Bowie, MD Road Trips

Drivers starting from Bowie, MD have 47 mapped routes to choose from, making it a small but connected base in the Northeast. Most drives stay under 38 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Routes from Bowie, MD spread mainly north and west, covering a wide geographic range.

city in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Trip Routes

97

Longest Drive

156.3 mi

Frostburg, MD

Quickest Drive

15m

Woodlawn, MD

Plan Around Bowie, MD

Popular Incoming Routes

Useful if Bowie, MD is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.

Crisfield, MD to Bowie, MD 135.5 mi · 3h 5m Ocean City, MD to Bowie, MD 120.4 mi · 2h 52m Hancock, MD to Bowie, MD 108.2 mi · 2h 13m Fruitland, MD to Bowie, MD 104.5 mi · 2h 27m

Continue From Bowie, MD

Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.

Bowie, MD to Frostburg, MD 156.3 mi · 3h 9m Bowie, MD to Fruitland, MD 102.6 mi · 2h 26m Bowie, MD to Salisbury, MD 99.4 mi · 2h 20m Bowie, MD to Delmar, MD 93.2 mi · 2h 10m

Trips from Bowie, MD

Bowie, MD to Frostburg, MD

156.3 mi 3h 9m

Bowie, MD to Fruitland, MD

102.6 mi 2h 26m

Bowie, MD to Salisbury, MD

99.4 mi 2h 20m

Bowie, MD to Delmar, MD

93.2 mi 2h 10m

Bowie, MD to Rock Hall, MD

71.8 mi 1h 47m

Bowie, MD to Cambridge, MD

69.1 mi 1h 38m

Bowie, MD to Jefferson, MD

64.2 mi 1h 24m

Bowie, MD to Frederick, MD

58.5 mi 1h 19m

Bowie, MD to Boonsboro, MD

53.1 mi 1h 15m

Bowie, MD to Drum Point, MD

51.9 mi 1h 18m

Bowie, MD to Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD

50.9 mi 1h 17m

Bowie, MD to Pleasant Hills, MD

49.4 mi 1h 8m

Bowie, MD to Edgewood, MD

49.3 mi 1h 8m

Bowie, MD to Clarksburg, MD

43.8 mi 1h

Bowie, MD to Mechanicsville, MD

43.2 mi 1h 2m

Bowie, MD to Montgomery Village, MD

39.1 mi 55m

Bowie, MD to Bennsville, MD

34.1 mi 53m

Bowie, MD to Essex, MD

33.8 mi 52m

Driving from Bowie, MD

On average, trips departing from Bowie, MD run 38 miles with a drive time of roughly 55m. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 156 miles (3h 9m), while the shortest is just 11 miles.

Popular Destinations

Top road trip destinations from Bowie, MD are Frostburg, MD (156.3 mi, 3h 9m), Fruitland, MD (102.6 mi, 2h 26m), Salisbury, MD (99.4 mi, 2h 20m), Delmar, MD (93.2 mi, 2h 10m), and Rock Hall, MD (71.8 mi, 1h 47m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.

Planning & Costs

Regular gas in MD currently averages around $4.09 per gallon. For the typical 38-mile trip from Bowie, MD, budget about $6 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.

Routes mostly head north. Summer trips benefit from long daylight hours, while winter departures should start early to maximize visibility. With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 47 mapped routes leaving Bowie, MD and 50 routes heading into Bowie, MD, covering 97 total connections. Distances range from 11 to 156 miles.

The longest mapped route from Bowie, MD covers 156 miles and takes approximately 3h 9m. Shorter options start at just 11 miles.

The average route from Bowie, MD runs about 38 miles with a drive time of roughly 55m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.

At current gas prices (about $4.09/gallon for regular), the average 38-mile trip from Bowie, MD costs roughly $6 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.

The most popular road trip destinations from Bowie, MD include Frostburg, MD, Fruitland, MD, Salisbury, MD and Delmar, MD. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.

Bowie, MD by the Numbers

Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Population

57,771

Median Income

$141,831

Median Home Value

$442,000

Median Age

44.0

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.

Traveler Guide to Bowie, MD

Bowie is a suburban bedroom community of Washington, D.C. in Prince George's County, Maryland.

While Bowie's history goes back over a century, much of the city consists of ranch and Cape Cod homes built in the 1960s and 1970s as a planned community by Levitt & Sons, a noted real estate development company. Lately, Bowie has grown by annexing various developments that have sprouted up around the city's edge since the mid-1980s. The visitor can still find vestiges of historical Bowie—most notably, the railroads and horse farms that defined Bowie in the pre-Levitt era. One of America's oldest historically black universities is Bowie State University, located in Old Bowie.

