The National Arboretum is located in the northeast section of Washington, DC, approximately ten minutes from the Capitol Building. There are two entrances: one at 3501 New York Avenue, NE, and the other at 24th & R Streets, NE, off of Bladensburg Road.

General Directions
(specific directions using Google Maps below)

From Northwest Washington - Follow New York Avenue east to the intersection of Bladensburg Road. Turn right (south) onto Bladensburg Road and go 4 blocks to R Street. Make a left on R Street and continue 2 blocks to the Arboretum gates.

From the Maryland suburbs - Take the Capital Beltway (I 495/I 95) to exit 22B (Baltimore Washington Parkway) towards Washington. Follow the Baltimore Washington Parkway approximately 7 miles to Route 50 West (New York Avenue).  Once on Route 50 get in your left lane. You will approach the intersection of Bladensburg Road where only the two left lanes turn onto Bladensburg Road. Make the left onto Bladensburg Road and go 4 blocks to R Street. Make a left on R Street and continue 2 blocks to the Arboretum gates.

From Virginia (I 395) - Follow I 395 North over the 14th Street Bridge. Bear right at the end of the bridge to follow signs to 395 North. Continue to follow signs to 395 North (the lanes for 395 are to the right--pay attention). The 395 lanes go under a tunnel at 3rd Street. Continue following signs for 395 North. The tunnel will dead end at New York Avenue, where all lanes are forced to turn right. Continue on New York Avenue until the major intersection with Bladensburg Road (there will be large green traffic signs overhead; also, it's about 2.5 miles from the end of the freeway to the right turn on Bladensburg). Turn right onto Bladensburg Road and go 4 blocks to R Street. Make a left on R Street and continue 2 blocks to the Arboretum gates.

From Virginia (I 95 - I 295) - Follow I 95 North and cross the Wilson Bridge. Stay in the right lane over the bridge. Bear onto I 95/I 295 North to Washington. Follow I 295 to the exit for Route 50 West (New York Avenue).  Once on Route 50 get in your left lane. You will approach the intersection of Bladensburg Road where only the two left lanes turn onto Bladensburg Road. Make the left onto Bladensburg Road and go 4 blocks to R Street. Make a left on R Street and continue 2 blocks to the Arboretum gates.

From Virginia (I 66) - Cross the Roosevelt Bridge and follow Constitution Avenue past the Capitol Building. Bear left onto Maryland Avenue. Follow Maryland Avenue to Bladensburg Road. Make a left onto Bladensburg Road and travel 1 mile to R Street. Make a right onto R Street and continue 2 block to the Arboretum gates.

By Metrorail

• The closest Metrorail subway stop is Stadium Armory Station on the Blue and Orange lines. Transfer to the B2 Metrobus; disembark the bus on Bladensburg Road at Rand Street, just past the Arboretum sign on the right. Walk back to sign at R Street and walk down R Street 2 blocks to Arboretum entrance. Click here to see the schedule.

Use this Google Map to get your specific personal directions
(click on the or icons to get directions to that location):

-- View US National Arboretum map & directions in a larger map