How far is Somerset, MD from Bethesda, MD?

The driving distance from Somerset, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 36.9 miles (59.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 27.9 miles (44.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 37m 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
36.88 mi
00h 48m
Flight
27.92 mi
44.94 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Somerset.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
27.92 mi
Kilometers
44.94 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
36.88 mi
Kilometers
59.35 km
Drive Time
00h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bethesda
Sun, Apr 19, 7:20 AM EDT
Return by in Somerset
Sun, Apr 19, 8:09 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Somerset
2026-04-19T06:31
Arrive Bethesda
Sun, Apr 19, 7:20 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:49 AM to 10:49 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:52 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Somerset
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
North Laurel
MD

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

From Somerset
18.5 mi
00h 24m
To Bethesda
18.5 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Sunday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 14 mph W
Destination
63°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 13 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Heather Stone Way

    136 m · 30 sec · Heather Stone Way

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Crain Highway South

    48 m · 10 sec · Crain Highway South

  3. 3

    Turn sharp left onto Quarterfield Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Quarterfield Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto I 97 North: Baltimore

    1411 ft · 36 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    687 ft · 9 sec

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 100: Ellicott City, Gibson Island

    1350 ft · 33 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on MD 100 West: Ellicott City

    1.3 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway

    7.3 mi · 10 min · Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95: Baltimore, Washington

    1420 ft · 27 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South: Washington

    1.2 km · 2 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    14.8 mi · 17 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda, College Park

    1 km · 1 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda

    1.3 km · 2 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway

    6.4 mi · 8 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 Somerset and Bethesda.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
26 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
70.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 South
15.5 mi · 42%
Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
7.3 mi · 20%
Capital Beltway
6.4 mi · 17%
I 495 West
1.44 mi · 4%
Jones Bridge Road
1.12 mi · 3%
Quarterfield Road
0.95 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 95 South

Merge slight left

14.8 mi · 00h 17m

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
00h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9 mi
27.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
North Laurel
00h 24m from Somerset
Leave By
4:52 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Somerset 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 Somerset to Bethesda?

The road trip is about 36.9 miles (59.4 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?

North Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.5 miles from Somerset and 18.5 miles from Bethesda.

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

The direct path is about 27.9 miles (44.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 9 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 4:52 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.31 one way or $10.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near North Laurel

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around North Laurel, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Laurel.

RAIL

BWI Rail Station

16 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

New Carrollton station

21 mi away
4300 Garden City Drive
RAIL

Rockville station

25 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

Washington Union Station

29 mi away
50 Massachusetts Ave NE

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Somerset and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 27.92 mi (44.94 km).

Somerset

#1 Somerset

Town in Maryland, United States

Population1,259
Coordinates39.1534400, -76.6296900
Altitude22
CountryUnited States
Bethesda

#2 Bethesda

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

Population62,448
Coordinates38.9806700, -77.1002600
Altitude97
CountryUnited States
Start: Heather Stone Way (-76.629527, 39.153721)
End: (-77.100214, 38.980669)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 59 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.3 gal
4.93 L · about $5.31
Round trip
$10.62
2.6 gal · 9.86 L
Estimated CO2
11.6 kg one way
Round trip: 23.1 kg / 51 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $5.31 $10.62
Mid-grade $4.60 $5.98 $11.96
Premium $4.95 $6.44 $12.88
Diesel $5.98 $7.77 $15.55

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

There is no time difference between Somerset and Bethesda. The current time is 06:31:44.

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.