About this Location

Facility Overview

The Kensington Station parking facility serves the historic Kensington MARC train station located along Howard Avenue in Kensington, Maryland (Montgomery County). Situated at 3711 Howard Ave, this open-air surface parking area provides essential park-and-ride capacity for regional rail commuters heading into Washington, D.C., as well as convenient day parking for visitors exploring Kensington’s celebrated Antique Row. Because it is a flat, uncovered ground-level lot with broad driving lanes, it provides completely unrestricted vertical clearance. This makes it an accommodating choice not only for standard sedans and compact cars, but also for lifted pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, conversion vans, and commercial service vehicles that cannot fit into standard multi-story parking garages.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Located in the heart of historic Kensington, this parking location puts drivers steps away from charming local heritage sites, boutiques, and dining venues:

Kensington MARC Station: Directly adjacent, offering passenger access to the MARC Brunswick Line with direct commuter trains to Silver Spring, Rockville, and Washington Union Station.
Kensington Antique Row: Less than a 2-minute stroll along Howard Avenue, featuring Montgomery County\'s premier enclave of antique dealers, art galleries, vintage apparel shops, and interior design studios.
Local Dining & Cafes: Within a 2 to 5-minute walk are neighborhood staples such as Dish & Dram, Frankly...Pizza!, BabyCat Brewery, and Talia\'s Tuscan Table.
Kensington Town Hall & Armory: Located approximately 0.3 miles to the north, hosting local civic meetings, farmers markets, and seasonal community festivals.
Rock Creek Stream Valley Park: Less than 0.8 miles away, connecting outdoor enthusiasts directly to miles of paved walking, running, and biking trails.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Drivers can conveniently reach the station from major regional thoroughfares including Connecticut Avenue (MD-185), University Boulevard West (MD-193), and Metropolitan Avenue. Ingress and egress points connect directly onto Howard Avenue, featuring clearly marked curb cuts designed for fluid two-way circulation. The station is a central boarding point for the MTA MARC Brunswick Line commuter rail. In addition, Montgomery County Ride On bus routes (such as Routes 4, 33, and 34) stop nearby, providing feeder connections across Wheaton, Bethesda, and Silver Spring. Easy access to the Capital Beltway (I-495) via Connecticut Avenue makes it a stress-free starting point for multi-modal morning journeys.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Uncovered, open-air surface parking layout with no overhead height restrictions.
Designated accessible ADA parking spaces close to platform ramps and pedestrian walkways.
Bright overhead evening area lighting across driving aisles and passenger boarding areas.
Direct sidewalk integration connecting passengers to train platforms, shelters, and ticketing kiosks.
Immediate pedestrian walkability to historic downtown sidewalks and shopping streets.
Free daily parking for MARC rail commuters on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ideal For

Daily rail commuters traveling southbound to Washington Union Station or northbound to Gaithersburg and Brunswick.
Shoppers, collectors, and decorators visiting the specialty shops along Howard Avenue’s Antique Row.
Foodies and craft beverage enthusiasts visiting local establishments like BabyCat Brewery and neighborhood dining spots.
Residents and visitors attending weekend community events, library functions, or local farmers markets.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Commuters heading to downtown Washington should plan to arrive before 7:30 AM on peak mid-week mornings (Tuesdays through Thursdays), as spaces closest to the boarding platform fill early. Ensure your vehicle is parked strictly between marked white stall lines, as ticketing enforcement monitors fire lanes and no-parking rail rights-of-way. If arriving on weekends, parking is readily accessible and offers an ideal jumping-off point to browse antique shops or grab brunch without metered time pressure.