Metro announces service information and bus detours for Freedom 250 Grand Prix

Updated: 7/29/2026

There is no better way to get to the Freedom 250 Grand Prix than Metro! Metro Rail will run normal weekend service with additional trains on standby for the end of the race to move customers safely and efficiently. 

The Grand Prix is accessible via the following Metro Rail stations: L’Enfant Plaza, Smithsonian, Federal Center SW, Archives, Federal Triangle, Metro Center, Gallery Place, and Judiciary Sq. Spectators will only be able to access the viewing area listed on their ticket (Stars or Stripes). Use the guide below to find the closest station for each security entrance.

Stations by security entrance

Viewing section: Stars

Security entrance: Gate A (10th St between Pennsylvania Av & Constitution Av)

Station exit and instructions: 

Security entrance: Gate B (12th St between Constitution Av & Madison Dr)

Station exit and instructions:

Viewing section: Stripes

Security entrance: Gate 1 (C St. between 3rd St & 6th St) 

Station exit and instructions: 

Security entrance: Gate 2 (Pennsylvania Av between 7th St & 9th St)

Station exit and instructions: 

Security entrance: Gate 5 (7th St & Maryland Av)

Station exit and instructions: 

Security entrance: Gate 6 (4th St & C St)

Station exit and instructions: 

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

Special Edition Smart Trip Card

Grand Prix Smart Trip

Customers wishing to commemorate the historic race may do so with a limited-edition Smart Trip card available at select stations beginning Aug. 20.

To purchase the commemorative card, look for specially marked fare vending machines at the following stations:

Metro Bus Detours Begin Aug. 1

Several routes near the National Mall will detour to accommodate set up and tear down for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. The D1X and D10 routes have been on detour since June and will continue to reroute through Sept. 15. Routes D4X, D6X, D30, D32, D40, D44, D50 and D60 will be on detour from Aug. 1 through Sept. 15. Late-Night Service on routes D30, D40, D50, and D60 will also be on detour during this time. Additionally, the following routes will be on detour from Aug. 21 through Sept. 15: A40, C11, C55, D10 (additional detour), D24, and D1X (additional detour).

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

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 or text 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 on rail and bus declining. 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. 

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