DC Metro Reroutes 12 Bus Lines for Parade

DC Metro reroutes 12 bus lines on Memorial Day for Freedom 250 parade downtown

DC Metro Reroutes 12 Bus Routes for Parade

Twelve WMATA bus routes will detour around downtown Washington on Memorial Day as the city hosts the Freedom 250 National Memorial Day Parade. The detours affect the D10, D1X, D30, D32, D40, D4X, D44, D50, D5X, D60, D6X, and D74 routes from 7:00am to 7:00pm on Monday, May 25, 2026, transit officials said. Several routes will operate with shortened service, terminating at various downtown locations rather than completing their normal paths.

Street Closures Impact Major Downtown Corridors

The parade will trigger extensive street closures throughout downtown Washington, creating significant changes to normal bus routing patterns. Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue to 15th Street NW will close to all traffic, along with the inbound I-395 at the 14th Street Bridge, with all vehicles redirected eastbound. Transit agencies typically implement detours for major civic events to maintain service while accommodating street closures, though the scale of this parade affects an unusually high number of routes simultaneously. Bus stops will be relocated to temporary locations throughout the affected area, officials said.

Early Morning Service Changes for Two Routes

The D50 and D5X routes will face additional detours beyond the main parade period, officials said. These two routes will operate on modified paths from midnight to 7:15am on May 25, before the main 7:00am to 7:00pm detour period begins. The early morning changes accommodate parade staging and security preparations in downtown Washington. Officials said the detours will affect major corridors including Pennsylvania Avenue, Constitution Avenue, and 14th Street, requiring riders on these routes to plan for longer travel times and different boarding locations.

Single-Day Detours End Monday Evening

All detours will remain in effect only for Memorial Day, with normal service resuming after 7:00pm on May 25, 2026. The temporary nature of the changes means riders need to plan differently only for that specific day, transit officials said. Metro recommends passengers allow extra travel time and check for updates before traveling on the affected date.

Riders Urged to Check Real-Time Updates

Passengers should expect delays and different boarding locations throughout the detour period, officials said. WMATA encourages riders to sign up for MetroAlerts for real-time service information as conditions change during the parade. Moovit provides real-time updates and alternative routing options for all affected WMATA bus routes during the Memorial Day detours.