DC Metro Adjusts 10 Routes for Weekend 5K

Ten WMATA bus routes detour around downtown DC Friday evening through Saturday afternoon for 5K race

DC Metro Reroutes 10 Bus Lines for 5K Race

Ten WMATA bus routes will detour around downtown Washington, DC, this weekend as the PanCan Purple Stride 5K closes major streets. The detours affect routes D10, D1X, D30, D32, D40, D4X, D44, D50, D60, and D6X from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon, transit officials said. Pennsylvania Avenue, Constitution Avenue, and Independence Avenue will be closed between 3rd Street and 12th Street NW, forcing buses onto alternate paths.

Context

The street closures accommodate the 5K race route through central Washington, requiring extensive coordination between race organizers and transit operations. WMATA typically implements temporary detours for major downtown events that draw thousands of participants and spectators. The agency said the closures will affect major corridors used by commuters and tourists traveling between federal buildings, museums, and Metro stations. Officials haven't specified how many riders typically use the affected routes on weekend evenings and mornings.

Details

The detour begins Friday, April 24, 2026, at 6:00 PM and continues through Saturday, April 25, at 3:00 PM. Different detour patterns will apply Friday evening from 6:00 PM to 3:00 AM versus Saturday from 3:00 AM to 3:00 PM, officials said. The D10 Pennsylvania Avenue route will detour via 13th Street in both directions. Limited service routes like D1X and D4X will have reduced operating areas during the event, with some routes operating on shortened schedules and terminating at temporary bus stops rather than their usual destinations.

Timeline

The detours take effect Friday evening at 6:00 PM and remain in place until Saturday at 3:00 PM, officials confirmed. WMATA said riders should expect delays and plan extra travel time during the detour period. The agency didn't specify when temporary bus stop locations will be marked or how far riders may need to walk to reach alternate stops.

Impact

Riders using affected routes should check for service updates before traveling this weekend, officials said. Some riders may need to walk additional blocks to reach temporary bus stops or transfer to alternate routes. WMATA encourages riders to sign up for MetroAlerts for real-time service updates. Moovit provides real-time bus locations and detour information for all WMATA routes throughout the Washington, DC, area.