Drive Time
29m
Distance
12 mi
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
The drive from Bethesda, MD to Bladensburg, MD covers 12 miles and takes about 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Bethesda Avenue, Wisconsin Avenue, Montgomery Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $1.93 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 miles from Bethesda, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
Expect a 29m drive with frequent turns across 12 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bethesda Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Wisconsin Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Montgomery Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East-West Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Burlington Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Fenton Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Takoma Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Eastern Avenue Northwest | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Bethesda, MD and Bladensburg, MD.
Start on the route
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
Turn right onto Montgomery Avenue
Turn straight onto East-West Highway
Turn left onto Burlington Avenue
Turn right onto Fenton Street
Turn right onto Takoma Avenue
Continue on Eastern Avenue Northwest
Turn right onto Cedar Street Northwest
Turn left onto Carroll Street Northwest
Turn slight right onto Eastern Avenue Northwest
Turn left onto Riggs Road
Turn right onto Chillum Road
Continue on 34th Street
Turn left onto Windom Road
Turn right onto 38th Street
Continue on 38th Avenue
Turn left onto Bladensburg Road
Continue on Bladensburg Road
Continue on Annapolis Road
Turn right onto Quincy Place
Turn right
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 12 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6 miles or 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bladensburg, 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 12 miles and 29m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6 mi from Bethesda, MD · 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 6 miles from Bethesda, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Bladensburg, 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 Bladensburg, MD.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$1.93 one way
$3.86 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $2.17 | $4.35 |
| premium | $4.95 | $2.34 | $4.68 |
| diesel | $5.98 | $2.83 | $5.65 |
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: 4.2 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
5:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Bladensburg on Saturday
Local time
5:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
68°F
Alexandria, VA
6 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 Bladensburg, MD.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MD road trips.
Explore maps for Bethesda, MD or Bladensburg, MD on MapSof.net.