Taking Public Transportation to Washington Nationals Park

Big League baseball returned to Washington, D.C. with the 2005 move of the Montreal Expos franchise to the Capital City. The rechristened Washington Nationals descended upon the DC / Maryland / Virginia area with great anticipation and the love was reciprocated with $611 million worth of public financing for Nationals Park. The state-of-the-art construction is set to emerge as the cornerstone of a developing Navy Yard and Waterfront area well into the future.

Nationals Park is located at 1500 Couth Capitol Street. This address marks the intersection of South Capitol and N Street SE per the Washington, D.C. street grid.

Although today's real estate bust has largely sabotaged grandiose plans that had originally been set for the neighborhood, this still remains, Washington, D.C. Meaning, the general vicinity will always represent a maddening focal point for gridlock, bizarre signage, gawking tourists, and outright confusion.

The aforementioned South Capitol Street and separate branches of I-295 and I-395 serve the locale. 395 is a wretched bottleneck from the 14^th Street Bridge complex into the 3^rd Street Tunnel; and 295 is a dilapidated inner-city freeway that was never designed to accommodate today's heavy volume of DC traffic.

Essentially, I must advise that Washington Nationals spectators take public transportation to Nationals Park.

The Metrorail Green Line stops directly adjacent to the ballpark per the Navy Yard station. Nationals Park is accessed from the west entrance of this station.

The Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority is largely responsible for public transportation within the District of Columbia and operates 5 distinct color-coded Metrorail lines. Metrorail fares range from $1.65 to $4.50, according to distance traveled and rush hour scheduling. Metro trains shut down at midnight from Sunday to Thursday and at 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Towering, dark brown rectangular cubes mark Metrorail stations. These fixtures carry an "M' logo and horizontal piping that coordinates with the respective lines that intersect the particular location.

Meanwhile, Metrobus fares charge $1.35 per one-way and all bus stops are identified by a flag-like banner, which posts the prevailing route and scheduling.

Maryland and Virginia spectators will take Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC),Virginia Railway Express (VRE) or even Amtrak trains into the city to access the Metrorail system at various points, which include Union Station. Commuter trains also charge by zone and rush hour scheduling towards $10 per one-way travel. Remember, MARC and VRE trains do not operate during the weekends.

This guide will detail how to take public transportation to National Park from all directions. Remember, the DC street grid allows for two sets of parallel numbered and lettered streets that are differentiated by quadrants with respect to the U.S. Capitol.

Taking Public Transportation to Nationals Park from Washington, D.C.

Downtown: The Green Line bisects downtown Washington via subway that barrels beneath 7^th Street NW / SW, prior to cutting east underneath M Street SW / SE. The Green Line stops at Mt. Vernon Square (7^th and M NW), Gallery Place (7^th and G NW), Archives (7^th and PENNA NW), L'Enfant Plaza (7^th and D SW), and the Waterfront downtown. Green Line trains headed for the Navy Yard and Nationals Park will flash "Branch Avenue."

Of course, Washington D.C.'s downtown core is quite sweeping per the L'Enfant plan and spectators may be unable to walk to 7^th Street at game time. All Metrorail lines converge towards the National Mall and may be accessed at I Street NW, 12^th Street NW, and D Street SE / SW.

The Red Line stops at Union Station at North Capitol and Massachusetts and skirts the northern fringes of downtown via G Street NW to Farragut North at Connecticut and K. The Blue and Orange Lines run concurrently along a right-of-way that tracks I Street NW from Foggy Bottom to 12^th Street into the National Mall, before tracing D Street SE towards Capitol Hill.

Transfer points for the Green Line are situated at Gallery Place and L'Enfant Plaza downtown. Fans will pick up the Green Line "Branch Avenue" cars at these stations before exiting at Navy Yard and enjoying pure baseball at Nationals Park.

Northwest: The Red Line is the most critical public transportation link between Northwest Washington and downtown. The Metrorail Red Line enters the District at Friendship Heights and tracks Wisconsin Avenue to Nebraska, before cutting east and tracking Connecticut into the City. Important stops along this branch of the Red Line include Tenleytown (Wisconsin-Nebraska), Van Ness (Connecticut), and DuPont Circle.

Red Line riders from Northwest will pick up these trains flashing "Glenmont" towards downtown and de board at Gallery Place. Fans must follow signage at this location to transfer onto Green Line trains flashing "Branch Avenue" for Nationals Park.

The Takoma section of Northwest also features a Red Line station at Carroll Avenue. However, Takoma commuters will take Red Line "Shady Grove" trains into the city for the Green Line transfer at Gallery Place.

The Green Line does serve Northwest Washington east of Rock Creeek Park. Nationals spectators will access the Green Line at Petworth (Georgia-New Hampshire), Columbia Heights (14^th and Irving), 12^th and U, and Shaw (7^th and Rhode Island). Again, "Branch Avenue" Green Line trains are a straight shot to the ballpark at Navy Yard.

