How far is South Bel Air, MD from Arbutus, MD?

The driving distance from South Bel Air, MD to Arbutus, MD is about 35.9 miles (57.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 27.3 miles (43.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 43m 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
35.89 mi
00h 51m
Flight
27.3 mi
43.93 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from South Bel Air.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
27.3 mi
Kilometers
43.93 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
35.89 mi
Kilometers
57.76 km
Drive Time
00h 51m

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 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Arbutus
Thu, Apr 30, 9:30 AM EDT
Return by in South Bel Air
Thu, Apr 30, 10:21 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Bel Air
2026-04-30T08:38
Arrive Arbutus
Thu, Apr 30, 9:30 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:52 AM to 10:52 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:46 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in South Bel Air
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Rossville
MD

City in Walker County, Georgia, USA

From South Bel Air
18 mi
00h 25m
To Arbutus
18 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 to 15 mph NW
Destination
65°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between South Bel Air and Arbutus.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Bel Air and Arbutus.

  1. 1

    Start on South Shamrock Road

    1811 ft · 1 min · South Shamrock Road

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto East MacPhail Road

    1341 ft · 45 sec · East MacPhail Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    151 m · 14 sec · South Main Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Emmorton Road

    3158 ft · 1 min · Emmorton Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto West Ring Factory Road

    3105 ft · 2 min · West Ring Factory Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway

    3.9 mi · 6 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Baltimore

    1 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway

    8.1 mi · 9 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Express Toll Lanes

    6.5 mi · 8 min · Express Toll Lanes

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Express Toll Lanes

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Express Toll Lanes

  11. 11

    Merge slight right

    3.9 mi · 5 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight right

    7 mi · 9 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 695 West: Towson

    3248 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Baltimore Beltway

    1.5 km · 1 min · Baltimore Beltway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Wilkens Avenue

    83 m · 7 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on MD 372 East: Wilkens Avenue

    891 ft · 22 sec

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto Wilkens Avenue

    1044 ft · 27 sec · Wilkens Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Courtney Road

    2103 ft · 1 min · Courtney Road

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Westland Boulevard

    1795 ft · 56 sec · Westland Boulevard

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Linden Avenue

    85 m · 12 sec · Linden Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Shelbourne Road

    23 m · 3 sec · Shelbourne Road

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Shelbourne Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between South Bel Air and Arbutus.

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
22 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
61.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Express Toll Lanes
18.5 mi · 52%
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
8.15 mi · 23%
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
3.91 mi · 11%
Baltimore Beltway
0.96 mi · 3%
I 95 South
0.63 mi · 2%
I 695 West
0.62 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway

Merge slight left onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway

8.15 mi · 00h 09m

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 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.6 mi
27.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rossville
00h 25m from South Bel Air
Leave By
4:46 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving South Bel Air and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Arbutus.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from South Bel Air to Arbutus?

The road trip is about 35.9 miles (57.8 km) and usually takes 00h 51m 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?

Rossville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18 miles from South Bel Air and 18 miles from Arbutus.

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

The direct path is about 27.3 miles (43.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.6 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 4:46 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.19 one way or $10.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around South Bel Air and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Arbutus.

Stop Ideas Near Rossville

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Rossville, 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 Rossville.

RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

12 mi away
1515 North Charles Street
RAIL

BWI Rail Station

25 mi away
7 Amtrak Way
RAIL

Aberdeen

33 mi away
18 East Bel Air Ave.
BUS

Kent Island, MD

46 mi away
3206 Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between South Bel Air and Arbutus. Straight-line distance: 27.3 mi (43.93 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 South Bel Air

A census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

Population48,828
Coordinates39.5331600, -76.3374600
Altitude109
CountryUnited States
Arbutus

#2 Arbutus

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

Population20,483
Coordinates39.2545500, -76.6999700
Altitude46
CountryUnited States
Start: South Bel Air (-76.33746, 39.53316)
End: Arbutus (-76.69997, 39.25455)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 58 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 43m
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.

One-way fuel
1.27 gal
4.79 L · about $5.19
Round trip
$10.38
2.54 gal · 9.58 L
Estimated CO2
11.3 kg one way
Round trip: 22.6 kg / 50 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $5.19 $10.38
Mid-grade $4.60 $5.84 $11.68
Premium $4.95 $6.29 $12.58
Diesel $5.98 $7.59 $15.19

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between South Bel Air and Arbutus. The current time is 08:38:46.

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.