How far is Sterling, VA from McLean, VA?
The driving distance from Sterling, VA to McLean, VA is about 19 miles (30.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 14.4 miles (23.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 24m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling and McLean.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and McLean.
-
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
-
7
Merge slight left onto Sully Road
2.4 mi · 3 min · Sully Road
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8
Take the exit slight right toward VA 267 East: Washington
1850 ft · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto Dulles Toll Road
10.6 mi · 14 min · Dulles Toll Road
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Dulles Toll Road
2.3 mi · 3 min · Dulles Toll Road
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11
Take the exit slight right toward VA 123 North: McLean
1211 ft · 30 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Dolley Madison Boulevard
1.2 mi · 3 min · Dolley Madison Boulevard
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13
Turn right onto Old Dominion Drive
2534 ft · 1 min · Old Dominion Drive
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14
Turn sharp left onto Elm Street
31 m · 2 sec · Elm Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elm Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling and McLean.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Dulles Toll Road
Merge slight left onto Dulles Toll Road
10.6 mi · 00h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Sterling and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers near McLean.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling to McLean?
The road trip is about 19 miles (30.5 km) and usually takes 00h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Reston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.4 miles from Sterling and 9.5 miles from McLean.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 14.4 miles (23.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.65 one way or $5.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Sterling and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers near McLean.
Stop Ideas Near Reston
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Herndon Old Town Hall
Tele-Town Hall
Manassas Park City Hall
Town Hall Pool
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Reston.
Burke Centre
Rockville station
Manassas station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and McLean. Straight-line distance: 14.38 mi (23.14 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 McLean
A city in Fairfax County, Virginia.
| Population | 48,115 |
| Coordinates | 38.9342800, -77.1774800 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elm Street (-77.177466, 38.934287)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 30 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $2.65 | $5.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $2.97 | $5.93 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $3.20 | $6.40 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $3.77 | $7.54 |
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.