How far is Ridgely, MD from Bethesda, MD?

The driving distance from Ridgely, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 76.4 miles (122.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 65.4 miles (105.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 54m 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
76.35 mi
01h 27m
Flight
65.36 mi
105.19 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ridgely.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
65.36 mi
Kilometers
105.19 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
76.35 mi
Kilometers
122.87 km
Drive Time
01h 27m

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.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bethesda
Mon, May 4, 11:14 PM EDT
Return by in Ridgely
Tue, May 5, 12:41 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ridgely
2026-05-04T21:47
Arrive Bethesda
Mon, May 4, 11:14 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:27 AM to 11:27 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:36 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ridgely
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
Annapolis
MD

City in and county seat of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, and Maryland federated state capital city

From Ridgely
38.2 mi
00h 43m
To Bethesda
38.2 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Monday

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW
Destination
77°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 10:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ridgely and Bethesda.

  1. 1

    Start on East Bell Street

    6 m · 5 sec · East Bell Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Central Avenue

    2304 ft · 50 sec · Central Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 6th Street

    2836 ft · 57 sec · 6th Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Ridgely Road

    2.8 mi · 5 min · Ridgely Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right

    106 m · 10 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Shore Highway

    1.1 km · 59 sec · Shore Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Queen Anne Highway

    6.2 mi · 8 min · Queen Anne Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right

    527 ft · 15 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Ocean Gateway

    28.5 mi · 40 min · Ocean Gateway

  10. 10

    Continue on John Hanson Highway

    18.4 mi · 22 min · John Hanson Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, Silver Spring

    2347 ft · 57 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 495 North, I 95 North: Beltway

    3221 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    6.9 mi · 9 min · Capital Beltway

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway

    7.4 mi · 9 min · Capital Beltway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase

    2221 ft · 54 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase

    75 m · 8 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue

    2403 ft · 51 sec · Connecticut Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Jones Bridge Road

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Rockville Pike

    676 ft · 26 sec · Rockville Pike

  20. 20

    Continue on Wisconsin Avenue

    1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Commerce Lane

    104 m · 17 sec · Commerce Lane

  22. 22

    Continue on Edgemoor Lane

    1112 ft · 42 sec · Edgemoor Lane

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Arlington Road

    1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue

    156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue

  25. 25

    Turn left

    14 m · 3 sec

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Ridgely and 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
26 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
34.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Ocean Gateway
28.5 mi · 37%
John Hanson Highway
18.4 mi · 24%
Capital Beltway
14.3 mi · 19%
Queen Anne Highway
6.28 mi · 8%
Ridgely Road
2.87 mi · 4%
Jones Bridge Road
1.12 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Ocean Gateway

Merge slight left onto Ocean Gateway

28.5 mi · 00h 40m

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
01h 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11 mi
65.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Annapolis
00h 43m from Ridgely
Leave By
3:36 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Ridgely and Sunny near Bethesda.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ridgely to Bethesda?

The road trip is about 76.4 miles (122.9 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?

Annapolis is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.2 miles from Ridgely and 38.2 miles from Bethesda.

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

The direct path is about 65.4 miles (105.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 11 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 3:36 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.99 one way or $21.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ridgely and Sunny near Bethesda.

Stop Ideas Near Annapolis

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 Annapolis and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 14.6 mi away

City of Bowie

Bowie , MD
8614 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, MD 20715
Museum
Annapolis City Hall
Meeting point 2 mi away

Annapolis City Hall

Annapolis , MD
160 Duke of Gloucester St, Annapolis, MD 21401
Rating 2.3/5 3 reviews City government office
Kenhill Center
Nearby stop 12.9 mi away

Kenhill Center

Bowie , MD
2614 Kenhill Dr, Bowie, MD 20715
Rating 4.6/5 25 reviews Community center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Annapolis.

BUS

Kent Island, MD

22 mi away
3206 Main Street
RAIL

BWI Rail Station

29 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

New Carrollton station

32 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

38 mi away
1515 North Charles Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ridgely and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 65.36 mi (105.19 km).

Ridgely

#1 Ridgely

Town in Maryland, United States

Population1,655
Coordinates38.9478900, -75.8843800
Altitude18
CountryUnited States
Bethesda

#2 Bethesda

A census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Population62,448
Coordinates38.9806700, -77.1002600
Altitude97
CountryUnited States
Start: East Bell Street (-75.884403, 38.947928)
End: (-77.100214, 38.980669)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 123 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.69 gal
10.2 L · about $10.99
Round trip
$21.98
5.38 gal · 20.4 L
Estimated CO2
23.9 kg one way
Round trip: 47.8 kg / 105 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $10.99 $21.98
Mid-grade $4.60 $12.37 $24.74
Premium $4.95 $13.33 $26.65
Diesel $5.98 $16.09 $32.17

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 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Ridgely and Bethesda. The current time is 21:47:43.

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.