How far is Richmond, VA from Sterling, VA?
The driving distance from Richmond, VA to Sterling, VA is about 112.6 miles (181.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 100.4 miles (161.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 53m 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 26m.
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.
Independent city in Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Richmond and Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond and Sterling.
-
1
Start on Marcus-David Peters Circle
525 ft · 15 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle
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2
Exit the rotary onto Monument Avenue
684 ft · 26 sec · Monument Avenue
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3
Turn right onto North Meadow Street
1157 ft · 30 sec · North Meadow Street
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4
Continue on Hermitage Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Hermitage Road
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5
Turn left onto Robin Hood Road
908 ft · 32 sec · Robin Hood Road
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6
Turn right onto North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
962 ft · 30 sec · North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
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7
Turn left onto I 95 North, I 64 West
988 ft · 24 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
1797 ft · 28 sec · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
52.8 mi · 58 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
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10
Keep slight right
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
11
Keep slight left
1 mi · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left
18.6 mi · 21 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward VA 234 North: Manassas
1717 ft · 42 sec
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14
Continue on Dumfries Road
13.9 mi · 20 min · Dumfries Road
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15
Take the exit slight right
1653 ft · 46 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Prince William Parkway
1.7 mi · 3 min · Prince William Parkway
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17
Continue on Liberia Avenue
1.7 mi · 4 min · Liberia Avenue
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18
Turn right onto Centreville Road
5.5 mi · 10 min · Centreville Road
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19
Continue on Sully Road
12 mi · 17 min · Sully Road
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20
Take the exit slight right toward VA 625 East: Sterling
1432 ft · 35 sec
-
21
Turn straight onto West Church Road
682 ft · 19 sec · West Church Road
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22
Turn left onto Atlantic Boulevard
789 ft · 29 sec · Atlantic Boulevard
-
23
Turn right onto Sterling Station Way
45 m · 8 sec · Sterling Station Way
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24
Turn right onto Ruritan Road
136 m · 27 sec · Ruritan Road
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25
Turn left onto Ruritan Circle
35 m · 5 sec · Ruritan Circle
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ruritan Circle
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Richmond 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.
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Keep slight left to continue on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
52.8 mi · 00h 58m
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.
Sunny leaving Richmond and Sunny near Sterling.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Richmond to Sterling?
The road trip is about 112.6 miles (181.2 km) and usually takes 02h 26m 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?
Fredericksburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56.4 miles from Richmond and 56.2 miles from Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 100.4 miles (161.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.2 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 1:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.73 one way or $31.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Richmond and Sunny near Sterling.
Stop Ideas Near Fredericksburg
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 Fredericksburg.
Fredericksburg
Quantico
Woodbridge station
Lorton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Richmond and Sterling. Straight-line distance: 100.37 mi (161.53 km).
#1 Richmond
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 232,226 |
| Coordinates | 37.5537600, -77.4602600 |
| Altitude | 64 |
| 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: 181 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $15.73 | $31.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $17.58 | $35.17 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $18.97 | $37.94 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $22.33 | $44.65 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.