How far is Thurmont, MD from Bethesda, MD?
The driving distance from Thurmont, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 55.2 miles (88.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 47.4 miles (76.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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 01h 00m.
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.
Town in Frederick 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 Thurmont and Bethesda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thurmont and Bethesda.
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1
Start on East Main Street
62 m · 12 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn left onto Water Street
677 ft · 24 sec · Water Street
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3
Turn right onto Frederick Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Frederick Road
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4
Turn right onto Tippin Drive
540 ft · 21 sec · Tippin Drive
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5
Take the ramp left toward US 15 South
1478 ft · 36 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Catoctin Mountain Highway
12.5 mi · 17 min · Catoctin Mountain Highway
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7
Continue on Frederick Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Frederick Freeway
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8
Continue on Eisenhower Memorial Highway
22.9 mi · 29 min · Eisenhower Memorial Highway
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9
Keep slight left
6.6 mi · 9 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park
2.5 mi · 3 min
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11
Take the exit slight left toward MD 355 South: Bethesda
2013 ft · 38 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Rockville Pike
1.6 mi · 4 min · Rockville Pike
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13
Continue on Wisconsin Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Commerce Lane
104 m · 17 sec · Commerce Lane
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15
Continue on Edgemoor Lane
1112 ft · 42 sec · Edgemoor Lane
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16
Turn left onto Arlington Road
1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road
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17
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue
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18
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thurmont 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.
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
Continue on Eisenhower Memorial Highway
22.9 mi · 00h 29m
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 Thurmont and Sunny near Bethesda.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thurmont to Bethesda?
The road trip is about 55.2 miles (88.9 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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?
Green Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.5 miles from Thurmont and 28.7 miles from Bethesda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 47.4 miles (76.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.8 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.97 one way or $15.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Thurmont and Sunny near Bethesda.
Stop Ideas Near Green Valley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Griffith Park at City Hall
Gaithersburg City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Green Valley.
Frederick Airport, MD
Frederick, MD
Rockville station
Harpers Ferry
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thurmont and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 47.43 mi (76.33 km).
#1 Thurmont
Town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States
| Population | 7,070 |
| Coordinates | 39.6237100, -77.4108200 |
| Altitude | 158 |
| 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: 89 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $7.97 | $15.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $8.97 | $17.94 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $9.66 | $19.32 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $11.66 | $23.32 |
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 · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.