The Red Line Metro DC is the oldest and most used of the Washington Metro lines. It runs from Shady Grove in Montgomery County, Maryland, all the way to Glenmont, cutting across a wide diversity of suburban and urban areas. Altogether, 27 stations make up this line, which covers important locations such as Bethesda, Woodley Park, Dupont Circle, Metro Centre, and Union Station.
The Red Line Metro DC goes beneath central Washington, D.C., and above ground in Maryland. It traces the route of the old Metropolitan Subdivision railroad. Major transfer points like Metro Centre, Gallery Place, and Fort Totten link the Red Line Metro DC with the other Metro lines and make it the backbone of the system. With regular train frequency—usually every 8 minutes on weekdays—the Red Line has a high number of commuters per day. Continuing upgrades involve platform overhauls, tunnel ventilation upgrades, and updated signal systems.
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DC Metro Red Line
The Red Line Metro DC, opened on March 27, 1976, is the longest (31.9 miles), oldest, and most used line of the WMATA system, curving in a “U” from Shady Grove to Glenmont with 27 stations through Washington D.C. and Montgomery County, Maryland. It is the only line that doesn’t share tracks but provides important transfer points at Metro Center, Gallery Place, and Fort Totten.
Serving major stops such as Union Station, Dupont Circle, the Smithsonian National Zoo, Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Rockville, it is a critical part of local connectivity. The Red Line Metro DC runs from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Monday to Thursday, through 1:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and begins at 7:00 a.m. on weekends, running 4–5-minute headways for rush hours. Fares depend on distance and time of day, paid in SmarTrip cards, making the Red Line critical to daily travel and commuting within the Washington metropolitan area.
Washington DC Metro Red Line Map
The Washington Red Line Metro DC traverses in a U-shape from Glenmont to Shady Grove, passing through 27 stations along 51 km. It serves important suburbs like Rockville, Bethesda, and Silver Spring, then goes underground through D.C.’s center, making a major stop at stations like Dupont Circle, Metro Center, and Union Station. After Union Station, it goes above ground through NoMa–Gallaudet U, Brookland–CUA, and Fort Totten, finishing up at Glenmont. The Red Line Metro DC intersects with other lines at transfer points such as Metro Center, Gallery Place, and Fort Totten, but operates entirely on its tracks. Its system map emphasises the line’s autonomy and strategic position in connecting Maryland suburbs to downtown Washington, D.C.
DC Metro Red Line Stops
The Red Line Metro DC links distant suburbs in Montgomery County to Washington’s downtown and back into Maryland’s northeast corridor. It offers critical transit access at key transfer points and commuter-oriented suburban stops. Each stop serves individual local destinations—from shopping and universities to principal rail connections—making the Red Line the busiest and most vital artery on the Metro system.
| Station Name | Station Code | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Shady Grove | A15 | Rockville, MD |
| Rockville | A14 | Rockville, MD |
| Twinbrook | A13 | Rockville, MD |
| North Bethesda | A12 | North Bethesda, MD |
| Grosvenor–Strathmore | A11 | North Bethesda, MD |
| Medical Center | A10 | Bethesda, MD |
| Bethesda | A09 | Bethesda, MD |
| Friendship Heights | A08 | Chevy Chase, MD / D.C. line |
| Tenleytown–AU | A07 | Washington, D.C. |
| Van Ness–UDC | A06 | Washington, D.C. |
| Cleveland Park | A05 | Washington, D.C. |
| Woodley Park | A04 | Washington, D.C. |
| Dupont Circle | A03 | Washington, D.C. |
| Farragut North | A02 | Washington, D.C. |
| Metro Center | A01 | Washington, D.C. |
| Gallery Place | B01 | Washington, D.C. |
| Judiciary Square | B02 | Washington, D.C. |
| Union Station | B03 | Washington, D.C. |
| NoMa–Gallaudet U | B35 | Washington, D.C. |
| Rhode Island Avenue | B04 | Washington, D.C. |
| Brookland–CUA | B05 | Washington, D.C. |
| Fort Totten | B06 | Washington, D.C. |
| Takoma | B07 | Washington, D.C. |
| Silver Spring | B08 | Silver Spring, MD |
| Forest Glen | B09 | Silver Spring, MD |
| Wheaton | B10 | Wheaton, MD |
| Glenmont | B11 | Glenmont, MD |
Information Highlights:
- The Red Line has 27 stations from Maryland’s Shady Grove to Glenmont, covering around 51 km.
- NoMa–Gallaudet U is the Red Line’s single infill station, opened in 2004 between Union Station and Rhode Island Avenue stations.
DC Metro Red Line Closures
The Red Line Metro DC has had several scheduled closures to aid in infrastructure improvements and upcoming transit interconnectivity. Five northern stations, Takoma, Silver Spring, Forest Glen, Wheaton, and Glenmont, were closed from June 1 to September 1, 2024, for Purple Line work, including the addition of a new mezzanine at Silver Spring. Shuttle buses ran between Fort Totten and Glenmont during these months.
