Metro announces July 4 service plans

Metro is ready to move crowds for historic Fourth of July festivities in honor of the 250^th anniversary of the United States. Fares will be free systemwide from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Metro Rail service will increase starting at 5 p.m. to facilitate trips safely and efficiently.

Enhanced security, including fencing around most of the National Mall, airport-style checkpoints, and road closures, may make the area feel more restricted than usual, so customers should make a plan ahead of travel.

“Metro is honored to help celebrate America’s 250^th and move residents and tourists from around the country — and the world,” said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke. “For 50 years, Metro has been a key part of major events in the Nation’s Capital, and we look forward to providing the same safe, frequent, reliable service our customers have come to expect.”

Event officials and Metro staff will direct customers on the Mall to specific stations after the fireworks to help with crowd control. Metro Transit Police will be at station entrances to monitor crowd flow and may, at times, limit entry to prevent overcrowding.

To get to and from the Salute to America security entrance on 14^th Street between Constitution and Independence, use Federal Triangle or Smithsonian stations on the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines. Red Line customers can exit at Metro Center and walk to avoid a transfer.

To get to and from the Great American State Fair security entrances at 12^th and Madison, 12^th and Jefferson, 7th and Madison, or 7th and Jefferson, use the L’Enfant Plaza (Orange, Blue, Silver, Green, and Yellow lines) or Archives (Green and Yellow lines) station. Red Line customers can exit at Gallery Place and walk to avoid a transfer. Be sure to check out Metro’s 1000-series and 8000-series train exhibits near 4^th and Madison.

Customers may also consider using alternate stations that are a farther walk to access activities on the National Mall, including Gallery Place, Judiciary Square, Union Station, Foggy Bottom, Capitol South, and Federal Center SW.

Customers should download the Metro Pulse app for trip planning, real-time service information, and live chat with customer service.

Keep your eye out for our special America 250-themed wrapped train, buses and Metro Access vehicle. You can track the train and bus in real time at WMATA.com/live and click on “special edition.”

Metro Rail

Metro Rail will run normal Saturday service until 5 p.m. After 5 p.m., additional trains will go into service.

Red Line: Trains every 6 minutes before 5 p.m.; trains every 5 minutes after 5 p.m.

Orange Line: Trains every 12 minutes before 5 p.m.; trains every 10 minutes after 5 p.m.

Silver Line: Trains every 12 minutes before 5 p.m.; trains every 10 minutes after 5 p.m.

Blue Line: Trains every 12 minutes before 5 p.m.; Trains every 10 minutes after 5 p.m.

Green Line: Trains every 8 minutes before 5 p.m.; Trains every 6 minutes after 5 p.m.

Yellow Line: Trains every 8 minutes before 5 p.m.; Trains every 6 minutes after 5 p.m.

In the downtown area where multiple train lines use the same track, trains will arrive every 3-4 minutes.

Metro Bus

Metro Bus will operate on a Sunday schedule. Customers traveling near the National Mall are advised to expect detours and delays, or some routes may be truncated due to road closures.

Several routes will detour on Fourth of July for parades and other events around the region including the A27, A58, C53, C55, D1X, D4X, D6X, D10, D30, D32, D40, D44, D50, D60, D74, D94, F23, M22, P12, and the  P21.

For more details, including detour times and maps, visit the Summer Bus Detours page.

Metro Access

Metro Access customers may make a reservation to travel on the holiday; however, pre-scheduled subscription trips will be cancelled. Separate reservations can be made online or by calling 301-562-5360 (TTY 301-588-7535).

Regular fares will be in effect until 5 p.m. All trips after 5 p.m. will be fare-free.

Travel Tips

• Signage will be deployed across the system to help provide customers with information on where to enter, exit, and queue in line to enter/exit stations. 
• Customers can skip the fare machines and simply tap a mobile or physical credit/ debit card at the bus fareboxes or to enter and exit the rail faregates prior to 5 p.m. Fares will be free after 5 p.m., and no tap will be needed.
• Parking at all Metro facilities will be free on the Fourth of July.
• Smithsonian station typically gets the most crowded, and trains may bypass the station, passing through without stopping, if the station is overcrowded. After 5 p.m., the station may become exit only to accommodate crowds traveling to the National Mall, and entry only after 9 p.m.
• After fireworks end, it may take up to an hour or more for lines to clear at Smithsonian station. If possible, delay return travel or use an alternate station.

Customer Service

Metro’s customer service team can assist with questions, trip planning, and more via chat, email, phone, or our social media channels. Visit the contact page for details.

Follow @wmata, @metrorailinfo, and @metrobusinfo on X or @wmata.com, @metrorailinfo.bsky.social, and @metrobusinfo on Bluesky for the latest service information.

Customers can call 202-GO-METRO (TTY 202-962-2033). Automated information available 24/7.

For service alerts via text or email, sign up for Metro Alerts, download the Metro Pulse app, or visit wmata.com/metropulse for real-time service information.

About Metro 

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), known as Metro, is the region’s leading public transportation provider, serving a population of approximately four million people across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia within a 2,054-square-mile jurisdiction. With a network of six rail lines, 98 stations, 126 bus routes, and a door-to-door paratransit service, Metro is the second busiest transit system in the United States serving 268.9 million trips in 2025 with a $5 billion operating and capital budget. Since 2022, Metro has completed multiple transit-oriented development projects that have brought $15 million in tax revenue to the region from housing, office, and retail space in our community.  Safety and security are core values at Metro. Over 30,000 cameras monitor the system, and Metro currently has the lowest crime rate in history with fare evasion down 82% on rail. In 2025, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) named Metro the Transit Agency of the Year in recognition of industry-leading ridership growth, record high customer satisfaction, a newly redesigned Bus network, expanded rail service, and improved customer experience.