Trip from Bethesda, MD to Charlotte Hall, MD

Drive Time

1h 20m

Distance

45.7 mi

74 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 19 min

4 AM

1h 14m ★

6 AM

1h 21m

8 AM

1h 33m

10 AM

1h 25m

12 PM

1h 24m

3 PM

1h 26m

5 PM

1h 32m

8 PM

1h 17m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Bethesda, MD

RDNE Stock project

Charlotte Hall, MD

Lubomir Satko

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Bethesda to Charlotte Hall, expect a straightforward 45.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as the modest duration makes an overnight stay unnecessary. You can anticipate a fuel cost of approximately $8, making it a very budget-friendly excursion within Maryland. The path transitions from the urban environment of Bethesda into the more local, turn-heavy settings of Southern Maryland. Because this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about long-haul logistics.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

22.9 miles from Bethesda, MD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 7% of the journey spent on highways, the experience is defined by navigating local roads like Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, Branch Avenue, and Leonardtown Road. You will find that the longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 12.6-mile segment on Branch Avenue. As you progress toward Charlotte Hall, the road character shifts from dense metropolitan streets to more consistent local thoroughfares. Keep in mind that this is not a high-speed highway trek, so prepare for a more hands-on driving experience.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 46 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Branch Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 12.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.1 miles in near Maine Avenue Southwest.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 36 significant decision points across 45.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 9.1 miles (Maine Avenue Southwest): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (Maine Avenue Southwest): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 36 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

9.1 mi into trip | ~22m in | Maine Avenue Southwest

Keep slight right at fork onto Maine Avenue Southwest

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

9.4 mi into trip | ~22m in | Maine Avenue Southwest

Keep slight left at fork onto Maine Avenue Southwest

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / right lanes.

11.3 mi into trip | ~26m in

Take the exit toward 11th Street Southeast, Southeast Boulevard

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 1С Toward 11th Street Southeast, Southeast Bouleva...

14.4 mi into trip | ~33m in | Southern Avenue Southeast

At end of road, turn left onto Southern Avenue Southeast

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

29.5 mi into trip | ~56m in | MD 5

Take the exit onto MD 5 toward Lexington Park, Leonardtown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward Lexington Park, Leonardtown

Towns Along This Route

Between Bethesda, MD and Charlotte Hall, MD, road signs point toward 11Th Street Southeast, Lexington Park and Leonardtown.

11Th Street Southeast

11.3 mi in | ~26m

Lexington Park

29.5 mi in | ~56m | via MD 5

Leonardtown

29.5 mi in | ~56m | via MD 5

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Branch Avenue	12.6 mi	17m
Leonardtown Road	10.7 mi	15m
Massachusetts Avenue Northwest	3.9 mi	11m
Mattawoman Beantown Road	3.2 mi	4m
Crain Highway	1.9 mi	2m
Little Falls Parkway	1.4 mi	2m
Marion Barry Avenue Southeast	1.2 mi	2m
Southeast Freeway	1.2 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Branch Avenue — 12.6 mi, about 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda, MD and Charlotte Hall, MD.

Start on this road

44 ft · 5 sec · this road

Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue

510 ft · 21 sec · Bethesda Avenue

Turn right onto Arlington Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Arlington Road

At end of road, turn left onto Little Falls Parkway

1.4 mi · 2 min · Little Falls Parkway

Use the straight / left / none lanes.

At end of road, turn left onto MD 396

0.7 mi · 1 min · Massachusetts Avenue

Use the left / right lanes.

Enter roundabout onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

340 ft · 5 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

Continue on Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

1.1 mi · 2 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

Enter roundabout onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

225 ft · 5 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

Continue on Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

2.6 mi · 7 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

Use the straight lane.

Enter roundabout onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

272 ft · 4 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

Continue on Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

486 ft · 19 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

Turn right onto 22nd Street Northwest

0.1 mi · 16 sec · 22nd Street Northwest

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on 23rd Street Northwest

0.5 mi · 50 sec · 23rd Street Northwest

Use the none lane.

Enter roundabout onto Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest

Continue on Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest

0.6 mi · 1 min · Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto 17th Street Northwest

0.5 mi · 51 sec · 17th Street Northwest

Continue on 17th Street Southwest

0.3 mi · 40 sec · 17th Street Southwest

Turn straight onto Independence Avenue Southwest

293 ft · 9 sec · Independence Avenue Southwest

Continue on Independence Avenue Southwest

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Independence Avenue Southwest

Use the left / straight lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto Maine Avenue Southwest

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Maine Avenue Southwest

Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto Maine Avenue Southwest

0.1 mi · 30 sec · Maine Avenue Southwest

Use the none / straight / right lanes.

