Origin
Bethesda, MD
Morning in Bethesda on Friday
Local time
9:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bethesda, MD to Baden, MD
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 3m
Distance
33.2 mi
53 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 13m
10 AM
1h 7m
12 PM
1h 6m
3 PM
1h 7m
5 PM
1h 13m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bethesda, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Baden, MD
RDNE Stock project
Trip Overview
This 33.2-mile drive from Bethesda, MD to Baden, MD is a straightforward, single-day trip, easily completed in about 1 hour and 3 minutes. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $6, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. The route primarily utilizes local roads like Branch Avenue and Brandywine Road, with a small highway share of 8%. Given its short duration and local road focus, it's ideal for a day trip without the need for an overnight stay. This journey offers a simple, direct path through the Northeast region of Maryland.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 3m. Total distance: 33.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, rather than a high-speed highway experience. Only 8% of the journey involves highway driving, meaning you'll spend most of your time navigating local streets and roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 11.1 miles on Branch Avenue. This profile suggests a drive where you'll be making frequent turns and adjustments, keeping you engaged behind the wheel as you transition through various local landscapes within Maryland.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 41 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 11.1 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 2 miles in near MD 396 / Massachusetts Avenue.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 33.2 miles you will encounter 31 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 miles (MD 396 / Massachusetts Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 31 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
MD 396 / Massachusetts Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto MD 396 / Massachusetts Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
7
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.
7
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 straight / right lanes.
8
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...
7
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.
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 Baden, MD, road signs begin pointing toward 11Th Street Southeast along the way.
11Th Street Southeast
11.3 mi in
|
~26m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Branch Avenue | 11.1 mi | 15m |
| Brandywine Road | 6.7 mi | 11m |
| Massachusetts Avenue Northwest | 3.9 mi | 11m |
| Little Falls Parkway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Marion Barry Avenue Southeast | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Southeast Freeway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Massachusetts Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Branch Avenue
— 11.1 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda, MD and Baden, MD.
1
Start on this road
44 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
510 ft
·
21 sec
·
Bethesda Avenue
3
Turn right onto Arlington Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Arlington Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto Little Falls Parkway
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Little Falls Parkway
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
At end of road, turn left onto MD 396
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Massachusetts Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
6
Enter roundabout onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
340 ft
·
5 sec
·
Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
7
Continue on Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
8
Enter roundabout onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
225 ft
·
5 sec
·
Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
9
Continue on Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
2.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
Use the straight lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
272 ft
·
4 sec
·
Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
11
Continue on Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
486 ft
·
19 sec
·
Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
12
Turn right onto 22nd Street Northwest
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
22nd Street Northwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on 23rd Street Northwest
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
23rd Street Northwest
14
Enter roundabout onto Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
15
Continue on Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
Use the right lane.
16
Turn right onto 17th Street Northwest
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
17th Street Northwest
17
Continue on 17th Street Southwest
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
17th Street Southwest
18
Turn straight onto Independence Avenue Southwest
293 ft
·
9 sec
·
Independence Avenue Southwest
19
Continue on Independence Avenue Southwest
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Independence Avenue Southwest
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto Maine Avenue Southwest
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Maine Avenue Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto Maine Avenue Southwest
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Maine Avenue Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 395 North
23
Merge onto I 395
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Southwest Freeway
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Southeast Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 1С
Toward 11th Street Southeast, Southeast Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
26
Turn right onto 11th Street Southeast
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
11th Street Southeast
Use the right lane.
27
Continue on Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast
28
Turn left onto Marion Barry Avenue Southeast
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Marion Barry Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto Naylor Road Southeast
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Naylor Road Southeast
Use the right lane.
30
At end of road, turn left onto Southern Avenue Southeast
204 ft
·
6 sec
·
Southern Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
31
Continue on MD 637
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
Naylor Road
32
Enter roundabout onto MD 637
104 ft
·
2 sec
·
Naylor Road
33
Continue on MD 637
386 ft
·
11 sec
·
Naylor Road
34
Enter roundabout onto MD 637
112 ft
·
2 sec
·
Naylor Road
35
Continue on MD 637
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Naylor Road
36
Merge onto MD 5
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Branch Avenue
Use the right lane.
37
Keep slight right at fork onto MD 5
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Branch Avenue
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
Use the slight right lane.
39
Turn left onto Spine Road
494 ft
·
14 sec
·
Spine Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
40
Turn right onto Brandywine Road
6.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Brandywine Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
41
Arrive at destination
MD 381
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.6 mi from Bethesda, MD · 38m 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 16.6 miles from Bethesda, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Baden, MD
The final approach into Baden, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.50 one way
$11.01 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $6.03 | $12.06 |
| premium | $4.93 | $6.44 | $12.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.33 | $14.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
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 | 10 | 0 | $3.49 | $1.59 |
| Efficient EV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.91 | $1.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.65 | $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
Baden, MD
Morning in Baden on Friday
Local time
9:14 AM
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
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
1h 3m 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 Baden, MD covers 33.2 miles and takes about 1h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Branch Avenue, Brandywine Road, Massachusetts Avenue Northwest. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16.6 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 $5.50 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 33.2 miles you will encounter 31 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (MD 396 / Massachusetts Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
On the drive from Bethesda, MD to Baden, MD, road signs begin pointing toward 11Th Street Southeast along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chesapeake & Ohio Canal 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. 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.
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