How far is Lynchburg, VA from Sterling, VA?
The driving distance from Lynchburg, VA to Sterling, VA is about 167.4 miles (269.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 144.1 miles (231.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 46m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Virginia
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lynchburg and Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lynchburg and Sterling.
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1
Start on 10th Street
68 m · 14 sec · 10th Street
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2
Turn right onto Main Street
2618 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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3
Take the ramp slight right
638 ft · 16 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Lynchburg Expressway
1143 ft · 18 sec · Lynchburg Expressway
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5
Continue on Amherst Highway
4.2 mi · 6 min · Amherst Highway
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6
Turn right onto Amelon Expressway
2.2 mi · 4 min · Amelon Expressway
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7
Take the ramp left toward US 29 North
1228 ft · 30 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Monacan Parkway
7.1 mi · 8 min · Monacan Parkway
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9
Continue on South Amherst Highway
8.8 mi · 11 min · South Amherst Highway
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10
Continue on Thomas Nelson Highway
21.6 mi · 27 min · Thomas Nelson Highway
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11
Continue on Monacan Trail
20.2 mi · 26 min · Monacan Trail
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12
Take the exit slight right
882 ft · 26 sec
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13
Turn slight right onto Emmet Street North
44 m · 11 sec · Emmet Street North
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14
Continue on Emmet Street North
2610 ft · 1 min · Emmet Street North
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15
Continue on Seminole Trail
33.9 mi · 49 min · Seminole Trail
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16
Continue on James Monroe Highway
7.7 mi · 10 min · James Monroe Highway
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17
Continue on James Madison Highway
23.3 mi · 30 min · James Madison Highway
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18
Continue on Eastern Bypass
2.4 mi · 3 min · Eastern Bypass
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19
Keep slight left to continue on US 15 North, US 29 North
11.7 mi · 17 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 East: Washington
1.4 km · 2 min
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21
Merge slight left
9.1 mi · 11 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward VA 28 North: Dulles Airport
3109 ft · 1 min
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23
Keep slight left to continue on VA 28 North: Dulles Airport
2119 ft · 52 sec
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24
Merge slight right onto Sully Road
10.8 mi · 15 min · Sully Road
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25
Take the exit slight right toward VA 625 East: Sterling
1432 ft · 35 sec
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26
Turn straight onto West Church Road
682 ft · 19 sec · West Church Road
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27
Turn left onto Atlantic Boulevard
789 ft · 29 sec · Atlantic Boulevard
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28
Turn right onto Sterling Station Way
45 m · 8 sec · Sterling Station Way
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29
Turn right onto Ruritan Road
136 m · 27 sec · Ruritan Road
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30
Turn left onto Ruritan Circle
35 m · 5 sec · Ruritan Circle
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ruritan Circle
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lynchburg 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.
Seminole Trail
Continue on Seminole Trail
33.9 mi · 00h 49m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Light Rain leaving Lynchburg 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 Lynchburg to Sterling?
The road trip is about 167.4 miles (269.4 km) and usually takes 03h 46m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Stanardsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.7 miles from Lynchburg and 83.7 miles from Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 144.1 miles (231.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:28 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.41 one way or $46.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Lynchburg and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Sterling.
Stop Ideas Near Stanardsville
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 Stanardsville.
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Staunton station
Fredericksburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lynchburg and Sterling. Straight-line distance: 144.08 mi (231.88 km).
#1 Lynchburg
The most populous city in Lynchburg, Virginia.
| Population | 81,561 |
| Coordinates | 37.4137500, -79.1422500 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| 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: 269 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.41 | $46.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.18 | $52.35 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $28.24 | $56.48 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $33.24 | $66.48 |
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.