where to park to ride metro from friendship heights

[Anonymous]

Recent transplant to Bethesda. I’ve been driving to work downtown but as we approach colder weather / snow, I’d like to be familiar with my metro commuting options. I am a 1.5 miles from the Friendship Heights station so close but too far to walk.

The problem is that I don’t know where I could park - where do people park to take the metro from that stop?

Obviously plenty of people live within walking distance, and some people probably take the bus, but I’d like to know about parking options.

I plan to ask some neighbors but also sourcing on dcum. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately there is no county garage at that stop so all of the parking is pretty pricey.

[Anonymous]

Drive to Bethesda, there's a few county garages walking distance from the metro station.

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of garages near the friendship heights metro including one behind the whole foods. The entrance to the metro is then right down the stairs.

Unfortunately most of them are more than 10$ for the day. You could also look in the neighborhood closer to where you live but cutting out a half mile or so and walk. But ofc you're going to hit most streets with permit required. It is annoying op. They should have a metro owned lot.

[Anonymous]

I park at the county garage in Bethesda and it’s $14 a day. Not cheap.

[Anonymous]

I think it will be tough to park in the neighborhood due to permit parking. Do you have a bus that will put you closer? Although, in the snow, I think the buses shut down sometimes.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the responses.

Bethesda metro stop is more than double the distance and in the wrong direction to my office, I’d be more inclined to try Tenleytown, I think?

FH is definitely closest. I guess I may need to be prepared to pay $10 to park, yikes. It seems poor planning to have a suburban metro stop and no public parking.

I will definitely check on some closer neighborhoods to park in (and will watch for permit parking signs)- that is a great idea.

[Anonymous]

I know you don’t prefer it, but taking the bus to Friendship Heights seems like the best option if you don’t want to shell out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know you don’t prefer it, but taking the bus to Friendship Heights seems like the best option if you don’t want to shell out.

OP again. I’m not averse to doing that (or to taking the bus into work), but I’m concerned if in inclement weather the buses may be delayed or cancelled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know you don’t prefer it, but taking the bus to Friendship Heights seems like the best option if you don’t want to shell out.

OP again. I’m not averse to doing that (or to taking the bus into work), but I’m concerned if in inclement weather the buses may be delayed or cancelled.

I rode the bus through Friendship Heights for years and the only time the bus was super delayed by weather, the whole street was basically a parking lot, so driving wouldn't be faster.

[Anonymous]

I found out if you park in the Brookdale neighborhood, you'll get ticketed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the responses.

Bethesda metro stop is more than double the distance and in the wrong direction to my office, I’d be more inclined to try Tenleytown, I think?

FH is definitely closest. I guess I may need to be prepared to pay $10 to park, yikes. It seems poor planning to have a suburban metro stop and no public parking.

I will definitely check on some closer neighborhoods to park in (and will watch for permit parking signs)- that is a great idea.

OP I totally agree. I think it's one reason there's so many more successful restaurants and shops in downtown Bethesda. Tons of county garages and they used to be free on weekends. FH is a pain even for people who live 1.5 miles away (I'm a similar distance).

I do park at the Whole Foods lot if it's a couple hours but it's a lot for a full day of work + metro commute time.

[Anonymous]

1) Friendship Heights is not suburban.
2) Friendship Heights is not a station that people drive to to get on the metro.
3) if you have MD plates, you won’t be able to street park for longer than 2 hours in most DC neighborhoods, including FH and Tenleytown. You’ll have to pay for a garage spot which is expensive.

[Anonymous]

Ride On buses are FREE and (at least in my experience) very reliable. I don’t know how much snow you’re expecting, but it typically isn’t much of an issue in this area.

[Anonymous]

OP, friendship heights is not Vienna.

If there is snow and you really need to get to work via metro, your plan should be to walk 1.5m to the station. You shouldn’t be relying on your car in that situation anyway. Plus if your car can get you to friendship heights in inclement weather, it can get you downtown.