Rush Hour and Metro Rail in DC
 

Hello all.

We will be traveling into Gaithersburg, MD and visiting Washington during the middle of March. Our initial plan is to drive to the Shady Grove metro stop and take the rail into the city each day.

What hours should we try to avoid so as to not get caught up in rush hour traffic OR is this really not a problem on the rails?

Also, do we run the risk of no available parking at Shady Grove as it is on the end of the red line?

Thanks in advance,
John

You probably want to get to Shady Grove by 9 or 9:30 during the week to make sure you get parking. On weekends (and Fridays), it is a non-issue.

As for rush hour, it won't be that big of a factor in the morning since you are getting on at the first stop so there should be plenty of seats.

In the evening, rush hour is going to be from about 4 to 7. It won't necessarily be jam packed and things thin out once you get into Maryland.

Excellent advice from MikeT.

Here's a list of when the Metro parking areas fill up:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2005Mar26.html

Again, weekends are fine anytime (you can even park at a kiss-and-ride metered spot all day on weekends for free).

I have to disagree with Tom about the parking at Shady Grove Metro--I've tried many times to park there just after AM rush hour and have had to leave and drive in closer to DC because there was no parking left in the garages. I did discover the meters which are "short term" which I think are 8 hours--plenty of time to sightsee and get back before the meter expires. The metered spaces are near the Metro bus pick up/drop off area, and there aren't many of them, but I've found a few empty ones almost every time. Probably because you need quarters to feed the meter--so bring plenty. Afternoon rush hour can be extremely packed--you will probably be standing from the Smithsonian/Federal Triangle/Metro Center stops until you cross over into MD.
But weekends are no problem, as Mike says.

Thanks so much for the info/responses so far. We will be visiting primarily during the week - not the weekend - so mid-week info is most valuable.

Claire (or others)... About what time does the main rush end? I'm used to things settling down after 9am. Is it the same there?

yes...around 9 or so, although rush hour fares don't end until 9:30. It seems most people want to get into the office early so they can leave early. Looks like evening rush hour fares kick in again at 3 pm...here's the website of the DC Metro: www.wmata.com

If you are in Gaithersburg and driving to the Shady Grove Metro, traffic should definitely be a lot lighter by 9 AM.

Also--re-reading my post, I hope I made it clear those metered spots are at the Shady Grove Metro station, near the Metro bus pick-up/drop-off. I believe there are signs directing you to Short Term Parking.

Enjoy DC--it's a beautiful city, and the Metro is wonderfully clean, and most of the time very efficient!

It's been three years since I've taken the Metro during the evening rush. Often the cars were stacked like human cordwood, one of the reasons I decided to discontinue using Metro. For the money riders pay at rush, they deserve some place to sit their tired behinds.

Interesting link from Bardo. While I'm not familiar with Shady Grove, I do know that the lots at Branch Avenue (end of Green Line) would fill up a little past 7; NOT 8. Therefore, I'd be skeptical about their estimate at Shady Grove.

The Red Line really seems to be screwing up lately (station fires @ Farragut North, late cars, etc.), so if you're planning on going at rush hours (in D.C., it's not "rush hour"!), you may want to bite the bullet & go early & leave around 3. That way, you'll get a space @ Shady Grove, and you won't have to deal with two rush hour commutes.

I agree with Clair and LT. I have never been able to get a parking space at Shady Grove after 8 AM. Go earlier.

I'd use that Dr. Gridlock link as only a rough guide --- it is nearly two years old.