How far is Sterling, VA from Roanoke, VA?
The driving distance from Sterling, VA to Roanoke, VA is about 228.7 miles (368.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181.7 miles (292.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 37m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
The most populous city in Virginia.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling and Roanoke.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Roanoke.
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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
108.7 mi · 1 hr 58 min
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13
Keep slight left
47.7 mi · 52 min
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14
Take the exit slight left toward I 581, US 220 South: Airport, Roanoke
5.9 mi · 8 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 11 South, US 220 Business South: Downtown
587 ft · 17 sec
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16
Keep slight left
1668 ft · 56 sec
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17
Turn right onto Salem Avenue Southeast
849 ft · 31 sec · Salem Avenue Southeast
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18
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
145 m · 20 sec · South Jefferson Street
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19
Turn right onto Kirk Avenue Southwest
115 m · 22 sec · Kirk Avenue Southwest
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20
Turn left
35 m · 14 sec
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21
Turn left
40 m · 10 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling and Roanoke.
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
109 mi · 01h 58m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Sterling and Patchy Fog near Roanoke.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling to Roanoke?
The road trip is about 228.7 miles (368.1 km) and usually takes 03h 37m 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?
Harrisonburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.2 miles from Sterling and 114.5 miles from Roanoke.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181.7 miles (292.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 47 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 9:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.97 one way or $63.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sterling and Patchy Fog near Roanoke.
Stop Ideas Near Harrisonburg
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 Harrisonburg.
Staunton station
Charlottesville Union Station
Culpeper station
Clifton Forge
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and Roanoke. Straight-line distance: 181.71 mi (292.43 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 Roanoke
The most populous city in Roanoke County, Virginia.
| Population | 99,058 |
| Coordinates | 37.2709700, -79.9414300 |
| Altitude | 285 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kirk Avenue Southwest (-79.941424, 37.271173)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 368 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $31.97 | $63.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $35.74 | $71.48 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $38.56 | $77.12 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $45.39 | $90.77 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.