How far is North Potomac, MD from Bowie, MD?

The driving distance from North Potomac, MD to Bowie, MD is about 43.1 miles (69.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 30.3 miles (48.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 43m 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
43.1 mi
00h 51m
Flight
30.29 mi
48.75 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North Potomac.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
30.29 mi
Kilometers
48.75 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
43.1 mi
Kilometers
69.36 km
Drive Time
00h 51m

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 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bowie
Thu, Apr 23, 2:48 AM EDT
Return by in North Potomac
Thu, Apr 23, 3:40 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North Potomac
2026-04-23T01:56
Arrive Bowie
Thu, Apr 23, 2:48 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:52 AM to 10:52 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:46 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in North Potomac
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
Kemp Mill
MD

Census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States

From North Potomac
18.6 mi
00h 25m
To Bowie
24.5 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NW
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between North Potomac and Bowie.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Potomac and Bowie.

  1. 1

    Start on Query Mill Road

    35 m · 7 sec · Query Mill Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Turkey Foot Road

    2947 ft · 1 min · Turkey Foot Road

  3. 3

    Exit the roundabout onto Travilah Road

    1951 ft · 41 sec · Travilah Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Travilah Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Travilah Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Piney Meetinghouse Road

    1566 ft · 39 sec · Piney Meetinghouse Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Shady Grove Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Shady Grove Road

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Darnestown Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · Darnestown Road

  8. 8

    Turn right onto West Montgomery Avenue

    2657 ft · 54 sec · West Montgomery Avenue

  9. 9

    Take the ramp straight toward I 270 South: Washington

    1719 ft · 44 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    3.7 mi · 5 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park

    2.8 mi · 4 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight right onto Capital Beltway

    16.3 mi · 21 min · Capital Beltway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 50 East: Annapolis

    1 mi · 2 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway

    5.7 mi · 7 min · John Hanson Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 197: Bowie

    2050 ft · 50 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on MD 197

    83 m · 7 sec

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto Collington Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · Collington Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Evergreen Parkway

    956 ft · 36 sec · Evergreen Parkway

  19. 19

    Turn right

    79 m · 20 sec

  20. 20

    Turn left

    33 m · 8 sec

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between North Potomac and Bowie.

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
21 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
48.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Capital Beltway
16.3 mi · 38%
I 270 South
6.78 mi · 16%
John Hanson Highway
5.68 mi · 13%
Travilah Road
2.15 mi · 5%
Shady Grove Road
1.6 mi · 4%
US 50 East
1.01 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Capital Beltway

Merge slight right onto Capital Beltway

16.3 mi · 00h 21m

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
00h 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.8 mi
30.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kemp Mill
00h 25m from North Potomac
Leave By
4:46 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving North Potomac and Sunny near Bowie.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from North Potomac to Bowie?

The road trip is about 43.1 miles (69.4 km) and usually takes 00h 51m 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?

Kemp Mill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.6 miles from North Potomac and 24.5 miles from Bowie.

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

The direct path is about 30.3 miles (48.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.8 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 4:46 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.21 one way or $12.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around North Potomac and Sunny near Bowie.

Stop Ideas Near Kemp Mill

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 Kemp Mill and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 8.7 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 7.3 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 12 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
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 4.3 mi away

Town Hall Liquor And Bar

College Park , MD
8135 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740
Rating 4.3/5 319 reviews Liquor store,Bar

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kemp Mill.

RAIL

Rockville station

12 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

New Carrollton station

16 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Washington Union Station

16 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Union Station

26 mi away
110 Callahan Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North Potomac and Bowie. Straight-line distance: 30.29 mi (48.75 km).

North Potomac

#1 North Potomac

Census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States

Population24,410
Coordinates39.0828900, -77.2649800
Altitude79
CountryUnited States
Bowie

#2 Bowie

The most populous city in Prince George's County, Maryland.

Population58,212
Coordinates38.9427800, -76.7302800
Altitude42
CountryUnited States
Start: Query Mill Road (-77.265145, 39.083029)
End: (-76.730357, 38.94261)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 69 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.52 gal
5.76 L · about $6.21
Round trip
$12.42
3.04 gal · 11.52 L
Estimated CO2
13.5 kg one way
Round trip: 27 kg / 60 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $6.21 $12.42
Mid-grade $4.60 $6.99 $13.98
Premium $4.95 $7.53 $15.06
Diesel $5.98 $9.09 $18.18

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 Potomac and Bowie. The current time is 01:56:54.

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.