Origin
Sterling, VA
Morning in Sterling on Friday
Local time
9:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sterling, VA to Alexandria, VA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
51m
Distance
35.7 mi
58 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 48m
★
6 AM
0h 52m
8 AM
1h 0m
10 AM
0h 55m
12 PM
0h 54m
3 PM
0h 55m
5 PM
1h 0m
8 PM
0h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sterling, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Alexandria, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Sterling, VA to Alexandria, VA is 35.7 miles and takes about 51m via Capital Beltway/Sully Road/Dulles Toll Road, with a fuel budget near $6 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Virginia, making it a straightforward local excursion. Expect a turn-heavy local drive that will require your attention as you navigate through the Southeast region. With a drive time under an hour, this is a perfect option for a quick trip without needing an overnight stay.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 51m. Total distance: 35.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' indicating a departure from highway monotony. While it utilizes parts of the Capital Beltway, the overall feel is more about navigating local roads and intersections, with no highway share percentage provided. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 15.4 miles on the Capital Beltway, offering a brief period of higher-speed travel before you transition back to more localized segments. Be prepared for frequent turns and traffic signals as you make your way through various communities.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Capital Beltway is the longest continuous segment at about 15.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 17 decision points packed into just 35.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 51m.
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 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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.
6
3.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward VA 267 East: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward VA 267 East: Washington
7
15.9 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward I 495 South: Richmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18A
Toward I 495 South: Richmond
8
32.1 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local)
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495 / Capital Beltway (Local) toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
8
34.1 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177A-B
Toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Beltway | 15.4 mi | 19m |
| Dulles Toll Road | 11.8 mi | 16m |
| Sully Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Capital Beltway (Local) | 2 mi | 2m |
| South Washington Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Church Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Patrick Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Franklin Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Capital Beltway
— 15.4 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling, VA and Alexandria, 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
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Sully Road
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward VA 267 East: Washington
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto Dulles Toll Road
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Dulles Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto VA 267
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Dulles Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 18A
Toward I 495 South: Richmond
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 18A
Toward I 495 South: Richmond
13
Merge onto I 495
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Capital Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; I 495
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Capital Beltway (Local)
Toward I 95, I 495: Alexandria
Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 177A-B
Toward US 1: Alexandria, Fort Belvoir
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 177B
Toward US 1 North: Alexandria
17
Merge onto US 1
440 ft
·
8 sec
·
Richmond Highway
18
Continue on US 1
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
South Patrick Street
19
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Franklin Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto VA 400
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Washington Street
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
VA 400
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.9 mi from Sterling, VA · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 35.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.9 miles from Sterling, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Alexandria, VA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Alexandria, VA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.58 one way
$11.17 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $6.10 | $12.21 |
| premium | $4.70 | $6.61 | $13.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.88 | $15.76 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.35
Dulles Toll Road
(11.8 mi)
$2.35
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Tolls
$2
Total
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.7 | 0 | $3.75 | $1.71 |
| Efficient EV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.12 | $1.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.3 | 0 | $5.00 | $2.28 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Alexandria, VA
Morning in Alexandria on Friday
Local time
9:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
19 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
51m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Sterling, VA to Alexandria, VA covers 35.7 miles and takes about 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Capital Beltway, Dulles Toll Road, Sully Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.9 miles from Sterling, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.58 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a short but busy drive. With 17 decision points packed into just 35.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 51m.
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 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Sterling, VA to Alexandria, VA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. National park proximity is from the NPS API. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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