WashingtonPost.com: Decoding the ZonesDecoding the Zones
Washingtonpost.com Staff
June 26, 1997
Washington's taxi drivers use a system unique among the nation's great cities; instead of charging by mileage, they assess fares for trips within the city by the number of zones crossed. Find your origin and destination by clicking on the map below. You will link to a map with more details. Or, you may want to first jump to our landmarks list and penny-pincher's tips, below, for help with deciphering the zones.
Because the zone system is so rigid—cross a line, lose $1.50—wise travelers can exploit zone borders to shave a dollar here and a dollar there. Here are some tricks to maximize your savings from popular destinations:
If you're heading out of Foggy Bottom (zone 2A) to points north and east, catch your cab on 21st Street, not 23rd. That starts you in Zone 1 and saves you a zone.
Similarly, if you're heading out of Dupont Circle, notice that the Florida-Connecticut intersection forms the boundary of three zones (1, 2A and 2B). By walking a block in any direction, you can save on trips to Georgetown (zone 2A), downtown (zone 1) or points north.
Tenleytown's on the border of four zones (3A, 3B, 4A and 4B) at Wisconsin and Nebraska avenues.
If you're heading from points south to Adams-Morgan (zone 2B) and feel like walking up a hill, have the cabbie let you off at 18th and U streets (zone 1) and you save a zone.
Heading south from American University becomes cheaper if you cross Nebraska Avenue, which puts you in zone 3A rather than 4A.
