Does anyone know if I can park at the Shady Grove Metro station (at the end of the Red Line)for a full weekend?

I'm thinking it might be more pleasant to park there and Metro into the city and not worry about the car again until Sunday.

If you have to ask, you probably don't have a SmarTrip farecard, and you can't get into Metro parking lots without one. And there's no multiday parking at Shady Grove anyway.

Check oput Metro's website: www.wmata.com

Any other ideas if I'm coming from the north and don't relish the idea of driving into the city?

Park at Greenbelt where overnight parking IS allowed. I'm not sure that you need a SmartTrip card if you enter on Saturday and leave on Sunday. If your trip is outside these hours you may buy a SmartTrip card in the station for $10 from a machine that accepts cash and credit/debit cards. It will have $5 worth of credit on it. You can park in a short-term parking area called "kiss and ride" while someone gets the SmartTrip card. You may also use the card for passenger fare on Metro subways and buses, and can add more credit to it at any Metro station.

You should read the wmata link that EricH cited.

Gosh I don't know why someone would go out of their way to say that you'll need a SmartTrip card when you don't.

With a few exceptions (Wheaton for one) fares are collected on exits and on Sundays there are no fares.

Parking is free on weekends and holiday -- and the gates that require SmartTrip to exit are up.

As for parking more than 24 hours, I think it's technically allowed only at a few lots -- although it's unclear if those things are enforced. I know I saw one van in the same spot for about a week without a ticket, but I have never parked in any lot for more than a day.

I made my comment about Smarttip based on signs at Springfield and what I read on wmata.com I parked on weekends and all gates were open. Notices were that you would not only need a Smarttrip card, but you would need at least enough credit on it for the parking fee. If MaryZ's "full weekend" means Friday or Monday, I would assume she needs the card.

A fellow passenger told me people with insufficient credit were blocking exits but that still would not prevent one from using up the credit on subways during the day.

So I guess I will stand by my advice to see the wmata website and having read it myself KNOW that only certain stations allow overnight parking. I agree with you repete that enforcement is a separate issue.

And parking is free and requires no card on weekends and federal holidays.

www.wmata.com

Actually, my note was directed towards Eric H's remark that ``you can't get into Metro parking lots without one,'' which was totally false in this instance.

Sorry, Wx,WyWz if I wasn't clear.

Opinions on this board are one thing, but I just responded because he came on with a authoritive, declarative statement that was flat-out wrong.

From her post, I took it the OP was was leaving on Sunday, despite the ``full weekend'' remark. My guess, and that is all it is, is that until 8 or 9 on Monday you can leave lots through open gates.

And reading the website is always a great help. I also think that paying the $5 for a SmartTrip isn't that bad of a deal. They are more durable than the paper tickets (especially if you're a careless slob like me) and you can quickly flash them over the turnstiles even if they're in your wallet.

Enforcement in lots seems to be all over the board. Aas I mentioned earlier, I've seen vehicles parked for multiple days, but I've also seen Medtro officers putting a ticket on a parked car for expired tags.

Mary Z could gamble at Shady Grove or go to Greenbelt, where I think they do have multi-day spots. If she doesn't want to gamble, perhaps she could just make a Metro run up to Shady Grove on Saturday and move the car to as different spot. Seems like a hassle but it might work.