Connecting Northern Virginia to the state capital, this 113.8-mile journey is a straightforward transit between Sterling and Richmond. You can easily complete the drive in approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $18 on fuel for the one-way trek. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, the climate and general landscape remain consistent throughout your travels. Whether you are heading south for business or a quick getaway, the trip is efficient and requires minimal logistical planning. It serves as a reliable connection between two major Virginia hubs without the need for complex route navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.9 miles from Sterling, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
81.8 mi
1h 32m
Ox Road
8.7 mi
12m
Fairfax County Parkway
7.7 mi
11m
Sully Road
6.6 mi
8m
Route 50
3.2 mi
5m
Hermitage Road
1.1 mi
2m
Gordon Boulevard
0.9 mi
1m
West Church Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 81.8 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling, VA and Richmond, VA.
1
Start on SR 859
222 ft·11 sec·Ruritan Circle
2
Turn right
243 ft·17 sec
3
Turn sharp right onto SR 625
0.3 mi·48 sec·West Church Road
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on SR 625
0.1 mi·18 sec·Waxpool Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward VA 28 south: Dulles Airport
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
7
Merge onto VA 28
6.6 mi·8 min·Sully Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward US 50: Winchester, FairfaxUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 50 East: FairfaxUse the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 50 East: FairfaxUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto US 50
3.2 mi·5 min·Route 50
Use the left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward VA 286 South: Fairfax County ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto VA 286
7.7 mi·11 min·Fairfax County Parkway
Use the right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward VA 123 North: Ox Road
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Toward VA 123 South: Ox Road
16
Turn left onto VA 123
8.7 mi·12 min·Ox Road
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on VA 123
0.9 mi·1 min·Gordon Boulevard
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 95 South: Fredericksburg
19
Merge onto I 95
26 mi·30 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
56 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·40 sec
Exit 78Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto VA 161
0.2 mi·28 sec·North Arthur Ashe Boulevard
23
Turn left onto Robin Hood Road
0.2 mi·30 sec·Robin Hood Road
24
Turn right onto Hermitage Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Hermitage Road
25
Continue on North Meadow Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·North Meadow Street
26
Turn left onto Monument Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·Monument Avenue
27
Enter roundabout onto Marcus-David Peters Circle
81 ft·2 sec·Marcus-David Peters Circle
28
Arrive at destination
Marcus-David Peters Circle
Trip Plan
Because this route relies heavily on I-95, traffic patterns can significantly impact your 2-hour and 26-minute travel time. Aim to depart outside of peak rush hours to avoid the congestion typical of this heavily traveled corridor. Since the drive is short enough to handle in one go, you likely won't need to plan formal stops, providing you with the flexibility to reach your destination quickly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the interstate to ensure you don't need to exit prematurely. Given the highway-heavy nature of the trip, ensure your vehicle is ready for sustained speeds to make the most of the 113.8-mile transit.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.9 miles from Sterling, VA, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 25 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.9 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sterling, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Sterling, VA
This is one driving day of about 113.8 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Sterling, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 81.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 111.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 625 / West Church Road
Turn sharp right onto SR 625 / West Church Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
8 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward US 50: Winchester, Fairfax
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 50: Winchester, Fairfax
8
8.2 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 50 East: Fairfax
8
8.4 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 50 East: Fairfax
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 50 East: Fairfax
7
111.8 mi into trip|~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 78
Toward VA 161: Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.80 one way
$35.59 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$19.46
$38.92
premium
$4.70
$21.06
$42.12
diesel
$5.61
$25.13
$50.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.1
0
$11.95
$5.46
Efficient EV
28.5
0
$9.96
$4.55
EV Truck/SUV
45.5
0
$15.93
$7.28
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Sterling, VA
Late night
in Sterling on Tuesday
Local time
5:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richmond, VA
Late night
in Richmond on Tuesday
Local time
5:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Woodbridge, VA
57 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 26m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
Caution: Great Allegheny Passage Erosion Near Confluence, Pennsylvania (Mile Marker 56)
Park Closure: Trail Closure at Veterans Park at Balls Bluff (Leesburg, Virginia)
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 113.8
At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 81% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will start by navigating local connectors like Ox Road and the Fairfax County Parkway before transitioning to the primary corridor of the route. Once you merge onto I-95, you will settle into the longest stretch of the trip, covering 81.8 miles of uninterrupted interstate driving. The character of the road is functional and direct, prioritizing speed over scenic detours. Be prepared for the rhythmic, high-traffic nature of the interstate as you transition from the suburban sprawl of Northern Virginia toward the more southern landscape of Richmond.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.8 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Ox Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near SR 625 / West Church Road.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 113.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (SR 625 / West Church Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
351 ft87 ft
Total Climb
397 ft
Total Descent
479 ft
Highest Point
351 ft
~16.3 mi in
Elevation Range
265 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Sterling, VA to Richmond, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Fairfax along the way.
Richmond is the capital of Virginia. Richmond has a population of 227,000 (2020) and the adjacent counties of Henrico and Chesterfield combine to create a local population of more than 1.3 million people.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 113.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.8 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Richmond, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (SR 625 / West Church Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Petersburg National Battlefield and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Richmond, VA before heading back.
