ℹAbout Glenmont Station

Glenmont station opened on December 15, 1990, as the northern terminus of the Red Line — the same day as both Wheaton and Forest Glen, completing the Glenmont branch extension into upper Montgomery County. As the end-of-line station for all eastbound Red Line trains, Glenmont was designed from the outset to handle large commuter volumes, with one of the most expansive Park & Ride facilities in the entire WMATA system.

The station sits beneath Layhill Road in the Glenmont community, a residential area of upper Montgomery County characterized by single-family homes, apartment complexes, and modest retail strips. The surrounding Glenmont, Aspen Hill, and Layhill neighborhoods are heavily car-dependent, which is precisely why the station's enormous parking lot — spread across surface areas and a structured garage — sees consistent heavy use on weekday mornings.

As a Red Line terminus, Glenmont sees all trains on the Glenmont branch originate or end here. Trains arrive from Shady Grove via the full length of the Red Line — from Rockville and Bethesda through DC, then northeast through Silver Spring and Wheaton. The reverse trip from Glenmont to Shady Grove covers the entire Red Line, making Glenmont a natural starting point for riders making the full cross-system journey.

Glenmont serves as the primary hub for Montgomery County Ride On bus routes covering the northeastern quadrant of the county, including Aspen Hill, Layhill, Olney, Norbeck, and Colesville. Several routes operate from the bus loop adjacent to the station, making Glenmont an important intermodal transfer point for county residents who cannot walk to the station directly.

🚇Lines & Schedule

Red Line
Glenmont (terminus) ↔ Shady Grove
 Originating / terminating Every 6–12 min

Peak service (Mon–Fri 5–9:30am, 3–7pm): every 6 min. Off-peak and weekends: every 12 min. First train ~5:00am weekdays, ~7:00am weekends. Last train ~11:30pm weekdays, ~1am Fri–Sat.

🗺Nearby Destinations

🛒
Glenmont Shopping Center
Adjacent · grocery, retail, dining
🌳
Layhill Local Park
~0.5 mi · fields, trails, recreation
🏘
Aspen Hill / Layhill
Adjacent communities · residential
🛒
Westfield Wheaton Mall
1 stop south · major indoor mall
🎭
Silver Spring Arts District
3 stops south · AFI, Fillmore, dining
🌿
Wheaton Regional Park
~2 mi south · trails, carousel, nature center

💡Rider Tips

  • 🅿
    Glenmont has one of the largest Park & Ride lots in the WMATA system, but it still fills on weekday mornings. Arriving before 7:30 AM is strongly recommended for a spot in the main surface lot near the station entrance. Later arrivals will find spaces in overflow areas farther from the entrance. Daily parking is $4.95 with SmarTrip — monthly permits are available for regular commuters at a reduced effective daily rate.
  • 🚇
    As the terminus station, all Red Line trains on the Glenmont branch originate here. At Glenmont you will always get a seat — trains start their run here, so there are no crowds already on board when doors open. If you are riding during peak hours, take advantage of this by boarding at Glenmont rather than trying to squeeze onto a crowded train at Wheaton or Forest Glen.
  • 🚌
    Glenmont is the primary hub for Montgomery County Ride On routes serving Aspen Hill, Layhill, Olney, Norbeck, and the Colesville corridor. Several routes operate from the bus loop adjacent to the station entrance. Check the Ride On app or Transit app for schedules — some routes are peak-only and do not run in the evenings or on weekends.
  • 💰
    Zone 4 fares are among the highest in the WMATA system. A peak fare from Glenmont to Metro Center can run $4.50 or more. If you commute daily, a SmarTrip monthly pass that covers Zone 4 travel pays for itself quickly — compare the per-trip cost against a monthly pass before defaulting to stored-value pay-per-ride. WMATA also offers pre-tax transit benefit programs worth checking with your employer.

🔗Adjacent Stations on the Red Line

← Wheaton (longest escalator in Western Hemisphere) Northern terminus — no further stations

❓Frequently Asked Questions

Is Glenmont the last stop on the Red Line?

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Yes. Glenmont is the northern terminus of the Red Line. All Red Line trains on the Glenmont branch end here. After arriving, trains reverse direction and depart southbound toward Shady Grove, stopping at Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring, Takoma, and continuing through Washington DC and into Maryland and Virginia.

Does Glenmont Metro have parking?

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Yes — Glenmont has one of the largest Park & Ride lots in the WMATA system, with several thousand spaces across surface lots and a structured parking garage. Daily parking costs $4.95 with a registered SmarTrip card. The lot fills on weekday mornings; arriving before 7:30 AM is recommended. Monthly permits are also available. Weekend parking is typically available throughout the day without difficulty.

What zone is Glenmont Metro and how much are fares?

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Glenmont is in Zone 4 — the outermost fare zone. Peak fares from Glenmont to central DC destinations typically run $4.00–$5.00 depending on the destination. Off-peak fares are lower. A SmarTrip card is required for the standard rate; paper tickets carry a $1.00 surcharge per trip. Daily commuters should compare stored-value rates against monthly pass options to find the most economical option.

How far is Glenmont from downtown DC?

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Glenmont is approximately 14 miles northeast of downtown Washington DC by rail. The ride from Glenmont to Metro Center takes approximately 35–40 minutes during peak hours, depending on wait times and any service delays. Off-peak, the trip typically takes 40–45 minutes including the wait for a train at Glenmont. The station is served exclusively by Red Line trains — there are no express services at Glenmont.