2017 Inauguration: Street closures, where to watch, how to get there

With 1 million visitors expected to enter the nation’s capital on Inauguration day, there’s no doubt that traffic will be tough on January 20.

While the screening gates will open at 6 a.m., the music won’t begin until 9:30 a.m. with the opening remarks at 11:30 a.m. The forecast is expected to be a high of 51 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 39 degrees fahrenheit, according to the Weather Channel.

Just in case, bring an umbrella as there is a 20 percent chance of rain. Later that night, the chance of rain jumps to 60 percent.

Below, see what other need-to-know details there are.

Street Closures

UPDATE 1/20: The above map was embedded from Washingtonian. Streets highlighted in red are closed to vehicle traffic and parking. Streets highlighted in green are restricted to residents or businesses. Parking restrictions are also in effect on those streets.

Two streets will begin closing off the day before the Inauguration at 5 p.m. on January 19. These streets will be East Capitol Street from First Street to Second Street; and Washington Avenue SW from C Street SW to Independence Avenue SW (northbound), reported HillRag.

HillRag further reported the following street closures, which will begin at 11 p.m. on January 19:

• Louisiana Avenue NE between Columbus Circle and Constitution Avenue NW;
• Delaware Avenue NE between Columbus Circle and D Street NE;
• First Street between Columbus Circle and D Street SE;
• North Capitol Street between E Street NW and D Street NE;
• New Jersey Avenue NW between D Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW;
• D Street between New Jersey Avenue NW and Second Street NE;
• First Street between D Street NW and Washington Avenue SW;
• C Street NW between Second Street NW and Second Street NE;
• Second Street NW between C Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW;
• Second Street NE between Massachusetts Avenue NE and C Street SE;
• C Street SE between Second Street SE and Fourth Street SW;
• D Street between First Street SE and Fourth Street SW;
• Washington Avenue SW between South Capitol Street and Independence Avenue SW;
• Independence Avenue between Third Street SE and Fourth Street SW;
• Third Street between E Street SW and D Street NW;
• Constitution Avenue between Second Street NE and Third Street NW;
• Maryland Avenue NE between First Street NE and Constitution Avenue NE;
• Second Street SW between Washington Avenue SW and E Street SW;
• South Capitol Street between E Street SW and D Street SW;
• I-295 South on-ramp from Washington Avenue SW;
• I-395 North off-ramp onto Washington Avenue SW;
• I-395 North off-ramp onto C Street NW;
• I-395 South on-ramp from Second Street SW;
• I-395 South off-ramp onto Second Street SW;
• I-395 North on-ramp from Washington Avenue SW;
• I-295 North off-ramp onto Washington Avenue SW.

These streets will not begin reopening until 5 p.m. on January 20.

UPDATE 1/20: NBC4 Washington reported on the scheduled street closures for the Women’s March on January 21. Below, see which roads will be closed this Saturday from 3 a.m. to around 6 p.m.

• 3rd St. NW, from Constitution Avenue NW, to C St. SW
• Independence Ave. SW, from First St. SW, to 6th St. SW
• Maryland Ave. SW, from First St. SW, to Independence Ave. SW
• 4th St. NW, from Constitution Ave. NW, to C St. SW

Around 1 p.m., the following streets will be closed as well.

• West on Independence Ave. SW, from 3rd St. SW, to 14th St. SW
• North on 14th St. SW, to Constitution Ave. NW
• West on Constitution Ave. NW, to 17th St. NW, where protesters will disband

Where to watch

Image via Google Maps

Those without tickets must head to the National Mall, past Third Street, for the standing area.

For those with tickets, be sure to check out this Curbed DC article, which shows exactly where those with color-coded tickets will stand.

For a map of the parade route, go to this Curbed DC article.

How to get there

Take Metro

Expect long lines. Also, probably expect people who will mistakenly hold the doors of the Metro open. No matter what, be sure to wear comfy shoes as the Inauguration requires a lot of standing and walking.

Here are the closest Metro stations to the Inauguration, listed in no particular order:

• Capitol South
• Federal Center SW
• L’Enfant Plaza
• Smithsonian
• Federal Triangle
• Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter
• Union Station
• Eastern Market

Drive

Truthfully, it’s better to avoid driving on this hectic day. If adamant on taking one’s car to the event, reserve your parking in advance using websites/apps like SpotHero, Parking Panda, Park Whiz, and Parkmobile.