About Rockville Station
Rockville is a Red Line station located in the heart of downtown Rockville, Maryland, making it one of the most centrally-placed suburban Metro stations in Montgomery County. Unlike many park-and-ride oriented stations along this stretch of the Red Line, Rockville is embedded in an urban core — steps from the Rockville Town Square development, the city's main civic buildings, and a walkable grid of streets with restaurants, shops, and offices.
What truly sets Rockville apart from other Red Line stations in this area is its dual role as a MARC commuter rail stop. The MARC Brunswick Line — which runs between DC's Union Station and Brunswick, Maryland (with some trains continuing to Frederick) — stops at an adjacent platform, making Rockville one of the very few places in the entire WMATA system where Metrorail and MARC share a station complex. This opens up an alternative route to downtown DC that bypasses the Red Line entirely on days when service is disrupted.
The station opened in December 1984, the same day as Shady Grove, as WMATA extended the Red Line into Montgomery County. It serves as a gateway for Rockville residents commuting to downtown DC and for visitors arriving by transit to explore the city's government center and dining scene.
Lines & Schedule
Rockville is served by the Red Line and the MARC Brunswick commuter rail. Metro and MARC use separate ticketing systems — a Metro SmarTrip card does not cover MARC fares.
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Metro peak service: every 6 min (Mon–Fri 5–9:30am, 3–7pm). Off-peak and weekends: every 12 min. MARC operates weekday peak service only — check mta.maryland.gov for MARC schedules.
Nearby Attractions
Station Exits
Rider Tips
- If the Red Line is experiencing major delays, the MARC Brunswick Line offers an alternative route into DC Union Station on weekday peak hours. Keep the MTA Maryland app on your phone for real-time MARC schedules.
- Rockville Town Square, immediately adjacent to the station, has over a dozen restaurants including well-regarded Korean, Japanese, and American options. This is one of the better station-adjacent dining options on the outer Red Line.
- WMATA parking here fills faster than nearby Twinbrook or White Flint because downtown workers also use it. If commuting by car, Shady Grove (next stop) has a larger lot with more available spaces later into the morning.
- Rockville is an at-grade station — weather affects the platform. In summer, the platform gets hot and there's minimal shade. Position yourself near the station building to use it as cover while waiting.
- Multiple Ride On Montgomery County bus routes serve this station, including connections to White Flint, Veirs Mill, and Gaithersburg. Check the real-time boards at the bus bays for current arrivals.
Adjacent Stations on the Red Line
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rockville Metro have a MARC train connection?
Yes. Rockville is one of the few stations in the DC region where WMATA Metrorail and MARC commuter rail share a station. The MARC Brunswick Line platform is adjacent to the Metro platforms. Note that MARC requires a separate ticket — your SmarTrip card Metro balance does not cover MARC fares. MARC runs weekday peak-direction service only.
What is near Rockville Metro station?
Rockville Town Square — a mixed-use development with restaurants, shops, a movie theater, and the Rockville Regional Library — is immediately adjacent to the station. Montgomery County Circuit Court and City Hall are a short walk away. The VisArts gallery and F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre are within half a mile, making this one of the most walkable outer Red Line stations.
How far is Rockville Metro from downtown DC?
Rockville station is approximately 15 miles northwest of downtown Washington DC. By Metro, the ride to Metro Center takes about 38–42 minutes during off-peak hours. By MARC Brunswick Line (weekday peak only), the ride to Union Station is approximately 35–45 minutes. Both options require a Zone 3 fare from Rockville.
Is there parking at Rockville Metro?
Yes, Rockville has a WMATA surface parking lot. However, the lot is smaller than Shady Grove's and tends to fill by 7:30–8am on weekdays due to demand from both Metro and downtown Rockville workers. Weekday parking requires a SmarTrip card. Weekend parking is free. The Rockville Town Square garages also offer public parking at commercial rates.
Which Red Line stations are near Rockville?
Rockville sits between Shady Grove (the Red Line western terminus, one stop toward Maryland) and Twinbrook (one stop toward DC). Shady Grove is 3 minutes away by train; Twinbrook is 2 minutes. The next major interchange station toward downtown is Metro Center, approximately 38 minutes away.