This 22.5-mile drive from Clinton, MD, to Bethesda, MD, is estimated to take about 46 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. With a fuel cost around $4, it's an economical journey. The route primarily utilizes local roads like Branch Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, with a small portion on Little Falls Parkway, giving it a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. Given its relatively short distance and duration, you won't need to split this trip into overnights. It's a straightforward local transit that keeps you within the Northeast region, entirely within Maryland.
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
11.2 miles from Clinton, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 19m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a driving experience that's more about navigating local streets than open highway cruising. With only a 14% highway share, this route is characterized by frequent turns and varied road conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 6.5 miles on Branch Avenue, offering a brief respite from constant adjustments. As you progress, the road transitions from the initial local roads to more urban arteries, requiring your full attention to traffic signals and intersections.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 42 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 6.5 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 7.8 miles in near MD 637 / Naylor Road.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 31 significant decision points across 22.5 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 7.8 miles (MD 637 / Naylor Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 11 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 31 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
7.8 mi into trip|~11m in|MD 637 / Naylor Road
Enter roundabout onto MD 637 / Naylor Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
11 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the ramp toward I 695 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 695 West
9
12.6 mi into trip|~22m 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...
10
12.8 mi into trip|~22m 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
6
13 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward D Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward D Street
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clinton, MD and Bethesda, MD, road signs point toward Maine Avenue Southwest, 12Th Street Northwest and Downtown.
Maine Avenue Southwest
12.6 mi in|~22m
12Th Street Northwest
12.6 mi in|~22m
Downtown
12.6 mi in|~22m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Branch Avenue
6.5 mi
9m
Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
3.2 mi
9m
Little Falls Parkway
1.4 mi
2m
Marion Barry Avenue Southeast
1.2 mi
2m
Southeast Freeway
1.1 mi
1m
Massachusetts Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Woodyard Road
0.7 mi
1m
Naylor Road Southeast
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Branch Avenue
— 6.5 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, MD and Bethesda, MD.
1
Start on this road
43 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto MD 223
0.7 mi·1 min·Woodyard Road
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward MD 5 North: WashingtonUse the left lane.
4
Merge onto MD 5
6.1 mi·8 min·Branch Avenue
5
Keep slight right at fork onto MD 5
0.4 mi·38 sec·Branch Avenue
6
Take the exit onto MD 637
0.2 mi·28 sec·MD 637
Use the left lane.
7
Enter roundabout onto MD 637
129 ft·2 sec·Naylor Road
8
Continue on MD 637
381 ft·13 sec·Naylor Road
9
Enter roundabout onto MD 637
48 ft·0 sec·Naylor Road
10
Continue on MD 637
0.3 mi·50 sec·Naylor Road
11
Turn straight
295 ft·10 sec
12
Turn slight right onto Naylor Road Southeast
0.7 mi·1 min·Naylor Road Southeast
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Turn left onto Marion Barry Avenue Southeast
1.2 mi·2 min·Marion Barry Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast
0.5 mi·53 sec·Martin Luther King Junior Avenue Southeast
15
Continue on 11th Street Southeast
0.3 mi·51 sec·11th Street Southeast
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·29 sec
Toward I 695 WestUse the left lane.
17
Merge onto I 695
1.1 mi·1 min·Southeast Freeway
18
Continue on I 395
0.3 mi·32 sec·Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 4B-AToward Maine Avenue Southwest, 12th Street Northwest, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 4BToward 12th Street Northwest, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
513 ft·16 sec
Toward D Street
22
Turn right onto 12th Street Southwest
0.2 mi·31 sec·12th Street Southwest
23
Turn left onto Independence Avenue Southwest
0.6 mi·1 min·Independence Avenue Southwest
Use the left lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto 17th Street Southwest
0.3 mi·40 sec·17th Street Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on 17th Street Northwest
0.5 mi·53 sec·17th Street Northwest
Use the straight / left lanes.
26
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
0.6 mi·59 sec·Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
27
Turn right onto 22nd Street Northwest
0.5 mi·1 min·22nd Street Northwest
Use the straight / slight right / right lanes.
28
Turn left onto P Street Northwest
209 ft·7 sec·P Street Northwest
29
Turn right
521 ft·19 sec
30
Turn straight onto Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Northwest
0.2 mi·27 sec·Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Northwest
31
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward Massachusetts AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on Waterside Drive Northwest
0.2 mi·34 sec·Waterside Drive Northwest
33
Turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
2.1 mi·5 min·Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
34
Enter roundabout onto Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
213 ft·5 sec·Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
35
Continue on Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
1.1 mi·2 min·Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
36
Enter roundabout onto MD 396
199 ft·3 sec·Massachusetts Avenue
37
Continue on MD 396
0.7 mi·1 min·Massachusetts Avenue
38
Turn right onto Little Falls Parkway
1.4 mi·2 min·Little Falls Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Turn right onto Arlington Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Arlington Road
40
Turn left onto Bethesda Avenue
510 ft·22 sec·Bethesda Avenue
41
Turn left
44 ft·3 sec
42
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 46-minute drive, leaving mid-morning or early afternoon can help you avoid the heaviest commuter traffic. Since it's a 22.5-mile trip with a low fuel cost of $4, you likely won't need to worry about frequent refueling. The 'turn-heavy' nature of this route means staying alert and ready to adjust your speed and direction frequently. Consider using your GPS to help manage the numerous turns, especially on Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, which can be a bit complex.
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 11.2 miles from Clinton, MD, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.5 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 22.5 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.2 miles or 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 37m
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 Clinton, 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 Clinton, MD
This is one driving day of about 22.5 miles and 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clinton, 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 6.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.2 mi from Clinton, MD
· 19m into the drive
The midpoint is around 11.2 miles from Clinton, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potoma...
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 22.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.73 one way
$7.46 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg8 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$4.09
$8.17
premium
$4.93
$4.36
$8.73
diesel
$5.61
$4.97
$9.94
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: 7.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging
· 0 stops
· 63% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
6.8
0
$2.36
$1.08
Efficient EV
5.6
0
$1.97
$0.90
EV Truck/SUV
9
0
$3.15
$1.44
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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 4 days ago
Origin
Clinton, MD
Late night
in Clinton on Wednesday
Local time
1:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bethesda, MD
Late night
in Bethesda on Wednesday
Local time
1:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Washington, DC
11 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
25 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
46m 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 Clinton, MD to Bethesda, MD covers 22.5 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Branch Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, Little Falls Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.2 miles from Clinton, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.73 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 31 significant decision points across 22.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.8 miles (MD 637 / Naylor Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 11 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Clinton, MD and Bethesda, MD, road signs point toward Maine Avenue Southwest, 12Th Street Northwest and Downtown.
