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

The driving distance from Potomac Heights, MD to Bowie, MD is about 41.8 miles (67.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 31.9 miles (51.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 45m 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
41.73 mi
00h 52m
Flight
31.95 mi
51.42 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Potomac Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
31.95 mi
Kilometers
51.42 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
41.73 mi
Kilometers
67.16 km
Drive Time
00h 52m

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 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bowie
Wed, Apr 22, 11:52 PM EDT
Return by in Potomac Heights
Thu, Apr 23, 12:45 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Potomac Heights
2026-04-22T23:00
Arrive Bowie
Wed, Apr 22, 11:52 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:53 AM to 10:53 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:44 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Potomac Heights
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
Camp Springs
MD

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

From Potomac Heights
20.3 mi
00h 26m
To Bowie
21.5 mi
00h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Overnight

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 4:00 AM EDT
Wind
14 mph S
Destination
73°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Greenwood Avenue

    101 m · 15 sec · Greenwood Avenue

  2. 2

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Cedar Lane

    41 m · 4 sec · Cedar Lane

  3. 3

    Exit the roundabout onto Cedar Lane

    2134 ft · 59 sec · Cedar Lane

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Indian Head Highway

    15.6 mi · 23 min · Indian Head Highway

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Palmer Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Palmer Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Tucker Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Tucker Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Allentown Road

    5.6 mi · 10 min · Allentown Road

  8. 8

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

    1130 ft · 28 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    8.4 mi · 11 min · Capital Beltway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 50 East: Annapolis

    2938 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway

    5.5 mi · 6 min · John Hanson Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 197: Bowie

    2050 ft · 50 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on MD 197

    83 m · 7 sec

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto Collington Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · Collington Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Evergreen Parkway

    956 ft · 36 sec · Evergreen Parkway

  16. 16

    Turn right

    79 m · 20 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left

    33 m · 8 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Potomac Heights 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
18 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
43.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Indian Head Highway
15.6 mi · 37%
Capital Beltway
8.39 mi · 20%
Allentown Road
5.57 mi · 13%
John Hanson Highway
5.51 mi · 13%
Palmer Road
1.36 mi · 3%
Tucker Road
1.26 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Indian Head Highway

At the end of the road, turn left onto Indian Head Highway

15.6 mi · 00h 23m

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 52m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.9 mi
31.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Camp Springs
00h 26m from Potomac Heights
Leave By
4:44 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Potomac Heights and Chance Rain Showers near Bowie.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 41.8 miles (67.2 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?

Camp Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.3 miles from Potomac Heights and 21.5 miles from Bowie.

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

The direct path is about 31.9 miles (51.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.9 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 4:44 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.01 one way or $12.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Potomac Heights and Chance Rain Showers near Bowie.

Stop Ideas Near Camp Springs

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 Camp Springs and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 8 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 9.1 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 4.3 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 13.8 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 Camp Springs.

RAIL

Washington Union Station

13 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Union Station

14 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

New Carrollton station

17 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Lorton station

29 mi away
8006 Lorton Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Potomac Heights and Bowie. Straight-line distance: 31.95 mi (51.42 km).

Potomac Heights

#1 Potomac Heights

Census designated place

Population1,117
Coordinates38.6087300, -77.1405300
Altitude23
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: Greenwood Avenue (-77.140775, 38.608673)
End: (-76.730357, 38.94261)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 67 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.47 gal
5.57 L · about $6.01
Round trip
$12.01
2.94 gal · 11.14 L
Estimated CO2
13.1 kg one way
Round trip: 26.1 kg / 58 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $6.01 $12.01
Mid-grade $4.60 $6.76 $13.52
Premium $4.95 $7.28 $14.56
Diesel $5.98 $8.79 $17.58

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 Potomac Heights and Bowie. The current time is 23:00:05.

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.