Trip from Charlotte Hall, MD to Bethesda, MD

Drive Time

1h 19m

Distance

45.5 mi

73 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 18 min

4 AM

1h 13m ★

6 AM

1h 19m

8 AM

1h 31m

10 AM

1h 23m

12 PM

1h 22m

3 PM

1h 24m

5 PM

1h 31m

8 PM

1h 15m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Charlotte Hall, MD

Lubomir Satko

Bethesda, MD

RDNE Stock project

Trip Overview

Traveling from Charlotte Hall to Bethesda covers 45.5 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 19 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively short trip, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. You can expect to spend approximately $8 on fuel for the journey, making it a very affordable transit between these two Maryland locations. This route keeps you within the Northeast region, transitioning from the more rural character of Charlotte Hall toward the busier suburban environment of Bethesda. It is a straightforward drive that functions well for commuters or anyone looking to reach the Bethesda area without a complex travel plan.

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

22.8 miles from Charlotte Hall, MD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 33m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as only 7% of this route consists of highway driving. You will navigate a mix of roads including Leonardtown Road, Mattawoman Beantown Road, and Branch Avenue. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on Branch Avenue, covering 12.2 miles before you encounter further turns. Because the route relies heavily on local roads, you should stay alert to changing traffic patterns as you move from the start to your final destination. This drive requires more active engagement than a typical interstate slog, as the frequent turns and local road transitions define the experience behind the wheel.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 46 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 12.2 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 18.5 miles in near MD 5 / Branch Avenue.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 34 significant decision points across 45.5 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 18.5 miles (MD 5 / Branch Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.3 miles (MD 5 / Branch Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.9 miles (MD 637 / Naylor Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 34 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

18.5 mi into trip | ~27m in | MD 5 / Branch Avenue

Keep slight left at fork onto MD 5 / Branch Avenue toward MD 5 North: Washington

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward MD 5 North: Washington

30.3 mi into trip | ~43m in | MD 5 / Branch Avenue

Keep slight right at fork onto MD 5 / Branch Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

30.9 mi into trip | ~44m in | MD 637 / Naylor Road

Enter roundabout onto MD 637 / Naylor Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

35.7 mi into trip | ~55m in

Take the exit toward Maine Avenue Southwest, 12th Street Northwest, Downtown

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 4B-A Toward Maine Avenue Southwest, 12th Street Nort...

35.9 mi into trip | ~55m in

Keep slight right at fork toward 12th Street Northwest, Downtown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 4B Toward 12th Street Northwest, Downtown

Towns Along This Route

Between Charlotte Hall, MD and Bethesda, MD, road signs point toward Maine Avenue Southwest, 12Th Street Northwest and Downtown.

Maine Avenue Southwest

35.7 mi in | ~55m

12Th Street Northwest

35.7 mi in | ~55m

Downtown

35.7 mi in | ~55m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Branch Avenue	12.2 mi	16m
Leonardtown Road	10.6 mi	14m
Mattawoman Beantown Road	3.3 mi	5m
Massachusetts Avenue Northwest	3.2 mi	9m
Crain Highway	2.5 mi	3m
Little Falls Parkway	1.4 mi	2m
Marion Barry Avenue Southeast	1.2 mi	2m
Southeast Freeway	1.1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Branch Avenue — 12.2 mi, about 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte Hall, MD and Bethesda, MD.

Start on this road

170 ft · 13 sec · this road

Turn right onto Charlotte Hall Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Charlotte Hall Road

Turn right onto Golden Beach Road

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Golden Beach Road

Turn left onto MD 5

1.0 mi · 1 min · Three Notch Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on MD 5

11 mi · 14 min · Leonardtown Road

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto MD 5

3.3 mi · 5 min · Mattawoman Beantown Road

Merge onto US 301; MD 5

2.5 mi · 3 min · Crain Highway

Use the left / none lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto MD 5

12 mi · 16 min · Branch Avenue

Toward MD 5 North: Washington Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto MD 5

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Branch Avenue

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto MD 637

0.2 mi · 28 sec · MD 637

Use the left lane.

Enter roundabout onto MD 637

129 ft · 2 sec · Naylor Road

Continue on MD 637

381 ft · 13 sec · Naylor Road

Enter roundabout onto MD 637

48 ft · 0 sec · Naylor Road

Continue on MD 637

0.3 mi · 50 sec · Naylor Road

Use the none lane.

Turn straight

295 ft · 10 sec

Turn slight right onto Naylor Road Southeast

0.7 mi · 1 min · Naylor Road Southeast

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn left onto Marion Barry Avenue Southeast

1.2 mi · 2 min · Marion Barry Avenue Southeast

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast

0.5 mi · 53 sec · Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast

Use the none lane.

