How far is Norfolk, VA from Sterling, VA?
The driving distance from Norfolk, VA to Sterling, VA is about 200.5 miles (322.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 161.7 miles (260.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 21m 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 04h 10m.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Norfolk and Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk and Sterling.
-
1
Start on East City Hall Avenue
2127 ft · 43 sec · East City Hall Avenue
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2
Keep slight left to continue on VA 337: Tidewater Drive
645 ft · 28 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Tidewater Drive
4.6 mi · 10 min · Tidewater Drive
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4
Turn left
1157 ft · 28 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
5.6 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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6
Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
3.5 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
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7
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
5.9 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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8
Keep slight left
61.1 mi · 1 hr 8 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
2434 ft · 32 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington
1.3 mi · 3 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi · 13 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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12
Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: Washington
2.4 mi · 3 min
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13
Merge slight right
45.7 mi · 50 min
-
14
Keep slight right
1.6 mi · 2 min
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15
Keep slight left
1 mi · 1 min
-
16
Merge slight left
18.6 mi · 21 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward VA 234 North: Manassas
1717 ft · 42 sec
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18
Continue on Dumfries Road
13.9 mi · 20 min · Dumfries Road
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19
Take the exit slight right
1653 ft · 46 sec
-
20
Merge slight left onto Prince William Parkway
1.7 mi · 3 min · Prince William Parkway
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21
Continue on Liberia Avenue
1.7 mi · 4 min · Liberia Avenue
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22
Turn right onto Centreville Road
5.5 mi · 10 min · Centreville Road
-
23
Continue on Sully Road
12 mi · 17 min · Sully Road
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24
Take the exit slight right toward VA 625 East: Sterling
1432 ft · 35 sec
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25
Turn straight onto West Church Road
682 ft · 19 sec · West Church Road
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26
Turn left onto Atlantic Boulevard
789 ft · 29 sec · Atlantic Boulevard
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27
Turn right onto Sterling Station Way
45 m · 8 sec · Sterling Station Way
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28
Turn right onto Ruritan Road
136 m · 27 sec · Ruritan Road
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29
Turn left onto Ruritan Circle
35 m · 5 sec · Ruritan Circle
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ruritan Circle
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Norfolk and Sterling.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Hampton Roads Beltway
Keep slight left
61.1 mi · 01h 08m
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.
Rain leaving Norfolk 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 Norfolk to Sterling?
The road trip is about 200.5 miles (322.7 km) and usually takes 04h 10m 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?
Ashland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.3 miles from Norfolk and 100.2 miles from Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 161.7 miles (260.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:38 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.04 one way or $56.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain around Norfolk and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Sterling.
Stop Ideas Near Ashland
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall
Old City Hall
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ashland.
Ashland
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Richmond Main Street Station
Petersburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Norfolk and Sterling. Straight-line distance: 161.69 mi (260.21 km).
#1 Norfolk
The most populous city in Virginia.
| Population | 242,803 |
| Coordinates | 36.8468100, -76.2852200 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| 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: 323 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $28.04 | $56.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $31.36 | $62.71 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $33.83 | $67.66 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $39.82 | $79.64 |
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.