About Suitland Station
Suitland Metro station opened on December 11, 1993, as part of the Green Line extension into Prince George's County, Maryland. The station sits in the unincorporated community of Suitland, just south of the Washington DC border, and is best known as the transit gateway to the Suitland Federal Center — one of the largest concentrations of federal government employment in the DC suburbs.
The Suitland Federal Center campus is home to the US Census Bureau headquarters, the National Archives Record Center, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) headquarters, and other federal agencies. This concentration of government employment makes Suitland Metro a busy commuter station during peak hours, with a large WMATA parking lot serving residents who drive in from further south in Prince George's County.
The surrounding neighborhood of Suitland is primarily residential, with a commercial strip along Silver Hill Road near the station. The area is in Prince George's County, Maryland, just across from the southeastern corner of the District of Columbia, and represents the first stop beyond DC's southern boundary on the Green Line heading toward Branch Avenue.
Lines & Schedule
From Suitland to Branch Avenue: ~4 min (1 stop south). To Naylor Road: ~3 min (1 stop north). To Gallery Place: ~28 min north. To L'Enfant Plaza: ~30 min north.
Nearby Attractions
Bus Connections
Suitland station has bus connections serving the surrounding Prince George's County communities:
TheBus (Prince George's County): County routes serve Suitland, Marlow Heights, Forestville, and connecting toward Camp Springs and the southern parts of the county.
WMATA Metrobus: Regional routes connect to the DC border, Branch Avenue corridor, and nearby residential neighborhoods.
Federal Center employees also often use the free government shuttle buses that serve the DIA and Census Bureau campuses directly.
Station Exits
Rider Tips
- The US Census Bureau campus is about an 8-minute walk from the station exit. The Bureau's main building is accessible to the public for scheduled tours and employment-related visits. The National Archives Record Center on the same campus holds genealogical and historical records important to many researchers.
- Suitland's parking lot is large and fills primarily during federal workday hours (7:30–9:00 AM). If you're commuting to the Federal Center and driving in from further south in Prince George's County, arriving before 8 AM on weekdays ensures a spot. Weekend parking is typically free with SmarTrip.
- Suitland is in Zone 2, so peak fares to downtown DC are slightly higher than Zone 1. The off-peak flat rate of $2.00 makes weekend trips economical. Federal employees at the Suitland Federal Center often participate in pre-tax transit benefit programs that cover Metro fares.
- Suitland sits just outside DC's border in Prince George's County, but feels like a DC suburb rather than a distant exurb. The ride to Gallery Place downtown is about 28 minutes — reasonable for a commute, and much faster than driving during rush hour on I-495 or the area highways.
Adjacent Stations
Frequently Asked Questions
What line serves Suitland Metro station?
Suitland is served exclusively by the Green Line, which runs between Branch Avenue and Greenbelt.
Is the US Census Bureau accessible from Suitland Metro?
Yes, the US Census Bureau headquarters at the Suitland Federal Center is a short walk from Suitland Metro station. The Federal Center campus also houses other federal agencies including the National Archives Record Center.
Is there parking at Suitland Metro?
Yes, Suitland has a large WMATA commuter parking lot adjacent to the station. Daily fees apply on weekdays; weekend parking is typically free for SmarTrip users.