Car Rental Sterling, VA

FAQs

Is it better to rent a car in Sterling or at Dulles Airport?

Rental places in Sterling often charge 10-20% less than Dulles Airport rentals and you won't pay extra airport fees. However, you'll need a ride to get to these places off the airport grounds (about $15-25 by taxi or rideshare). If you're flying into Dulles and have bags, renting right at the airport might be easier and worth the extra cost, especially for a short trip. Renting in Sterling is a better deal if you need a car for a longer time or if you are already in the area.

How do the toll roads work around Sterling?

You'll find toll roads all around Sterling. The Dulles Toll Road goes east and west and you'll pay about $4.00 at the main plaza plus $2.00 at ramps (rates are from 2024). The Dulles Greenway goes west toward Leesburg and charges about $5.25 during quiet times and $6.25 during busy times. Both roads take E-ZPass and the Greenway also lets you pay by mail (Pay-by-Plate) or use a credit card in some lanes. Your rental company can give you a toll pass for a daily fee plus the cost of the tolls you use. You can save a lot of time using these roads during rush hour, but you can also take free roads like Route 7.

What's the best strategy for visiting Washington D.C. from Sterling?

The easiest way is to drive to a new Silver Line station like Loudoun Gateway or Ashburn. The drive takes about 10-15 minutes on Route 28 or the Dulles Toll Road. You can park there for about $4.95 on weekdays (it's free on weekends) and then take the train into the city. This way, you avoid D.C.'s heavy traffic and expensive parking, which can cost $20-30 a day. You can also use the Wiehle-Reston East station, but it's farther away. If you drive straight into the city, try to get there before 9 AM to find parking more easily. You should use a parking app to book a spot ahead of time and get ready for confusing one-way streets.

How do I handle the complicated highway interchanges around Sterling?

You will find several big highway interchanges in the area, especially where Route 28 crosses the Dulles Toll Road and where the Dulles Greenway crosses Route 7. We recommend you use a GPS and watch the overhead signs carefully. Staying in the correct lane is very important. You should know which lane you need well before your exit, as changing lanes at the last minute can be hard when traffic is heavy. If you can, look at your route before you start driving. This is especially helpful when you are driving back to the airport because missing an exit can cause long delays.

Are there any driving restrictions I should know about in Sterling?

In Sterling, you just need to follow the normal traffic laws. But if you drive toward Washington D.C., know that I-66 inside the Beltway becomes a toll road on weekdays during busy times. This is from 5:30-9:30 AM for cars going east and 3-7 PM for cars going west. If you have 3 or more people in your car, you can drive on it for free using an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV mode. Otherwise, you have to pay a toll that changes based on traffic and can be anywhere from $5 to $40.

What should I know about parking in residential areas of Sterling?

Homeowners Associations (HOAs) run many Sterling neighborhoods and they have their own parking rules. They often have rules like no overnight street parking, no commercial vehicles and limits on the number of cars per house. You can usually find visitor parking spots, but they might have time limits, like 48 to 72 hours. If you are staying at someone's house, you should ask them about the parking rules. Hotels usually give their guests free parking.

How far in advance should I reserve a rental car in Sterling?

Most of the time, you only need to book your rental car 1-2 weeks early. But during busy times like government transitions, holidays or the summer tourist season, you should book 3-4 weeks ahead. The rental places in Sterling don't have a huge number of cars, so they can get fully booked when it's busy. This is especially true if you want a special vehicle like an SUV or a luxury car.

What's the best approach for visiting Virginia wine country from Sterling?

You'll find Sterling is a great place to start your trip to Virginia's wine country. Loudoun County (Virginia's wine country) begins just west of Sterling. You can take Route 7 west toward Leesburg, then follow routes like 15, 9 or 734 to reach dozens of wineries in about 30 minutes. We suggest you visit on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds. Many wineries will charge you a $10-20 fee to taste their wine and some ask you to make a reservation if you have a group. You should always have a designated driver or book a wine tour if you plan to visit several wineries.