Washington D.C. is quickly becoming one of the most popular places for young professionals and others looking to live in an area with a growing economy. With the rapid population growth and new housing developments, parking in the Washington D.C. area is becoming more and more expensive and difficult to find. Why not just donate your car and not worry about parking anymore?
How much does it cost to park in DC?
Parking Meters
Since 2010, the District Department of Transportation has been enforcing parking meters during evening hours and on Saturdays. The meter rates are as follows:
Premium Demand Zones: $1.00 per hour
Normal Demand Zones: $0.75 per hour
The premium zones are as follows:
- Adams Morgan
- Georgetown Historic District
- Penn Quarter/Chinatown
- U Street NW Corridor
- Downtown Central Business District
- Maine Avenue and Water Streets, SW
- The National Mall
- Wisconsin Ave, NW (from Van Ness Street to Western Avenue
Parking Garages in Metro Stations
Parking at the metro station garages can cost up to $5 per day, plus a cost of of up to $60 per month just to reserve a space for you. So, if you work a normal work week, you could end up paying up to $160, plus the cost of your metro fare, just to park your car.
Private Parking
There are also several privately owned parking lots and garages in DC which can also be quite expensive. In some of the more popular areas, such as Chinatown and Adams Morgan, parking can range from $10-$40 to park just for a few hours.
Residential Parking
If you park in one of DC’s residential parking areas without a permit, you will need to go though the hassle of getting a permit, otherwise risk paying a huge parking ticket for parking for more than 2 hours in a residential area.
Aside from the cost of parking, just finding a space to park your car can be time consuming and frustrating. If you decide to donate your car to Goodwill, you can save yourself the money and the hassle of parking in the District. Plus, when you donate your vehicle, you can be sure that you are helping to support a great charity that truly makes a difference in your community.
To learn more about Goodwill of Greater Washington, click here.