Travelers looking to stay in a motel near DC will be happy to know that there are a few options to choose from. Motels are typically close to a major highways, offer cheap accommodations than hotels and nearly always have free parking. When coming to DC we suggest prioritizing these four areas; Shady Grove, Rosslyn, Vienna and Spring Hill which all have motels and are close to the DC Metro.

Why Find a Washington, DC Motel Near the Metro?

Taking a metro into DC can cut your costs down quite a bit. Aside from the obvious gas costs, parking in DC can be incredibly expensive and difficult to find. Don’t expect to find cheap street parking, as most residents snatch the limited number of spots very early. Garage parking can be costly and range from $12 to as high as $50 in the Downtown DC area. Finally, the traffic getting into DC will cause frustration and at times be at a standstill, especially for those staying in a motel near a major highway or interstate. In most cases, the metro system is faster than driving and much more affordable. DC’s metro system is also extensive, so that no matter where you want to visit, there is usually a metro station close by.

Travelers looking to stay close to DC should look at Rosslyn first. Rosslyn is a neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia that will appeal to everyone with it’s quick access to Downtown DC and Georgetown. The area is busy during weekdays with many professionals working in the area, and quiets down after work hours and weekends.

for people who enjoy shopping, Spring Hill is your best option for a motel. Spring Hill is one of three metro stations in Tysons Corner, which is the go-to shopping area for many DC locals. Tysons Corner has two shopping centers: Tyson’s Galleria (which has upscale brands) and Tyson’s Corner Center (which has over 300 stores). The area can be busy on weekends, but families and business travelers will appreciate the close proximity to I-66 and the Beltway, as well as the short walk to the Spring Hill metro station. From there, it takes about 30 minutes to get to Downtown DC.

For people looking for the cheapest motel, take a look at Vienna. Vienna is in a suburb of Virginia, about 40 minutes away from Downtown DC. The area is a typical suburb with restaurants and strip malls, but also has plenty of parks and trails for active travelers. The Smithsonian Udvar-Hazy Museum is also nearby, and motels are found right off of I-66. Getting into DC will take about 45 minutes from this location via the orange line. 

North of DC in suburban Maryland, Shady Grove is a neighborhood of Gaithersburg and convenient to I-90 and I-270. Although the commute into DC will take about 45 minutes, the area has it’s own offerings with a mountain bike trail and family friendly activities in the RIO Washington Center. Beer aficionados will also enjoy the nearby Flying Dog Brewery and Dogfish Head Alehouse.