How far is Portsmouth, VA from Sterling, VA?
The driving distance from Portsmouth, VA to Sterling, VA is about 203.9 miles (328.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 162.1 miles (260.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 20m 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.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Alabama, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Portsmouth and Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth and Sterling.
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1
Start on High Street
2505 ft · 56 sec · High Street
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2
Turn right onto Effingham Street
552 ft · 11 sec · Effingham Street
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3
Turn left onto London Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · London Boulevard
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward US 58, VA 164: Western Freeway, Midtown Tunnel
996 ft · 19 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King Freeway
1826 ft · 35 sec · Martin Luther King Freeway
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6
Continue on Western Freeway
6 mi · 8 min · Western Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward VA 135: College Drive
1030 ft · 15 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on VA 135 North: College Drive
738 ft · 10 sec
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9
Turn straight onto College Drive
1.1 mi · 2 min · College Drive
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10
Take the ramp slight right toward I 664 North: Newport News, Hampton
2371 ft · 58 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Hampton Roads Beltway
1.3 km · 1 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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12
Continue on Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi · 5 min · Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
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13
Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway
6.2 mi · 8 min · Hampton Roads Beltway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West: Williamsburg, Richmond
1.1 km · 54 sec
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15
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
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16
Keep slight left
61.1 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 295, US 60: Washington, Rocky Mount NC
2434 ft · 32 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 295 North: Washington
1.3 mi · 3 min
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19
Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11.9 mi · 13 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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20
Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: Washington
2.4 mi · 3 min
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21
Merge slight right
45.7 mi · 50 min
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22
Keep slight right
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
23
Keep slight left
1 mi · 1 min
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24
Merge slight left
18.6 mi · 21 min
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25
Take the exit slight right toward VA 234 North: Manassas
1717 ft · 42 sec
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26
Continue on Dumfries Road
13.9 mi · 20 min · Dumfries Road
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27
Take the exit slight right
1653 ft · 46 sec
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28
Merge slight left onto Prince William Parkway
1.7 mi · 3 min · Prince William Parkway
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29
Continue on Liberia Avenue
1.7 mi · 4 min · Liberia Avenue
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30
Turn right onto Centreville Road
5.5 mi · 10 min · Centreville Road
-
31
Continue on Sully Road
12 mi · 17 min · Sully Road
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32
Take the exit slight right toward VA 625 East: Sterling
1432 ft · 35 sec
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33
Turn straight onto West Church Road
682 ft · 19 sec · West Church Road
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34
Turn left onto Atlantic Boulevard
789 ft · 29 sec · Atlantic Boulevard
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35
Turn right onto Sterling Station Way
45 m · 8 sec · Sterling Station Way
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36
Turn right onto Ruritan Road
136 m · 27 sec · Ruritan Road
-
37
Turn left onto Ruritan Circle
35 m · 5 sec · Ruritan Circle
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ruritan Circle
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Portsmouth 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 64 West
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.
Light Rain leaving Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth to Sterling?
The road trip is about 203.9 miles (328.1 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?
Glen Allen is a useful midpoint, sitting about 102 miles from Portsmouth and 101.9 miles from Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 162.1 miles (260.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.8 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 8:40 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.48 one way or $56.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain around Portsmouth and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Sterling.
Stop Ideas Near Glen Allen
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 Glen Allen.
Richmond Staples Mill Road station
Ashland
Richmond Main Street Station
Petersburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Portsmouth and Sterling. Straight-line distance: 162.14 mi (260.94 km).
#1 Portsmouth
The most populous city in Portsmouth, Virginia.
| Population | 95,094 |
| Coordinates | 36.8354300, -76.2982700 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| 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: 328 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $28.48 | $56.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $31.84 | $63.69 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $34.35 | $68.71 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $40.44 | $80.87 |
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.