Origin
Bladensburg, MD
Night in Bladensburg on Sunday
Local time
10:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bladensburg, MD to North Bethesda, MD
Drive Time
31m
Distance
21.2 mi
34 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 28m
★
6 AM
0h 31m
8 AM
0h 36m
10 AM
0h 33m
12 PM
0h 32m
3 PM
0h 33m
5 PM
0h 36m
8 PM
0h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Bethesda, MD
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 21.2 miles, this drive from Bladensburg to North Bethesda is a straightforward journey typically taking about 31 minutes. Since the entire route is well within the Northeast region, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $4 on fuel for the trek, making it an affordable commute between these two Maryland locations. You will primarily navigate the Capital Beltway, the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, and Rockville Pike to reach your destination. Because this is a short trip with no required stops, it works perfectly as a quick, efficient connection for your travel schedule.
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
10.6 miles from Bladensburg, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that transitions from high-speed corridors to more congested urban stretches. You will spend about 18 miles—nearly 85% of your trip—on highways, providing a fast start to your journey. The longest uninterrupted section involves 13.1 miles on the Capital Beltway, which offers the most consistent pace of the entire drive. As you exit the major highway system, the character of the road shifts, requiring you to navigate toward Rockville Pike. Be prepared for a mix of open interstate travel and the more technical, stop-and-start nature of local Maryland roadways.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Capital Beltway is the longest continuous segment at about 13.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
395 ft
79 ft
Total Climb
437 ft
Total Descent
164 ft
Highest Point
395 ft
~21.2 mi in
Elevation Range
316 ft
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 1.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 21.2 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 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.3 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Turn left toward MD 295: Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward MD 295: Baltimore-Washington Internation...
7
5.2 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, Coll...
8
9.3 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
I 495 / Capital Beltway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495 / Capital Beltway toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
8
18.5 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward MD 355: Bethesda, Rockville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 34
Toward MD 355: Bethesda, Rockville
6
20.7 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
Nicholson Lane
Turn left onto Nicholson Lane
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Bladensburg, MD and North Bethesda, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore, College Park, Silver Spring and Rockville.
Baltimore
1.1 mi in
|
~2m
College Park
5.2 mi in
|
~7m
Silver Spring
9.3 mi in
|
~13m
|
via I 495
Rockville
18.5 mi in
|
~25m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Beltway | 13.1 mi | 16m |
| Baltimore-Washington Parkway | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| Rockville Pike | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Annapolis Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Nicholson Lane | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Tudor Lane | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Commonwealth Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Quincy Place | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Capital Beltway
— 13.1 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bladensburg, MD and North Bethesda, MD.
1
Start on this road
34 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Quincy Place
46 ft
·
5 sec
·
Quincy Place
3
Turn right onto MD 450
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Annapolis Road
4
Turn slight left onto MD 450
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Annapolis Road
Use the slight left lane.
5
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward MD 295: Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto Baltimore-Washington Parkway
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, College Park
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 95; I 495
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
9.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Capital Beltway
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 34
Toward MD 355: Bethesda, Rockville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto MD 355
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Rockville Pike
12
Turn left onto Nicholson Lane
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Nicholson Lane
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto Commonwealth Drive
347 ft
·
17 sec
·
Commonwealth Drive
14
Turn right onto Tudor Lane
338 ft
·
15 sec
·
Tudor Lane
15
Continue on Tudor Lane
146 ft
·
6 sec
·
Tudor Lane
16
Arrive at destination
Tudor Lane
Trip Plan
Given the short 31-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours on the Capital Beltway is always a smart strategy. You won't need to plan for any formal stops since the total distance is only 21.2 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you leave, as the $4 estimate assumes a standard vehicle and consistent driving conditions. Since this route involves navigating multiple major arteries, pay close attention to signage when transitioning from the Baltimore-Washington Parkway to the Beltway. Taking this quick trip in one go is the most efficient way to travel, allowing you to reach North Bethesda without the need for pacing or rest breaks.
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 10.6 miles from Bladensburg, MD, or about 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.1 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 21.2 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.6 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Bethesda, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bladensburg, 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 Bladensburg, MD
This is one driving day of about 21.2 miles and 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bladensburg, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Capital Beltway for about 13.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.6 mi from Bladensburg, MD · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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 21.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 10.6 miles from Bladensburg, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in North Bethesda, MD
The final approach into North Bethesda, 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 North Bethesda, MD.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.51 one way
$7.02 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $3.84 | $7.68 |
| premium | $4.92 | $4.11 | $8.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.71 | $9.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.4 | 0 | $2.23 | $1.02 |
| Efficient EV | 5.3 | 0 | $1.85 | $0.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.97 | $1.36 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
North Bethesda, MD
Night in North Bethesda on Sunday
Local time
10:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
31m 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 Bladensburg, MD to North Bethesda, MD covers 21.2 miles and takes about 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Capital Beltway, Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Rockville Pike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.6 miles from Bladensburg, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.51 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 12 significant decision points across 21.2 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 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.3 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Bladensburg, MD and North Bethesda, MD, road signs point toward Baltimore, College Park, Silver Spring and Rockville.
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