The DC Metro Silver Line is the newest addition to the Washington, D.C., Metrorail system, stretching approximately 23 miles from Downtown Largo in Maryland to Ashburn, Virginia. Operated by WMATA, the line was developed in two phases. Phase 1, launched in 2014, introduced five stations serving the Tyson’s and Reston areas. Phase 2 opened in November 2022, adding 11.4 miles to the line and six additional stations, including Washington Dulles International Airport access and the terminal station in Ashburn.
Built by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and financed by federal, state, and local funds, the project took approximately $6 billion. The DC Metro Silver Line improves regional connectivity, providing enhanced airport access and serving more than 400,000 Loudoun County residents. Trains operate on a 10–15-minute frequency, a complete journey from Ashburn to Largo taking around 93 minutes. The extension also promotes transit-oriented development within significant Northern Virginia communities.
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Silver Line DC Metro
The DC Metro Silver Line is the newest and longest line of the Washington Metro that stretches approximately 23 miles from Downtown Largo, Maryland, to Ashburn, Virginia. It was constructed in two phases: Phase 1, which began service in 2014, extended stations along Tyson’s to Wiehle–Reston East; Phase 2, which began service in 2022, expanded the line to six additional stations, including Dulles International Airport and the terminus at Ashburn. WMATA operates, and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority constructed the project, which cost more than $6 billion and features Metro’s largest rail yard at Dulles.
The DC Metro Silver Line enhances intra-regional connectivity, enables growth in Northern Virginia, and offers a direct rail connection to Dulles Airport. Trains are operated every 10–15 minutes, and the entire journey from Ashburn to Largo takes approximately 93 minutes. The line helps in relieving traffic and promoting transit-oriented development along the Dulles corridor.
Washington DC Metro Silver Line Map
The Washington Metro Silver Line map illustrates its path from Ashburn, Virginia, to downtown Largo, Maryland. Colour-coded in silver, the line traverses prime locations such as Tyson’s, Reston, and Dulles International Airport before joining the Orange and Blue lines in central D.C. It features such prominent transfer stations as Metro Center and L’Enfant Plaza, providing convenient transfers to other lines. The Phase 2 expansion, which opened in 2022, introduced six new stations west of Wiehle–Reston East, enhancing the reach of Dulles Airport and Loudoun County. The map points out the Silver Line’s connection of suburban Virginia to downtown D.C. and beyond.
DC Metro Silver Line Stops
The DC Metro Silver Line is one of the prominent Metrorail lines run by WMATA, which covers the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It spans the eastern suburbs to the expanding suburban and urban communities of Northern Virginia, with a direct connection to Washington Dulles International Airport. The DC Metro Silver Line has two directions: to Largo Town Center in Maryland and Ashburn in Loudoun County, Virginia. The entire line is approximately 90 minutes from one end to the other and has a total of 34 stops.
| Station Name | Station Code | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Largo | G05 | Largo, MD |
| Morgan Boulevard | G04 | Landover, MD |
| Addison Road | G03 | Capitol Heights, MD |
| Capitol Heights | G02 | Capitol Heights, MD |
| Benning Road | G01 | Washington, DC (NE) |
| Stadium–Armoury | D08 | Washington, DC (NE) |
| Potomac Ave | D07 | Washington, DC (SE) |
| Eastern Market | D06 | Washington, DC (SE) |
| Capitol South | D05 | Washington, DC (SE) |
| Federal Center SW | D04 | Washington, DC (SW) |
| L’Enfant Plaza | D03 | Washington, DC (SW) |
| Smithsonian | D02 | Washington, DC (SW) |
| Federal Triangle | D01 | Washington, DC (NW) |
| Metro Center | C01 | Washington, DC (NW) |
| McPherson Square | C02 | Washington, DC (NW) |
| Farragut West | C03 | Washington, DC (NW) |
| Foggy Bottom–GWU | C04 | Washington, DC (NW) |
| Rosslyn | C05 | Arlington, VA |
| Court House | K01 | Arlington, VA |
| Clarendon | K02 | Arlington, VA |
| Virginia Square–GMU | K03 | Arlington, VA |
| Ballston–MU | K04 | Arlington, VA |
| East Falls Church | K05 | Arlington, VA |
| McLean | N01 | McLean, VA |
| Tysons | N02 | Tysons, VA |
| Greensboro | N03 | Tysons, VA |
| Spring Hill | N04 | Tysons, VA |
| Wiehle–Reston East | N06 | Reston, VA |
| Reston Town Center | N07 | Reston, VA |
| Herndon | N08 | Herndon, VA |
| Innovation Center | N09 | Herndon, VA |
| Dulles International Airport | N10 | Dulles, VA |
| Loudoun Gateway | N11 | Sterling, VA |
| Ashburn | N12 | Ashburn, VA |
DC Metro Silver Line Schedule
The line operates to 34 stops (depending on direction) and is about 90 minutes end-to-end. Daily service with early weekday start times and slightly later weekend start times are the modes of operation. The DC Metro Silver Line delivers regular transit levels to commuters, airport passengers (through Dulles), and residents of D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
| Day | Towards Wiehle–Reston East | Towards Largo Town Center |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 12:02 AM – 11:32 PM | 12:02 AM – 11:02 PM |
| Monday | 12:31 AM – 11:32 PM | 5:00 AM – 11:01 PM |
| Tuesday | 12:31 AM – 11:32 PM | 5:00 AM – 11:01 PM |
| Wednesday | 12:31 AM – 11:32 PM | 5:00 AM – 11:01 PM |
| Thursday | 12:31 AM – 11:32 PM | 7:00 AM – 11:02 PM |
| Friday | 12:31 AM – 11:46 PM | 5:00 AM – 11:42 PM |
| Saturday | 12:01 AM – 11:46 PM | 12:02 AM – 11:42 PM |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do the operating hours of the DC Metro Silver Line work?
The Silver Line operates seven days a week, with trains running from 5:00 a.m. to midnight on weekdays (Monday through Thursday). During Fridays and Saturdays, the service extends to 2:00 a.m. for late-night passengers. On Sundays, trains start at 6:00 a.m. and operate until midnight. These operating hours provide easy access throughout the area during the day and into the night.
2. How often do DC Metro Silver Line trains run throughout the day?
The frequency of trains on the Silver Line differs by time of day. At weekday peak periods, trains generally operate every 10 minutes. Off-peak and weekend trains operate about every 12 minutes. At late-night hours, frequency is low, with trains operating about every 15 minutes. This frequency offers consistent service around the clock for commuters and occasional riders alike.
3. What is the duration of a complete journey on the Silver Line, and how many stations does it cover?
The entire Silver Line route extends approximately 41 miles and has 39 stations in total, from Ashburn in Loudoun County, Virginia, to Largo Town Center in Maryland. A total end-to-end trip on the Silver Line takes approximately 90 minutes, one of the longest trips in the Washington Metro network. It goes through important places like Dulles International Airport, Tyson’s, and downtown D.C.
4. How do I get a map or schedule for the DC Metro Silver Line?
The entire Silver Line map and schedule are available on WMATA’s website. WMATA provides downloadable PDFs with station maps and full timetables. The Trip Planner service on the site also enables users to plan personalised routes and view train times between two given stations, making it convenient to plan commutes or trips ahead of time.
5. Does the DC Metro Silver Line operate later on weekends?
Yes, the Silver Line operates later on weekends for late-night travel. Trains operate later on both Friday and Saturday nights, until about 2:00 a.m. This later operating schedule is an added convenience for people going to or from locations such as downtown D.C., Tyson’s, or Dulles Airport.