A Guide to Traveling In & Around Washington DC on Inauguration Day

Millions of people are expected to travel to Washington, DC, for the presidential Inauguration of Donald J. Trump on Friday, January 20, 2017. Crowds and security measures are likely to top any seen before and everyone’s asking how, and what, and where as they make plans to witness this historic day as power changes hands.

Keep in mind that January is the coldest month of the year in the District of Columbia, and both the Inaugural swearing-in and the parade are held outdoors, rain or shine. Dress in warm layers and comfortable shoes; check the weather, and consider:

A few tips for Inauguration Day travel in D.C.

• • • All roads immediately surrounding the Capitol site of the swearing-in ceremony will be closed, as will the entire Inaugural Parade route. It will be very difficult, if not impossible to travel within D.C. via car on Inauguration Day, and so you should strongly consider using public transportation.
    • Keep in mind that as roads are closed, so too will be the Metro stations closest to the event location (Archives, Mt. Vernon Square, and Smithsonian); plan accordingly.

• • • Purchase your fare or SmarTrip card in advance to avoid waiting in long lines.

• • • Persons with tickets to attend the swearing in are advised to exit Metro at Capitol South, Eastern Market, Union Station, NoMa-Gallaudet U (New York Ave.), Judiciary Square, Gallery Place-Chinatown, Federal Center S.W. or L’Enfant Plaza station before making way to the appropriate security checkpoint determined by ticket color:
      • Blue Ticket — D Street at Delaware Avenue NE
      • Orange Ticket — D Street N.W. at First Street N.W.
      • Gold Ticket — Third Street S.W. at C Street S.W.
      • Red Ticket — South Capitol Street at C Street SE
      • Green Ticket — Second Street S.W. at D Street S.W.
      • Yellow Ticket — D Street N.W. at Third Street N.W.

• • • No tickets are required to witness the Inauguration from the National Mall, and so all parties interested in accessing this space can do so from one of five entry points along Constitution and Independence Avenues.

• • • Several public entry points along the parade route will open at 6:30 a.m. on January 20, where public safety officials expect people will gather by the tens of thousands. These entry points include:
      • 2nd Street N.W. and C Street NW
      • John Marshall Park at C Street NW
      • Indiana Avenue N.W. between 6th Street N.W. and 7th Street N.W.
      • 7th Street N.W. and D Street N.W.
      • 10th Street N.W. and E Street N.W.
      • 12th Street N.W. and E Street N.W.
      • 13th Street N.W. and E Street N.W.
      • 14th Street N.W. and E Street N.W.
      • 12th Street N.W. and Constitution Avenue N.W.
      • 10th Street N.W. and Constitution Avenue N.W.
      • 7th Street N.W. and Constitution Avenue N.W.
      • Constitution Avenue N.W. between 6th Street N.W. and 7th Street N.W.

• • The Third Street tunnel will be closed to pedestrians.
  • A designated bicycle parking area will be found at 16th and I Streets N.W., where hundreds of cyclists are encouraged to park. Additionally, Capital Bikeshare has plans to establish two dedicated corrals for member use, at Farragut Square and adjacent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

However, from wherever you travel into the District of Columbia on Inauguration Day, plan ahead. Stay calm, and remain patient as local and federal authorities work diligently to ensure everyone involved remains safe on this momentous occasion.