
Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue are two of the most important roads in Washington, D.C. Pennsylvania Avenue, which runs for 5.8 miles (9.3 km) in Washington, D.C., is an important commuter road and part of the National Highway System. It is also a traditional parade and protest route and has served as a background for lighthearted celebrations. Constitution Avenue, on the other hand, is a significant roadway in the city, with a length of 72 feet (22 m) between Pennsylvania Avenue NW and Virginia Avenue NW. It is also the location of the EPA's Federal Triangle campus and the William Jefferson Clinton East and West buildings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length | Constitution Avenue: 80 feet (24 m) wide Pennsylvania Avenue: 6 miles (9.3-10 km) long in Washington, D.C. |
| Location | Constitution Avenue: Washington, D.C. Pennsylvania Avenue: Washington, D.C., and Maryland |
| Surroundings | Constitution Avenue: Surrounds the EPA Headquarters and Ford Building I Pennsylvania Avenue: Surrounds the White House, U.S. Capitol, and the Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site |
| Traffic | Constitution Avenue: Allows two-way traffic Pennsylvania Avenue: Closed to vehicular traffic in front of the White House since 1995 |
| Street Type | Constitution Avenue: Straight Pennsylvania Avenue: Diagonal |
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What You'll Learn
- Constitution Ave. and Pennsylvania Ave. intersect in Washington, D.C
- The one-block section of Pennsylvania Ave. NW between 4th and 5th Streets was renamed Constitution Ave
- Pennsylvania Ave. is a primarily diagonal street in Washington, D.C
- Constitution Ave. and Pennsylvania Ave. are both accessible from the EPA's Federal Triangle campus
- Pennsylvania Ave. is part of the National Highway System

Constitution Ave. and Pennsylvania Ave. intersect in Washington, D.C
Constitution Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue are two distinct avenues in Washington, D.C., that intersect at several points. Constitution Avenue is a major east-west street in the northwest and northeast quadrants of the city of Washington, D.C. It was originally known as B Street and was renamed Constitution Avenue in 1931. The avenue defines the northern border of the National Mall and extends from the United States Capitol to the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge. Its eastern half runs through the neighbourhoods of Capitol Hill and Kingman Park before terminating at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium.
Pennsylvania Avenue, on the other hand, is a primarily diagonal street in Washington, D.C., connecting the United States Capitol with the White House and then crossing northwest Washington, D.C., to Georgetown. The avenue runs for 5.8 miles (9.3 km) within the city, with the 1.2-mile (1.9 km) stretch between the White House and the Capitol being the most famous section. This section forms the ceremonial heart of the nation, as described by George Washington as "most magnificent and most convenient".
The two avenues intersect at multiple points along their routes. One notable intersection is between 4th and 5th Streets, where a one-block section of Pennsylvania Avenue NW was renamed Constitution Avenue, leaving Pennsylvania Avenue no longer contiguous. This intersection, which opened in 1933, required the installation of traffic signals to manage the flow of traffic turning between the two avenues.
The avenues also intersect near the White House. After the September 11 attacks, traffic in front of the White House was prohibited, and vehicles were redirected to H Street or Constitution Avenue, which eventually link back to Pennsylvania Avenue. This intersection has been the subject of redesign proposals to integrate security measures with a more welcoming public space.
In summary, while Constitution Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue are distinct thoroughfares in Washington, D.C., they intersect at several points, including near the White House and between 4th and 5th Streets. These intersections have been important in shaping the city's traffic flow and have undergone significant developments over time.
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The one-block section of Pennsylvania Ave. NW between 4th and 5th Streets was renamed Constitution Ave
Constitution Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue are two different avenues in Washington, D.C. Pennsylvania Avenue is a diagonal street that connects the United States Capitol with the White House and continues into Georgetown. It is approximately 5.8 miles (9.3 km) long within the city, and the section between the Capitol and the White House is particularly famous. This stretch is considered the ceremonial heart of the nation and is sometimes referred to as "America's Main Street".
Constitution Avenue, on the other hand, was the result of a renaming of a section of Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 4th and 5th Streets. This one-block section was renamed Constitution Avenue, leaving Pennsylvania Avenue non-contiguous. The renaming occurred in 1933, and the intersection opened on August 17 of that year. The lack of uniform width along Constitution Avenue proved challenging, and the city began widening the roadway to 80 feet (24 meters). Funding for this project came from the city's coffers and federal sources, including a transfer from the AMBC budget and revenue from the federal gasoline tax.
The renaming and widening of this section of Pennsylvania Avenue were part of a broader project to improve the city's infrastructure and enhance the area's appeal. The avenue's width between Pennsylvania Avenue NW and Virginia Avenue NW was approved to be 80 feet (24 m), and from Virginia Avenue NW to the Potomac River, it was set at 72 feet (22 m). The city also agreed to build a 72-foot (22-meter) wide street between North Capitol Street and 1st Street NW and an 80-foot (24-meter) wide street between 1st and 2nd Streets NW.
The Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site, designated in 1965, includes portions of the avenue and surrounding areas, such as the United States Navy Memorial and Pershing Park. Pennsylvania Avenue holds historical significance, with the first reference to the street name appearing in a 1791 letter from Thomas Jefferson. One theory suggests that the avenue was named Pennsylvania as a consolation for moving the capital from Philadelphia in 1800, recognising the state's role in the nation's founding.
