Bowie to DC Commute: Train, Bus and Driving Options
How people get from Bowie to Washington: the MARC train from Bowie State, the Metrobus and TheBus routes that replaced the old B-numbers in 2025, park-and-ride lots, and what to know about driving. Checked October 2026.
Your options at a glance
| Option | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| MARC Penn Line | Bowie State station to Washington Union Station | About 23 to 36 minutes on weekday trains. 675 parking spaces at no charge. |
| TheBus P71 | Bowie Park and Ride and Bowie State to New Carrollton Metro (Orange Line) | Replaced the old B21, B22 and B24 in June 2025 |
| Metrobus P72 | Bowie Park and Ride to Downtown Largo Metro (Blue and Silver Lines) | Runs along Central Avenue |
| Metrobus P24 | Bowie State and Goddard area to New Carrollton | The route that used to be the B27 |
| Drive | Route 50 west, or the Capital Beltway | The City says Bowie is about 10 minutes from the Beltway. Rush-hour times vary a lot, so test your route. |
| Vanpool | Bowie and Crofton area vanpools to downtown | Through Commuter Connections |
Route names changed with Metro’s Better Bus redesign on June 29 and 30, 2025. If you see B21, B22, B24 or B27 on an old map, those routes are now P71, P72, P23 and P24. Check WMATA and Prince George’s County TheBus for current schedules.
Park-and-ride lots in Bowie
- Bowie Crossing Park and Ride: Route 197 and Northview Drive, about 657 spaces.
- Bowie Market Place: Route 450 at Stonybrook Drive, about 50 spaces.
- Bowie State MARC station: 13900 Old Jericho Park Road, 675 spaces at no charge.
Choosing a house for the commute
If you’ll ride the train, the drive to Bowie State station matters more than the miles to DC. If you’ll drive, how close you are to Route 50 matters most. Before you buy, make the trip at your real commute time, once each way. Military commuters can see our base-by-base guides, including the Pentagon and Joint Base Andrews.
Common questions
How long is the commute from Bowie to DC?
The MARC Penn Line from Bowie State station to Union Station takes about 23 to 36 minutes on weekday trains. The average Bowie resident’s commute is 34.8 minutes, per the Census. Driving times vary with traffic.
Is there a Metro station in Bowie?
No. The closest Metrorail station is New Carrollton on the Orange Line. Buses also connect Bowie to Downtown Largo on the Blue and Silver Lines.
What bus goes from Bowie to New Carrollton?
TheBus route P71 runs from Bowie Park and Ride and Bowie State to New Carrollton. It replaced the old Metrobus B21, B22 and B24 routes in June 2025. Metrobus P24 also serves New Carrollton from the Bowie State area.
Where can I park and ride in Bowie?
Bowie Crossing Park and Ride at Route 197 and Northview Drive has about 657 spaces. The Bowie State MARC station has 675 spaces at no charge, and there’s a smaller lot at Bowie Market Place on Route 450.
How far is Bowie from Washington, DC?
About 12 miles, according to the City of Bowie, and about 10 minutes from the Capital Beltway.
Other commutes from Bowie
Want a house that fits your commute?
Bruno can line up homes by real drive time to the train or Route 50, not just miles. Call or text (240) 418-3809, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.