How far is Sterling, VA from Harrisonburg, VA?
The driving distance from Sterling, VA to Harrisonburg, VA is about 119.9 miles (192.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 86.6 miles (139.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 52m 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 01h 56m.
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.
Town in Warren County, Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling and Harrisonburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Harrisonburg.
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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
52.4 mi · 57 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 South: Roanoke
1 km · 1 min
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12
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
52.5 mi · 57 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 33 West: Harrisonburg
1187 ft · 29 sec
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14
Turn straight onto East Market Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · East Market Street
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15
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Main Street
15 m · 2 sec · North Main Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling and Harrisonburg.
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 81 South
Merge slight right onto I 81 South: Roanoke
52.5 mi · 00h 57m
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 Slight Chance Rain Showers near Harrisonburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling to Harrisonburg?
The road trip is about 119.9 miles (192.9 km) and usually takes 01h 56m 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?
Front Royal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.8 miles from Sterling and 60 miles from Harrisonburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 86.6 miles (139.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.76 one way or $33.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Sterling and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Harrisonburg.
Stop Ideas Near Front Royal
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 Front Royal.
Culpeper station
Harpers Ferry
Martinsburg station
Manassas station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and Harrisonburg. Straight-line distance: 86.64 mi (139.43 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 Harrisonburg
The most populous city in Virginia.
| Population | 53,204 |
| Coordinates | 38.4495700, -78.8689200 |
| Altitude | 404 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Main Street (-78.868577, 38.449511)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 193 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $16.76 | $33.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $18.73 | $37.47 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $20.21 | $40.42 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $23.79 | $47.58 |
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.