How far is Poolesville, MD from Bethesda, MD?
The driving distance from Poolesville, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 23 miles (37 km), with a travel time of about 00h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.4 miles (32.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 41m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Poolesville and Bethesda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Poolesville and Bethesda.
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1
Start on Elgin Road
18 m · 5 sec · Elgin Road
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2
Turn right onto Fisher Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Fisher Avenue
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3
Continue on White Ferry Crossing
1610 ft · 34 sec · White Ferry Crossing
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4
Turn right onto Partnership Road
3.8 mi · 7 min · Partnership Road
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto River Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · River Road
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6
Continue on River Road
13.8 mi · 25 min · River Road
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7
Turn left onto Goldsboro Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Goldsboro Road
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8
Turn right onto Bradley Boulevard
1680 ft · 53 sec · Bradley Boulevard
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9
Turn left onto Fairfax Road
554 ft · 33 sec · Fairfax Road
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10
Continue on Clarendon Road
701 ft · 32 sec · Clarendon Road
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11
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
48 m · 8 sec · Bethesda Avenue
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12
Turn right
14 m · 3 sec
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Poolesville and Bethesda.
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.
River Road
Continue on River Road
13.8 mi · 00h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Rain Showers leaving Poolesville 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 Poolesville to Bethesda?
The road trip is about 23 miles (37 km) and usually takes 00h 41m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Travilah is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.5 miles from Poolesville and 11.5 miles from Bethesda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.4 miles (32.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.31 one way or $6.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Poolesville and Rain Showers Likely near Bethesda.
Stop Ideas Near Travilah
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Griffith Park at City Hall
Tele-Town Hall
Fairfax City Hall
Falls Church City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Travilah.
Rockville station
Washington Union Station
Burke Centre
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Poolesville and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 20.47 mi (32.94 km).
#1 Poolesville
Town in Maryland, United States
| Population | 5,249 |
| Coordinates | 39.1459400, -77.4169300 |
| Altitude | 125 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bethesda
A census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Maryland.
| Population | 62,448 |
| Coordinates | 38.9806700, -77.1002600 |
| Altitude | 97 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-77.100214, 38.980669)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 37 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $3.31 | $6.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $3.73 | $7.45 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $4.01 | $8.03 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $4.84 | $9.69 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.