DC Metro D40 Reroutes for Arena Concert

D40 bus route detours around Capital One Arena from 10 PM to midnight April 18

DC Metro D40 Bus Reroutes for Concert April 18

DC Metro riders using the D40 bus route should plan for detours Saturday night when Florence and the Machine performs at Capital One Arena. WMATA announced the temporary reroute will affect the D40 7th St-Georgia Ave line from 10:00 PM until 11:59 PM on April 18, 2026. The change affects both northbound and southbound buses due to heavy vehicular and foot traffic expected around the downtown venue.

Context

Major events at Capital One Arena regularly require temporary transit adjustments to accommodate increased pedestrian traffic and street closures in the downtown corridor, transit officials said. The arena, located in the heart of DC's Chinatown neighborhood, hosts concerts and sporting events that draw thousands of attendees. WMATA typically implements detours during evening events to maintain service while managing congestion on streets surrounding the venue. The D40 route normally runs along 7th Street through the downtown area, making it particularly susceptible to event-related disruptions.

Details

Northbound D40 buses heading toward Silver Spring will detour at E St on 7th St, NW, then resume the regular route at L St on 7th St, NW, according to WMATA. Southbound buses traveling toward Archives will detour at K St on 7th St, NW and return to the standard route at Constitution Ave on 7th St, NW. The detours will bypass several stops along 7th Street in the immediate vicinity of Capital One Arena during the two-hour window. WMATA said riders should allow extra travel time and consider avoiding the area if their schedules permit.

Timeline

The detour takes effect at 10:00 PM on Saturday, April 18, 2026, and will remain in place until 11:59 PM that evening, WMATA confirmed. The timing corresponds with the concert's expected start and conclusion times, plus the period when concertgoers will be entering and leaving the venue. Transit officials said the route will return to normal operations after the two-hour detour period ends.

Impact

Riders who regularly use D40 stops along 7th Street near the arena should plan alternate routes or expect service gaps during the detour period. WMATA recommends passengers sign up for MetroAlerts for real-time service updates, though officials didn't specify how much additional travel time riders should expect. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and alternate route suggestions for DC Metro riders affected by temporary detours.