How far is Harrisonburg, VA from Sterling, VA?
The driving distance from Harrisonburg, VA to Sterling, VA is about 120 miles (193.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 86.6 miles (139.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 37m 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 18m.
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.
Town in Warren County, Virginia, United States
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 Harrisonburg and Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisonburg and Sterling.
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1
Start on North Main Street
102 m · 15 sec · North Main Street
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2
Turn right onto East Elizabeth Street
552 ft · 28 sec · East Elizabeth Street
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3
Turn right onto North Mason Street
117 m · 16 sec · North Mason Street
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4
Turn left onto East Market Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · East Market Street
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 81 North: Elkton
955 ft · 23 sec
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6
Merge slight left
52.8 mi · 57 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Front Royal, Washington
1920 ft · 47 sec
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8
Continue straight
42.8 mi · 46 min
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9
Keep slight right
9.6 mi · 11 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward VA 28 North: Dulles Airport
3109 ft · 1 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on VA 28 North: Dulles Airport
2119 ft · 52 sec
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12
Merge slight right onto Sully Road
10.8 mi · 15 min · Sully Road
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13
Take the exit slight right toward VA 625 East: Sterling
1432 ft · 35 sec
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14
Turn straight onto West Church Road
682 ft · 19 sec · West Church Road
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15
Turn left onto Atlantic Boulevard
789 ft · 29 sec · Atlantic Boulevard
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16
Turn right onto Sterling Station Way
45 m · 8 sec · Sterling Station Way
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17
Turn right onto Ruritan Road
136 m · 27 sec · Ruritan Road
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18
Turn left onto Ruritan Circle
35 m · 5 sec · Ruritan Circle
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ruritan Circle
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Harrisonburg and Sterling.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 81 North
Merge slight left
52.8 mi · 00h 57m
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 Harrisonburg 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 Harrisonburg to Sterling?
The road trip is about 120 miles (193.1 km) and usually takes 02h 18m 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?
Front Royal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60 miles from Harrisonburg and 60 miles from Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 86.6 miles (139.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.4 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 1:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.76 one way or $33.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Harrisonburg and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Sterling.
Stop Ideas Near Front Royal
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 Front Royal.
Culpeper station
Harpers Ferry
Martinsburg station
Manassas station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Harrisonburg and Sterling. Straight-line distance: 86.64 mi (139.43 km).
#1 Harrisonburg
The most populous city in Virginia.
| Population | 53,204 |
| Coordinates | 38.4495700, -78.8689200 |
| Altitude | 404 |
| 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: 193 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $16.76 | $33.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $18.73 | $37.47 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $20.21 | $40.42 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $23.79 | $47.58 |
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.