About Shady Grove Station
Shady Grove is the western terminus of the Red Line, located in Rockville, Maryland, just inside Montgomery County. As the end of the line, every Red Line train either originates or terminates here — meaning riders always get a seat when boarding at Shady Grove, a significant advantage for the many commuters who use this station daily.
Unlike the underground stations closer to downtown DC, Shady Grove is an at-grade surface station surrounded by a large park-and-ride complex. This makes it fundamentally different in character: more suburban commuter hub than urban transit stop. The station is surrounded by surface parking lots and a multi-level garage, giving it one of the largest vehicle capacities in the WMATA system with approximately 4,600 spaces.
The station is also a major bus transfer point, with Ride On (Montgomery County) routes fanning out to Gaithersburg, Germantown, Rockville Pike, and the Shady Grove Medical Center campus immediately adjacent to the station. The Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT) bus rapid transit line also terminates here, extending service northward to Clarksburg.
Lines & Schedule
Shady Grove is served exclusively by the Red Line. All trains here originate at this station heading toward Glenmont.
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Peak service (Mon–Fri 5–9:30am, 3–7pm): every 6 min. Off-peak and weekends: every 12 min. First train from Shady Grove: ~5:14am weekdays. Last train toward Glenmont: ~11:20pm weekdays, ~12:50am Fri–Sat nights.
Nearby Attractions
Station Exits
Rider Tips
- As a terminus, all trains originate here — you will always board an empty train. This is a major benefit compared to downtown stations where trains arrive already crowded.
- WMATA parking at Shady Grove requires a SmarTrip card — cash is not accepted at the pay stations. Register your card at wmata.com to link parking and transit in one account.
- Multiple Ride On bus routes fan out across Montgomery County from this station. Routes 46, 55, 61, and the CCT bus rapid transit all connect here — check the real-time departures board at the bus bays.
- The station is at grade (not underground), which means weather affects the platform experience. The platforms have canopies but are exposed on the sides — dress accordingly in winter.
- Capital Bikeshare has a dock near the station entrance. Secure bike lockers are also available — reserve through the WMATA BikeStation app for longer-term storage.
Adjacent Stations on the Red Line
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shady Grove the last stop on the Red Line?
Yes. Shady Grove is the western terminus of the Red Line. There is no Metro service beyond this point. The other end of the Red Line is Glenmont, in Silver Spring, Maryland. All trains run between these two endpoints, passing through downtown DC stations like Metro Center, Gallery Place, and Union Station.
How much does it cost to park at Shady Grove Metro?
WMATA parking at Shady Grove is charged per day. The current daily rate for surface lots is $5.00 and the garage is $4.95 on weekdays. Parking is free on weekends and federal holidays. Payment requires a SmarTrip card — cash is not accepted. Monthly permits are also available at a reduced rate.
What buses connect at Shady Grove Metro station?
Shady Grove is a major bus hub. Montgomery County Ride On routes serve Gaithersburg, Germantown, Rockville Pike, and surrounding neighborhoods. WMATA's route 70 connects to Rockville. The Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT) provides bus rapid transit service north to Clarksburg via Gaithersburg. Check the real-time bus departure screens inside the station for current schedules.
How long does it take from Shady Grove to downtown DC?
Travel time from Shady Grove to key downtown stations: approximately 44 minutes to Metro Center, 48 minutes to Gallery Place, and 52 minutes to Union Station. These are typical off-peak times; add 5–10 minutes during peak rush hours due to crowding at intermediate stations. The Red Line makes 14 stops between Shady Grove and Metro Center.
Is Shady Grove Metro station in DC or Maryland?
Shady Grove station is located in Rockville, Montgomery County, Maryland — not in Washington DC. It is approximately 17 miles northwest of the Capitol. Despite being in Maryland, it is fully served by WMATA (the regional transit authority) and integrated into the same fare system as all DC Metro stations.