Zero Milestone, Washington D.C.

Name: Zero Milestone
Address: Washington D.C., United States

#49 among attractions in Washington D.C.

Memorial, Historical place, Monuments and statues

Gallery (2)

Map

Gallery

Facts and practical information

The Zero Milestone is a lesser-known but historically significant landmark nestled in the heart of Washington D.C. This small monument, positioned just south of the White House in President's Park, serves as a symbolic reference point for distances in the United States. The idea for such a marker was born from the early 20th-century enthusiasm for road travel and the need for a standardized system to measure distances from the nation's capital.

Constructed in 1923, the Zero Milestone is a monolithic stone of milky-white granite. Its design is modest yet elegant, featuring a compass rose at its top and inscriptions on its sides that denote its purpose and the cardinal directions. The north face bears the words "Zero Milestone," while the other sides hold historical significance, including one that marks the starting point of the first transcontinental motor convoy in 1919, an event in which a young Dwight D. Eisenhower participated.

This memorial may not tower over the city skyline or attract the same level of attention as the Washington Monument or Lincoln Memorial, but it plays a crucial role in the nation's cartographic and transportation history. The Zero Milestone was intended to be the central point from which all road distances in the United States would be calculated, although in practice, many highways use their own starting points.

Alternative names: Coordinates: 38°53'42"N, 77°2'11"W

Address

Northwest Washington (Washington Mall)Washington D.C. United States

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Washington D.C.

Day trips

Zero Milestone – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: The Ellipse, Ford's Theatre, National Sylvan Theater, First Division Monument.

~440 ftS
Park
The Ellipse, Washington D.C.
3 min walk • Nestled in the heart of the nation's capital, The Ellipse is a historic park in Washington, D.C., that offers a unique blend of American heritage and serene green space. This iconic park is situated just south of the White House and serves as a multipurpose gathering...
0.6 miE
Historic performing arts venue
Ford's Theatre, Washington D.C.
15 min walk • Ford's Theatre is a theater located in Washington, D.C. which opened in August 1863. It is infamous for being the site of the assassination of United States President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865.
0.5 miS
Concerts and shows, Theater, Concert hall
National Sylvan Theater, Washington D.C.
13 min walk • The National Sylvan Theater — often simply the Sylvan Theater — is a public sylvan theater on the grounds of the Washington Monument, National Mall, in Washington, D.C. USA. It is located within the northwest corner of the 15th Street and Independence Avenue intersection, about 450 feet southeast of the Washington Monument.
~740 ftNW
Historical place, Monuments and statues
First Division Monument, Washington D.C.
4 min walk • The First Division Monument is located in President's Park, south of State Place Northwest, between 17th Street Northwest and West Executive Avenue Northwest in Washington, DC, United States. The Monument commemorates those who died while serving in the 1st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army of World War I and subsequent wars.
0.6 miE
Museum, Art museum, Art gallery
Madame Tussauds DC, Washington D.C.
15 min walk • Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. was a wax museum located in Washington D.C. the capital city of the United States. The attraction opened in October 2007 and became the 12th Madame Tussauds venue worldwide. and features wax sculptures of famous figures from politics, culture, sports, music and television.
~290 ftN
Historic park offering White House tours
President's Park, Washington D.C.
2 min walk • President's Park, located in Downtown Washington, D.C. encompasses the White House and includes the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the Treasury Building, and grounds; the White House Visitor Center; Lafayette Square; and The Ellipse.
~290 ftW
Monuments and statues
Butt–Millet Memorial Fountain, Washington D.C.
2 min walk • The Butt–Millet Memorial Fountain is a memorial fountain in President's Park in Washington, D.C. in the United States. Dedicated in October 1913, it commemorates the deaths of Archibald Butt and Francis Davis Millet.
~1630 ftSW
Museum, Art museum, Modern art museum
Art Museum of the Americas, Washington D.C.
8 min walk • Art Museum of the Americas, located in Washington, D.C. is the first art museum in the United States primarily devoted to exhibiting works of modern and contemporary art from Latin America and the Caribbean.
0.4 miE
Neo-renaissance architecture, Theater, Concerts and shows
Warner Theatre, Washington D.C.
11 min walk • Warner Theatre is a theatre located at 513 13th Street, N.W. in downtown Washington, D.C. The theatre is part of an office building called the Warner Building located on 1299 Pennsylvania Avenue.
~880 ftN
Tree
White House Christmas tree, Washington D.C.
5 min walk • The White House Christmas Tree, also known as the Blue Room Christmas Tree, is the official indoor Christmas tree at the residence of the president of the United States, the White House.
~1770 ftE
Theater, Concerts and shows
National Theatre, Washington D.C.
9 min walk • The National Theatre is located in Downtown Washington, D.C. and functions as a venue for live stage productions with seating for 1,676. Despite its name, it is not a governmentally funded national theatre, but operated by a private, non-profit organization.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Zero Milestone?

Nearby attractions include President's Park, Washington D.C. (2 min walk), Butt–Millet Memorial Fountain, Washington D.C. (2 min walk), White House vegetable garden, Washington D.C. (2 min walk), South Lawn, Washington D.C. (2 min walk).

How to get to Zero Milestone by public transport?

The nearest stations to Zero Milestone:

Bus

19th St & F St Northwest (11 min walk)
21st St & F St Northwest (15 min walk)

Metro

Federal Triangle • Lines: Bl, Or, Sv (12 min walk)
Farragut West • Lines: Bl, Or, Sv (13 min walk)

Train

L'Enfant (28 min walk)