A short closure between October 12–14, 2024, impacted Shady Grove, Rockville, Twinbrook, and North Bethesda for upkeep. The Medical Center and Bethesda are also scheduled to close in summer 2026 for integration with the Purple Line. Weekends and overnight disturbances persist along the Red Line for regular upgrades. Metro provides shuttle service during closures and urges passengers to check MetroAlerts and MetroPulse. These initiatives form part of larger modernisation proposals aimed at enhancing Red Line reliability and regional public transport connectivity.
DC Metro Red Line Schedule
The Red Line Metro DC follows a schedule that seeks to meet different ridership needs throughout the week, with different frequencies for different times of day. In general terms, service is most frequent during peak morning and evening commuting periods and less frequent off-peak and late at night.
| Station | Arrival Time (PM) |
|---|---|
| Glenmont | 4:39 |
| Wheaton | 4:42 |
| Forest Glen | 4:45 |
| Silver Spring | 4:48 |
| Takoma | 4:51 |
| Fort Totten | 4:54 |
| Brookland-CUA | 4:56 |
| Rhode Island Ave | 4:58 |
| NoMa-Gallaudet U | 5:00 |
| Union Station | 5:02 |
| Judiciary Sq | 5:04 |
| Gallery Place | 5:06 |
| Metro Center | 5:07 |
| Farragut North | 5:09 |
| Dupont Circle | 5:11 |
| Woodley Park | 5:13 |
| Cleveland Park | 5:15 |
| Van Ness-UDC | 5:17 |
| Tenleytown-AU | 5:19 |
| Friendship Heights | 5:21 |
| Bethesda | 5:24 |
| Medical Center | 5:26 |
| Grosvenor-Strathmore | 5:29 |
| North Bethesda | 5:31 |
| Twinbrook | 5:33 |
| Rockville | 5:36 |
| Shady Grove | 5:41 |
Red Line Metro DC Delays
The Red Line Metro DC, like any widespread public transportation system, suffers delays resulting from a myriad of reasons, varying from infrastructure problems to operational issues and external accidents. Knowing these typical causes can help explain the intricacies of operating a busy urban rail line. Some of the main reasons for delays on the Red Line Metro DC include:
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Aging Infrastructure and Signal Issues: Delays often result from aging infrastructure, including 1970s signals and aged communication cables. These faults impact train spacing and detection, resulting in single-tracking and lowered frequency. System upgrades are underway, but can also lead to short-term service disruptions.
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Monitor Maintenance and Issues: Monitor issues such as defects, power failures, or obstructions frequently necessitate maintenance that results in single-tracking or closures, primarily off-peak hours. Large-scale projects, including Purple Line construction, also necessitate scheduled long-term service changes.
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Operational and Mechanical Issues: Mechanical issues such as brake or door malfunctions, and delays due to operational causes from extended station dwell times or inadequate spacing, can cause service disruptions. While ATO boosts efficiency, occasional technical failures have also led to delays.
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Outside Events and Environmental Conditions: Police activity, medical conditions, or passenger actions can cause service interruption. Extreme weather conditions, such as rain or sno,w can slow down trains or destroy equipment.
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Operator Availability: While more frequent on buses, shortages in staff can impact the rail operations, especially during unforeseen demands for services, resulting in decreased frequency or delays.
Real-time alerts and service reports are given by WMATA to inform riders. Continuous enhancements are in the process of enhancing reliability and minimising delays on the Red Line Metro DC.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the latest information about the Red Line?
The Red Line, at times, gets delayed because of signal problems, equipment failure, or maintenance activities. Some recent examples include the disruptions around Farragut North and Rockville. WMATA gives real-time updates via its website and MetroAlerts.
2. What are the typical causes of Red Line delays?
Red Line delays frequently result from aging infrastructure, including old signals, combined with track work, mechanical train problems, and periodic single-tracking. Weather and outside circumstances, such as medical emergencies or police response, may also affect service.
3. Are there any planned Red Line closures?
Yes, WMATA plans regular closures for maintenance and construction activities. Recent ones impacted stations such as Silver Spring, Glenmont, and Bethesda, mainly for Purple Line integration and track improvements, usually on weekends or summer periods.
4. Where can passengers find Red Line service updates?
Red Line service notifications can be found on the official website of WMATA, the MetroAlerts alert system, and social media sites such as X (@Metrorailinfo). These provide real-time information regarding delays, track maintenance, and changes in service.
5. Which hotels are near Red Line Metro DC stations?
A number of hotels are within walking distance of Red Line stops. Choices include Grand Hyatt and Capital Hilton close to Metro Center, Club Quarters close to Farragut North, and Embassy Suites right over Friendship Heights station with direct Metro access for visitors.