How far is Alexandria, VA from Sterling, VA?
The driving distance from Alexandria, VA to Sterling, VA is about 34.9 miles (56.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.8 miles (39.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 49m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alexandria and Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria and Sterling.
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1
Start on South Washington Street
23 m · 7 sec · South Washington Street
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2
Turn right onto King Street
96 m · 15 sec · King Street
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3
Turn right onto South Saint Asaph Street
842 ft · 41 sec · South Saint Asaph Street
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4
Turn right onto Duke Street
102 m · 19 sec · Duke Street
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5
Turn left onto South Washington Street
1260 ft · 51 sec · South Washington Street
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6
Turn right onto Gibbon Street
923 ft · 38 sec · Gibbon Street
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7
Turn left onto South Patrick Street
1157 ft · 34 sec · South Patrick Street
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 495 East: Richmond, Baltimore
133 m · 11 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 South, I 495 West
3238 ft · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Capital Beltway (Local)
5 mi · 6 min · Capital Beltway (Local)
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
1.1 km · 48 sec · Capital Beltway
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12
Continue on Capital Beltway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Capital Beltway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Capital Beltway
9.5 mi · 12 min · Capital Beltway
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14
Take the exit slight left toward VA 267 Toll West: Reston, Herndon, Dulles Airport
1614 ft · 39 sec
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15
Merge slight right onto Dulles Toll Road
1.1 mi · 1 min · Dulles Toll Road
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16
Keep slight left
1869 ft · 23 sec
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17
Merge slight right onto Dulles Toll Road
10.2 mi · 14 min · Dulles Toll Road
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18
Take the exit slight right toward VA 28 North: Sterling
1 km · 1 min
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19
Merge slight left onto Sully Road
2.5 mi · 3 min · Sully Road
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20
Take the exit slight right toward VA 625 East: Sterling
1432 ft · 35 sec
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21
Turn straight onto West Church Road
682 ft · 19 sec · West Church Road
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22
Turn left onto Atlantic Boulevard
789 ft · 29 sec · Atlantic Boulevard
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23
Turn right onto Sterling Station Way
45 m · 8 sec · Sterling Station Way
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24
Turn right onto Ruritan Road
136 m · 27 sec · Ruritan Road
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25
Turn left onto Ruritan Circle
35 m · 5 sec · Ruritan Circle
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ruritan Circle
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alexandria and Sterling.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Dulles Toll Road
Merge slight right onto Dulles Toll Road
10.2 mi · 00h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Alexandria and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Sterling.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alexandria to Sterling?
The road trip is about 34.9 miles (56.2 km) and usually takes 00h 49m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Pimmit Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.5 miles from Alexandria and 17.5 miles from Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.8 miles (39.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.87 one way or $9.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Alexandria and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Sterling.
Stop Ideas Near Pimmit Hills
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Capitol
D C Government
THEARC: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus
District of Columbia Court
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pimmit Hills.
Burke Centre
Union Station
Washington Union Station
Rockville station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alexandria and Sterling. Straight-line distance: 24.79 mi (39.9 km).
#1 Alexandria
A city in Virginia.
| Population | 158,726 |
| Coordinates | 38.8048400, -77.0469200 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sterling
Census-designated place in Loudoun County, Virginia, US
| Population | 27,822 |
| Coordinates | 39.0062200, -77.4286000 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sterling (-77.4286, 39.00622)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 56 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $4.87 | $9.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $5.45 | $10.90 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $5.88 | $11.75 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $6.92 | $13.84 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Virginia · May 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.