How far is Sterling, VA from Chesapeake, VA?

The driving distance from Sterling, VA to Chesapeake, VA is about 212 miles (341.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
212.04 mi
03h 39m
Flight
163.68 mi
263.41 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sterling.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
163.68 mi
Kilometers
263.41 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
212.04 mi
Kilometers
341.24 km
Drive Time
03h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chesapeake
Sat, May 2, 7:17 AM EDT
Return by in Sterling
Sat, May 2, 10:56 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sterling
2026-05-02T03:38
Arrive Chesapeake
Sat, May 2, 7:17 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:39 AM to 11:39 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:42 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sterling
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Glen Allen
VA

Town in Alabama, USA

From Sterling
102.7 mi
01h 49m
To Chesapeake
109.4 mi
01h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph NW
Destination
61°F
Saturday

Rain

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 13 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling and Chesapeake.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Chesapeake.

  1. 1

    Start on Ruritan Circle

    68 m · 11 sec · Ruritan Circle

  2. 2

    Turn right

    74 m · 18 sec

  3. 3

    Turn sharp right onto West Church Road

    1644 ft · 48 sec · West Church Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Waxpool Road

    764 ft · 19 sec · Waxpool Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward VA 28 south: Dulles Airport

    1482 ft · 36 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    3081 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Sully Road

    6.6 mi · 9 min · Sully Road

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Winchester, Fairfax

    995 ft · 24 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on US 50 East: Fairfax

    1360 ft · 33 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on US 50 East: Fairfax

    1491 ft · 37 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Route 50

    3.2 mi · 6 min · Route 50

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 286 South: Fairfax County Parkway

    1515 ft · 46 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Fairfax County Parkway

    7.7 mi · 12 min · Fairfax County Parkway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 123 North: Ox Road

    934 ft · 32 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on VA 123 South: Ox Road

    671 ft · 25 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Ox Road

    8.7 mi · 13 min · Ox Road

  17. 17

    Continue on Gordon Boulevard

    1.4 km · 2 min · Gordon Boulevard

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Fredericksburg

    1350 ft · 33 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    26 mi · 31 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight left

    48.6 mi · 53 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight left toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  22. 22

    Merge slight right onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    13 mi · 14 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  24. 24

    Merge slight left

    66.8 mi · 1 hr 15 min

  25. 25

    Keep slight left to continue on Hampton Roads Beltway

    104 m · 5 sec · Hampton Roads Beltway

  26. 26

    Continue on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

  27. 27

    Continue on Hampton Roads Beltway

    6.7 mi · 9 min · Hampton Roads Beltway

  28. 28

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 194 South: Chesapeake Boulevard

    1312 ft · 32 sec

  29. 29

    Turn straight onto Chesapeake Boulevard

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Chesapeake Boulevard

  30. 30

    Turn straight

    41 m · 8 sec

  31. 31

    Turn left onto Ballentine Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Ballentine Boulevard

  32. 32

    Turn right onto East Princess Anne Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · East Princess Anne Road

  33. 33

    Turn left onto Park Avenue

    3186 ft · 1 min · Park Avenue

  34. 34

    Turn left onto East Brambleton Avenue

    1692 ft · 58 sec · East Brambleton Avenue

  35. 35

    Continue on Campostella Road

    1.1 km · 2 min · Campostella Road

  36. 36

    Turn right onto Wilson Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Wilson Road

  37. 37

    Continue on 22nd Street

    1606 ft · 27 sec · 22nd Street

  38. 38

    Continue on Poindexter Street

    1391 ft · 29 sec · Poindexter Street

  39. 39

    Turn right onto D Street

    126 m · 18 sec · D Street

  40. 40

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · D Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling and Chesapeake.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
40 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
13
5 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 South
74.9 mi · 35%
I 64 East
68.1 mi · 32%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi · 6%
Ox Road
8.69 mi · 4%
Fairfax County Parkway
7.68 mi · 4%
Hampton Roads Beltway
6.8 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 64 East

Merge slight left

66.8 mi · 01h 15m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 39m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+48.3 mi
163.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Glen Allen
01h 49m from Sterling
Leave By
9:42 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Sterling and Rain near Chesapeake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sterling to Chesapeake?

The road trip is about 212 miles (341.2 km) and usually takes 03h 39m 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 102.7 miles from Sterling and 109.4 miles from Chesapeake.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.3 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 9:42 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.63 one way or $59.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Sterling and Rain near Chesapeake.

Stop Ideas Near Glen Allen

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Glen Allen and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 10.3 mi away

Town Hall

Richmond , VA
3123 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
Rating 4.9/5 13 reviews Restaurant
Old City Hall
Scenic stop 11.1 mi away

Old City Hall

Richmond , VA
1001 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219, United States
Rating 4.4/5 32 reviews Tourist attraction,Land surveyor,Historical landmark
City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)
Meeting point 11 mi away

City of Richmond Virginia (City Hall)

Richmond , VA
900 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
Rating 2.9/5 40 reviews City government office,Police department,Tax assessor
City Hall
Nearby stop 11 mi away

City Hall

Richmond , VA
900 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
Rating 3.9/5 85 reviews Bike sharing station

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Glen Allen.

RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

6 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Ashland

11 mi away
112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

16 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Petersburg station

48 mi away
3516 South Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and Chesapeake. Straight-line distance: 163.68 mi (263.41 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Sterling

Census-designated place in Loudoun County, Virginia, US

Population27,822
Coordinates39.0062200, -77.4286000
Altitude89
CountryUnited States
Chesapeake

#2 Chesapeake

The second most populous city in Virginia.

Population247,011
Coordinates36.8190400, -76.2749400
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Start: Ruritan Circle (-77.42847, 39.006078)
End: D Street (-76.275044, 36.81897)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 341 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.48 gal
28.32 L · about $29.63
Round trip
$59.26
14.96 gal · 56.64 L
Estimated CO2
66.5 kg one way
Round trip: 132.9 kg / 293 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $29.63 $59.26
Mid-grade $4.43 $33.13 $66.26
Premium $4.78 $35.74 $71.48
Diesel $5.62 $42.07 $84.14

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

There is no time difference between Sterling and Chesapeake. The current time is 03:38:04.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.