1 Belair Mansion, 12207 Tulip Grove Dr, ☏ +1 301-809-3089, [email protected]. Tu-Su noon-4PM. Built in 1745 by Samuel Ogle, the provincial governor of Maryland, the mansion serves today as an historical museum operated by the city. Free. (updated Oct 2017) 2 Belair Stable Museum, 2835 Belair Dr, ☏ +1 301-809-3089, [email protected]. Tu-Su noon-4PM. Most of modern-day Bowie was once a stud farm where champion thoroughbred race horses were born and raised. The Belair Stables operated for roughly 200 years and is famous for producing two Triple Crown champions (Gallant Fox and Omaha). Free. (updated Oct 2017) 3 Bowie Railroad Museum, 8614 Chestnut Ave (In Old Town Bowie), ☏ +1 301-809-3089, [email protected]. Tu-Su 10AM-4PM. Free. (updated Oct 2017) Bowie Welcome Center and Children's Museum, 8606 Chestnut Ave. (Corner of 11th and Chestnut), ☏ +1 301-575-2488, [email protected]. Tu-Su 10AM-4PM. Learn the history of Bowie through exhibits and hands-on activities for children. Visitor information for Bowie and local attractions. Free. 4 National Capital Radio & Television Museum, 2608 Mitchellville Rd, ☏ +1 301-390-1020, [email protected]. F 10AM-5PM, Sa Su 1-5PM. Free. Prince George's County Genealogy Library, 12219 Tulip Grove Drive, ☏ +1 301-262-2063, [email protected]. W 10AM-7PM, except 1st W 10AM-1PM, last Sa 1-5PM. Research your Prince George's County family history in the 4000 books, periodicals, microforms and other records. Free.

1 Allen Pond Park, 3330 Northview Dr, ☏ +1 301-809-3011. Sunrise to sunset. City park featuring a small lake with canoe rentals and fishing, amphitheater for summer outdoor performances, ice skating rink, skate park and playgrounds. Free. Bowie Playhouse, 16500 Whitemarsh Park Drive (from Route 3, enter Whitemarsh Park and drive to the back parking lot). Tucked away in the woods at the back of Whitemarsh Park, the 150-seat Bowie Playhouse is home to four amateur theater companies and features dramas, musicals and Shakespeare year round. 2 Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, 15200 Annapolis Road, ☏ +1 301-805-6880. A concert hall that features a variety of college, high school and community concerts and theatrical productions. 3 Chesapeake Baysox, 4101 Crain Highway, ☏ +1 301-805-6000, [email protected]. Double-A level Minor League Baseball team, affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles. $10-15. Governor Bridge Natural Area, 7600 Governor Bridge Rd. (updated Dec 2019) Fran Uhler Natural Area, 10300 Lemons Bridge Rd. (updated Dec 2019)

Ichiban Sushi, 3921 Evergreen Parkway, Bowie, ☏ +1 301-352-9160, fax: +1 301 352-9136. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM. Try the "Sushi Red & White", or for non-sushi eaters, the Chinese menu. Lima's Chicken, 3552 Crain Hwy, ☏ +1 301-464-5370, fax: +1 301 262-6989. M-F 10:30AM-10PM, Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM-9PM. Charbroiled chicken and other Peruvian specialties. Rip's Country Inn, 3809 Crain Hwy (US 301 at the MD 197 intersection). Not one of the too-many plastic chain restaurants that infect Bowie. Rip's has served Bowie with casual dining for more than 50 years T.J. Elliott's, 6814 Laurel-Bowie Road (Rte. 197 & Old Chapel Road), ☏ +1 301-262-6282. Su 8:30AM-10PM, M-Th 11AM-10PM, F 11AM-11PM, Sa 8:30AM-11PM. Owned by the Marcos family that started the original Ledo restaurant in College Park, T.J. Elliott's serves tasty Italian food in addition to Ledo pizza.

DuClaw Brewing Company, 4000 Town Center Blvd, ☏ +1 301-809-6943, fax: +1 301 809-0833. Su-Th 11AM-midnight, F Sa 11AM-12:30AM. This Maryland brewpub in Bowie Town Center has good food in addition to their own brews. 1 Old Bowie Town Grille, 8604 Chestnut Avenue (corner of Chestnut and 11th Street in the old town area), ☏ +1 301-464-8800. Tu-Su 11AM to late, closed M. Live music several nights a week. Craft beers on draft in an Irish-pub setting with a family-owned restaurant. (updated Oct 2017)

Comfort Inn, 4500 Crain Hwy. (US 301 at US 50), ☏ +1 301-464-0089. Hampton Inn, 15202 Major Lansdale Blvd. (near US 50 and MD 197), ☏ +1 301-809-1800, fax: +1 301 809-2515. Rip's Country Inn, 3809 N. Crain Hwy (US 301, 1 mile south of US 50). Towneplace Suites, 3700 Town Center Blvd. (near US 50 and MD 197), ☏ +1 301-262-8045, fax: +1 301 262-8046.

Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI IATA) is 20 miles southwest of Bowie via MD197 and MD295. Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA IATA) is 23 miles southwest of Bowie via US 50 (through Washington, D.C.). Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD IATA) is 45 miles west of Bowie via the Capital Beltway. MARC operates train service on its Penn Line to/from Baltimore and Washington, D.C.. Nearest station is 1 Bowie State at 13900 Jericho Park Rd. Metrobus B27 operates service to/from the New Carrollton Metro Station. For more information on riding the Metrorail and Metrobus, see Washington DC#Get_In.

Bowie is best navigated by car. The Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Trail runs through the northern part of Bowie and there are various other networks of bike paths and on-street bike routes. Unfortunately, Route 50 bisects the city and has few bike-friendly crossings.

Travel tips adapted from Bowie on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.