How far is Fairfax, VA from Leesburg, VA?

The driving distance from Fairfax, VA to Leesburg, VA is about 27 miles (43.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
26.97 mi
00h 37m
Flight
23.18 mi
37.31 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fairfax.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
23.18 mi
Kilometers
37.31 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
26.97 mi
Kilometers
43.4 km
Drive Time
00h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Leesburg
Thu, Apr 23, 1:23 AM EDT
Return by in Fairfax
Thu, Apr 23, 2:01 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fairfax
2026-04-23T00:45
Arrive Leesburg
Thu, Apr 23, 1:23 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:38 AM to 7:38 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:14 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Fairfax
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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.

Mid-route stop
Sterling
VA

Census-designated place in Loudoun County, Virginia, US

From Fairfax
13.9 mi
00h 18m
To Leesburg
13 mi
00h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NW
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fairfax and Leesburg.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fairfax and Leesburg.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    1 mi · 3 min · Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Fairfax Boulevard

    3046 ft · 1 min · Fairfax Boulevard

  3. 3

    Continue on Route 50

    6.2 mi · 11 min · Route 50

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 28 North: Dulles Airport

    2713 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Sully Road

    4.4 mi · 6 min · Sully Road

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight left toward VA 267 West: Leesburg

    1.4 mi · 3 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Dulles Greenway

    11.7 mi · 14 min · Dulles Greenway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on US 15 South, VA 7 West: Leesburg

    2954 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Leesburg Bypass

    1496 ft · 23 sec · Leesburg Bypass

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 15 Business: Leesburg

    852 ft · 23 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto South King Street

    1 mi · 3 min · South King Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto East Market Street

    69 m · 8 sec · East Market Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Market Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairfax and Leesburg.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
13 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
48.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dulles Greenway
11.7 mi · 43%
Route 50
6.17 mi · 23%
Sully Road
4.38 mi · 16%
VA 267 West
1.41 mi · 5%
Main Street
1.04 mi · 4%
South King Street
1.01 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Dulles Greenway

Merge slight left onto Dulles Greenway

11.7 mi · 00h 14m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 37m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.8 mi
23.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sterling
00h 18m from Fairfax
Leave By
7:14 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Fairfax and Sunny near Leesburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fairfax to Leesburg?

The road trip is about 27 miles (43.4 km) and usually takes 00h 37m 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?

Sterling is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.9 miles from Fairfax and 13 miles from Leesburg.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.8 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 7:14 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.76 one way or $7.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fairfax and Sunny near Leesburg.

Stop Ideas Near Sterling

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Sterling and the surrounding midpoint area.
Herndon Old Town Hall
Scenic stop 3.1 mi away

Herndon Old Town Hall

Herndon , VA
730 Station St, Herndon, VA 20170
Rating 4.5/5 45 reviews Historical landmark
Manassas Park City Hall
Meeting point 14.4 mi away

Manassas Park City Hall

Manassas Park , VA
1 Park Center Ct, Manassas Park, VA 20111
Rating 1.6/5 20 reviews City government office
Town Hall Pool
Nearby stop 5.7 mi away

Town Hall Pool

Chantilly , VA
43055 Center St, Chantilly, VA 20152
Rating 4.4/5 20 reviews Public swimming pool
Old Town Hall
Scenic stop 11.7 mi away

Old Town Hall

Fairfax , VA
3999 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
Rating 4.3/5 15 reviews Tourist attraction,City government office,City or town hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sterling.

RAIL

Rockville station

26 mi away
251 Hungerford Drive at Park Rd.
RAIL

Burke Centre

26 mi away
10399 Premier Court
RAIL

Manassas station

29 mi away
9431 West Street
RAIL

Lorton station

38 mi away
8006 Lorton Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fairfax and Leesburg. Straight-line distance: 23.18 mi (37.31 km).

Fairfax

#1 Fairfax

Independent city in Virginia, United States

Population23,429
Coordinates38.8462200, -77.3063700
Altitude131
CountryUnited States
Leesburg

#2 Leesburg

Historic town within and the county seat of Loudoun County, Virginia, United States

Population54,488
Coordinates39.1156600, -77.5636000
Altitude104
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Street (-77.306413, 38.846223)
End: East Market Street (-77.563789, 39.115244)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 43 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.95 gal
3.6 L · about $3.76
Round trip
$7.53
1.9 gal · 7.2 L
Estimated CO2
8.4 kg one way
Round trip: 16.9 kg / 37 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $3.76 $7.53
Mid-grade $4.43 $4.21 $8.42
Premium $4.78 $4.54 $9.08
Diesel $5.62 $5.34 $10.69

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Fairfax and Leesburg. The current time is 00:45:35.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.