About White Flint Station
White Flint is a Red Line station in North Bethesda, Maryland, sitting at the zone boundary between the outer suburban corridor and the more urban core of Montgomery County. Though officially named White Flint, the station's surroundings have undergone a dramatic transformation since it opened in 1984 — making it one of the most interesting transit-oriented redevelopment stories in the DC suburbs.
When White Flint opened, it was anchored by White Flint Mall — one of the first enclosed malls in the region to open adjacent to a Metro station. The mall operated for decades before anchor tenants departed and it was demolished in 2015. In its place rose Pike & Rose, a dense mixed-use urban district developed by Federal Realty Investment Trust. Today Pike & Rose brings over 30 restaurants, bars, an iPic luxury cinema, Pinstripes (bowling and bocce), fitness studios, a Whole Foods, and thousands of new apartment units — all within a 5-minute walk of the Metro platform.
The station also sits directly on Rockville Pike (MD-355), one of the most commercially dense corridors in Maryland, with easy bus access north toward Rockville and south toward Bethesda. Ongoing development continues to densify the area around White Flint, cementing its role as a growing suburban hub.
Lines & Schedule
White Flint is served exclusively by the Red Line between Shady Grove and Glenmont.
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Peak service (Mon–Fri 5–9:30am, 3–7pm): every 6 min. Off-peak and weekends: every 12 min. Last train ~11:30pm weekdays, ~1am Fri–Sat.
Nearby Attractions
Station Exits
Rider Tips
- Pike & Rose is an excellent Metro-accessible entertainment destination. The iPic Theater and Pinstripes are both within a 5-minute walk — ideal for an evening out without driving or dealing with DC parking.
- White Flint is in Fare Zone 2, one zone inside the Zone 3 stations to the northwest (Twinbrook, Rockville, Shady Grove). If you're deciding between nearby Park & Ride stations, White Flint saves a small amount on the daily fare.
- Ride On and WMATA buses along Rockville Pike (MD-355) stop directly outside the station's west exit, providing connections north to Rockville and south to Bethesda without riding the Metro.
- The AC Hotel and Marriott at Pike & Rose are among the most transit-accessible hotels in suburban Maryland — worth bookmarking if you need lodging in North Bethesda for an event at Strathmore or a corporate visit.
- Capital Bikeshare has a dock at Pike & Rose. The Rockville Pike corridor is bike-unfriendly for most, but the quieter streets behind Pike & Rose toward Strathmore are a reasonable cycling option.
Adjacent Stations on the Red Line
Frequently Asked Questions
What is near White Flint Metro station?
White Flint Metro is immediately adjacent to Pike & Rose, a major mixed-use development with over 30 restaurants and bars, an iPic luxury cinema, Pinstripes bowling and bocce, Equinox fitness, a Whole Foods Market, and several hotels. It is one of the best-served suburban Metro stations for dining and entertainment in Montgomery County.
What happened to White Flint Mall?
White Flint Mall opened in 1977 — one of the first enclosed malls built adjacent to a Metro station — and operated until 2015, when its anchor tenants departed. The mall was subsequently demolished and the site was redeveloped by Federal Realty Investment Trust into Pike & Rose, a walkable urban mixed-use district that is now one of the more successful transit-oriented development projects in the DC suburbs.
Is White Flint in Zone 2 or Zone 3?
White Flint is in Fare Zone 2, making it one zone closer to downtown DC than Twinbrook, Rockville, and Shady Grove (all Zone 3). Peak fares from White Flint to central downtown stations like Metro Center are roughly $0.50–$1.00 cheaper than from the Zone 3 stations. This zone boundary also benefits employers in the area who may offer transit benefits.
How far is White Flint Metro from Bethesda?
White Flint is two stops from Bethesda on the Red Line (via Grosvenor–Strathmore and Medical Center). The ride takes about 8–10 minutes. Alternatively, Ride On and WMATA buses run south along Rockville Pike and reach Bethesda in about 20–30 minutes depending on traffic.
Is there parking at White Flint Metro?
Yes, White Flint has a WMATA surface parking lot on the west side of the station. Payment requires a SmarTrip card. The lot is moderately sized and fills earlier than Twinbrook's due to the station's popularity. Weekend parking is free. Pike & Rose also has public parking garages nearby with commercial rates.