Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
53m
Distance
39.1 mi
63 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
City of Baltimore, MD
Wikimedia Commons
North Bethesda, MD
Kelly
City of Baltimore, MD to North Bethesda, MD is 39.1 miles and takes about 53 minutes via I-95 and the Capital Beltway, with a fuel budget near $6 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily stays within Maryland, making it a convenient option for those in the Northeast region. Expect a straightforward drive focused on efficient travel between these two points. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is best suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for a relaxed pace without needing an overnight stay.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 24.6 mi | 29m |
| Capital Beltway | 8.2 mi | 10m |
| Rockville Pike | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Cal Ripken Way | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Light Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Nicholson Lane | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| East Conway Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Fayette Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between City of Baltimore, MD and North Bethesda, MD.
Start on East Fayette Street
Turn left onto MD 2
Continue on MD 2
Turn right onto East Conway Street
Turn left onto I 395
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Turn straight onto MD 355
Turn left onto Nicholson Lane
Turn left onto Commonwealth Drive
Turn right onto Tudor Lane
Continue on Tudor Lane
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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.
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 19.6 miles from City of Baltimore, MD, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 36.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto MD 2 / Saint Paul Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto East Conway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda, College Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 495 West: Silver Spring, Bethesda
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward MD 355: Bethesda, Rockville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$6.48 one way
$12.96 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.10 | $14.20 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.58 | $15.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.63 | $17.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.11 | $1.88 |
| Efficient EV | 9.8 | 0 | $3.42 | $1.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.47 | $2.50 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in City of Baltimore on Sunday
Local time
9:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Morning in North Bethesda on Sunday
Local time
9:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This route is largely highway-focused, with 63% of it utilizing major interstates. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 24.6 miles on I-95, offering a chance to maintain a consistent speed. The journey transitions onto the Capital Beltway and then Rockville Pike, providing a mix of fast-paced interstate travel and more urban arterial roads as you approach your destination. The overall feel is one of efficient transit rather than a leisurely scenic tour.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Capital Beltway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near MD 2 / Saint Paul Street.
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 39.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 53m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (MD 2 / Saint Paul Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (East Conway Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between City of Baltimore, MD and North Bethesda, MD, road signs point toward Bethesda, College Park and Rockville.
Bethesda
College Park
Rockville
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 53m. Total distance: 39.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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