How far is Sterling, VA from Charlottesville, VA?
The driving distance from Sterling, VA to Charlottesville, VA is about 105.1 miles (169.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 88.1 miles (141.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 18m 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 09m.
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.
Incorporated town in Virginia
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling and Charlottesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Charlottesville.
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1
Start on Ruritan Circle
68 m · 11 sec · Ruritan Circle
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2
Turn right
74 m · 18 sec
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3
Turn sharp right onto West Church Road
1644 ft · 48 sec · West Church Road
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4
Continue on Waxpool Road
764 ft · 19 sec · Waxpool Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward VA 28 south: Dulles Airport
1482 ft · 36 sec
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6
Keep slight left
3081 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Sully Road
10.4 mi · 14 min · Sully Road
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 66 West: Front Royal
865 ft · 21 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 66 West: Front Royal
1898 ft · 46 sec
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10
Merge slight left
9.6 mi · 11 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
1.2 km · 1 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
953 ft · 23 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Lee Highway
10.6 mi · 16 min · Lee Highway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on US 15 South, US 29 South
2786 ft · 45 sec
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15
Merge slight right onto Eastern Bypass
2.6 mi · 4 min · Eastern Bypass
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16
Continue on James Madison Highway
5.1 mi · 7 min · James Madison Highway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on James Madison Highway
18.2 mi · 23 min · James Madison Highway
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18
Continue on James Monroe Highway
7.8 mi · 10 min · James Monroe Highway
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19
Continue on North Seminole Trail
33.8 mi · 48 min · North Seminole Trail
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20
Turn left onto Hydraulic Road
1022 ft · 32 sec · Hydraulic Road
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Hydraulic Road
29 m · 3 sec · Hydraulic Road
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22
Exit the roundabout onto Hydraulic Road
1252 ft · 33 sec · Hydraulic Road
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23
Turn left onto U.S. 250 Bypass
1.5 mi · 3 min · U.S. 250 Bypass
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Park Street
147 m · 20 sec
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25
Turn right onto Park Street
1 km · 2 min · Park Street
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26
Turn left onto East High Street
96 m · 13 sec · East High Street
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27
Turn right onto 7th Street Northeast
873 ft · 44 sec · 7th Street Northeast
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling and Charlottesville.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
North Seminole Trail
Continue on North Seminole Trail
33.8 mi · 00h 48m
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 Sterling and Chance Rain Showers near Charlottesville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling to Charlottesville?
The road trip is about 105.1 miles (169.2 km) and usually takes 02h 09m 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?
Remington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.2 miles from Sterling and 52.9 miles from Charlottesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 88.1 miles (141.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 17 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 2:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.70 one way or $29.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Sterling and Chance Rain Showers near Charlottesville.
Stop Ideas Near Remington
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 Remington.
Culpeper station
Manassas station
Fredericksburg
Quantico
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and Charlottesville. Straight-line distance: 88.12 mi (141.82 km).
#1 Sterling
Census-designated place in Loudoun County, Virginia, US
| Population | 27,822 |
| Coordinates | 39.0062200, -77.4286000 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Charlottesville
The capital of Virginia.
| Population | 46,950 |
| Coordinates | 38.0293100, -78.4766800 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-78.476567, 38.029526)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 169 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $14.70 | $29.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $16.43 | $32.86 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $17.73 | $35.45 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $20.87 | $41.73 |
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.