The MARC Train connects Washington, DC and Frederick, US over a 187-mile route operated by Maryland Transit Administration, calling at 10 stations across 4 states.
Quick Facts
- Operator
- Maryland Transit Administration
- Service type
- Commuter Rail
- Endpoints
- Washington ↔ Frederick
- Distance
- 187 mi
- Frequency
- Three lines with weekday peak service
- Stations
- 10
- States served
- 4 (DC, MD, US, WV)
- Typical fare range
- $5 – $17
Route guide
The MARC Train is a commuter rail service operated by Maryland Transit Administration. Trains run Three lines with weekday peak service over 187 miles of mainline track between Washington Union Station and Frederick, calling at 10 intermediate and terminal stations across 4 states. For background reading on the corridor, several archival route histories are available alongside the operator's own marketing pages.
What to watch for: B&O Old Main Line through Patapsco Valley State Park; Potomac River below Harpers Ferry.
History & service notes
MARC was branded in 1984 from the former Baltimore & Ohio and Pennsylvania Railroad commuter services in Maryland, Washington, DC, and West Virginia. Riders interested in pre-Amtrak operating history of the line can consult classic timetable archives for fuller context.
Equipment
Typical consist on the MARC Train includes bombardier and MARC IV bi-level cars, MP36PH and HHP-8 locomotives. Equipment assignments may vary by departure and season; consult the operator for the most current information.
Stops along the route
Stations are listed in geographical order from Washington to Frederick. Times and exact stop sequencing depend on the specific train number and direction; refer to the operator's timetable for departures.
- Washington Union Station — Washington, DC
- Rockville — Rockville, MD
- New Carrollton — New Carrollton, MD
- BWI Marshall Airport — Linthicum, MD
- Baltimore Penn Station — Baltimore, MD
- Aberdeen — Aberdeen, MD
- Perryville — Perryville, US
- Martinsburg — Martinsburg, WV
- Harpers Ferry — Harpers Ferry, WV
- Frederick — Frederick, US
Sample fares & travel times
Approximate one-way fare ranges and travel times for popular city pairs on this route. Fares vary widely by demand, time of booking, and class of service — these figures are reference midpoints suitable for planning, not booking. Click any pair for a fuller trip guide.
| From | To | Distance | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | Rockville | 21 mi | 35m | $8 – $13 |
| Rockville | New Carrollton | 21 mi | 35m | $8 – $13 |
| New Carrollton | Linthicum | 21 mi | 35m | $8 – $13 |
| Linthicum | Baltimore | 21 mi | 35m | $8 – $13 |
| Baltimore | Aberdeen | 21 mi | 35m | $8 – $13 |
| Aberdeen | Perryville | 21 mi | 35m | $8 – $13 |
| Perryville | Martinsburg | 21 mi | 35m | $8 – $13 |
| Martinsburg | Harpers Ferry | 21 mi | 35m | $8 – $13 |
| Harpers Ferry | Frederick | 21 mi | 35m | $8 – $13 |
| Rockville | Frederick | 166 mi | 3h 29m | $8 – $16 |
| Washington | New Carrollton | 42 mi | 1h | $8 – $13 |
| New Carrollton | Frederick | 145 mi | 3h 4m | $8 – $15 |
| Washington | Linthicum | 62 mi | 1h 24m | $8 – $13 |
| Linthicum | Frederick | 125 mi | 2h 40m | $8 – $14 |
| Washington | Baltimore | 83 mi | 1h 50m | $8 – $13 |
| Baltimore | Frederick | 104 mi | 2h 15m | $8 – $13 |
| Washington | Aberdeen | 104 mi | 2h 15m | $8 – $13 |
| Aberdeen | Frederick | 83 mi | 1h 50m | $8 – $13 |
Connections & transfers
Major hubs along the route offer cross-platform transfers to other intercity and commuter services. From Washington, riders can change for connecting trains and intercity buses; the same is true at Frederick. The corridor passes through cities including Washington, Rockville, and Frederick, each with its own onward service map. A useful reference for cross-network connections is the consolidated national rail connection guide, updated each timetable change.
Further Reading on the MARC Train
- Riding the MARC Train: a first-timer's full-route diary
- Best window seats and viewing tips along the line