About Capitol Heights Station
Capitol Heights opened on November 20, 1977, as part of the original Blue Line extension east of DC. Despite the name, the station is located just inside Prince George's County, Maryland — a few blocks from the DC–Maryland border. It serves the Capitol Heights community, a historic working-class suburb that grew rapidly after World War II as federal workers and military families sought affordable homes near the capital.
The station sits at the first fare zone change heading east on the Blue and Silver lines — transitioning from Zone 1 (all DC stations) to Zone 2 (inner Maryland). This makes it a notable threshold for commuters who park here or board from nearby Maryland neighborhoods, as fares are modestly higher than from DC-side stations.
Multiple Metrobus routes serve the station, connecting riders to destinations across Prince George's County including Upper Marlboro, Forestville, and Seat Pleasant. A commuter parking lot is available with daily and monthly permit options.
Lines & Service
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Nearby Destinations
Rider Tips
- Capitol Heights is in Zone 2 — the fare to downtown DC is slightly higher than from Benning Road (Zone 1), which is one stop west. If you can walk or bus to Benning Road, you may save a small amount on daily fares, though the difference is modest on a monthly pass.
- The commuter parking lot here is less crowded than those at Addison Road or Largo Town Center further east. It is a good option for western PG County residents who want to avoid the larger terminus parking rush. Arrive by 7:30 AM to be safe.
- PG County TheBus and Metrobus routes connect at Capitol Heights for destinations including Forestville, Upper Marlboro, and Seat Pleasant. Check both the WMATA and TheBus schedules for the best connection to your destination.
- Blue and Silver trains both serve this station. During peak hours the combined headway is roughly 4–6 minutes. Both lines follow the same track all the way to Largo Town Center — board whichever arrives first if you are heading west toward DC.
Adjacent Stations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Capitol Heights Metro in DC or Maryland?
Capitol Heights station is in Prince George's County, Maryland, just across the DC border. The Capitol Heights neighborhood straddles the state line, but the station itself is on the Maryland side. It is in WMATA Fare Zone 2, making fares slightly higher than Zone 1 DC stations.
Does Capitol Heights Metro have parking?
Yes — Capitol Heights has a commuter parking lot with daily ($4.95/day) and monthly permit options. It is less busy than the larger lots at Addison Road and Largo Town Center, making it a good choice for western Prince George's County commuters. Pay with SmarTrip at the lot machines.
What fare zone is Capitol Heights?
Capitol Heights is in Zone 2. This is the first station east of the DC line and therefore the first Zone 2 station heading toward Largo Town Center. The peak fare from Capitol Heights to Metro Center is approximately $2.50–$2.75, slightly more than the Zone 1 minimum from Benning Road.