Metrobus service runs along the major radial and circumferential thoroughfares of Northwest with the intent of funneling commuters towards downtown and various Metrorail stations. For example, Upper Northwest residents may pick up the M4 at Nebraska Avenue and proceed to transfer onto the Red Line at Tenleytown.

Georgetown residents will choose from a plethora of Metrobus options that serve M Street NW. These buses will trace M Street and Pennsylvania Avenue towards the National Mall. The Green Line Archives Metrorail stop is located at 7^th Street NW.

Northeast: The Red and Green lines predominately serve Northeast. The Orange and Blue lines do run concurrently along East Capitol Street and Benning Road, which border the fringes of this quadrant.

The Red Line traces a right of way that is just to the east of North Capitol Street and Blair Road. These surface level tracks stop at Brookland (Michigan), Rhode Island, and New York-Florida, prior to entering downtown at Union Station (North Capitol and Massachusetts).

Northeast and Takoma riders will board Red Line trains flashing "Shady Grove" and transfer onto the Green Line at Gallery Place. Green Line "Branch Avenue" trains stop at Navy Yard for Nationals Park.

The Green Line does stop at Fort Totten (1^st Place - Galloway / West of South Dakota) and trains to the Navy Yard will post the "Branch Avenue" header.

The Orange Line enters the District across the Anacostia River from downtown, while the Blue Line traces East Capitol Street into the City. The Orange Line will stop at Deanwood and Minnesota Avenue at DC-295 before the Orange and Blue lines share track across the Anacostia at Benning Road en route to Capitol Hill.

Blue and Orange Line trains into downtown from Northeast flash Virginia "Franconia" and "Vienna" end points. Fans will transfer onto the Green Line at L'Enfant Plaza, which is two quick stops away from the Navy Yard and Nationals Park.

Of course, Northeast Metrobus service also funnels public transportation towards the National Mall and various Metrorail stations. Metrobus lines are conveniently located along New Hampshire, South Dakota, Michigan, and Bladensburg Road.

Southeast - Southwest: The Green Line enters the District at Southern Avenue before continuing further north to stop at Congress Heights (13^th and Alabama SE) and Anacostia before crossing the river into the Navy Yard. Green Line trains toward downtown from Southeast will post "Greenbelt."

The aforementioned Blue and Orange lines parallel East Capitol Street and Benning Road onto Capitol Hill per C and D Streets SE. Important stops along these concurrent lines are located at Potomac Avenue and Eastern Market (8^th and PENN SE). Blue and Orange line spectators will transfer onto the Green Line at L'Enfant Plaza. Southbound Green Line trains flash "Branch Avenue," with direct service to Navy Yard and Nationals Park.

The P17, P19, and W13 are Metrobus routes that traverse South Capitol Street from the Maryland border into downtown. These buses will deposit riders at the very doorstep of the Washington Nationals Park at 1500 South Capitol.

Taking Public Transportation to Nationals Park from Maryland

Montgomery County:Two separate branches of the "U" Shaped Red Line traverse Montgomery County. The Metrorail facilitates commuter traffic along the critical I-270 / 355 - Rockville Pike technology corridor and MD 97 - Georgia Avenue.

Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Bethesda fans will pick up the Red Line at Shady Grove (I-370 / Redland), Rockville Town Center, Twinbrook (MD 355 and Halpine), White Flint, Grosvenor (MD 355 and Tuckerman), Medical Center, downtown Bethesda, and Friendship Heights at Wisconsin Avenue and the DC border. Red Line trains from Mid County will flash "Glenmont" into the District.

East County spectators will find the Red Line at Glenmont (MD 97 and Layhill Road), Wheaton Plaza, Forest Glen, downtown Silver Spring, and Takoma, which is logically just across the DC border from Takoma Park, MD. Red Line trains from East County will flash "Shady Grove" into the City.

All Red Line riders from Montgomery County will transfer onto the Green Line at Gallery Place for the Washington Nationals. Green Line trains flashing "Branch Avenue" will deposit visitors at the Navy Yard adjacent to the ballpark.

Metrobus and Montgomery County RideOn buses are available at MD 355 - Frederick Avenue / Rockville Pike, MD 189 - Great Falls Road, Randolph Road, Veirs Mill Road, and Route 29 (Old Columbia Pike). These buses will deposit commuters at various Red Line stops. For example, all Metrobuses beginning with a "Z" prefix terminate at the critical Silver Spring Metrorail.

Prince Georges County: The Orange, Green, and Blue Lines radiate into PG County from the National Mall towards the Capital Beltway. The Greenbelt, New Carrollton, and Largo Town Center stops feature ideal Park and Ride lots that are directly accessible from Route 50, MD 214 - Central Avenue, and several Beltway ramps.

