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

The driving distance from North Bethesda, MD to Towson, MD is about 47.4 miles (76.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37.1 miles (59.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 20m 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
47.44 mi
01h 10m
Flight
37.06 mi
59.65 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
37.06 mi
Kilometers
59.65 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
47.44 mi
Kilometers
76.34 km
Drive Time
01h 10m

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 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Towson
Fri, May 1, 11:17 PM EDT
Return by in North Bethesda
Sat, May 2, 12:27 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North Bethesda
2026-05-01T22:07
Arrive Towson
Fri, May 1, 11:17 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:10 AM to 11:10 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:10 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
Ellicott City
MD

Unincorporated community in Howard County, Maryland, United States

From North Bethesda
23.7 mi
00h 35m
To Towson
23.7 mi
00h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph W
Destination
64°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 right onto Josiah Henson Parkway

    1531 ft · 30 sec · Josiah Henson Parkway

  8. 8

    Continue on Randolph Road

    6.6 mi · 11 min · Randolph Road

  9. 9

    Turn left onto New Hampshire Avenue

    1.4 km · 1 min · New Hampshire Avenue

  10. 10

    Take the ramp right toward MD 200 Toll East

    1190 ft · 29 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Intercounty Connector

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Intercounty Connector

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 29: Silver Spring, Columbia

    1170 ft · 29 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on US 29 North: Columbia

    2435 ft · 59 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike

    16.5 mi · 22 min · Columbia Pike

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 70 East: Baltimore

    1.1 km · 1 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    3.8 mi · 4 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward I 695 North, I 695 South: New York, Towson, Baltimore, Glen Burnie

    1056 ft · 16 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on I 695 North: New York, Towson

    1.2 km · 2 min

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto Baltimore Beltway

    12.5 mi · 17 min · Baltimore Beltway

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 45 South: York Road, Towson

    1245 ft · 50 sec

  21. 21

    Turn left onto West Road

    580 ft · 26 sec · West Road

  22. 22

    Turn right onto York Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · York Road

  23. 23

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Towson Roundabout

    29 m · 2 sec · York Road

  24. 24

    Exit the rotary onto York Road

    152 m · 16 sec · York Road

  25. 25

    Continue on York Road

    156 m · 22 sec · York Road

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Shealy Avenue

    32 m · 5 sec · Shealy Avenue

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Shealy Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
27 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
4 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
57 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Columbia Pike
16.5 mi · 35%
Baltimore Beltway
12.5 mi · 26%
Randolph Road
6.56 mi · 14%
I 70 East
4.41 mi · 9%
Intercounty Connector
2.12 mi · 4%
York Road
1.09 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Columbia Pike

Merge slight left onto Columbia Pike

16.5 mi · 00h 22m

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 10m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.3 mi
37.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ellicott City
00h 35m from North Bethesda
Leave By
4:10 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving North Bethesda and Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Towson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 47.4 miles (76.3 km) and usually takes 01h 10m 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?

Ellicott City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.7 miles from North Bethesda and 23.7 miles from Towson.

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

The direct path is about 37.1 miles (59.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.3 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 4:10 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.82 one way or $13.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around North Bethesda and Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Towson.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North Bethesda and Towson. Straight-line distance: 37.06 mi (59.65 km).

North Bethesda

#1 North Bethesda

A census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland.

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

#2 Towson

Suburb of Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Population55,197
Coordinates39.4015000, -76.6019100
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Start: North Bethesda (-77.11887, 39.04455)
End: Towson (-76.60191, 39.4015)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 76 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.67 gal
6.34 L · about $6.82
Round trip
$13.65
3.34 gal · 12.68 L
Estimated CO2
14.8 kg one way
Round trip: 29.7 kg / 65 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $6.82 $13.65
Mid-grade $4.60 $7.68 $15.36
Premium $4.95 $8.27 $16.55
Diesel $5.98 $9.99 $19.97

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between North Bethesda and Towson. The current time is 22:07:20.

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.