How far is Sterling, VA from Newport News, VA?

The driving distance from Sterling, VA to Newport News, VA is about 179.9 miles (289.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 142.7 miles (229.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 09m 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
179.88 mi
03h 04m
Flight
142.73 mi
229.7 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
142.73 mi
Kilometers
229.7 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
179.88 mi
Kilometers
289.49 km
Drive Time
03h 04m

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 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Newport News
Sat, May 2, 9:09 AM EDT
Return by in Sterling
Sat, May 2, 12:13 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sterling
2026-05-02T06:04
Arrive Newport News
Sat, May 2, 9:09 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:05 AM to 11:05 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
10:50 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Ashland
VA

Town in Virginia, United States

From Sterling
89.4 mi
01h 32m
To Newport News
90.5 mi
01h 32m

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
6 to 13 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Newport News.

  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

    56.7 mi · 1 hr 2 min

  25. 25

    Take the exit slight right toward US 17 South: J Clyde Morris Boulevard

    2080 ft · 51 sec

  26. 26

    Turn straight onto J Clyde Morris Boulevard

    555 ft · 11 sec · J Clyde Morris Boulevard

  27. 27

    Turn right onto Diligence Drive

    2463 ft · 1 min · Diligence Drive

  28. 28

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard

    593 ft · 19 sec · Thimble Shoals Boulevard

  29. 29

    Turn left

    126 m · 33 sec

  30. 30

    At the end of the road, turn right

    25 m · 6 sec

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
31 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
13
5 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 South
74.9 mi · 42%
I 64 East
58 mi · 32%
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi · 7%
Ox Road
8.69 mi · 5%
Fairfax County Parkway
7.68 mi · 4%
Sully Road
6.56 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I 64 East

Merge slight left

56.7 mi · 01h 02m

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 04m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+37.2 mi
142.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ashland
01h 32m from Sterling
Leave By
10:50 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Sterling and Rain near Newport News.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sterling to Newport News?

The road trip is about 179.9 miles (289.5 km) and usually takes 03h 04m 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?

Ashland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.4 miles from Sterling and 90.5 miles from Newport News.

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

The direct path is about 142.7 miles (229.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:50 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.15 one way or $50.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Ashland

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Ashland, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ashland.

RAIL

Ashland

112 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Richmond Staples Mill Road station

16 mi away
7519 Staples Mill Road
RAIL

Richmond Main Street Station

25 mi away
1500 East Main Street
RAIL

Petersburg station

58 mi away
3516 South Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and Newport News. Straight-line distance: 142.73 mi (229.7 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Sterling

Census-designated place in Loudoun County, Virginia, US

Population27,822
Coordinates39.0062200, -77.4286000
Altitude89
CountryUnited States
Newport News

#2 Newport News

The second most populous city in Virginia.

Population179,062
Coordinates37.0833900, -76.4696500
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Start: Ruritan Circle (-77.42847, 39.006078)
End: (-76.469409, 37.08343)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 289 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.35 gal
24.03 L · about $25.15
Round trip
$50.30
12.7 gal · 48.06 L
Estimated CO2
56.4 kg one way
Round trip: 112.9 kg / 249 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $25.15 $50.30
Mid-grade $4.43 $28.12 $56.25
Premium $4.78 $30.34 $60.68
Diesel $5.62 $35.71 $71.42

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 Newport News. The current time is 06:04:35.

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.