Trip from North Bethesda, MD to Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

1h 49m

Distance

74.4 mi

120 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

1h 42m ★

6 AM

1h 50m

8 AM

2h 6m

10 AM

1h 55m

12 PM

1h 54m

3 PM

1h 56m

5 PM

2h 5m

8 PM

1h 45m

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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North Bethesda, MD

Kelly

census-designated place in Calvert County, Maryland, United States

Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from North Bethesda, MD to Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD covers 74.4 miles and takes about 1h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Capital Beltway, South Solomons Island Road, Southern Maryland Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 21.7 miles on Capital Beltway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.33 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.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

37.2 miles from North Bethesda, MD

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 49m drive with frequent turns across 74.4 miles of local and secondary roads.

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

There are about 27 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 21.7 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 early in the drive near Tudor Lane.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.4 miles you will encounter 17 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 17 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Tudor Lane

At end of road, turn left onto Tudor Lane

Navigation decision point

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.

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

24.3 mi into trip | ~34m in

Take the exit toward MD 221A: Capitol Heights, Upper Marlboro

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 13 Toward MD 221A: Capitol Heights, Upper Marlboro

24.7 mi into trip | ~34m in

Keep slight left at fork toward East Upper Marlboro, Ritchie - Marlboro Road

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

Toward East Upper Marlboro, Ritchie - Marlboro...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from North Bethesda, MD to Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Upper Marlboro along the way.

Upper Marlboro

24.3 mi in | ~34m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Capital Beltway	21.7 mi	28m
South Solomons Island Road	15.2 mi	21m
Southern Maryland Boulevard	10.2 mi	14m
North Solomons Island Road	9 mi	13m
Ritchie Marlboro Road	5.9 mi	10m
Stephanie Roper Highway	4.9 mi	6m
Rousby Hall Road	2.3 mi	4m
Rockville Pike	1.8 mi	3m

Longest stretch: Capital Beltway — 21.7 mi, about 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Bethesda, MD and Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD.

Start on Tudor Lane

146 ft · 8 sec · Tudor Lane

At end of road, turn left onto Tudor Lane

338 ft · 20 sec · Tudor Lane

Turn left onto Commonwealth Drive

347 ft · 17 sec · Commonwealth Drive

Turn right onto Nicholson Lane

0.3 mi · 58 sec · Nicholson Lane

Turn right onto MD 355

1.8 mi · 3 min · Rockville Pike

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward I 495 East: Baltimore, Silver Spring Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 495

22 mi · 28 min · Capital Beltway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Exit 13 Toward MD 221A: Capitol Heights, Upper Marlboro Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward East Upper Marlboro, Ritchie - Marlboro Road

Enter roundabout onto Ritchie Marlboro Road

286 ft · 4 sec · Ritchie Marlboro Road

Continue on Ritchie Marlboro Road

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Ritchie Marlboro Road

Enter roundabout onto Ritchie Marlboro Road

140 ft · 2 sec · Ritchie Marlboro Road

Continue on Ritchie Marlboro Road

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Ritchie Marlboro Road

Continue on Ritchie Marlboro Road

5.2 mi · 9 min · Ritchie Marlboro Road

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Toward MD 4 South: Prince Frederick

Merge onto MD 4

1.3 mi · 1 min · Pennsylvania Avenue

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on MD 4

4.9 mi · 6 min · Stephanie Roper Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on MD 4

10 mi · 14 min · Southern Maryland Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on MD 2; MD 4

9.0 mi · 13 min · North Solomons Island Road

Use the straight lane.

Continue on MD 2; MD 4

15 mi · 21 min · South Solomons Island Road

Use the left lane.

Take the exit

237 ft · 12 sec

Turn left onto MD 760

1.4 mi · 2 min · Rousby Hall Road

Use the straight / left lanes.

Enter roundabout onto MD 760

180 ft · 4 sec · Rousby Hall Road

Continue on MD 760

0.9 mi · 1 min · Rousby Hall Road

Turn left onto Coyote Trail

0.4 mi · 1 min · Coyote Trail

Turn right onto Catalina Drive

503 ft · 13 sec · Catalina Drive

Arrive at destination

Catalina Drive

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 37.2 miles from North Bethesda, MD, or about 54m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.7 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 16 miles or 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 37.2 miles or 54m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chesapeake Ranch Estates, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from North Bethesda, MD

This is one driving day of about 74.4 miles and 1h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from North Bethesda, MD.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on Capital Beltway for about 21.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 37.2 mi from North Bethesda, MD · 54m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dunkirk Town Center, MD

37 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

New Carrollton, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Oakland, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.2 miles from North Bethesda, MD, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD

The final approach into Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.33 one way

$24.67 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$13.51	$27.02
premium	$4.93	$14.43	$28.86
diesel	$5.61	$16.43	$32.85

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 26 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	22.3	$7.81	$3.57
Efficient EV	18.6	$6.51	$2.98
EV Truck/SUV	29.8	$10.42	$4.76

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (65% 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

North Bethesda, MD

Evening in North Bethesda on Wednesday

Local time

7:37 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD

Evening in Chesapeake Ranch Estates on Wednesday

Local time

7:37 PM

EDT

Current temp

81°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

29 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 49m 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 Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD covers 74.4 miles and takes about 1h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Capital Beltway, South Solomons Island Road, Southern Maryland Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 37.2 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 $12.33 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.

On the drive from North Bethesda, MD to Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD, road signs begin pointing toward Upper Marlboro along the way.

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