The Green Line transitions into Washington from two separate Prince Georges branches. The northern segment stops at Greenbelt, University of Maryland, PG Plaza, and West Hyattsville (Queens Chapel and Ager Road). The southern branch begins off MD 5 - Branch Avenue and traces Suitland Parkway into the city.

Green Line trains towards DC will flash banners that represent the opposite end of the county. Green Line Washington Nationals fans will depart the Metro at the Navy Yard's west exit for the ballpark.

The Orange Line hugs Route 50 to stop at New Carrollton, Landover, and Cheverly; and the Blue Line connects the MD 214 - Central Avenue corridor with DC. These two lines commingle at Benning Road NE and riders must transfer at L'Enfant Plaza for the Green Line. The Navy Yard destination is two stops from L'Enfant per the "Branch Avenue" Green Line.

Prince Georges County Metrobuses may also be picked up at MD 650 - New Hampshire Avenue, MD 212 - Riggs Road, MD 450 - Annapolis Road, MD 201 - Kenilworth Avenue, Marlboro Pike, and MD 210 - Indian Head Highway into the District or various Metrorail stations located within PG County.

MARC: The Maryland Area Rail Commuter features three separate lines that span the Baltimore - Washington Area. The Brunswick, Camden, and Penn lines serve the residents of the I-270 (MD 355), I-95 (U.S. 1 and 40), and MD 450 thoroughfares. These trains all meet at Union Station from starting points that begin at Martinsburg, WV, Frederick, Baltimore, and Perryville.

All MARC trains terminate at Union Station in Northeast Washington.

Union Station is a key transfer point to enter the Metrorail system via the Red Line. MARC commuters will take Red Line "Shady Grove" trains to Gallery Place and transfer again onto the Green Line. Green Line trains towards the Navy Yard and Nationals Park will flash "Branch Avenue" at Gallery Place - Chinatown.

Taking Public Transportation to Nationals Park from Virginia

Northern Virginia Metrorail service is relegated to I-66 and U.S. 1. Orange, Blue, and Yellow Line trains into the District will highlight "New Carrollton," "Largo," and "Fort Totten" banners from the Commonwealth of Virginia. All Virginia trains commuters, including the Virginia Railway Express will transfer at L'Enfant Plaza for the Green Line Metrorail.

Take the "Branch Avenue" Green Line and exit at Navy Yard for Washington Nationals baseball.

The Orange Line begins at Vienna, which is actually located at VA 243 - Nutley Street and traces the 66 median into Falls Church and Arlington County. From there, the Orange Line transitions into a subway at Fairfax Drive and Wilson Boulevard to stop at Ballston, Virginia Square, Clarendon, and Court House, before sharing track with the Blue Line across the Potomac River.

This very same Blue Line begins at Franconia-Springfield, just southeast of the critical Springfield I-95 / 395 / 495 mixing bowl and enters the City of Alexandria at Van Dorn Street and Eisenhower Avenue. The Blue Line then meets the Yellow Line at King Street, just west of Old Town Alexandria.

The Yellow Line enters the matrix per Huntingon, VA and Eisenhower Avenue at Telegraph Road. The Blue and Yellow Lines lie just west of Route 1 and stop at Braddock Road, Reagan National, Crystal City (18^th Street S.), and Pentagon City (Hayes and 12^th Street S.)

I am recommending that Blue Line riders transfer onto the Yellow Line at the Pentagon to cross the Potomac River into the District via the 14^th Street Bridge complex. Doing so will shave at least 20 minutes from the circuitous Blue Line route past the Arlington Cemetery into Foggy Bottom.

The majority of Virginia Metrobuses also terminate at the Pentagon. Buses are available at all principal routes into Northern Virginia, such as VA 7 - Leesburg Pike, U.S. 29 - Lee Highway, U.S. 50 - Arlington Boulevard, and U.S. 1 - Jefferson Davis Highway. Take Yellow Line "Fort Totten" trains into DC from the Pentagon.

Virginia Railway Express: Virginia's commuter trains offer two separate lines into the city from Manassas and Fredericksburg. The routes follow an alignment that is best described as Braddock Road and I-95 / I-395 into Alexandria, where the two run concurrently. VRE stations of note are located at Quantico, Lorton, Burke Centre, and Backlick Road.

Again, all Vriginia trains will meet the Green Line at L'Enfant Plaza. Transfer onto the "Branch Avenue" Green Line for Navy Yard and Washington Nationals Park.

Play Ball!

Taking Public Transportation to Washington Nationals Park, Sources:

Kofi Bofah, Washington, D.C. Street Grid and Guide, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1800192/washington_dc_street_guide_and_grid.html?cat=16

The Official Web Site of the Washington Nationals, http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=was

The Official Web Site of Washington, D.C. Tourism, http://www.washington.org/

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, http://www.wmata.com/