Road closures, reduced county services and modified transit schedules will be in effect tomorrow (Friday) in observance of the Fourth of July.
Arlington will operate on a modified holiday schedule, closing county courthouses, community centers and all public libraries. Metered parking across the county will not be enforced.
A few offices and services will remain open, including trash, recycling and yard waste collection. One community center, the Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center, will open with shortened hours from 6 a.m.-2 p.m.
Transit
Transit users can ride Metro for free from 5 p.m.-2 a.m on July 4. Free parking will also be available throughout the day at Metrorail garages and lots.
Both Metrobus and Arlington Transit will operate on modified schedules. More information is available below.
ART: “On Thursday, July 4, 2025, ART 41, 42, 45, 51, 55 and 87 will operate on Sunday schedules. All other ART routes will not operate. The ART Customer Call Center will be closed.”
Metrobus: “Metrobus will operate on a Sunday schedule. Service varies by route, check timetables for details. Regular fares will be in effect until 5 p.m. All trips after 5 p.m. will be fare-free. Customers traveling near the National Mall are advised to expect detours and delays, or some routes may be truncated due to road closures.
Customers should consider Metrorail as an alternative if traveling through this area. Impacted routes include:
A49, A58, C11, C53, C55, D10, D1X, D30, D40, D4X, D44, D50, D6X, D74, D82, D94, D96″
Road closures
Several Arlington roads are scheduled to close to accommodate large crowds.
The U.S. Park Police and National Park Service will close the Memorial Bridge and Memorial Circle. Meanwhile, the Arlington County Police Department has planned the following closures.
4:30-11 p.m.
- Marshall Drive, from Route 110 to N. Meade Street
- N. Meade Street, from Marshall Drive to N. Fairfax Drive (access to the Ft. Myer Heights neighborhood will be from the Rhodes Street bridge – local traffic only)
- Exit ramp from westbound Route 50 to N. Lynn Street (Rosslyn exit)
- Exit ramp from eastbound Route 50 to N. Meade Street (Rosslyn exit)
- Eastbound N. Fairfax Drive, from N. Pierce Street to N. Fort Myer Drive
9-10 p.m.
- Fort Myer Drive, between 19th Street N. and Arlington Blvd
More information for motorists from an ACPD traffic alert is available below.
Additional road closures not mentioned above may be implemented at police discretion in the interest of public safety. Street parking in these areas will be restricted. Motorists should be on the lookout for temporary “No Parking” signs and illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. If your vehicle is towed, please use the online portal to find out the status of your vehicle and where it is located. The online portal is updated in real time. If you cannot locate your vehicle or need additional support using the online portal, call the County non-emergency number at 703-558-2222.
Celebrating July 4th in Arlington County
To ensure a happy and safe celebration, residents and visitors are reminded of the following:
- Alcoholic beverages, grills, and fireworks are prohibited on County and Federal parkland during Independence Day events.
- Non-approved vendors will not be allowed in the area of the US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima).
- Hot and humid conditions are anticipated. Stay hydrated, use sunscreen and seek shade as needed.
- The Washington Metropolitan area, including the entirety of Arlington County, is designated a “no-drone zone” by the Federal Aviation Administration.
- There are no known threats to the area. Our community is safest when everyone is engaged and alert. If you see something, say something® by reporting suspicious behavior to police for investigation.
Arlington County Police will be located at the US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima) and Long Bridge Park conducting road closures and providing safety and security at the venues.
Getting Around on July 4th
Attendees are strongly encouraged to use public or multimodal forms of transportation. The Rosslyn Metro stop on the Orange Line is approximately 5 blocks north of the US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima).
Motorists should expect significant delays, particularly leading up to and after the fireworks display. The Arlington County Police Department is reminding drivers that stopping or standing in a lane of traffic to observe the fireworks is illegal and violators may be issued a citation. Additionally, parking on the shoulders of Route 110, Arlington Boulevard (Route 50) and George Washington Memorial Parkway in both directions is prohibited and will be strictly enforced. Unattended vehicles found in violation will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.
The Air Force Memorial remains closed due to ongoing construction.
Plan for a Sober Ride Home
Each year, Independence Day is celebrated across the Country with family, friends, food and fireworks. Unfortunately, the festivities turn tragic on the nation’s roadways when drunk drivers take to the streets after the parties end. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 617 people died in traffic crashes during the Fourth of July holiday period in 2023. (6 p.m. July 2 – 5:59 a.m. on July 6, 2022). 38% of those fatalities occurred in drunk driving crashes. You have options to get home safely: Designate a sober driver or call a taxi or rideshare. Getting home safely is always worth it.
The Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) 2025 July 4 SoberRide® program, in partnership with Lyft, will be offered from 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 4, until 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 5. For additional information on WRAP’s program to ensure area residents have a safe way home on high-risk holidays, visit their website.
Stay Informed
Register for Arlington Alert to receive emergency alerts and other important information from Arlington County Government and enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your mobile device. In the event of a weather-related emergency or unforeseen circumstance, follow police direction.
