Metro Reroutes 12 Lines for Memorial Parade
12 Metro bus routes will detour around downtown DC from 7am to 7pm on Memorial Day
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DC Metro Reroutes 12 Bus Lines for Memorial Parade
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A dozen Metro bus routes will detour around downtown Washington on Memorial Day as the Freedom 250 National Memorial Day Parade closes major streets. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced the changes will affect service from 7am to 7pm Monday, May 25, 2026. Constitution Avenue, Independence Avenue, and portions of Pennsylvania Avenue will be closed for the parade.
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The parade-related closures will impact a significant portion of downtown Washington from 3rd Street to 24th Street, transit officials said. The street closures will also affect the inbound I-395 at the 14th Street Bridge and its HOV lanes, with all traffic being redirected eastbound. WMATA typically implements detours for major downtown events to maintain service while accommodating street closures. The agency said it's coordinating with parade organizers to minimize disruption to riders.
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Several bus routes will operate with modified endpoints, terminating at temporary stops rather than their usual destinations, according to WMATA. Bus stops will be relocated to alternative locations, with specific stop IDs provided for each affected route. Four routes—the D50, D5X, D60, and D6X—will have additional detours from midnight to 7:15am only. Metro is providing detailed information about each route's modified service pattern to help riders plan their trips.
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The detours take effect at 7am Monday and will remain in place until 7pm, officials confirmed. WMATA said it'll restore normal service on all affected routes once parade-related street closures are lifted. The agency didn't specify how long it expects to take to return buses to regular routing after the 7pm end time.
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Riders should expect longer travel times and plan extra time for their trips on Memorial Day, transit officials said. WMATA encouraged passengers to sign up for MetroAlerts for real-time service information during the detours. Moovit provides real-time updates for Metro routes, helping riders navigate temporary service changes and find relocated bus stops.
