How far is Charlottesville, VA from Sterling, VA?
The driving distance from Charlottesville, VA to Sterling, VA is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 88.1 miles (141.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 55m 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 02h 27m.
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.
Incorporated town in Virginia
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charlottesville and Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlottesville and Sterling.
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1
Start on the route
71 m · 23 sec
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2
Turn left onto East Market Street
55 m · 10 sec · East Market Street
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3
Turn right onto 7th Street Northeast
587 ft · 31 sec · 7th Street Northeast
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4
Turn left onto East High Street
96 m · 15 sec · East High Street
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5
Turn right onto Park Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Park Street
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6
Turn left
77 m · 7 sec
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7
Take the ramp straight toward US 250 West
43 m · 4 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto U.S. 250 Bypass
1.5 mi · 3 min · U.S. 250 Bypass
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9
Turn right onto Hydraulic Road
1341 ft · 34 sec · Hydraulic Road
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hydraulic Road
29 m · 3 sec · Hydraulic Road
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11
Exit the roundabout onto Hydraulic Road
865 ft · 23 sec · Hydraulic Road
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12
Turn right onto Seminole Trail
33.9 mi · 49 min · Seminole Trail
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13
Continue on James Monroe Highway
7.7 mi · 10 min · James Monroe Highway
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14
Continue on James Madison Highway
23.3 mi · 30 min · James Madison Highway
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15
Continue on Eastern Bypass
2.4 mi · 3 min · Eastern Bypass
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16
Keep slight left to continue on US 15 North, US 29 North
11.7 mi · 17 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Washington
1.4 km · 2 min
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18
Merge slight left
9.1 mi · 11 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward VA 28 North: Dulles Airport
3109 ft · 1 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on VA 28 North: Dulles Airport
2119 ft · 52 sec
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21
Merge slight right onto Sully Road
10.8 mi · 15 min · Sully Road
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22
Take the exit slight right toward VA 625 East: Sterling
1432 ft · 35 sec
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23
Turn straight onto West Church Road
682 ft · 19 sec · West Church Road
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24
Turn left onto Atlantic Boulevard
789 ft · 29 sec · Atlantic Boulevard
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25
Turn right onto Sterling Station Way
45 m · 8 sec · Sterling Station Way
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26
Turn right onto Ruritan Road
136 m · 27 sec · Ruritan Road
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27
Turn left onto Ruritan Circle
35 m · 5 sec · Ruritan Circle
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ruritan Circle
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlottesville and Sterling.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Seminole Trail
Turn right onto Seminole Trail
33.9 mi · 00h 49m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville to Sterling?
The road trip is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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?
Remington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.1 miles from Charlottesville and 52.2 miles from Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 88.1 miles (141.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.2 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 1:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.58 one way or $29.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Charlottesville and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Sterling.
Stop Ideas Near Remington
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Remington.
Culpeper station
Manassas station
Fredericksburg
Quantico
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charlottesville and Sterling. Straight-line distance: 88.12 mi (141.82 km).
#1 Charlottesville
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 46,950 |
| Coordinates | 38.0293100, -78.4766800 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| 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: 168 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $14.58 | $29.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $16.30 | $32.60 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $17.58 | $35.17 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $20.70 | $41.39 |
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.