Origin
North Bethesda, MD
Evening in North Bethesda on Sunday
Local time
8:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Bethesda, MD to College Park, MD
Drive Time
25m
Distance
13.9 mi
22 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 23m
★
6 AM
0h 25m
8 AM
0h 30m
10 AM
0h 27m
12 PM
0h 26m
3 PM
0h 27m
5 PM
0h 30m
8 PM
0h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Bethesda, MD
Kelly
College Park, MD
Styves Exantus
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip between North Bethesda and College Park, you are looking at a quick 13.9-mile transit across Maryland. Expect to spend about 25 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect one-day excursion that requires no overnight stay. Navigating this route involves a mix of Rockville Pike, the Capital Beltway, and Adelphi Road. With a fuel budget of approximately $2, this drive is exceptionally economical for any traveler. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Northeast region, you will remain in a familiar environment throughout the journey. It is a straightforward, practical connection that avoids the need for extensive travel planning.
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
6.9 miles from North Bethesda, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged rather than offering a monotonous highway grind. While you will spend a portion of your time on the Capital Beltway—including the longest stretch of 7.1 miles—the route maintains a 0% highway share for the total duration, emphasizing its local road personality. You will transition between major arteries and local streets, requiring you to remain alert for frequent changes in road type. The character of the drive shifts from the busier, more commercialized feel of Rockville Pike to the more localized flow of Adelphi Road. It is a functional path that favors utility over scenic interstate cruising.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 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 7.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
379 ft
72 ft
Total Climb
267 ft
Total Descent
574 ft
Highest Point
379 ft
~0.6 mi in
Elevation Range
307 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Tudor Lane.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 13.9 miles you will encounter 11 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 (Tudor Lane): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (MD 355 / Rockville Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Tudor Lane
At end of road, turn left onto Tudor Lane
Navigation decision point
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
MD 355 / Rockville Pike
Turn right onto MD 355 / Rockville Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 495 East: Baltimore, Silver Spring
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 495 East: Baltimore, Silver Spring
8
9.7 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward MD 650 South: New Hampshire Avenue South, Takoma Park
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 28B
Toward MD 650 South: New Hampshire Avenue South...
6
10.4 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
Adelphi Road
Turn left onto Adelphi Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between North Bethesda, MD and College Park, MD, road signs point toward Silver Spring and Takoma Park.
Silver Spring
2.3 mi in
|
~5m
Takoma Park
9.7 mi in
|
~15m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Beltway | 7.1 mi | 9m |
| Adelphi Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Rockville Pike | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Mowatt Lane | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| New Hampshire Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Knox Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Campus Drive | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Nicholson Lane | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Capital Beltway
— 7.1 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Bethesda, MD and College Park, MD.
1
Start on Tudor Lane
146 ft
·
8 sec
·
Tudor Lane
2
At end of road, turn left onto Tudor Lane
338 ft
·
20 sec
·
Tudor Lane
3
Turn left onto Commonwealth Drive
347 ft
·
17 sec
·
Commonwealth Drive
4
Turn right onto Nicholson Lane
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
Nicholson Lane
5
Turn right onto MD 355
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Rockville Pike
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 495 East: Baltimore, Silver Spring
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto I 495
7.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 28B
Toward MD 650 South: New Hampshire Avenue South, Takoma Park
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto MD 650
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
New Hampshire Avenue
Use the none lane.
10
Turn left onto Adelphi Road
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Adelphi Road
Use the none lane.
11
Turn left onto Campus Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Campus Drive
12
Enter roundabout onto Mowatt Lane
46 ft
·
1 sec
·
Mowatt Lane
13
Continue on Mowatt Lane
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Mowatt Lane
14
Turn left onto Knox Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Knox Road
15
Arrive at destination
Knox Road
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 25-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning for multiple stops, as the trip is designed to be completed in one go. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of these local roads means you should stay focused on navigation rather than relying solely on high-speed interstate travel. Budgeting $2 for fuel is more than sufficient for this distance, so you can focus your resources on your destination. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transitions between the Capital Beltway and Adelphi Road before you leave, as these turns are central to the flow of your journey.
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 6.9 miles from North Bethesda, MD, or about 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.1 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 13.9 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.9 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near College Park, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North 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 North Bethesda, MD
This is one driving day of about 13.9 miles and 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from North Bethesda, 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 7.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.9 mi from North Bethesda, MD · 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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 13.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.9 miles from North Bethesda, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in College Park, MD
The final approach into College Park, 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 College Park, 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
$2.30 one way
$4.60 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $2.52 | $5.03 |
| premium | $4.92 | $2.69 | $5.39 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.09 | $6.18 |
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: 4.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.2 | 0 | $1.46 | $0.67 |
| Efficient EV | 3.5 | 0 | $1.22 | $0.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.95 | $0.89 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
College Park, MD
Evening in College Park on Sunday
Local time
8:57 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
25m 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 North Bethesda, MD to College Park, MD covers 13.9 miles and takes about 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Capital Beltway, Adelphi Road, Rockville Pike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.9 miles from North Bethesda, MD. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.30 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 13.9 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Tudor Lane): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (MD 355 / Rockville Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between North Bethesda, MD and College Park, MD, road signs point toward Silver Spring and Takoma Park.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 72 ft to 379 ft elevation with about 267 ft of total climbing.
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