How far is Oakland, MD from Bethesda, MD?

The driving distance from Oakland, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 43.6 miles (70.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32.1 miles (51.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 57m 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
43.65 mi
00h 58m
Flight
32.05 mi
51.58 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Oakland.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
32.05 mi
Kilometers
51.58 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
43.65 mi
Kilometers
70.24 km
Drive Time
00h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bethesda
Sun, Apr 19, 9:25 AM EDT
Return by in Oakland
Sun, Apr 19, 10:23 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Oakland
2026-04-19T08:26
Arrive Bethesda
Sun, Apr 19, 9:25 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:59 AM to 10:59 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:32 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Oakland
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Lake Arbor
MD

Census designated place in Prince George’s County, Maryland, United States

From Oakland
22.1 mi
00h 29m
To Bethesda
21.5 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Sunday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 18 mph NW
Destination
63°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 13 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Oakland and Bethesda.

  1. 1

    Start on Muddy Creek Road

    1413 ft · 31 sec · Muddy Creek Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Deale Churchton Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Deale Churchton Road

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Bay Front Road

    29 m · 3 sec · Bay Front Road

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto Bay Front Road

    6.8 mi · 10 min · Bay Front Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Southern Maryland Boulevard

    156 m · 13 sec · Southern Maryland Boulevard

  6. 6

    Take the ramp left toward MD 4 North: Washington

    886 ft · 22 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Stephanie Roper Highway

    4.4 mi · 6 min · Stephanie Roper Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 717: Upper Marlboro

    1525 ft · 52 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Water Street

    1300 ft · 31 sec · Water Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Main Street

    2466 ft · 59 sec · Main Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Largo Road

    7.6 mi · 12 min · Largo Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Landover Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Landover Road

  13. 13

    Take the ramp straight toward I 95 North, I 495 North: College Park, Baltimore

    2934 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    9 mi · 12 min · Capital Beltway

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway

    7.4 mi · 9 min · Capital Beltway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase

    2221 ft · 54 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase

    75 m · 8 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue

    2403 ft · 51 sec · Connecticut Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Jones Bridge Road

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Rockville Pike

    676 ft · 26 sec · Rockville Pike

  21. 21

    Continue on Wisconsin Avenue

    1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Commerce Lane

    104 m · 17 sec · Commerce Lane

  23. 23

    Continue on Edgemoor Lane

    1112 ft · 42 sec · Edgemoor Lane

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Arlington Road

    1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue

    156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn left

    14 m · 3 sec

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
61.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Capital Beltway
16.5 mi · 38%
Largo Road
7.63 mi · 17%
Bay Front Road
6.83 mi · 16%
Stephanie Roper Highway
4.41 mi · 10%
Deale Churchton Road
1.76 mi · 4%
Landover Road
1.65 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Capital Beltway

Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

9.02 mi · 00h 12m

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 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.5 mi
32.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lake Arbor
00h 29m from Oakland
Leave By
4:32 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Oakland and Rain Showers Likely near Bethesda.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Oakland to Bethesda?

The road trip is about 43.6 miles (70.2 km) and usually takes 00h 58m 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?

Lake Arbor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.1 miles from Oakland and 21.5 miles from Bethesda.

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

The direct path is about 32.1 miles (51.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.5 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 4:32 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.29 one way or $12.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Oakland and Rain Showers Likely near Bethesda.

Stop Ideas Near Lake Arbor

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 Lake Arbor and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 9.6 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 9.5 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 8.6 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 8.4 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 Lake Arbor.

RAIL

New Carrollton station

6 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Washington Union Station

15 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Union Station

23 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

BWI Rail Station

33 mi away
7 Amtrak Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Oakland and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 32.05 mi (51.58 km).

Oakland

#1 Oakland

Town in the west-central part of Garrett County, Maryland, United States

Population1,803
Coordinates38.8142800, -76.5438500
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Bethesda

#2 Bethesda

A census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population62,448
Coordinates38.9806700, -77.1002600
Altitude97
CountryUnited States
Start: Muddy Creek Road (-76.543903, 38.815037)
End: (-77.100214, 38.980669)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 70 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.54 gal
5.83 L · about $6.29
Round trip
$12.58
3.08 gal · 11.66 L
Estimated CO2
13.7 kg one way
Round trip: 27.4 kg / 60 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $6.29 $12.58
Mid-grade $4.60 $7.08 $14.16
Premium $4.95 $7.63 $15.26
Diesel $5.98 $9.21 $18.42

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Oakland and Bethesda. The current time is 08:26:20.

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.