How far is Potomac, MD from South Bel Air, MD?
The driving distance from Potomac, MD to South Bel Air, MD is about 73.1 miles (117.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 58.6 miles (94.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 55m 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 27m.
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.
Census-designated place in Howard County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny then Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Potomac and South Bel Air.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Potomac and South Bel Air.
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1
Start on the route
25 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn right onto Falls Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Falls Road
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3
Turn right onto Democracy Boulevard
4.4 mi · 8 min · Democracy Boulevard
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4
Turn right onto Old Georgetown Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Old Georgetown Road
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5
Turn left onto I 495 East: Baltimore, Silver Spring
1069 ft · 28 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
9.2 mi · 12 min · Capital Beltway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North: Baltimore
1579 ft · 39 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North: Baltimore, New York
1.1 mi · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left
18.4 mi · 21 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 895 North: Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Thruway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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11
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Throughway
1.6 km · 1 min · Harbor Tunnel Throughway
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12
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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13
Continue on Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
1.4 mi · 2 min · Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
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14
Continue on Harbor Tunnel Thruway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Harbor Tunnel Thruway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Express Toll Lanes
8.5 mi · 10 min · Express Toll Lanes
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16
Keep slight right
91 m · 4 sec
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17
Merge slight right onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
7.3 mi · 8 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward MD 24: Bel Air, Edgewood
1781 ft · 38 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on MD 24 North: Bel Air
825 ft · 22 sec
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20
Turn left onto Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
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21
Turn right onto West Ring Factory Road
3105 ft · 2 min · West Ring Factory Road
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22
Turn left onto Emmorton Road
3158 ft · 1 min · Emmorton Road
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23
Continue on South Main Street
151 m · 18 sec · South Main Street
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24
Turn right onto East MacPhail Road
1341 ft · 44 sec · East MacPhail Road
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25
Turn left onto South Shamrock Road
1811 ft · 1 min · South Shamrock Road
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Shamrock Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Potomac and South Bel Air.
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.
I 95 North
Merge slight left
18.4 mi · 00h 21m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Potomac and Mostly Sunny then Rain Showers Likely 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 to South Bel Air?
The road trip is about 73.1 miles (117.7 km) and usually takes 01h 27m 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?
Elkridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.8 miles from Potomac and 37.3 miles from South Bel Air.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 58.6 miles (94.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.5 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 3:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.94 one way or $21.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Potomac and Mostly Sunny then Rain Showers Likely near South Bel Air.
Stop Ideas Near Elkridge
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 Elkridge.
BWI Rail Station
Pennsylvania Station
New Carrollton station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Potomac and South Bel Air. Straight-line distance: 58.63 mi (94.35 km).
#1 Potomac
Census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 44,965 |
| Coordinates | 39.0181700, -77.2085900 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| 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: 118 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.24 | $10.94 | $21.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.84 | $12.49 | $24.98 |
| Premium | $5.15 | $13.28 | $26.55 |
| Diesel | $6.36 | $16.41 | $32.83 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026