Comprehensive Guide to Washington DC Traffic Circles

Washington DC’s traffic circles are one of the most unique features of the city’s design. George Washington appointed Pierre L’Enfant in 1791 to create a federal city that predominantly consisted of streets laid out in a distinct grid. Some of these streets run in an east-west orientation, while others are aligned in a north-south direction. Moreover, diagonal avenues intersect this grid and are accompanied by circles and rectangular plazas. Consequently, these circles serve to slow down traffic and promote a circular flow, albeit often confusing those who are less familiar with the area. Additionally, several circles also act as parks, providing essential recreational and public gathering spaces.

A Guide to DC’s Traffic Circles

This map illustrates the locations of the traffic circles prevalent in Washington DC. Most of these circles are located in the NW Quadrant. The following sections detail the circles and their locations, organized by quadrant.

Traffic Circles In Northeast Washington DC

• Columbus Circle – Intersection of Delaware, Louisiana, and Massachusetts Avenues and E and First Streets. This circle is located in front of Union Station.

Traffic Circles In Southeast Washington DC

• Barney Circle – Intersection of Pennsylvania and Kentucky Avenues and 17th Street.
• Randle Circle – Intersection of Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Branch Avenues; K and 32nd Streets; and Fort DuPont Drive.

Traffic Circles In Southwest Washington DC

• Benjamin Banneker Circle – Off L’Enfant Promenade, south of Interstate 395.
• Garfield Circle – Intersection of First Street and Maryland Avenue. This circle fronts the U.S. Capitol Building.
• Lincoln Memorial Circle – Intersection of 23rd Street, Henry Bacon and Daniel French Drives, and the Arlington Memorial Bridge. The circle surrounds the Lincoln Memorial.
• Unnamed circle at the western end of Arlington Memorial Bridge connecting the bridge to the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Memorial Drive (leading to Arlington National Cemetery), and Washington Boulevard (Virginia State Route 27).

Traffic Circles in Downtown Washington DC

This map displays some of the most bustling traffic circles in Downtown Washington DC. Review the previous sections for further details regarding specific traffic circles.