How far is Towson, MD from Bethesda, MD?
The driving distance from Towson, MD to Bethesda, MD is about 48.8 miles (78.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 39.5 miles (63.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 13m 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 06m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Howard County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Towson and Bethesda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Towson and Bethesda.
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1
Start on Shealy Avenue
60 m · 9 sec · Shealy Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Delaware Avenue
81 m · 15 sec · Delaware Avenue
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3
Turn right onto East Pennsylvania Avenue
109 m · 17 sec · East Pennsylvania Avenue
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4
Turn right onto York Road
145 m · 9 sec · York Road
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Towson Roundabout
87 m · 5 sec · York Road
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6
Exit the rotary onto York Road
1.6 km · 2 min · York Road
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 695 West: Pikesville
3034 ft · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Baltimore Beltway
12.4 mi · 17 min · Baltimore Beltway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 East, I 70 West: Local Traffic, Frederick
829 ft · 17 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 West: Frederick
2891 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left
3.7 mi · 4 min
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12
Take the exit slight left toward US 29 South: Columbia, Washington, Ellicott City
1.3 km · 2 min
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13
Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike
21.2 mi · 29 min · Columbia Pike
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14
Continue on Colesville Road
1 mi · 2 min · Colesville Road
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 West: Bethesda, Northern Virginia
1912 ft · 47 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
3 mi · 4 min · Capital Beltway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase
2221 ft · 54 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase
75 m · 8 sec
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19
Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue
2403 ft · 51 sec · Connecticut Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Jones Bridge Road
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21
Turn left onto Rockville Pike
676 ft · 26 sec · Rockville Pike
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22
Continue on Wisconsin Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue
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23
Turn right onto Commerce Lane
104 m · 17 sec · Commerce Lane
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24
Continue on Edgemoor Lane
1112 ft · 42 sec · Edgemoor Lane
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25
Turn left onto Arlington Road
1403 ft · 56 sec · Arlington Road
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26
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
156 m · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue
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27
Turn left
14 m · 3 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Towson 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.
Columbia Pike
Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike
21.2 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.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Towson and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bethesda.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Towson to Bethesda?
The road trip is about 48.8 miles (78.6 km) and usually takes 01h 06m 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?
Ellicott City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.2 miles from Towson and 24.6 miles from Bethesda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 39.5 miles (63.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.3 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 4:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.07 one way or $14.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Towson and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bethesda.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Towson and Bethesda. Straight-line distance: 39.47 mi (63.52 km).
#1 Towson
Suburb of Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| Population | 55,197 |
| Coordinates | 39.4015000, -76.6019100 |
| Altitude | 141 |
| 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: 79 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $7.07 | $14.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.96 | $15.91 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.57 | $17.14 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $10.35 | $20.69 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.