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

The driving distance from Potomac, MD to North Bethesda, MD is about 7.3 miles (11.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 5.2 miles (8.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
7.28 mi
00h 15m
Flight
5.15 mi
8.29 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Potomac.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
5.15 mi
Kilometers
8.29 km
Flight Time

Driving Distance

Road route
7.28 mi
Kilometers
11.71 km
Drive Time
00h 15m

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 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in North Bethesda
Thu, May 7, 2:48 PM EDT
Return by in Potomac
Thu, May 7, 3:04 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Potomac
2026-05-07T14:33
Arrive North Bethesda
Thu, May 7, 2:48 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:16 AM to 7:16 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:58 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Potomac
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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
Cabin John
MD

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

From Potomac
3.4 mi
00h 07m
To North Bethesda
3.9 mi
00h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Overnight

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Thu, May 7 12:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph N
Destination
52°F
Overnight

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Thu, May 7 12:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    25 m · 8 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Falls Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · Falls Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Democracy Boulevard

    4.4 mi · 8 min · Democracy Boulevard

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Old Georgetown Road

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Old Georgetown Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Nicholson Lane

    710 ft · 22 sec · Nicholson Lane

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Commonwealth Drive

    106 m · 18 sec · Commonwealth Drive

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Tudor Lane

    103 m · 16 sec · Tudor Lane

  8. 8

    Continue on Tudor Lane

    45 m · 7 sec · Tudor Lane

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Tudor Lane

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Potomac and North 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
9 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
123.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Democracy Boulevard
4.37 mi · 60%
Old Georgetown Road
1.45 mi · 20%
Falls Road
0.66 mi · 9%
Nicholson Lane
0.13 mi · 2%
Tudor Lane
0.09 mi · 1%
Commonwealth Drive
0.07 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Democracy Boulevard

Turn right onto Democracy Boulevard

4.37 mi · 00h 08m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 15m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+2.1 mi
5.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cabin John
00h 07m from Potomac
Leave By
7:58 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Potomac and Rain Showers Likely near North Bethesda.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 7.3 miles (11.7 km) and usually takes 00h 15m 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?

Cabin John is a useful midpoint, sitting about 3.4 miles from Potomac and 3.9 miles from North Bethesda.

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

The direct path is about 5.2 miles (8.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.1 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 7:58 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.06 one way or $2.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Cabin John

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 Cabin John and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Capitol
Scenic stop 12.1 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 11.2 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
The John Wilson Building
Meeting point 11.1 mi away

The John Wilson Building

Washington , DC
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
Rating 4.6/5 21 reviews City government office
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Nearby stop 12.1 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 Cabin John.

RAIL

Rockville station

12 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

Washington Union Station

16 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE
RAIL

Union Station

21 mi away
110 Callahan Drive
RAIL

Burke Centre

23 mi away
10399 Premier Court

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Potomac and North Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 5.15 mi (8.29 km).

Potomac

#1 Potomac

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

Population44,965
Coordinates39.0181700, -77.2085900
Altitude110
CountryUnited States
North Bethesda

#2 North Bethesda

A census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population43,828
Coordinates39.0445500, -77.1188700
Altitude120
CountryUnited States
Start: (-77.208585, 39.018175)
End: Tudor Lane (-77.119003, 39.044548)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 12 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.26 gal
0.97 L · about $1.06
Round trip
$2.12
0.52 gal · 1.94 L
Estimated CO2
2.3 kg one way
Round trip: 4.6 kg / 10 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $1.06 $2.12
Mid-grade $4.60 $1.20 $2.39
Premium $4.95 $1.29 $2.58
Diesel $5.98 $1.55 $3.11

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 · May 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Potomac and North Bethesda. The current time is 14:33:23.

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.