DC Metro has the most escalators (and elevators) of any transit system in North America with a total of 674. Metro’s longest escalator is at the Wheaton station right here in Montgomery County. The 230 ft. escalator is the longest single span escalator in the entire western hemisphere (video below).
The Wheaton Metro escalator spans 230 feet, 18 feet longer than the second longest escalator on the Metro (Bethesda). It takes 2 minutes and 52 seconds to go down the escalator from the time you step on until the time you step off, if you don’t move after getting on. Woodley Park and Medical Center are the only other two that come in longer than 200 feet with Rosslyn, both Dupont stations, and Tenleytown coming in after them.
Whenever this fascinating fact is shared, a common question arises about other Metro station escalators. In 2014, Greater Greater Washington highlighted the lengths of the top 10 longest Metro escalators:
1. Wheaton: 230 ft.
2. Bethesda: 212 ft.
3. Woodley Park: 204 ft.
4. Medical Center: 202 ft.
5. Rosslyn: 194 ft.
6. DuPont Circle (North): 188 ft.
7. DuPont Circle (South): 170 ft.
8. Tenleytown 161 ft.
9. Friendship Heights: 120 ft.
10. Cleveland Park: 115 ft.
Other notable long escalators in the Western Hemisphere include:
• CNN Center Atrium (Atlanta, Georgia): This is a notable mention as it holds the Guinness World Record for the longest freestanding escalator, at 193 feet.
• Peachtree Center MARTA Station (Atlanta, Georgia): This is another long escalator in Atlanta, at 190 feet.
• Grand Central Madison Terminal (New York City, New York): The LIRR station features long escalators, with some sources listing them at 182 feet.
• CityPlace DART Station (Dallas, Texas): 138 feet.
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