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Trip from Middletown, DE to Bethany Beach, DE

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 55m

Distance

79.2 mi

127 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 47m ★
6 AM
1h 55m
8 AM
2h 12m
10 AM
2h 1m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 2m
5 PM
2h 11m
8 PM
1h 50m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in New Castle County, Delaware, United States

Middletown, DE

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Bethany Beach, DE, DE

Bethany Beach, DE

GERMAN SUAREZ

Trip Overview

The drive from Middletown, DE to Bethany Beach, DE covers 79.2 miles and takes about 1h 55m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Coastal Highway, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, Bay Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 34.8 miles on Coastal Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.13 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.

Midpoint

39.6 miles from Middletown, DE

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Coastal Highway 34.8 mi 55m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway 16.2 mi 18m
Bay Road 14.7 mi 19m
Summit Bridge Road 4.9 mi 7m
South Dupont Parkway 4.5 mi 6m
Milford Bypass 2.1 mi 2m
South Broad Street 0.9 mi 1m
Pennsylvania Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Coastal Highway — 34.8 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Middletown, DE and Bethany Beach, DE.

1

Start on DE 299

99 ft · 11 sec · East Main Street
2

Turn left onto DE 71

0.9 mi · 1 min · South Broad Street
3

Continue on DE 71

4.7 mi · 7 min · Summit Bridge Road
4

Take the ramp onto DE 71

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Summit Bridge Road
5

Merge onto US 13

4.5 mi · 6 min · South Dupont Parkway
6

Turn left

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward DE 1 Toll South: Dover, Beaches
7

Merge onto DE 1 Toll

12 mi · 13 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
8

Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll

3.0 mi · 3 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
9

Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll

1.6 mi · 1 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
10

Continue on DE 1

15 mi · 19 min · Bay Road
11

Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1

2.1 mi · 2 min · Milford Bypass
Toward DE 1 South: Lewes, Rehoboth Beach
12

Continue on DE 1

35 mi · 55 min · Coastal Highway
Use the straight lane.
13

Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue

148 ft · 6 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
14

Continue on Pennsylvania Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Pennsylvania Avenue
15

Turn left onto Campbell Place

0.2 mi · 47 sec · Campbell Place
16

Arrive at destination

Campbell Place

Trip Plan

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 39.6 miles from Middletown, DE, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.8 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 17 miles or 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 39.6 miles or 52m 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 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethany Beach, DE than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Middletown, DE so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Middletown, DE

This is one driving day of about 79.2 miles and 1h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Middletown, DE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Coastal Highway for about 34.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Kent and Sussex counties, Delaware, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Milford, DE

40 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

Cheswold, DE

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Milford, DE

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.6 miles from Middletown, DE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Los Machados Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Middletown, Delaware

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13023781677

Visit website

3BB Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bethany Beach, Delaware

0.1 mi

Cafe Pink Blossom

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lewes, Delaware

0.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Beach Break & Bakrie

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bethany Beach, Delaware

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 79.2

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+13025373800

Visit website

Mugs Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dover, Delaware

1 mi

Cafe a Go-Go

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

1.3 mi

Los Machados Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Middletown, Delaware

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13023781677

Visit website

3BB Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 79.2

Bethany Beach, Delaware

Hours: Closed

+13025397502

Visit website

Cafe Pink Blossom

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 62.2

Lewes, Delaware

Hours: 7:30 am–2:30 pm

+13028272003

Visit website

Cottage Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 79.2

Bethany Beach, Delaware

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13025398710

Visit website

Mid County Lanes and Entertainment

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Middletown, Delaware

Hours: 10 am–11 pm

+13023780677

Visit website

Sunny Bay Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 67.9

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Hours: Closed

+13025672344

Visit website

Cafe Azafran

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $30 to $50 mile 67.9

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Hours: 5–8 pm

+13022278100

Visit website

Lori's Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 67.9

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+13022263066

Visit website

Beach Break & Bakrie

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 79.2

Bethany Beach, Delaware

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+13025373800

Visit website

Mugs Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 28.3

Dover, Delaware

Hours: 6:30 am–1 pm

+13026774879

Visit website

Cafe a Go-Go

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 67.9

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+13022271099

Visit website

Roots Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 67.9

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Hours: Closed

Visit website

Pink Flamingo Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 67.9

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+14439444416

Playa Maya Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 67.9

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+13025269726

Visit website

Brownstone Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 22.6

Dover, Delaware

Hours: Closed

+13027412220

Red Daisy Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 79.2

Millville, Delaware

Hours: Closed

+13024026135

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 62.2

Lewes, Delaware

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 67.9

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 67.9

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 62.2

Lewes, Delaware

+18668167584

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 79.2

Ocean View, Delaware

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Middletown, Delaware

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 62.2

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 45.3

Milford, Delaware

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Norman Hotel Apartments

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 45.3

Milford, Delaware

Air Mobility Command Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 28.3

Dover AFB, Delaware

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+13026775938

Visit website

Novus Escape Room - Middletown Delaware

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Middletown, Delaware

Hours: 12–8 pm

+13026962387

Visit website

John Dickinson Plantation

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 28.3

Dover, Delaware

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13027393277

Visit website

Family Fun Galaxy

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Middletown, Delaware

Hours: 3–8 pm

+13023780677

Visit website

Delaware State Police Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 22.6

Dover, Delaware

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13027397700

Visit website

Assawoman Wildlife Area

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 79.2

Frankford, Delaware

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+13025393160

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 41.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | DE 71 / South Broad Street

Turn left onto DE 71 / South Broad Street

Navigation decision point

6
10.3 mi into trip | ~15m in

Turn left toward DE 1 Toll South: Dover, Beaches

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward DE 1 Toll South: Dover, Beaches
4
22.3 mi into trip | ~29m in | DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
25.2 mi into trip | ~33m in | DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

6
41.5 mi into trip | ~54m in | DE 1 / Milford Bypass

Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 / Milford Bypass toward DE 1 South: Lewes, Rehoboth Beach

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward DE 1 South: Lewes, Rehoboth Beach

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.13 one way

$26.26 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $14.38 $28.76
premium $4.93 $15.36 $30.72
diesel $5.61 $17.49 $34.97

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.8 0 $8.32 $3.80
Efficient EV 19.8 0 $6.93 $3.17
EV Truck/SUV 31.7 0 $11.09 $5.07

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (68% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Middletown, DE

Afternoon in Middletown on Saturday

Local time

2:55 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bethany Beach, DE

Afternoon in Bethany Beach on Saturday

Local time

2:55 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

64°F

Milford, DE

40 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

1 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 55m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

First State National Historical Park

First State National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...

28 mi from route ~69 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

79.2 mi in 1h 55m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.8 mi on Coastal Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 early in the drive near DE 71 / South Broad Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.2 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (DE 71 / South Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.3 miles (DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Middletown, DE and Bethany Beach, DE, road signs point toward Beaches and Rehoboth Beach.

Beaches

10.3 mi in | ~15m

Rehoboth Beach

41.5 mi in | ~54m | via DE 1

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 79.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 34.8 miles on Coastal Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Bethany Beach, DE before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (DE 71 / South Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.3 miles (DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Yes — First State National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bethany Beach, DE before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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