Best bike route from the White House to the National Zoo?

Question

2 experienced adult cyclists looking for best route from the area of the White House to the DC Zoo. Looking at the map there are no bike trails. Hate traffic. Got spoiled on the Mount Vernon trail last year. I appreciate any tips!

Answer

Cycling from the White House to the National Zoo in Washington DC can be a pleasant ride if you stick to quieter streets and dedicated bike lanes as much as possible. While there isn’t a fully separated bike trail like the Mount Vernon Trail for this route, there are several options that minimize traffic and maximize scenery.

Here are some recommended approaches and tips:

Direct-ish route using Rock Creek Park trails: Start at the White House and head north along 15th Street NW to reach Constitution Avenue NW. From there, take Pennsylvania Avenue NW briefly, then turn onto 17th or 18th Street NW heading north. Connect to the paved trails in Rock Creek Park around P Street NW. The trails in the park are mostly car-free and lead directly toward the zoo, giving a more scenic and traffic-free ride.
Alternate city streets with bike lanes: You can use 16th Street NW or Connecticut Avenue NW northbound. Both streets have marked bike lanes for much of the route. Connecticut Avenue leads toward the Cleveland Park area, where you can then transition onto lower-traffic residential streets heading to the zoo.
Combination route: Start on 15th Street NW or 17th Street NW, enter Rock Creek Park via P Street NW, follow the trail north through the park to the zoo. This combines quieter streets, park trails, and a direct path without major traffic intersections.

Additional tips:

Rock Creek Park trails are multi-use, so be prepared for pedestrians and joggers, especially on weekends.
Use a bike with reliable brakes; some park trails have short steep sections and shared-use crossings.
DC has Capital Bikeshare stations near the White House and the zoo if you prefer a casual, rental bike option.
Check trail maps or use a cycling app to visualize elevation and traffic conditions—some routes through the park have modest hills.
Early mornings or weekday mornings tend to be less crowded on both streets and trails.

Overall, entering Rock Creek Park from the south and following the park trails north to the National Zoo is the preferred option for minimizing traffic and enjoying a scenic ride, while city streets with bike lanes can be used for a faster but slightly busier alternative.