Driving Time between Bethesda, Maryland and College Park, Maryland

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Driving from Bethesda to College Park: The Fastest and Slowest Routes

If you're planning to drive from Bethesda to College Park, you may be wondering how long the journey will take. The travel time can vary depending on traffic patterns and the route you choose. In this blog post, we will explore the fastest and slowest driving routes, the distance of each, and the estimated travel time based on peak and low traffic.

Route Options

Taking I-495 is the most direct route for drivers. You can take the Capital Beltway east and then head north on I-95 to get to College Park. If you don't mind driving through more residential areas, you can also take MD-355 to Georgia Avenue and then take I-495 for a few exits before transitioning to I-95 north. Another option is to take MD-191 and follow the route through the city of Silver Spring onto US-1, which will take you straight to College Park.

Fastest Route

Taking I-495 and I-95 is the quickest route at 12.5 miles in distance. In low traffic, you can make the drive to College Park in about 20 minutes. Rush hour traffic, however, can double that time, making it a 40-minute drive.

Slowest Route

Taking MD-355 and transitioning to I-95 is the longest route, coming in at 17.6 miles. With no traffic, this route takes just over 25 minutes to reach College Park. During rush hour, however, the travel time can increase up to almost an hour.

If you prefer a balance of driving distance and time, we recommend taking MD-191 and following the route through Silver Spring onto US-1. This route is approximately 12.7 miles in distance and takes about 25 minutes in low traffic. Rush hour traffic can add 15 to 20 minutes to the drive time.

Conclusion

Driving from Bethesda to College Park can take anywhere from 20 minutes to almost an hour depending on the route you choose and traffic patterns. Taking I-495 and I-95 is the quickest route at 12.5 miles, but the MD-191 route provides a balance of driving distance and time. It's important to consider traffic patterns when planning your drive, especially during peak hours. Safe travels!