How far is Arlington, VA from Sterling, VA?
The driving distance from Arlington, VA to Sterling, VA is about 23.5 miles (37.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19.4 miles (31.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 35m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Arlington and Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Sterling.
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1
Start on Wilson Boulevard
2828 ft · 2 min · Wilson Boulevard
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2
Turn slight right onto North Glebe Road
936 ft · 31 sec · North Glebe Road
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3
Turn left onto Fairfax Drive
667 ft · 28 sec · Fairfax Drive
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4
Continue on I 66 Toll West
2423 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto Custis Memorial Parkway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Custis Memorial Parkway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Dulles Toll Road
2.3 mi · 3 min · Dulles Toll Road
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Dulles Toll Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · Dulles Toll Road
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8
Keep slight left
1869 ft · 23 sec
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9
Merge slight right onto Dulles Toll Road
10.2 mi · 14 min · Dulles Toll Road
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10
Take the exit slight right toward VA 28 North: Sterling
1 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Sully Road
2.5 mi · 3 min · Sully Road
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12
Take the exit slight right toward VA 625 East: Sterling
1432 ft · 35 sec
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13
Turn straight onto West Church Road
682 ft · 19 sec · West Church Road
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14
Turn left onto Atlantic Boulevard
789 ft · 29 sec · Atlantic Boulevard
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15
Turn right onto Sterling Station Way
45 m · 8 sec · Sterling Station Way
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16
Turn right onto Ruritan Road
136 m · 27 sec · Ruritan Road
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17
Turn left onto Ruritan Circle
35 m · 5 sec · Ruritan Circle
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ruritan Circle
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington 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 short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Arlington 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 Arlington to Sterling?
The road trip is about 23.5 miles (37.8 km) and usually takes 00h 35m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Wolf Trap is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.7 miles from Arlington and 11.7 miles from Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19.4 miles (31.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:18 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.29 one way or $6.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Arlington and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Sterling.
Stop Ideas Near Wolf Trap
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Griffith Park at City Hall
D C Government
The John Wilson Building
Town Hall Pool
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wolf Trap.
Burke Centre
Rockville station
Union Station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Sterling. Straight-line distance: 19.46 mi (31.31 km).
#1 Arlington
A county in Virginia.
| Population | 229,164 |
| Coordinates | 38.8810100, -77.1042800 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| 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: 38 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $3.29 | $6.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $3.68 | $7.35 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $3.97 | $7.93 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $4.67 | $9.34 |
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.