Here are my best tips for parking National Mall area based on 12 years of living in the Washington, D.C. area and navigating it with kids, strollers, and out of town guests.
Parking National Mall Table of Contents in Washington DC
Easiest National Mall Parking Garage
The easiest parking garage near the National Mall is under the Ronald Reagan Building on 14th Street. Not only does this garage offer a location just a stone's throw away from the National Mall's main attractions, but it also houses an excellent food court and is open 24 hours with security. This means you can easily grab a bite before starting your day or refuel after a morning of sightseeing.
It also has clean restrooms for kids before or after your D.C. outing and has about 2,000 parking spaces. I have never seen it full even on special event days like the National Kite Festival.
Parking Garage Distance from National Mall Attractions
- 0.5 miles to the Washington Monument
- 0.6 miles to the White House
- 0.3 miles to the Smithsonian Museum of American History
- 0.3 miles to the National Museum of African American History and Culture
- 1 mile to the Air and Space Museum
- 1.2 miles to the Lincoln Memorial
A lot of these are on the 30 Best Things to Do with Kids in Washington, D.C. And out the National Children's Museum located next door to the Ronald Regan Building!
3 Entrances to the Ronald Reagan Building Parking Garage in DC
There are 3 entrances to the parking garage:
- Off Constitution Ave. NW right after 12th Street
- Off 14th St NW between Constitution and D Street NW. (pictured above)
- 13 ½ Street and Pennsylvania Avenue
Inside of the Ronald Reagan Parking Garage
Prices for the Reagan Building Parking Garage
I believe it is one of the more expensive parking garages but you are paying for the convenience and security. More affordable options are below. Note: these are 2026 prices but check their website for the most up to date info.
- $14 – 1 hour
- $22 – 2 hours
- $24 – 4 hours
- $26 – Up to ~15 hours
- $38 – Full day (up to 24 hours)
- $19 – Weekday evening rate (enter after ~5:00 pm, exit by ~3:00 am)
- $19 – Weekend/holiday rate (enter after ~3:00 am)
(Rates above include taxes where applicable.)
Things to Know Parking at the National Mall Reagan Building Parking Garage
The security team at the Ronald Reagan Building performs brief inspections of all vehicles entering the parking garage to comply with D.C. safety regulations. These inspections include checking for prohibited items, such as firearms, which are not allowed on the premises. The parking garage is open 24 hours a day for public use. More info here.
The parking garage is open 24 hours.
2nd Parking Garage Near the National Mall
Another parking garage that's great for first time visitors on the other side of the National Mall at L'Enfant Plaza.
Address: 840 D St SW, Washington, DC 20024, United States
We love the food court there!
L'Enfant Plaza Parking Garage Distance from National Mall Attractions
- 1 block from International Spy Museum
- 0.4 miles to the Air and Space Museum
- 0.8 miles to the Smithsonian Museum of American History
- 0.9 miles to the National Museum of African American History and Culture
- 1 mile to the Washington Monument
- 1.6 miles to the White House
- 1.6 miles to the Lincoln Memorial
A lot of these are on the 30 Best Things to Do with Kids in Washington, D.C.
DC Public Parking Near the National Mall
Finding street parking along the National Mall can be a tough and is not a guarantee. My experiences have taught me that timing is crucial. On weekdays, your chances of securing a spot increase significantly if you aim to arrive around 9:45 AM, just before the Smithsonian museums open their doors at 10 AM. This early arrival strategy has proven successful for me on Jefferson, Madison, and Constitution Avenues, where I've often found available parking spaces.
However, the situation changes during weekends. The competition for parking spaces intensifies, as many of the prime spots in front of the museums are taken up by food trucks. This can make finding a spot directly in front of your destination more challenging.
One thing I always remind friends and readers is that most street parking around the National Mall is metered. If you are lucky enough to find a spot, you will need to pay for the full time you plan to stay.
In my experience, the meters are fairly easy to use. They accept credit cards, and you can also pay through the ParkMobile App, which is what I usually recommend. I personally love using the app because it lets me extend my time right from my phone without having to walk all the way back to the car. That is especially helpful when we are mid museum visit or waiting in line at a food truck.
The instructions for using the app are clearly posted on the meters, so even if it is your first time, it is straightforward. When street parking works out, it can be a great option, but I always plan ahead and keep an eye on the time to avoid a ticket.
Tips for Public Parking in Washington, DC
Use Parking Apps for DC Parking
As I mentioned above, its good to have at least 2 of the main parking apps already on your phone including the ParkMobile app to pay for street parking as well as SpotHero to find a spot available. I've used SpotHero many times to pre-reserve and its worked great!
The most important thing is to Read ALL the Signs!
As you can see in all the pictures I've taking, its so important to read all street signs carefully before parking to avoid tickets and towing. Pay special attention to rush hour restrictions, residential permit parking areas, and temporary no-parking zones due to events or construction.
