on Frederick Road

    1 km · 1 min · Frederick Road

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Water Street

    677 ft · 28 sec · Water Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    62 m · 3 sec · East Main Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
37 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 270 North
27.8 mi · 57%
Catoctin Mountain Highway
11.8 mi · 24%
Frederick Freeway
4.53 mi · 9%
Josiah Henson Parkway
1.04 mi · 2%
Catoctin Furnace Road
0.91 mi · 2%
Montrose Road
0.82 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 270 North

Merge slight left onto I 270 North

27.4 mi · 00h 35m

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 07m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.8 mi
42.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Green Valley
00h 33m from North Bethesda
Leave By
4:14 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving North Bethesda and Sunny near Thurmont.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from North Bethesda to Thurmont?

The road trip is about 48.7 miles (78.3 km) and usually takes 01h 07m 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?

Green Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.3 miles from North Bethesda and 24.3 miles from Thurmont.

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

The direct path is about 42.9 miles (69.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:14 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.99 one way or $13.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Green Valley

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Green Valley, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Green Valley.

BUS

Frederick Airport, MD

14 mi away
1341 Hughes Ford Road
RAIL

Frederick, MD

15 mi away
100 South East Street
RAIL

Rockville station

28 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

Harpers Ferry

38 mi away
Potomac St. & Shenandoah St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North Bethesda and Thurmont. Straight-line distance: 42.95 mi (69.12 km).

North Bethesda

#1 North Bethesda

A census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population43,828
Coordinates39.0445500, -77.1188700
Altitude120
CountryUnited States
Thurmont

#2 Thurmont

Town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States

Population7,070
Coordinates39.6237100, -77.4108200
Altitude158
CountryUnited States
Start: North Bethesda (-77.11887, 39.04455)
End: Thurmont (-77.41082, 39.62371)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 78 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.71 gal
6.49 L · about $6.99
Round trip
$13.97
3.42 gal · 12.98 L
Estimated CO2
15.2 kg one way
Round trip: 30.4 kg / 67 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $6.99 $13.97
Mid-grade $4.60 $7.86 $15.73
Premium $4.95 $8.47 $16.94
Diesel $5.98 $10.23 $20.45

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between North Bethesda and Thurmont. The current time is 19:21:45.

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.