About this Location

Facility Overview

Public Parking Lot 81, commonly known as the Bethesda Library Lot, is a well-maintained municipal open-air surface parking facility operated by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT). Situated directly adjacent to the Connie Morella Library (formerly Bethesda Library) at 7400 Arlington Road in the bustling western sector of Downtown Bethesda, this lot provides convenient ground-level parking for library patrons, local shoppers, diners, and business commuters alike. Because it is a completely open-air lot with no overhead structure, there are no vertical clearance restrictions, making it an exceptional parking choice for oversized vehicles, high-roof work vans, pickup trucks, and vehicles equipped with rooftop cargo carriers or bicycle racks that cannot clear standard low-clearance underground decks.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned along the vibrant Arlington Road corridor, Lot 81 serves as an ideal parking base for exploring the best of Bethesda\'s arts, dining, and commercial districts:

Connie Morella Library: Directly on-site, offering seamless access for study sessions, family reading programs, and community meetings.
Bethesda Row & Bethesda Avenue: Located just a 5 to 7-minute walk south (approximately 0.3 miles), featuring premier dining destinations, luxury fashion boutiques, Anthropologie, the Apple Store, and the Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema.
Capital Crescent Trail: Accessible within a 5-minute walk, providing a scenic paved recreation trail popular with walkers, runners, and cyclists heading toward Georgetown or Silver Spring.
Local Shopping & Groceries: Positioned adjacent to or across from essential neighborhood retail, including Safeway, Bradley Shopping Center, CVS, and numerous independent cafes and medical offices.
Bethesda Elementary School: Located just across Arlington Road, convenient for school functions and community athletics.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Entering and exiting Lot 81 is straightforward, with a clearly marked vehicular entrance and exit directly along Arlington Road, situated between Edgemoor Lane and Bradley Boulevard. While Arlington Road experiences moderate traffic during weekday morning and evening rush hours, the layout allows for prompt ingress and egress without the bottleneck delays typical of multi-level commercial garages. For transit riders, the Bethesda Metro Station (serving the WMATA Red Line) is a walkable 10 to 12 minutes (0.5 miles) away via Montgomery Avenue or Woodmont Avenue. Furthermore, Montgomery County Ride On buses and the complimentary Bethesda Circulator shuttle operate regular routes along Arlington Road and adjacent avenues, linking drivers seamlessly with the Bethesda CBD and transit center.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Generously wide drive aisles and standard parking stalls provide easy maneuverability and zero height restrictions.
Mobile Payment Convenience: Fully integrated with the ParkMobile app, allowing drivers to pay, monitor, and extend meter sessions remotely from their smartphones.
On-Site Pay Stations: Modern digital pay-by-plate multi-space kiosks accepting major credit cards and debit payments.
Accessibility (ADA): Designated ADA-compliant accessible parking spaces conveniently positioned directly beside the Connie Morella Library main entrance.
Pedestrian Safety: Well-lit grounds equipped with evening security lighting, clear sidewalks, and marked pedestrian crosswalks connecting to Arlington Road.

Ideal For

Library Patrons & Students: Effortless, door-to-door parking for visitors utilizing library services, study rooms, and community workshops.
Downtown Bethesda Diners & Shoppers: A stress-free alternative to congested underground garages near Bethesda Row and Elm Street.
Recreational Trail Users: Great starting point for walks or runs along the adjacent Capital Crescent Trail.
Local Professionals & Service Appointments: Convenient short-term and mid-term parking for surrounding medical clinics, legal offices, and personal care salons.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Check Enforcement Hours: MCDOT metered parking hours in downtown surface lots are typically enforced Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM; parking is free on Sundays and designated Montgomery County holidays.
Use ParkMobile: Save time by noting your parking zone number on the posted lot signs to initiate payment on the ParkMobile app without waiting at the kiosk.
Arrive Early on Library Event Days: Spaces fill up quickly on weekday mornings during children\'s library storytimes and during peak Saturday lunch hours at Bethesda Row.
Pedestrian Caution: When exiting onto Arlington Road, remain watchful for cyclists and pedestrians using the sidewalk along this busy transit corridor.