How far is Riva, MD from Bethesda, MD?
The driving distance from Riva, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 35.2 miles (56.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 28.1 miles (45.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
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 00h 50m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Prince George’s County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Riva and Bethesda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riva and Bethesda.
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1
Start on Tudor Hall Road
35 m · 10 sec · Tudor Hall Road
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2
Turn left onto Riva Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Riva Road
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3
Turn right onto Governor Bridge Road
2.7 mi · 7 min · Governor Bridge Road
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4
Turn right onto Davidsonville Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Davidsonville Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward US 50 West, US 301 South: Washington, Richmond
2824 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway
10.4 mi · 12 min · John Hanson Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, Silver Spring
2347 ft · 57 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 495 North, I 95 North: Beltway
3221 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
6.9 mi · 9 min · Capital Beltway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Capital Beltway
7.4 mi · 9 min · Capital Beltway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase
2221 ft · 54 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase
75 m · 8 sec
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13
Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue
2403 ft · 51 sec · Connecticut Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Jones Bridge Road
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15
Turn left onto Rockville Pike
676 ft · 26 sec · Rockville Pike
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16
Continue on Wisconsin Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue
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17
Turn right onto Commerce Lane
104 m · 17 sec · Commerce Lane
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18
Continue on Edgemoor Lane
1112 ft · 42 sec · Edgemoor Lane
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19
Turn left onto Arlington Road
1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road
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20
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue
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21
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Riva and Bethesda.
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.
John Hanson Highway
Merge slight left onto John Hanson Highway
10.4 mi · 00h 12m
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.
Sunny leaving Riva and Sunny near Bethesda.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riva to Bethesda?
The road trip is about 35.2 miles (56.6 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?
New Carrollton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.5 miles from Riva and 17.6 miles from Bethesda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 28.1 miles (45.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:50 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.90 one way or $9.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Riva and Sunny near Bethesda.
Stop Ideas Near New Carrollton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
D C Government
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
Town Hall Liquor And Bar
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to New Carrollton.
New Carrollton station
Washington Union Station
Union Station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riva and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 28.12 mi (45.26 km).
#1 Riva
Riva is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 38.9520600, -76.5780200 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bethesda
A census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Maryland.
| Population | 62,448 |
| Coordinates | 38.9806700, -77.1002600 |
| Altitude | 97 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-77.100214, 38.980669)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 57 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $4.90 | $9.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.57 | $5.67 | $11.34 |
| Premium | $4.89 | $6.07 | $12.13 |
| Diesel | $6.30 | $7.81 | $15.63 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026