How far is South Gate, MD from Bethesda, MD?
The driving distance from South Gate, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 38.3 miles (61.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 27.5 miles (44.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 46m 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 53m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Census-designated place in Howard County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Gate and Bethesda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Gate and Bethesda.
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1
Start on Nolfield Drive
1448 ft · 2 min · Nolfield Drive
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Phirne Road
1.1 km · 3 min · Phirne Road
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3
Turn left onto Crain Highway South
2688 ft · 1 min · Crain Highway South
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4
Take the ramp straight toward I 97 North: Baltimore
1853 ft · 28 sec
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5
Merge slight left
1.6 km · 1 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward MD 100: Ellicott City, Gibson Island
1350 ft · 33 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on MD 100 West: Ellicott City
1.3 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
7.3 mi · 10 min · Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 95: Baltimore, Washington
1420 ft · 27 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South: Washington
1.2 km · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left
14.8 mi · 17 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda, College Park
1 km · 1 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda
1.3 km · 2 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
6.4 mi · 8 min · Capital Beltway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase
2221 ft · 54 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase
75 m · 8 sec
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17
Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue
2403 ft · 51 sec · Connecticut Avenue
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18
Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Jones Bridge Road
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19
Turn left onto Rockville Pike
676 ft · 26 sec · Rockville Pike
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20
Continue on Wisconsin Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue
-
21
Turn right onto Commerce Lane
104 m · 17 sec · Commerce Lane
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22
Continue on Edgemoor Lane
1112 ft · 42 sec · Edgemoor Lane
-
23
Turn left onto Arlington Road
1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road
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24
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue
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25
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Gate and Bethesda.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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 South Gate and Clear near Bethesda.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Gate to Bethesda?
The road trip is about 38.3 miles (61.6 km) and usually takes 00h 53m 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 19.1 miles from South Gate and 19.2 miles from Bethesda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 27.5 miles (44.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.8 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 4:44 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.30 one way or $10.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around South Gate and Clear near Bethesda.
Stop Ideas Near North Laurel
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Laurel.
BWI Rail Station
New Carrollton station
Rockville station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Gate and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 27.44 mi (44.16 km).
#1 South Gate
South Gate is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.1290000, -76.6258000 |
| Altitude | 16 |
| 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: 62 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.92 | $5.30 | $10.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.55 | $6.14 | $12.28 |
| Premium | $4.87 | $6.57 | $13.15 |
| Diesel | $6.28 | $8.48 | $16.95 |
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 09, 2026