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About NHTSA

Information for Visitors

Directions to DOT Headquarters

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is housed in the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The headquarters physical address is:

U.S. Department of Transportation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.
Washington, DC 20590
888-327-4236
888-275-9171 (TTY)

The main visitors entrance is located in the West Building (DOT is housed in two connected buildings, the East and the West buildings), on New Jersey Avenue and M Street. Upon entering the West Building lobby, visitors must report to the security desk and should have a government-issued ID available. There is also a smaller visitors entrance on the 4th Street side of the East Building.

How Are You Traveling?

Due to the limited amount of parking around DOT Headquarters, use of public transit is strongly advised. DOT is served by the Navy Yard Metrorail Station (Green line). The closest exit to DOT Headquarters is the Navy Yard exit. The building is located across the street from the West Building. Trains and bus schedules are available at Metrorail's website.

DOT is well served by several bicycle routes and trails. Bike racks are located on the corner of New Jersey Avenue and M Street as well as on 4th Street and M Street. There is also a Capital Bikeshare station just outside the Main entrance on the corner of New Jersey Avenue and M Street.

I-95 from Virginia

  • Take I-95 N toward WASHINGTON.
  • Merge onto I-395 N via EXIT 170A-B toward WASHINGTON / I-495 / TYSONS CORNER (Crossing into DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA).
  • Keep LEFT to take I-295 S.
  • Take the SOUTH CAPITOL STREET exit.
  • Stay STRAIGHT to go onto S CAPITOL ST SW.
  • Turn LEFT onto M ST SE.

I-66

  • Take I-66 E toward WASHINGTON.
  • Keep right onto GEORGE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL PARKWAY S.
  • Merge onto I-395 N toward WASHINGTON (Crossing into DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA).
  • Keep LEFT to take I-295 S.
  • Take the SOUTH CAPITOL STREET exit.
  • Stay STRAIGHT to go onto S CAPITOL ST SW.
  • Turn LEFT onto M ST SE.

Suitland Parkway

  • Take SUITLAND PKWY SE toward WASHINGTON (Crossing into DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA).
  • Stay STRAIGHT to go onto S CAPITOL ST SE.
  • Keep RIGHT at the fork to continue on S CAPITOL ST SE.
  • Turn RIGHT onto M ST SE.

Pennsylvania Avenue

  • MD-4 N becomes PENNSYLVANIA AVE SE.
  • Take the ramp toward I-395.
  • Merge onto SOUTHEAST FWY.
  • Take the exit toward 8TH ST SE.
  • Turn LEFT onto I ST SE.
  • Turn LEFT onto 7TH ST SE.
  • Turn RIGHT onto M ST SE.

I-95 from Northern Maryland

  • Take I-95 S toward Washington.
  • Take the BALTIMORE WASHINGTON PARKWWAY S exit- EXIT 22B- toward WASHINGTON.
  • Merge onto MD-295 S (Crossing into DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA).
  • MD-295 S becomes I-295 S.
  • Take the HOWARD ROAD exit- EXIT 3B- toward DOWNTOWN.
  • Turn RIGHT onto HOWARD RD SE.
  • Keep LEFT at the fork in the ramp.
  • Stay STRAIGHT to go onto S CAPITOL ST SE.
  • Keep RIGHT at the fork to continue on S CAPITOL ST SE.
  • Turn RIGHT onto M ST SE.

I-270 from Northern Maryland

  • I-270 LOCAL S becomes I-270 S.
  • Keep RIGHT to take I-270 SPUR S toward I-495 S / WASHINGTON / NORTHERN VIRGINIA.
  • I-270 SPUR S becomes I-495 S / CAPITAL BELTWAY (Crossing into VIRGINIA).
  • Take EXIT 43-44 toward GEORGE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL PARKWAY / VA-193 / GEORGETOWN PIKE / LANGLEY / GREAT FALLS.
  • Take the GEORGE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL PARKWAY exit- EXIT 43- toward WASHINGTON.
  • Merge onto GEORGE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL PKWY S (Passing through DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA- then crossing into VIRGINIA).
  • Merge onto I-395 N toward WASHINGTON (Crossing into DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA).
  • Keep LEFT to take I-295 S.
  • Take the SOUTH CAPITOL STREET exit.
  • Stay STRAIGHT to go onto S CAPITOL ST SW.
  • Turn LEFT onto M ST SE.

Colonial Parking
20 M Street SE.
Washington, DC 20003
202-295-8200    

Hours of Operation and Cost
M-Th: 7:00A-10:00P
F: 7:00A-12:00A
Sa: 8:00A-12:00A
Su: 9:00A-10:00P
$6 - up to 1 hour
$12 - max

Colonial Parking
300 M Street SE.
Washington, DC 20003
202-295-8200

Hours of Operation and Cost
M-F: 7:00A-10:00P
Sa-Su: Closed
$8 - up to 1 hour
$16 - max

Federal Gateway Parking
1100 New Jersey Avenue SE.
Washington, DC 20003
202-295-8100

Hours of Operation and Cost
M-F: 7:00A-7:00P
Sa-Su: Closed
$7 - up to 1 hour
$14 - max

PMI Park
140 L Street SE.
Washington, DC 20003
202-785-9191

Hours of Operation and Cost
Su-Sa: 24 hours
$6 - up to 1 hour
$12 - up to 2 hours
$15 - up to 12 hours
$17 - max