WMATA Reroutes 12 Lines for Memorial Day Parade
WMATA reroutes 12 bus lines around downtown DC for Memorial Day parade street closures
WMATA Reroutes 12 Bus Routes for Memorial Day Parade
A dozen WMATA bus routes will detour around downtown Washington on Memorial Day as the Freedom 250 National Memorial Day Parade closes major streets, transit officials said. The detours affect routes D10, D1X, D30, D32, D40, D4X, D44, D50, D5X, D60, D6X, and D74 from 7:00am until 7:00pm on Monday, May 25, 2026. Riders should expect delays and plan for additional travel time during the 12-hour closure period.
Extensive Street Closures Prompt Service Changes
The parade will close Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue to 23rd Street NW, forcing buses onto alternate routes through the capital's core, according to WMATA. Inbound I-395 from the 14th Street Bridge will also close, along with the 12th Street Tunnel and SE/SW Freeway access points. Transit agencies typically implement detours for major downtown events to maintain service while accommodating street closures that can affect thousands of daily riders. Each of the 12 affected routes will operate with modified paths and temporary endpoints during the closure period.
Routes Serving Downtown Core Most Affected
The detours primarily impact routes connecting riders to major transit stations and downtown destinations, officials said. Three routes—D50, D60, and D6X—will face additional early-morning detours from midnight to 7:15am only, though officials didn't specify why those routes require extended modifications. WMATA said each route will have designated detour paths, but specific alternate street routings weren't detailed in the agency's announcement. The modifications affect buses serving some of the region's busiest corridors during a federal holiday when ridership patterns typically differ from weekday service.
Detours Take Effect Monday Morning
The service changes begin at 7:00am Monday and continue through 7:00pm, matching the parade's duration and street closure timeline. WMATA encouraged riders to sign up for MetroAlerts to receive real-time service updates throughout the day. The agency said it'll operate modified service on all 12 routes but didn't specify when normal routing will resume after the 7:00pm end time.
Riders Advised to Plan Extra Travel Time
Passengers using affected routes should expect longer trips and consider alternative travel options during parade hours, transit officials said. The detours will add time to journeys through downtown Washington as buses navigate around closed streets. Moovit provides real-time bus locations and updated route information for WMATA services during detours and special events.
