Origin
Arbutus, MD
Evening in Arbutus on Thursday
Local time
7:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arbutus, MD to Bethesda, MD
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
47m
Distance
33.1 mi
53 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 44m
★
6 AM
0h 48m
8 AM
0h 56m
10 AM
0h 50m
12 PM
0h 50m
3 PM
0h 51m
5 PM
0h 55m
8 PM
0h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arbutus, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Bethesda, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Arbutus, MD to Bethesda, MD covers 33.1 miles and takes about 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Capital Beltway, Jones Bridge Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 18.9 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.49 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 47m. Total distance: 33.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Arbutus, MD to Bethesda, MD covers 33.1 miles and takes about 47m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 18.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 18 decision points packed into just 33.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 47m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
2.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4B
Toward I 95 South: Washington
8
21.8 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda, College Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 27
Toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda, Col...
6
22.4 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda
8
29.6 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 33
Toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase
8
30 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South,...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Arbutus, MD and Bethesda, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Chevy Chase.
College Park
21.8 mi in
|
~28m
Chevy Chase
29.6 mi in
|
~39m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 18.9 mi | 21m |
| Capital Beltway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| Jones Bridge Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Shelbourne Road | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| Wisconsin Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Metropolitan Boulevard | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Connecticut Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Sulphur Spring Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 18.9 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arbutus, MD and Bethesda, MD.
1
Start on Shelbourne Road
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Shelbourne Road
2
Turn right onto Sulphur Spring Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Sulphur Spring Road
3
Turn right onto Selford Road
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Selford Road
4
Continue on South Rolling Road
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Rolling Road
5
Take the ramp
399 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 195 East
6
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
this road
Toward I 195 East
7
Merge onto MD 166
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
Metropolitan Boulevard
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 4B
Toward I 95 South: Washington
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 95
19 mi
·
21 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 27
Toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda, College Park
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda
12
Merge onto I 495
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 33
Toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
246 ft
·
8 sec
Toward MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto MD 185
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Connecticut Avenue
Use the right lane.
16
Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Jones Bridge Road
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto MD 355
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Rockville Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Continue on MD 355
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Wisconsin Avenue
19
Turn right onto Commerce Lane
340 ft
·
17 sec
·
Commerce Lane
20
Continue on Edgemoor Lane
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Edgemoor Lane
21
Turn left onto Arlington Road
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
Arlington Road
22
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
510 ft
·
22 sec
·
Bethesda Avenue
23
Turn left
44 ft
·
3 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.5 mi from Arbutus, MD · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.5 miles from Arbutus, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bethesda, MD
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Bethesda, MD if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.49 one way
$10.98 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $6.01 | $12.02 |
| premium | $4.93 | $6.42 | $12.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.31 | $14.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.9 | 0 | $3.48 | $1.59 |
| Efficient EV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.90 | $1.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.63 | $2.12 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Bethesda, MD
Evening in Bethesda on Thursday
Local time
7:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
47m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Arbutus, MD to Bethesda, MD covers 33.1 miles and takes about 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Capital Beltway, Jones Bridge Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16.5 miles from Arbutus, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.49 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a short but busy drive. With 18 decision points packed into just 33.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 47m.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Arbutus, MD and Bethesda, MD, road signs point toward College Park and Chevy Chase.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.
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