Trip from Bethesda, MD to Davidsonville, MD

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

47m

Distance

32.6 mi

52 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$5

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 12 min

4 AM

0h 43m ★

6 AM

0h 47m

8 AM

0h 55m

10 AM

0h 50m

12 PM

0h 49m

3 PM

0h 50m

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.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

Bethesda, MD to Davidsonville, MD is 32.6 miles and takes about 47 minutes via Capital Beltway and John Hanson Highway, with a fuel budget near $5 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, same-day trip entirely within Maryland. You'll primarily be on major roadways, making it a quick connection between these two points. The route is best suited for those looking for an efficient drive rather than a scenic journey. Consider this trip if you need to get from the Bethesda area to Davidsonville without much fuss.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 47m. Total distance: 32.6 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.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

This drive is characterized by a high number of turns, suggesting a local and less highway-intensive experience despite brief highway segments. With a 0% highway share, you'll be navigating a network of local roads for the entire 32.6 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 14.4 miles on the Capital Beltway, offering a taste of faster travel before transitioning back to more involved driving. Expect a route that requires your attention, with frequent adjustments and navigation needed to reach your destination.

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

There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Capital Beltway is the longest continuous segment at about 14.4 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 0.1 miles in near Arlington Road.

Driving Effort 8/10

Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 32.6 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 0.1 miles (Arlington Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

5

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Arlington Road

Turn left onto Arlington Road

Navigation decision point

7

2.8 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the ramp toward I 495 East: Baltimore, Silver Spring

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 495 East: Baltimore, Silver Spring

7

17.5 mi into trip | ~25m in

Take the exit toward US 50 East: Annapolis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 19A Toward US 50 East: Annapolis

8

28.9 mi into trip | ~40m in

Take the exit toward MD 424: Davidsonville, Crofton

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 16 Toward MD 424: Davidsonville, Crofton

8

29.4 mi into trip | ~41m in

Keep slight right at fork toward MD 424 South: Davidsonville Road, Davidsonville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward MD 424 South: Davidsonville Road, Davids...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Bethesda, MD and Davidsonville, MD, road signs point toward Silver Spring and Crofton.

Silver Spring

2.8 mi in | ~7m

Crofton

28.9 mi in | ~40m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Capital Beltway	14.4 mi	18m
John Hanson Highway	10.4 mi	11m
Davidsonville Road	3 mi	5m
Jones Bridge Road	1.1 mi	2m
Wisconsin Avenue	0.7 mi	1m
Connecticut Avenue	0.3 mi	<1m
Edgemoor Lane	0.3 mi	<1m
Arlington Road	0.3 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Capital Beltway — 14.4 mi, about 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

44 ft · 5 sec · this road

2

Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue

510 ft · 24 sec · Bethesda Avenue

3

Turn left onto Arlington Road

0.3 mi · 55 sec · Arlington Road

4

Turn right onto Edgemoor Lane

0.3 mi · 51 sec · Edgemoor Lane

5

Turn left onto MD 355

0.7 mi · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue

6

Continue on MD 355

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Rockville Pike

7

Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Jones Bridge Road

8

Turn left onto MD 185

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Connecticut Avenue

Use the left / slight left lanes.

9

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 495 East: Baltimore, Silver Spring Use the slight right lane.

10

Merge onto I 495

14 mi · 18 min · Capital Beltway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

11

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min

Exit 19A Toward US 50 East: Annapolis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

12

Merge onto US 50

10 mi · 11 min · John Hanson Highway

13

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 16 Toward MD 424: Davidsonville, Crofton Use the straight / slight right lanes.

14

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward MD 424 South: Davidsonville Road, Davidsonville Use the straight / slight left lanes.

15

Turn straight onto MD 424

3.0 mi · 5 min · Davidsonville Road

16

Arrive at destination

Birdsville Road

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 16.3 mi from Bethesda, MD · 24m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Riverdale Park, MD

16 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

Crofton, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New Carrollton, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 16.3 miles from Bethesda, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Davidsonville, MD

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Davidsonville, 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

$5.40 one way

$10.81 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 11 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$5.92	$11.84
premium	$4.93	$6.32	$12.64
diesel	$5.61	$7.20	$14.40

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$5

Estimated CO2 emission: 11.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	9.8	$3.42	$1.56
Efficient EV	8.2	$2.85	$1.30
EV Truck/SUV	13	$4.56	$2.09

Gas CO2

11 kg

EV CO2

4 kg (64% 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 as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Bethesda, MD

Morning in Bethesda on Friday

Local time

11:39 AM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Davidsonville, MD

Morning in Davidsonville on Friday

Local time

11:39 AM

EDT

Current temp

73°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

2 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

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 Bethesda, MD to Davidsonville, MD covers 32.6 miles and takes about 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Capital Beltway, John Hanson Highway, Davidsonville Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 16.3 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 $5.40 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 11 decision points packed into just 32.6 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 0.1 miles (Arlington Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Between Bethesda, MD and Davidsonville, MD, road signs point toward Silver Spring and Crofton.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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