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 52 sec

Toward I 395 North

Merge onto I 395

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Southwest Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 695

1.2 mi · 1 min · Southeast Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 43 sec

Exit 1С Toward 11th Street Southeast, Southeast Boulevard Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto 11th Street Southeast

0.3 mi · 45 sec · 11th Street Southeast

Use the right lane.

Continue on Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast

0.5 mi · 59 sec · Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto Marion Barry Avenue Southeast

1.2 mi · 2 min · Marion Barry Avenue Southeast

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Naylor Road Southeast

0.7 mi · 1 min · Naylor Road Southeast

Use the right lane.

At end of road, turn left onto Southern Avenue Southeast

204 ft · 6 sec · Southern Avenue Southeast

Use the left lane.

Continue on MD 637

0.3 mi · 52 sec · Naylor Road

Use the none lane.

Enter roundabout onto MD 637

104 ft · 2 sec · Naylor Road

Continue on MD 637

386 ft · 11 sec · Naylor Road

Enter roundabout onto MD 637

112 ft · 2 sec · Naylor Road

Continue on MD 637

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Naylor Road

Merge onto MD 5

0.3 mi · 47 sec · Branch Avenue

Use the right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto MD 5

12 mi · 16 min · Branch Avenue

Use the none lane.

Merge onto US 301; MD 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Crain Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto MD 5

0.3 mi · 39 sec · MD 5

Toward Lexington Park, Leonardtown Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto MD 5

3.2 mi · 4 min · Mattawoman Beantown Road

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto MD 5

11 mi · 15 min · Leonardtown Road

Use the left lane.

Continue on MD 5

1.0 mi · 1 min · Three Notch Road

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto Golden Beach Road

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Golden Beach Road

Turn left onto Charlotte Hall Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Charlotte Hall Road

Turn left

170 ft · 12 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a 1-day trip with no mandatory stops, you have the advantage of setting your own pace without the pressure of a rigid itinerary. Aim to depart outside of peak commuting hours to avoid potential congestion on the local roads that make up the bulk of your 45.7-mile trek. Given the $8 fuel estimate, topping off your tank before leaving Bethesda ensures you won't need to worry about refueling until you reach your destination. Use your flexibility to leave whenever you are ready, but keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route means you should allow for the full 1 hour and 20 minutes of travel time. Pay close attention to navigation when transitioning between Branch Avenue and Leonardtown Road to stay on track.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 22.9 miles from Bethesda, MD, or about 46m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.6 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 45.7 miles or 1h 20m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 22.9 miles or 46m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlotte Hall, MD than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Bethesda, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Bethesda, MD

This is one driving day of about 45.7 miles and 1h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bethesda, MD.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on Branch Avenue for about 12.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 22.9 mi from Bethesda, MD · 46m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

23 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 22.9 miles from Bethesda, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Charlotte Hall, MD

The final approach into Charlotte Hall, MD usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Charlotte Hall, MD.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$7.56 one way

$15.12 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 16 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$8.27	$16.55
premium	$4.92	$8.86	$17.71
diesel	$5.64	$10.15	$20.31

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$33–$58

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 16 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	13.7	$4.80	$2.19
Efficient EV	11.4	$4.00	$1.83
EV Truck/SUV	18.3	$6.40	$2.92

Gas CO2

16 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (69% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 13 hours ago

Origin

Bethesda, MD

Evening in Bethesda on Sunday

Local time

8:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

89°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Charlotte Hall, MD

Evening in Charlotte Hall on Sunday

Local time

8:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

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

27 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 20m 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 Bethesda, MD to Charlotte Hall, MD covers 45.7 miles and takes about 1h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Branch Avenue, Leonardtown Road, Massachusetts Avenue Northwest. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 22.9 miles from Bethesda, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.56 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.

Between Bethesda, MD and Charlotte Hall, MD, road signs point toward 11Th Street Southeast, Lexington Park and Leonardtown.

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Return Trip

Charlotte Hall, MD to Bethesda, MD

Plan the drive back the other way.

45.5 mi 1h 19m

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Trip from Bethesda, MD to Charlotte Hall, MD

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Charlotte Hall, MD

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Bethesda, MD

Charlotte Hall, MD

Same local time

27 degrees cooler at arrival

1h 20m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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