Origin
Bethesda, MD
Late night in Bethesda on Saturday
Local time
2:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
64.9 mi
104 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bethesda, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Riverside, MD
Sjuan Dogjani
Bethesda, MD to Riverside, MD is 64.9 miles and takes about 1 hour 26 minutes via I 95, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive primarily within Maryland's Northeast region. Expect a mixed driving experience that's manageable for a single day trip. Given its relatively short duration and modest fuel cost, this route is ideal for a quick transfer or a day excursion without significant planning.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 26m. Total distance: 64.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (30%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
This drive features a 30% highway share, meaning you'll spend a notable portion of your time on high-speed roads like I 95 and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 18.4 miles on I 95, providing a good opportunity to maintain a steady pace. The profile is described as a 'Mixed drive,' suggesting transitions between faster highway sections and potentially some local road segments as you approach your destination. You'll likely experience a blend of efficient travel and more varied road conditions.
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 2.8 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.9 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward I 495 East: Baltimore, Silver Spring
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Baltimore, New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto I 895 / Harbor Tunnel Thruway toward I 895 North: Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MD 543: Belcamp
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bethesda, MD to Riverside, MD, road signs begin pointing toward New York along the way.
New York
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| Harbor Tunnel Thruway | 11.6 mi | 15m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway | 11 mi | 12m |
| Express Toll Lanes | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| Capital Beltway | 6.5 mi | 8m |
| Baltimore Harbor Tunnel | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Jones Bridge Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Harbor Tunnel Throughway | 1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda, MD and Riverside, MD.
Start on this road
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
Turn left onto Arlington Road
Turn right onto Edgemoor Lane
Turn left onto MD 355
Continue on MD 355
Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road
Turn left onto MD 185
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit onto I 895
Continue on I 895
Continue on I 895
Continue on I 895
Continue on I 895
Keep slight left at fork onto I 895
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Turn right onto MD 543
Turn right onto Church Creek Road
Turn right onto Allison Court
Turn right onto Collier Lane
Continue on Collier Lane
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.5 mi from Bethesda, MD · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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.
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 32.5 miles from Bethesda, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Riverside, MD usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$10.76 one way
$21.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $11.78 | $23.57 |
| premium | $4.93 | $12.59 | $25.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.33 | $28.66 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.81
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Tolls
$1
Total
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.81 | $3.12 |
| Efficient EV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.68 | $2.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26 | 0 | $9.09 | $4.15 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Bethesda on Saturday
Local time
2:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Riverside on Saturday
Local time
2:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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