Drive Time
22m
Distance
13.3 mi
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
The drive from Bethesda, MD to Beltsville, MD covers 13.3 miles and takes about 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Bethesda Avenue, Arlington Road, Edgemoor Lane for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.14 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
6.7 miles from Bethesda, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Expect a 22m drive with frequent turns across 13.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bethesda Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Arlington Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Edgemoor Lane | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Wisconsin Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Rockville Pike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Jones Bridge Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Connecticut Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 495 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda, MD and Beltsville, MD.
Start on the route
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
Turn left onto Arlington Road
Turn right onto Edgemoor Lane
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
Continue on Rockville Pike
Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road
Turn left onto Connecticut Avenue
Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 East: Baltimore, Silver Spring
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: College Park, Laurel
Keep slight left to continue on US 1 North: Laurel
Keep slight right to continue on US 1 North: Laurel, Baltimore Avenue
Turn straight onto Baltimore Avenue
Turn left onto Powder Mill Road
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 13.3 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.7 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beltsville, MD than in the middle of the route.
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 13.3 miles and 22m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.7 mi from Bethesda, MD · 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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 13.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 6.7 miles from Bethesda, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Beltsville, 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 Beltsville, MD.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$2.14 one way
$4.28 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $2.41 | $4.82 |
| premium | $4.95 | $2.59 | $5.19 |
| diesel | $5.98 | $3.13 | $6.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.7 kg one way.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Bethesda on Saturday
Local time
5:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Beltsville on Saturday
Local time
5:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
68°F
Alexandria, VA
7 mi in
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
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.
Explore more options from Bethesda, MD or browse trips ending in Beltsville, MD.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MD road trips.
Explore maps for Bethesda, MD or Beltsville, MD on MapSof.net.