Getting to Nationals Park

Nationals Park is located on South Capitol Street between N Street and the Anacostia River. Unlike RFK Stadium, there are no public parking lots to accomodate the some 50 percent of Nationals fans accustomed to driving to games. The Nationals have only "guaranteed" parking at the new stadium for season ticket holders who pre-pay... so plan to take the Metro for at least the first few months of the season until the parking situation has shaken-out.

By Metro

Take the Green Line to the Navy Yard station.

Take the Yellow Line to the L'Enfant Plaza station and switch to the Green Line toward Branch Avenue. The Navy Yard station is two stops away.

Take the Red Line to the Gallery Place-Chinatown station and switch to the Green Line toward Branch Avenue. The Navy Yard station is four stops away.

Take the Blue Line to the the L'Enfant Plaza station and switch to the Green Line toward Branch Avenue. The Navy Yard station is two stops away. (If coming from Franconia-Springfield or Van Dorn Street, switch to the Yellow Line at King Street, then switch to the Green Line at the Archives-Navy Memorial station.)

Take the Orange Line to the the L'Enfant Plaza station and switch to the Green Line toward Branch Avenue. The Navy Yard station is two stops away.

By Car

Unless you're a season ticket holder and you've already paid for your parking spot, don't drive to Nationals Park. If you simply must drive, these directions will help.

From Virginia (14th Street Bridge - simplest route):
Take I-395 North across the 14th Street Bridge and onto the Southeast-Southwest Freeway. Once past the Maine Avenue exit, stay to the left as 395 breaks off to the right toward the Capitol campus. Do not follow I-395 North - stay left on what is now I-295. Continue on the Freeway and take the South Capitol Street exit heading southbound and follow the signs to Nationals Park. TRAFFIC WARNING: This exit ramp is not built to handle game-day traffic and will back up severely in the hour before games. With only one lane on the ramp - a lane that merges at a complex intersection and a slow signal, expect traffic in the right lane to back up well past the Capitol exits, which means crossing the 14th Street Bridge will be even worse than it was last year.

Alternate Routes from Virginia:

14th Street Bridge - less direct route, but probably less traffic:
Take I-395 North across the 14th Street Bridge, but take the exit for 14th Street. Turn right onto Independence Avenue (before you reach the Mall). Go eight blocks and turn right onto Washington Avenue SW (just before the Rayburn House Office Building). Washington Avenue bears right and turns into South Capitol Street. Continue underneath the Southeast-Southwest Freeway (I-295) heading southbound and follow the signs to Nationals Park.

Memorial Bridge - less direct, but less traffic than 14th Street Bridge:
Take Memorial Bridge across the Potomac, staying in the middle lane and bearing right at the Lincoln Memorial. Staying in what is now the left lane, turn left onto Independence Avenue. Go through West Potomac Park, past the Washington Monument and cross over 14th Street. Go eight blocks and turn right onto Washington Avenue SW (just before the Rayburn House Office Building). Washington Avenue bears right and turns into South Capitol Street. Continue underneath the Southeast-Southwest Freeway (I-295) heading southbound and follow the signs to Nationals Park.

Roosevelt Bridge - less direct and only on weekends and weekday 1:00 games, when Rock Creek is two-ways:
Take Roosevelt Bridge across the Potomac, staying in the right lane and turning off onto Ohio Drive before reaching Constitution Avenue. At bottom of ramp, cross the Rock Creek Parkway and go underneath Memorial Bridge. Stay left onto Independence Avenue, going through West Potomac Park, past the Washington Monument and cross over 14th Street. Go eight blocks and turn right onto Washington Avenue SW (just before the Rayburn House Office Building). Washington Avenue bears right and turns into South Capitol Street. Continue underneath the Southeast-Southwest Freeway (I-295) heading southbound and follow the signs to Nationals Park. TRAFFIC WARNING: For commuting purposes, Rock Creek Parkway goes only one way (the wrong way for you) during afternoon rush hour during the week. As a result, this route is blocked to people coming across Roosevelt Bridge.

Roosevelt Bridge - if you're really desperate, because Constitution Avenue is going to suck:
Take Roosevelt Bridge across the Potomac, staying in the middle or right lanes and crossing over to Constitution Avenue. Turn right onto either a) 17th Street and loop back onto Independence Avenue, b) 7th Street and turn left onto Independence Avenue. Turn right onto Washington Avenue SW (just before the Rayburn House Office Building). Washington Avenue bears right and turns into South Capitol Street. Continue underneath the Southeast-Southwest Freeway (I-295) heading southbound and follow the signs to Nationals Park.

The Back Way - If coming from Alexandria, Springfield or points southwest, consider taking the Beltway across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and getting on 295 North. Take Exit 3B for the Suitland Parkway, heading northwest toward downtown. Merge onto South Capitol Street and cross the river on the Douglas Bridge. Nationals Park is on the right.

 

From Maryland (North and West of the District)
When coming from the North and West, you really need to get 295 - the Anacostia Freeway and approach the ballpark from the south. This will help you avoid traffic coming from Virginia and most D.C. rush hour traffic, and when you do finally get to the stadium campus, you'll be able to make a right turn rather than waiting for a light in order to make a left turn.

Take the Beltway to the Baltimore-Washington Parkway heading south toward D.C. Bear left onto 295 - the Anacostia Freeway/Kenilworth Avenue. Head south on 295 to Exit 3B Howard Road. Stay in the right lane of the exit ramp and turn onto Howard Road. Merge onto South Capitol Street and cross the Douglas Bridge. Nationals Park is on the right. TRAFFIC WARNING: The Howard Road exit ramp WILL back up. Once you reach Pennsylvania Avenue, get in the right lane. Given the volume and typical high rate of speed, it will be nearly impossible to cut in once a line has formed. If you miss the exit, don't panic - you can try again at Exit 3A Suitland Parkway.

Take Route 50 until it intersects with 295 - the Anacostia Freeway/Kenilworth Avenue. Head south on 295 to Exit 3B Howard Road. Stay in the right lane of the exit ramp and turn onto Howard Road. Merge onto South Capitol Street and cross the Douglas Bridge. Nationals Park is on the right. TRAFFIC WARNING: The Howard Road exit ramp WILL back up. Once you reach Pennsylvania Avenue, get in the right lane. Given the volume and typical high rate of speed, it will be nearly impossible to cut in once a line has formed. If you miss the exit, don't panic - you can try again at Exit 3A Suitland Parkway.

 

From the District
Really? You're kidding right? Don't drive to the ballpark if you live in the District.