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Federal Center SW Metro Station: An Overview

Federal Center SW Metro station platform with vaulted coffered concrete ceiling, arched lighting, and train arriving below in Washington, DC.

Monuments, Museums, and Multi-Line Access

What is Federal Center SW?

Visit at: 401 3rd St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Located in Southwest DC, this Washington Metro station opened in 1977 during the system’s early expansion. It takes its name from the surrounding federal office complex that anchors this part of the neighborhood.

Federal Center SW is a straightforward, multi-line stop in the heart of the federal core. Embedded within a corridor of federal agencies and government buildings, it sees steady weekday use from public sector employees, along with visitors to nearby Smithsonian museums,

What's Nearby?

Federal Center SW primarily serves the federal office corridor and the eastern edge of the National Mall. It is best positioned for destinations immediately surrounding the Capitol complex and Smithsonian museums just south of the Mall’s central spine.

Federal Offices & Civic Buildings
* U.S. Department of Transportation
* U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
* Federal Aviation Administration
* United States Capitol
* Library of Congress
* Supreme Court of the United States

For many government employees and visitors to the Capitol complex, this is the most direct station.

Smithsonian Museums (South Mall Cluster)
Federal Center SW is also one of the most convenient Metro stops for the southern Smithsonian cluster, including:

  • National Air and Space Museum
  • National Museum of the American Indian
  • Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

These are generally a short, direct walk north from the station without crossing major downtown commercial corridors.

Metro Lines & System Access

Federal Center SW is operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and is served by three lines:

  • Blue Line – runs between Downtown Largo in Maryland and Franconia–Springfield in Virginia
  • Orange Line – runs between New Carrollton in Maryland and Vienna in Virginia
  • Silver Line – runs between Downtown Largo and Ashburn in Loudoun County, including Washington Dulles International Airport

Because these lines share track through central DC, the station benefits from layered service and built-in redundancy through the core of the system.

Direct Connections & Estimated Travel Times
From Federal Center SW, riders can travel directly to:

  • L'Enfant Plaza – ~2 minutes (one stop west)
  • Metro Center – ~8–10 minutes
  • Rosslyn – ~10–12 minutes
  • Arlington (Ballston area) – ~15–18 minutes
  • Tysons – ~25–30 minutes
  • Washington Dulles International Airport – ~45–55 minutes via the Silver Line

Eastbound service connects to:
* New Carrollton – ~20–25 minutes
* Downtown Largo – ~30 minutes

Travel times vary slightly by line and time of day, but the shared Blue, Orange, and Silver service provides consistent cross-river access between the federal core, Northern Virginia employment centers, and suburban Maryland — all without requiring a transfer.

Connections Beyond Rail
Federal Center SW is not a park-and-ride station and does not have a dedicated parking garage. Its strength lies in walkability and proximity. In addition to Metro service, the area includes:

  • Metrobus routes along 7th Street SW and nearby corridors
  • Direct pedestrian access to federal office buildings
  • Bike lanes connecting to the Southwest Waterfront and Capitol Hill
  • Short walking distance to residential buildings in Southwest DC

The station’s compact urban setting makes it practical for daily routines without requiring a car.