Continue on 11th Street Southeast

0.3 mi · 51 sec · 11th Street Southeast

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 29 sec

Toward I 695 West Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 695

1.1 mi · 1 min · Southeast Freeway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 395

0.3 mi · 32 sec · Southwest Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Exit 4B-A Toward Maine Avenue Southwest, 12th Street Northwest, Downtown Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Exit 4B Toward 12th Street Northwest, Downtown Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

513 ft · 16 sec

Toward D Street

Turn right onto 12th Street Southwest

0.2 mi · 31 sec · 12th Street Southwest

Turn left onto Independence Avenue Southwest

0.6 mi · 1 min · Independence Avenue Southwest

Use the left lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto 17th Street Southwest

0.3 mi · 40 sec · 17th Street Southwest

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on 17th Street Northwest

0.5 mi · 53 sec · 17th Street Northwest

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest

0.6 mi · 59 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto 22nd Street Northwest

0.5 mi · 1 min · 22nd Street Northwest

Use the straight / slight right / right lanes.

Turn left onto P Street Northwest

209 ft · 7 sec · P Street Northwest

Turn right

521 ft · 19 sec

Turn straight onto Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Northwest

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Northwest

Turn slight right

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward Massachusetts Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on Waterside Drive Northwest

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Waterside Drive Northwest

Turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

2.1 mi · 5 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

Use the none lane.

Enter roundabout onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

213 ft · 5 sec · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

Continue on Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

1.1 mi · 2 min · Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

Enter roundabout onto MD 396

199 ft · 3 sec · Massachusetts Avenue

Continue on MD 396

0.7 mi · 1 min · Massachusetts Avenue

Turn right onto Little Falls Parkway

1.4 mi · 2 min · Little Falls Parkway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto Arlington Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Arlington Road

Turn left onto Bethesda Avenue

510 ft · 22 sec · Bethesda Avenue

Turn left

44 ft · 3 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a 1 hour and 19 minute trip with no mandatory stops, you have the flexibility to plan your departure based on your personal schedule rather than a rigid itinerary. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route means you should pay close attention to your navigation system to avoid missing exits or turns on the local stretches. There is no need to overpack or plan for long rest breaks, as the distance is short enough to complete in a single, steady push. To make your trip smoother, try to avoid peak commuting hours if possible, as the local roads can experience congestion that might push your travel time beyond the average estimate. Budget your $8 for fuel before you head out so you can enjoy the drive without any last-minute stops at the pump.

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 22.8 miles from Charlotte Hall, MD, or about 33m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.2 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 45.5 miles or 1h 19m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 22.8 miles or 33m 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 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethesda, MD than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Charlotte Hall, 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 Charlotte Hall, MD

This is one driving day of about 45.5 miles and 1h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Charlotte Hall, 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 Branch Avenue for about 12.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 22.8 mi from Charlotte Hall, MD · 33m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

23 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

North Bethesda, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 22.8 miles from Charlotte Hall, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Bethesda, MD

The final approach into 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 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

$7.53 one way

$15.06 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 16 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$8.24	$16.48
premium	$4.92	$8.82	$17.63
diesel	$5.64	$10.11	$20.22

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$33–$58

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 15.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	13.7	$4.78	$2.18
Efficient EV	11.4	$3.98	$1.82
EV Truck/SUV	18.2	$6.37	$2.91

Gas CO2

16 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (69% 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 data refreshed 11 hours ago

Origin

Charlotte Hall, MD

Evening in Charlotte Hall on Sunday

Local time

8:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bethesda, MD

Evening in Bethesda on Sunday

Local time

8:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

89°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

27 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 19m 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 Charlotte Hall, MD to Bethesda, MD covers 45.5 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Branch Avenue, Leonardtown Road, Mattawoman Beantown Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 22.8 miles from Charlotte Hall, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.53 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.

Between Charlotte Hall, MD and Bethesda, MD, road signs point toward Maine Avenue Southwest, 12Th Street Northwest and Downtown.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Bethesda, MD to Charlotte Hall, MD

Plan the drive back the other way.

45.7 mi 1h 20m

Explore more options from Charlotte Hall, MD or browse trips ending in Bethesda, MD.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MD road trips.

Explore maps for Charlotte Hall, MD or Bethesda, MD on MapSof.net.

Trip from Charlotte Hall, MD to Bethesda, MD

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Bethesda, MD

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Charlotte Hall, MD

Bethesda, MD

Same local time

27 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 19m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Bethesda, MD

More from Charlotte Hall, MD

More trips to Bethesda, MD