If I walk out of the EPA HQ (1200 Pennsylvania Ave NW) at 4:30PM on a Thursday (9/29, if it matters) can I catch a train and make it to DCA for the 5:50PM DCA - IAH?

I have to attend a meeting and I would really like to be back in Houston Thursday night. If I can't make that, there is a 6:30PM departure that connects through Cleveland, but I'd rather be on the direct.

This is what I pulled from the WMATA page:

Trip planner results
Traveling from 1200 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW to DCA on September 29.

Walk 0.10 mile S from 1200 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW to FEDERAL TRIANGLE METRO STATION directions


Rail : Departs from FEDERAL TRIANGLE METRO STATION at 4:34pm
BLUE LINE towards FRANCONIA

NATIONAL AIRPORT METRO STATION at 4:52pm

Is this realisting and will it give me enough time?

TIA

DLM

Given the amount of time you have I would jump in a cab just to be safe. Its about $14.00 door to door and its alot less stress if you have luggage and your dealing with the rush hour commute. It wont take you more than 15-20 mintutes to get to DCA. Unsure if your Elite, but the elite line will save you a good 10 minutes in line at that time of day.

I like Metro if I have plenty of time to spare and its on my own dime. Otherwise if the company is paying I always take a car service or cab.

Personally, I say no. DCA can have horrid security lines, and Metro has had several very lengthy delays recently. I wouldn't risk it unless you're willing to accept you may miss the flight.

Could be risky. I would disagree about taking a cab. That could be equally risky, based on vehicular traffic delays.

I always cab it to DCA and rarely have had any major issue with traffic.

I also disagree on the cab. At that time of the day 14th Street is backed up and likewise 9th St Tunnel is backup - both lead to 14th Street Bridge - easily a half hour or more and unpredictable. Plus a cab may not be immediately available when you walk out and hard to get.

I find the blue line number of 18 minutes to go from Fed Tri to National Airport - (10th stops) - a little short - you might check some other times and see if it is 18 minutes - I would guess more like 30 minutes - but metro is usually pretty good on these numbers.

If you could walk the long 5 blocks down to 7th and Penn Ave - then you could catch the Yellow line at Archives - more direct - and only 12 minutes (5 stops). This route goes over the metro bridge next to 14 St. Bridge.

The Blue Line goes through downtown, Foggy Bottom - the tunnel to Rosslyn and down past Arlington Cemetery.

If you are Plat or Gold elite you can use the express line at DCA. Plus CO has some eticket machine (if you have carry on) near the check in counter - one floor up where subway arrives.

This is toss up, but I would say metro is more predictable (there is always a risk, but so is a cab).

I would say it is possible.

What time?

Late afternoon while sprinting to get to the 18:30 flight to CLE. Sure I have experienced some delays, but nothing painful.