Origin
Pocomoke City, MD
Night in Pocomoke City on Saturday
Local time
9:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pocomoke City, MD to Bethesda, MD
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 30m
Distance
154.4 mi
248 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 18m
★
6 AM
3h 30m
8 AM
3h 55m
10 AM
3h 39m
12 PM
3h 37m
3 PM
3h 40m
5 PM
3h 54m
8 PM
3h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pocomoke City, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Bethesda, MD
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Pocomoke City, MD to Bethesda, MD is 154.4 miles and takes about 3h 30m via Ocean Gateway, Ocean Highway, and Sussex Highway, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day trip stays within Maryland, taking you through the Northeast region. Expect a drive characterized by frequent turns and local road sections, rather than high-speed highway travel. It's a manageable distance for a single day, ideal if you're looking for a straightforward drive without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
77.2 miles from Pocomoke City, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean Gateway | 28.5 mi | 39m |
| Ocean Highway | 20.7 mi | 28m |
| Sussex Highway | 19.3 mi | 26m |
| John Hanson Highway | 18.4 mi | 22m |
| Shore Highway | 17.4 mi | 24m |
| Capital Beltway | 14.3 mi | 18m |
| Salisbury Bypass | 10.8 mi | 12m |
| Seashore Highway | 7.5 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Ocean Gateway
— 28.5 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pocomoke City, MD and Bethesda, MD.
1
Start on Vine Street
122 ft
·
10 sec
·
Vine Street
2
Turn left onto 2nd Street
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
2nd Street
3
Continue on Winter Quarters Drive
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Winter Quarters Drive
4
Turn sharp left onto US 13
21 mi
·
28 min
·
Ocean Highway
5
Continue on US 13
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
South Fruitland Boulevard
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 13
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Salisbury Bypass
7
Take the exit onto US 13
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 13
Toward US 13 North, US 13 Business: Salisbury, Dover
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 13
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 13
Toward US 13 North: Dover
9
Merge onto US 13
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Salisbury Boulevard
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 13
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
North Salisbury Boulevard
11
Continue on US 13
19 mi
·
26 min
·
Sussex Highway
12
Take the exit
166 ft
·
5 sec
13
Continue on Rifle Range Road
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Rifle Range Road
14
Turn right onto US 13 Business; DE 404 Business
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
15
Turn left onto DE 404 Business
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Market Street
16
Turn right onto DE 404 Business
7.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Seashore Highway
17
Continue on MD 404
17 mi
·
24 min
·
Shore Highway
18
Continue on MD 404
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Queen Anne Highway
19
Take the exit
527 ft
·
14 sec
20
Merge onto US 50
29 mi
·
39 min
·
Ocean Gateway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 50; US 301; MD 2
18 mi
·
22 min
·
John Hanson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 7B
Toward I 95 North, I 495 North: Baltimore, Silver Spring
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 7B
Toward I 495 North, I 95 North: Beltway
Use the slight left lane.
24
Merge onto I 95; I 495
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
7.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Capital Beltway
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 33
Toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork
246 ft
·
8 sec
Toward MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase
Use the left lane.
28
Turn left onto MD 185
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Connecticut Avenue
Use the right lane.
29
Turn right onto Jones Bridge Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Jones Bridge Road
Use the right lane.
30
Turn left onto MD 355
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Rockville Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
31
Continue on MD 355
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Wisconsin Avenue
32
Turn right onto Commerce Lane
340 ft
·
17 sec
·
Commerce Lane
33
Continue on Edgemoor Lane
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Edgemoor Lane
34
Turn left onto Arlington Road
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
Arlington Road
35
Turn right onto Bethesda Avenue
510 ft
·
22 sec
·
Bethesda Avenue
36
Turn left
44 ft
·
3 sec
37
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 30m estimated drive time and 154.4 miles, this trip is easily completed in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Plan for at least one stop to break up the drive and refuel if necessary, though the $26 fuel cost suggests you won't need to visit the pump excessively. Keep an eye on local traffic patterns, especially as you approach Bethesda, as frequent turns can lead to unexpected delays. A good tip is to utilize GPS with real-time traffic updates to navigate the numerous intersections efficiently.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.2 miles from Pocomoke City, MD, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.5 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 34 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.2 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethesda, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pocomoke City, 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 Pocomoke City, MD
This is one driving day of about 154.4 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Pocomoke City, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Ocean Gateway for about 28.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.2 miles from Pocomoke City, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 decision points cluster between mile 32.4 and 151.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
32.4 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
US 13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 13 toward US 13 North: Dover
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 13 North: Dover
9
136 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 North, I 95 North: Beltway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7B
Toward I 495 North, I 95 North: Beltway
8
143.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m in
|
I 495 / Capital Beltway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495 / Capital Beltway toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 495 West: Beltway, Silver Spring
8
150.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase
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 33
Toward MD 185: Kensington, Chevy Chase
8
151.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South, Chevy Chase
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward MD 185 South: Connecticut Avenue South,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.60 one way
$51.20 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $28.04 | $56.07 |
| premium | $4.93 | $29.94 | $59.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.09 | $68.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.3 | 0 | $16.21 | $7.41 |
| Efficient EV | 38.6 | 0 | $13.51 | $6.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.8 | 0 | $21.62 | $9.88 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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
Bethesda, MD
Night in Bethesda on Saturday
Local time
9:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Boonsboro, MD
77 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 30m 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.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potoma...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
$20
near mile 154.4
Caution: DC Water Sewer Overflow
Caution: Hiking in Gold Mine Tract
Assateague Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Want to live on the edge? Visit a place recreated each day by ocean wind and waves. Life on Assateague Island has adapted to an existence on the move. Explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime for...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
$25
View on nps.gov
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 154.4
View on nps.gov
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was a deeply spiritual woman who lived her ideals and dedicated her life to freedom. She is the Underground Railroad’s best known conductor and before the Civil War repeatedly risked he...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 16
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is a turn-heavy local drive, with no highway segments contributing to its 0% highway share. You'll experience a more intimate connection with the landscape as you navigate through towns and local thoroughfares. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 28.5 miles on Ocean Gateway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before the turns resume. The overall feel is less about covering ground quickly and more about engaging with the local road network.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.5 mi on Ocean Gateway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 around 32.4 miles in near US 13.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 154.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 32.4 miles (US 13): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 136 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.5 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pocomoke City, MD and Bethesda, MD, road signs point toward Dover and Silver Spring.
Dover
32.1 mi in
|
~42m
|
via US 13
Silver Spring
135.6 mi in
|
~3h 1m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 154.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.5 miles on Ocean Gateway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Bethesda, MD before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.4 miles (US 13): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 136 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.5 miles (I 495 / Capital Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Assateague Island National Seashore and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Bethesda, MD, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
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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