DC Metro Reroutes 12 Lines for Memorial Parade
12 Metro bus routes detour around downtown DC for Memorial Day parade from 7am to 7pm
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DC Metro Reroutes 12 Bus Lines for Memorial Parade
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A dozen Washington Metro bus routes will detour around downtown on Memorial Day as the Freedom 250 National Memorial Day Parade takes over major streets. WMATA announced the temporary changes will affect routes D10, D1X, D30, D32, D40, D4X, D44, D50, D5X, D60, D6X, and D74 from 7:00am to 7:00pm on Monday, May 25, 2026. Bus stops will be relocated to temporary locations throughout the affected area.
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The parade marks the 250th anniversary of American independence and will draw large crowds to the National Mall area, transit officials said. Extensive street closures throughout downtown Washington will force buses onto alternate routes to maintain service while accommodating the event. WMATA typically implements similar detours for major downtown events, though the scale of this year's closures is larger than usual given the parade's significance. Officials said the changes are designed to balance parade operations with transit access for riders.
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Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue to 15th Street NW will close entirely, along with the inbound I-395 at 14th Street Bridge, with all traffic diverted eastbound. Several routes will operate with shortened service, terminating at various downtown locations rather than completing their full routes. The D50 and D5X routes will face additional detours from midnight to 7:15am only, officials said. Major corridors including Pennsylvania Avenue, Constitution Avenue, and 14th Street will all see service modifications.
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The detours take effect at 7:00am Monday and will remain in place until 7:00pm, when normal service resumes. WMATA didn't specify exactly when temporary bus stops will be installed or how far riders might need to walk to reach relocated stops. Passengers are encouraged to sign up for MetroAlerts for real-time service information as conditions change throughout the day.
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Riders should expect longer travel times and plan extra time for their trips on Memorial Day. Officials said passengers should look for temporary signage directing them to relocated bus stops in the affected area. Moovit provides real-time updates for Metro routes, helping riders navigate the temporary service changes and find the nearest active bus stops during the detours.
