Metro DC Route: Metro Route, Bus Routes, Fares & Route Planner

Metro DC Route: The Washington DC Metro, operated by WMATA, is a major rapid transit system serving Washington D.C., as well as parts of Maryland and Virginia. It plays a critical role in the region’s transportation, connecting residential neighbourhoods with business districts, government buildings, and major tourist attractions. The system features six color coded lines—Red, Blue, Orange, Yellow, Green, and Silver—spanning 129 miles and covering 98 stations. While underground in densely populated areas, the Metro runs above ground in suburban zones, adapting to the region’s geography.

Popular among both daily commuters and visitors, the Metro offers a fast, convenient alternative to driving. Fares vary based on distance and time of travel, with SmarTrip cards used for easy payment. WMATA continues to enhance the network through ongoing rail maintenance and bus service redesigns to ensure safety, efficiency, and reliability.

DC Metro Routes [Metro DC Route]

The Washington Metro DC route system, managed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), is a vital public transportation network serving the District of Columbia and its surrounding suburbs in Maryland and Virginia. It’s the second busiest rapid transit system in the United States, facilitating millions of trips annually for both residents and visitors.

WMATA Metro Routes in DC

The Metro DC route connects various points across Washington DC, Montgomery County (MD), Prince George’s County (MD), Arlington (VA), and Fairfax County (VA). Its structure includes six primary lines, each identifiable by a specific color, which intersect at numerous stations to facilitate transfers. The system features dedicated tracks for express services during peak hours and offers connections to major points of interest like Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and various parking facilities marked at specific stations. Operating hours vary by day, with extended service on Fridays and Saturdays compared to weekdays and Sundays.

Metro DC Route: Lines and Routes

The Washington Metro DC route has six color coded lines designed for quick travel and easy transfers:

• Red Line: The oldest and longest line, running from Shady Grove to Glenmont, with major stops like Dupont Circle, Union Station, and Silver Spring.
• Orange Line: Runs between Vienna, VA, and New Carrollton, MD, sharing tracks through central D.C. with the Blue and Silver lines. Key stations: Rosslyn, Metro Centre, Eastern Market.
• Silver Line: Connects Ashburn, VA (via Dulles Airport) to Downtown Largo, MD, overlapping with the Orange and Blue lines. Stops include Tyson’s Corner, Rosslyn, and L’Enfant Plaza.
• Blue Line: Travels from Franconia-Springfield, VA, to Downtown Largo, MD, serving Alexandria, the Pentagon, and DCA Airport, sharing much of its route with the Orange and Silver lines.
• Yellow Line: Runs north-south from Huntington, VA, to Fort Totten, D.C., overlapping with the Green Line. Key stops: Pentagon, Gallery Place, DCA Airport.
• Green Line: Extends from Branch Avenue to Greenbelt, covering eastern D.C. and parts of Maryland. Notable stops: Anacostia, Navy Yard, College Park–U of Md.

Transfer Stations: Easily switch between lines at Metro Centre (Red, Orange, Silver, Blue), L’Enfant Plaza (all lines except Red), and Gallery Place–Chinatown (Red, Yellow, Green).

Metro DC Route Fares and Payment System

The DC Metro uses a distance and time based fare system, with higher rates during peak hours (weekdays 5:00–9:30 a.m. and 3:00–7:00 p.m.) and lower fares during off-peak times, weekends, and holidays.

• SmarTrip Card is the main payment method—a reusable, contactless card that can be reloaded at stations, online, or via mobile wallets. Registering it online provides balance protection.
• Contactless Payment is also accepted via credit/debit cards or mobile wallets tapped directly at faregates.
• Passes include 1-day, 3-day, 7-day, and monthly options, plus a 7-day Short Trip Pass for unlimited off-peak and limited peak travel.
• Reduced fares are available for seniors, people with disabilities, and eligible DC students.

Washington DC Metro Route Planner

WMATA’s online Trip Planner helps riders navigate the D.C. Metro system across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. By entering your start and end locations, it suggests the best route, including transfers, travel time, and fare estimates. It covers all six Metro lines and guides you through key transfer stations like Metro Centre. Real-time updates are available at MetroPulse.wmata.com. With free Wi-Fi in stations and mobile access in tunnels, it’s a handy tool for both commuters and visitors.

• Trip Planner: Available on WMATA’s website for quick route planning.
• Easy Input: Enter start and end points to get the best route.
• Covers All Lines: Includes all six Metro lines and transfer stations.
• Estimates Provided: Shows travel time and fare info.
• Real-Time Updates: Visit MetroPulse.wmata.com for live service info.
• On-the-Go Access: Free Wi-Fi and mobile coverage throughout the system.

DC Metro Bus Routes

The Metrobus system in Washington, D.C., operated by WMATA, serves the District and parts of Maryland and Virginia through an extensive network. A major redesign of the Better Bus Network, approved on November 21, 2024, is set to launch on June 29, 2025, aiming to simplify routes and improve service.

Under the redesign, all D.C. routes will be renamed with ‘C’ for Crosstown and ‘D’ for Downtown. For example, C11 runs from L’Enfant Plaza to National Harbour, C13 connects Anacostia to Eastover, and C21 links Anacostia to Minnesota Avenue. Many of these routes are part of the frequent service network, with some running 24/7. ‘D’ routes like D10 (Southern Avenue to the Kennedy Centre) and D20 (Minnesota Avenue to Lafayette Square) enhance downtown connectivity. These updates aim to make Metrobus faster, clearer, and more reliable.

DC Metro Blue Line Route

The Washington Metro’s Blue Line, operated by WMATA, connects Franconia–Springfield, VA, to Largo Town Centre, MD, passing through downtown D.C. and serving key areas like the Pentagon and Reagan National Airport (DCA). It features 28 stations, shares tracks with the Yellow Line in Virginia, the Orange Line for 13 stations, and the Silver Line for 18 stations. Exclusive stations include Franconia–Springfield, Van Dorn Street, and Arlington Cemetery. After merging with the Yellow Line near King Street, it continues underground through Crystal City, the Pentagon, and into downtown D.C., before heading east into Maryland. The Blue Line opened in 1977 and extended to Largo Town Centre in 2004, serving both commuters and tourists across the metro area.

Below is a list of the stations served by the Washington Metro Blue Line, ordered from its southwestern terminus to its eastern terminus: