The drive from Bethesda, MD to Algonquin, MD covers 94.9 miles and takes about 2h 18m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 50, Blue Star Memorial Highway, John Hanson Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 33.3 miles on US 50.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.73 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.4 miles from Bethesda, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 94.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (35%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Bethesda, MD to Algonquin, MD covers 94.9 miles and takes about 2h 18m, 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.
US 50 is the longest continuous segment at about 33.3 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 0.1 miles in near Arlington Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 94.9 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 0.1 miles (Arlington Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Edgemoor Lane): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 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
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|Edgemoor Lane
Turn right onto Edgemoor Lane
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
6
58.8 mi into trip|~1h 20m in|US 50
Keep slight right at fork onto US 50 toward US 50 East: Ocean City, Rehoboth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50 East: Ocean City, Rehoboth
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bethesda, MD to Algonquin, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Rehoboth along the way.
Rehoboth
58.8 mi in|~1h 20m|via US 50
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 50
33.3 mi
47m
Blue Star Memorial Highway
21.6 mi
30m
John Hanson Highway
18.7 mi
21m
Capital Beltway
14.4 mi
18m
Jones Bridge Road
1.1 mi
2m
Wisconsin Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Sandy Hill Road
0.6 mi
2m
Maryland Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 50
— 33.3 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda, MD and Algonquin, 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 SpringUse 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 19AToward US 50 East: AnnapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 50
19 mi·21 min·John Hanson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 50; US 301; MD 2
22 mi·30 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 50
33 mi·47 min·US 50
Toward US 50 East: Ocean City, Rehoboth
15
Turn right onto Maryland Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Maryland Avenue
16
Continue on Muse Street
363 ft·16 sec·Muse Street
17
At end of road, turn left onto Gay Street
367 ft·16 sec·Gay Street
18
Turn right onto Poplar Street
406 ft·13 sec·Poplar Street
19
Continue on Locust Street
0.6 mi·2 min·Locust Street
20
At end of road, turn left onto Glenburn Avenue
246 ft·12 sec·Glenburn Avenue
21
Turn right onto Glasgow Street
0.6 mi·2 min·Glasgow Street
22
Continue on Sandy Hill Road
0.6 mi·2 min·Sandy Hill Road
23
Turn left onto Shawnee Road
0.1 mi·25 sec·Shawnee Road
24
Arrive at destination
Shawnee Road
Trip Plan
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 47.4 miles from Bethesda, MD, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.3 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 21 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.4 miles or 1h 4m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Algonquin, 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 94.9 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Bethesda, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 50 for about 33.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47.4 mi from Bethesda, MD
· 1h 4m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potoma...
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was a deeply spiritual woman who lived her ideals and dedicated her life to freedom. She is the Underground Railroad’s best known conductor and before the Civil War repeatedly risked he...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 94.9
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.5
0
$9.96
$4.56
Efficient EV
23.7
0
$8.30
$3.80
EV Truck/SUV
38
0
$13.29
$6.07
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Bethesda, MD
Morning
in Bethesda on Friday
Local time
8:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Algonquin, MD
Morning
in Algonquin on Friday
Local time
8:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°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
1 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
2h 18m 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 Algonquin, MD covers 94.9 miles and takes about 2h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 50, Blue Star Memorial Highway, John Hanson Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47.4 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 $15.73 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 demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 94.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Arlington Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Edgemoor Lane): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Bethesda, MD to Algonquin, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Rehoboth along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
