WITH JUST 5,000 SPACES parking at Nationals Park will be a nightmare. We have the best ways to get to the game on time.

» METRO: RED LINE
» They Say: Take the Red Line to Union Station, where you have your choice of two options. A walk south down 1st Street to New Jersey Avenue will guide you straight to the ballpark. Also, Metrobus has ramped up service on the N22 line which runs between Union Station and the Navy Yard station.
» We Say: This is a good option. Although taking a bus from Columbus Circle to the Navy Yard might not be any faster than a 25-minute walk during rush hour.

» METRO: GREEN/YELLOW LINE
» They Say: You can head directly to the Navy Yard station, which is a two-minute walk from Nationals Park. The station will feature expanded turnstiles and will be exit-only at the Half Street exit before games and entrance-only after games.
» We Say: Plan to get there early. The construction at the Navy Yard station could turn every game day into a debacle for fans new to the process. Walking from Waterfront-SEU is not a bad way to go, either.

» METRO: ORANGE/BLUE
» They Say: Take the train to Capitol South and walk 15 minutes down 1st Street to New Jersey Avenue toward the stadium.
» We Say: Unless you are crunched for time, walking from either the Eastern Market or Potomac Avenue stations is a longer, yet seemingly safer way to go. The 8th Street/Barracks Row entertainment options provide a nice pregame atmosphere during the walk.

» DRIVING
» They Say: Take Metro. End of story.
» We Say: Amen. Sort of. The D.C. Department of Transportation has issued parking restrictions for areas surrounding the ballpark and extending as far north as Independence Avenue. If you're considering a walk from any of the Orange or Blue line stations, parking near them and walking might be equally effective. Or you could take a chance on "bargaining" with an enterprising resident for a Zone 6 pass, allowing you to park in the restricted zone.

Map courtesy The Washington Post

Posted by Clinton Yates at 12:00 AM on March 26, 2008
Tagged in Nationals , Nationals Park , Sports , Top Stories