How far is Potomac Heights, MD from South Bel Air, MD?
The driving distance from Potomac Heights, MD to South Bel Air, MD is about 91.8 miles (147.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 77.1 miles (124 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 52m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Howard County, Maryland, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain Likely
Chance Light Rain then Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Potomac Heights and South Bel Air.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Potomac Heights and South Bel Air.
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1
Start on Greenwood Avenue
101 m · 15 sec · Greenwood Avenue
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Cedar Lane
41 m · 4 sec · Cedar Lane
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3
Exit the roundabout onto Cedar Lane
2134 ft · 59 sec · Cedar Lane
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Indian Head Highway
19.5 mi · 30 min · Indian Head Highway
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5
Continue on South Capitol Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Capitol Street
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6
Turn slight right onto I 295 North: Malcolm X Avenue, Dorothea Dix Avenue, DHS
639 ft · 18 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 295 North
870 ft · 25 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Anacostia Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Anacostia Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Anacostia Freeway
2.7 mi · 5 min · Anacostia Freeway
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10
Continue on Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Kenilworth Avenue Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Baltimore
2038 ft · 25 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
27 mi · 37 min · Baltimore-Washington Parkway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 895 North: Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Thruway
1327 ft · 32 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Harbor Tunnel Thruway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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15
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway
1.6 km · 1 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
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16
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
7.3 mi · 11 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Express Toll Lanes
8.5 mi · 10 min · Express Toll Lanes
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18
Keep slight right
91 m · 4 sec
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19
Merge slight right onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
7.3 mi · 8 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward MD 24: Bel Air, Edgewood
1781 ft · 38 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on MD 24 North: Bel Air
825 ft · 22 sec
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22
Turn left onto Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
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23
Turn right onto West Ring Factory Road
3105 ft · 2 min · West Ring Factory Road
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24
Turn left onto Emmorton Road
3158 ft · 1 min · Emmorton Road
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25
Continue on South Main Street
151 m · 18 sec · South Main Street
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26
Turn right onto East MacPhail Road
1341 ft · 44 sec · East MacPhail Road
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27
Turn left onto South Shamrock Road
1811 ft · 1 min · South Shamrock Road
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Shamrock Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Potomac Heights and South Bel Air.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Merge slight left onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
27 mi · 00h 37m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Light Rain Likely leaving Potomac Heights and Chance Light Rain then Cloudy near South Bel Air.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Potomac Heights to South Bel Air?
The road trip is about 91.8 miles (147.7 km) and usually takes 01h 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?
Fort George G Mead Junction is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.2 miles from Potomac Heights and 47.7 miles from South Bel Air.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 77.1 miles (124 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.7 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 2:46 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.68 one way or $27.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Potomac Heights and Chance Light Rain then Cloudy near South Bel Air.
Stop Ideas Near Fort George G Mead Junction
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fort George G Mead Junction.
BWI Rail Station
New Carrollton station
Pennsylvania Station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Potomac Heights and South Bel Air. Straight-line distance: 77.04 mi (123.98 km).
#1 Potomac Heights
Census designated place
| Population | 1,117 |
| Coordinates | 38.6087300, -77.1405300 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
#2 South Bel Air
A census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
| Population | 48,828 |
| Coordinates | 39.5331600, -76.3374600 |
| Altitude | 109 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Shamrock Road (-76.337354, 39.533192)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 148 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.22 | $13.68 | $27.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.84 | $15.67 | $31.34 |
| Premium | $5.18 | $16.77 | $33.55 |
| Diesel | $6.49 | $21.04 | $42.08 |
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 · Sep 23, 2026