About this Location

Facility Overview

Lot 8 - St. Elmo Avenue Lot is a municipal open-air surface parking facility operated by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Division of Parking Management. Situated directly at 4835 St. Elmo Avenue in the bustling Woodmont Triangle district of downtown Bethesda, Maryland, this well-maintained lot provides fast, street-level vehicle access in one of Montgomery County\'s premier culinary and arts neighborhoods. Because Lot 8 is an uncovered surface lot with no overhead barriers or parking deck ceilings, it provides virtually unlimited vertical clearance. This makes it exceptionally suited for tall SUVs, lifted pickup trucks, commercial transit vans, rooftop bike racks, and cargo carriers that cannot negotiate Bethesda\'s subterranean or multi-level parking garages.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned in the heart of the Woodmont Triangle, Lot 8 offers immediate walkability to dozens of Bethesda\'s top dining, entertainment, and shopping establishments:

Woodmont Triangle Dining & Nightlife: Located directly steps away from popular venues along St. Elmo, Cordell, and Norfolk Avenues, including Gringos & Mariachis, Hanaro Sushi, Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, and local coffee shops.
Arts & Entertainment: Within an 8-minute walk (0.4 miles) of Round House Theatre and the Bethesda Theater, making it a go-to spot for pre-show dinners and performances.
Bethesda Row & Bethesda Avenue: A pleasant 10-to-12-minute walk south brings visitors to the premier retail shops, cinema, and dining plazas of Bethesda Row.
Medical & Business Hubs: A brief drive or bus trip from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Suburban Hospital, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) campus located just north along Wisconsin Avenue.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to Lot 8 is straightforward, with wide two-way ingress and egress directly off St. Elmo Avenue, flanked by Old Georgetown Road (MD-187) and Wisconsin Avenue (MD-355). These arterial routes grant effortless connections to the Capital Beltway (I-495) and I-270. Commuters will appreciate the lot\'s close proximity to public transportation; the Bethesda Metrorail Station (serving the Red Line) is situated roughly 8 minutes (under half a mile) to the south, providing rapid transit into Washington, D.C., and Silver Spring. Montgomery County Ride On bus routes and the Bethesda Circulator free shuttle stop within a block of the lot, enabling frictionless local mobility.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous surface bays with wide drive aisles and no height clearance restrictions.
Modern Payment Flexibility: Equipped with centralized pay-by-plate digital pay stations accepting major credit cards, as well as pay-by-phone convenience through the ParkMobile app (Zone 4808).
Accessible ADA Parking: Dedicated ADA-compliant accessible spaces clearly stenciled near sidewalk access ramps.
High-Visibility LED Lighting: Bright nighttime overhead flood illumination throughout the lot perimeter for enhanced patron safety.
Clear Signage & Markings: High-contrast directional pavement striping and official Montgomery County regulatory signage.

Ideal For

Restaurant Patrons & Foodies: Diners visiting the dense cluster of international eateries, craft cocktail lounges, and dessert cafes lining Woodmont Triangle.
Drivers with Oversized Vehicles: Contractors, trade vans, commercial delivery operators, and drivers with rooftop boxes or mountain bikes avoiding cramped garage ceilings.
Local Business Commuters: Professionals working in nearby medical, legal, and financial offices along St. Elmo, Norfolk, and Del Ray Avenues.
Theatergoers & Event Attendees: Visitors attending cultural performances, gallery walks, and seasonal Bethesda street festivals.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Check Metered Hours: MCDOT generally meters parking Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, while Sundays and official county holidays are typically free of charge. Always confirm operating hours on on-site posted signage.
Use ParkMobile for Efficiency: Pay instantly using the ParkMobile mobile application upon parking; you can easily extend your session remotely from your phone if lunch or dinner runs long.
Arrive Early During Weekend Evenings: Surface stalls in Woodmont Triangle fill rapidly on Friday and Saturday evenings between 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM; if Lot 8 reaches capacity, MCDOT Garage 40 (Cordell-St. Elmo Garage) is located directly adjacent.
Keep Aisles Clear: Avoid stopping in the center aisle to wait for spaces during peak dining hours to maintain smooth two-way circulation.