"Bethesda to Columbia: How Long Will it Take to Drive?"

If you're planning a road trip from Bethesda to Columbia but want to know how much time it will take to get there, you've come to the right place. The drive is approximately 25 miles, and there are multiple routes to take. We've done the research to provide you with an estimate of travel time and the fastest and slowest routes.

"Fast and Furious" or "Slow and Steady"?

The fastest route to Columbia from Bethesda is via MD-100 W. You'll start by heading out of Bethesda and onto I-495 W. Continue for about three miles before taking exit 30A for MD-29 S. Stay on this road for the next three miles, then take the exit onto MD-100 W. Follow this road for about six miles until you reach Columbia. This journey takes approximately 25 minutes under good traffic conditions.

If you don't mind the slow lane, the slower route is via MD-108. This scenic route takes around 30 minutes to complete and covers approximately 16 miles. From Bethesda, drive east on MD-410 E toward the Capital Beltway. Head south on the inner loop of the beltway and continue onto MD-97 S. Make a right onto MD-32 W, and take Exit 17 onto MD-108 W, finally leading to Columbia. This route may take a bit longer, but you'll enjoy the lush greenery along the way.

Peak or Off-Peak Traffic

Different times of the day will influence how long it could take to get to Columbia. If you’re traveling during rush hour, factor in a longer time since there will be more traffic. To avoid wasting time in your car, choose your commuting hours with caution.

Using the above routes, we’ve calculated the differences between off-peak and peak hours. It takes 25 minutes at low traffic times to take MD-100 west to arrive in Columbia. During rush hour, this could take anywhere from 40 to 60 minutes. Taking the MD-108 route would normally take about 30 minutes in regular traffic but bump up to about 45 minutes during rush hour.

Whether you take the short and sweet MD-100 W or the longer but more scenic MD-108 route, we hope our research has helped you decide and plan your next journey from Bethesda to Columbia. Just keep in mind the caveats of peak and off-peak traffic times so that you can plan accordingly. Safe travels!