About Capitol Heights Station
Capitol Heights opened on November 22, 1980, as part of the Blue Line extension east of Stadium–Armory, opening the same day as Benning Road and Addison Road. 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.
It is the first station in Maryland heading east on the Blue and Silver lines, and the least used underground station in the system by weekday boardings. Metrorail charges by distance travelled, so a trip from here into central DC costs slightly more than the same trip from Benning Road, one stop west inside the District.
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 with about 372 spaces is available, with daily and monthly permit options.
Lines & Service
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Nearby Destinations
Rider Tips
- WMATA does not divide the network into fare bands — the fare is set by the distance you travel. Boarding one stop west at Benning Road shaves only a few cents off a trip into downtown DC, so it is rarely worth the extra walk. After 9:30pm and all weekend the fare is a flat $2.25–$2.50 whatever the distance.
- The 372-space commuter lot here is smaller but less crowded than the 1,268-space lot at Addison Road or the Downtown Largo Park & Ride 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 Downtown Largo — 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 the first Maryland station heading east on the Blue and Silver lines.
Does Capitol Heights Metro have parking?
Yes — Capitol Heights has a commuter parking lot of about 372 spaces, with daily (around $5) and monthly permit options. It is less busy than the larger lots at Addison Road and Downtown Largo, making it a good choice for western Prince George's County commuters. Pay with SmarTrip at the lot machines; parking is free at weekends and on federal holidays.
How much does it cost to ride from Capitol Heights?
Metrorail does not use fare bands — fares are calculated by the distance travelled. Weekdays between 5:00am and 9:30pm a trip costs from $2.25 up to $6.75 depending on how far you go; a ride from Capitol Heights to Metro Center sits near the lower end of that range. After 9:30pm and all day at weekends every trip is a flat $2.25–$2.50.