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Pennsylvania Ave. is a primarily diagonal street in Washington, D.C
Pennsylvania Avenue is a diagonal street in Washington, D.C., that connects the United States Capitol with the White House. It then crosses northwest Washington, D.C., to Georgetown, becoming MD Route 4 and then MD Route 717 in Upper Marlboro, and finally the Stephanie Roper Highway. The avenue runs for 5.8 miles (9.3 km) in Washington, D.C., but the 1.2 miles (1.9 km) of Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to the United States Capitol is the most famous section. This stretch forms the basis for the Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site and is sometimes referred to as "America's Main Street". It is the location of official parades, processions, and periodic protest marches.
The avenue was designed by Pierre Charles L'Enfant and was one of the earliest streets constructed in the city. The first documented reference to the street as Pennsylvania Avenue was in a 1791 letter from Thomas Jefferson. One theory behind the avenue's name is that it was named for Pennsylvania as consolation for moving the capital from Philadelphia in 1800. The avenue was originally a wide dirt road, but in 1832 it was paved using the macadam method. Over the years, other pavement methods were trialled, including cobblestones, Belgian blocks, and wooden blocks.
Pennsylvania Avenue is an important commuter road and part of the National Highway System. It is also a significant part of American political culture, with a long history of hosting presidential inaugurations, state funerals, and marches and protests for workers' rights, women's suffrage, and civil rights. The street contains a mix of civic spaces, public buildings, monuments, parks, local government offices, residences, hotels, theatres, and museums.
The stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House was established in 1804 when President Jefferson ordered the road to be cut through President's Park. In 1876, the avenue was paved with asphalt by Civil War veteran William W. Averell using Trinidad and Guanoco lakes asphalt. In 1959, Pennsylvania Avenue was extended from the Washington, D.C., border with Maryland to Dower House Road in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. On September 30, 1965, portions of the avenue and surrounding areas were designated the Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site.
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Constitution Ave. and Pennsylvania Ave. are both accessible from the EPA's Federal Triangle campus
Constitution Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue are two distinct avenues in Washington, D.C. Constitution Avenue was previously known as B Street, but it was renamed in the early 1930s. The avenue was also widened to 80 feet (24 metres) between Pennsylvania Avenue NW and Virginia Avenue NW, and 72 feet (22 metres) from Virginia Avenue NW to the Potomac River.
Pennsylvania Avenue, on the other hand, is a primarily diagonal street in Washington, D.C., stretching for 5.8 miles (9.3 kilometres) and connecting the United States Capitol with the White House. A section of this avenue was closed to vehicular traffic after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and the September 11 attacks.
Both avenues are accessible from the EPA's Federal Triangle campus, which is located between 12th and 14th Streets and Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues NW. The main entrance to the campus is on 12th Street NW, half a block south of the intersection of 12th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Visitors can take the DC subway, commonly known as the "Metro," to reach the campus, which is located at the Federal Triangle Metro stop on the Blue, Orange, or Silver lines.
Once visitors exit the turnstiles at the Federal Triangle station, they can take the escalators to street level. The William Jefferson Clinton North (WJC North) building entrance is on the right, while the William Jefferson Clinton South (WJC South) building entrance is on the left. The Reagan Building is located across the courtyard, and the William Jefferson Clinton East and West (WJC East and West) buildings are situated along Constitution Avenue. To get to these buildings from the campus, one would turn right onto 12th Street and then walk to Constitution Avenue.
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Pennsylvania Ave. is part of the National Highway System
Constitution Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue are two different avenues in Washington, D.C. Constitution Avenue was originally called B Street, but it was renamed in 1930. Pennsylvania Avenue, on the other hand, was first referenced in a 1791 letter from Thomas Jefferson. It is believed that the avenue was named Pennsylvania as consolation for moving the U.S. capital from Philadelphia in 1800.
Pennsylvania Avenue is a primarily diagonal street in Washington, D.C., that connects the United States Capitol with the White House. It then crosses northwest Washington, D.C., to Georgetown. The avenue runs for 5.8 miles (9.3 km) in Washington, D.C., but the 1.2 miles (1.9 km) of the avenue from the White House to the United States Capitol building is the most famous section. This stretch is also considered the ceremonial heart of the nation.
In 1995, the Secret Service closed the portion of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House to all vehicular traffic after the Oklahoma City bombing. After the September 11 attacks, all traffic in front of the White House was prohibited, and traffic was redirected to Constitution Avenue or H Street, both of which eventually link back to Pennsylvania Avenue.
Pennsylvania Avenue is an important commuter road and is part of the National Highway System. In 1965, portions of the avenue and surrounding areas were designated the Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site. The National Park Service administers this area, which includes the United States Navy Memorial, the Old Post Office Tower, and Pershing Park.
In 2022, the National Capital Planning Commission launched the Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative to revitalise the avenue by transforming it into a dynamic public space and transportation corridor. The initiative aims to reimagine Pennsylvania Avenue from its current eight-lane design, which primarily caters to cars, to a more inclusive and equitable space.
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Frequently asked questions
No, they are two different avenues in Washington, D.C.
Constitution Ave is an avenue in Washington, D.C. It was previously called B Street but was renamed in 1930.
Pennsylvania Ave is a diagonal street in Washington, D.C., that connects the United States Capitol with the White House. It is approximately 5.8 miles long (9.3 km) in Washington, D.C., and continues for another 9.5 miles (15.3 km) in Maryland.
Yes, they do. The one-block section of Pennsylvania Ave NW between 4th and 5th Streets was renamed Constitution Ave.

























