How far is Riverdale Park, MD from Bethesda, MD?
The driving distance from Riverdale Park, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 18.2 miles (29.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 9.1 miles (14.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 30m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Riverdale Park and Bethesda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverdale Park and Bethesda.
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1
Start on Ravenswood Road
72 m · 12 sec · Ravenswood Road
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2
Turn right onto 49th Avenue
82 m · 14 sec · 49th Avenue
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3
Turn right onto East-West Highway
3.6 mi · 8 min · East-West Highway
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4
Continue on Ethan Allen Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · Ethan Allen Avenue
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5
Continue on Carroll Avenue
110 m · 15 sec · Carroll Avenue
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6
Turn right onto Philadelphia Avenue
1.1 mi · 4 min · Philadelphia Avenue
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7
Continue on Burlington Avenue
898 ft · 27 sec · Burlington Avenue
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8
Turn slight right onto East-West Highway
4.1 mi · 10 min · East-West Highway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on East-West Highway
132 m · 17 sec · East-West Highway
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10
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
1401 ft · 52 sec · Wisconsin Avenue
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11
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
2129 ft · 1 min · Bethesda Avenue
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12
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverdale Park 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.
East-West Highway
Turn slight right onto East-West Highway
4.12 mi · 00h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Riverdale Park and Rain Showers Likely near Bethesda.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riverdale Park to Bethesda?
The road trip is about 18.2 miles (29.3 km) and usually takes 00h 30m 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?
Silver Spring is a useful midpoint, sitting about 5.3 miles from Riverdale Park and 12.9 miles from Bethesda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 9.1 miles (14.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.1 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 7:28 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.62 one way or $5.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Riverdale Park and Rain Showers Likely near Bethesda.
Stop Ideas Near Silver Spring
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 Silver Spring.
Washington Union Station
Rockville station
New Carrollton station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riverdale Park and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 9.13 mi (14.7 km).
#1 Riverdale Park
Town of the United States in Prince George's County, Maryland
| Population | 7,192 |
| Coordinates | 38.9634400, -76.9316400 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| 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: 29 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $2.62 | $5.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $2.94 | $5.89 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $3.17 | $6.34 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $3.83 | $7.65 |
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 · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.