major thoroughfare of Washington, D.C. It runs for 7 miles (11 km) in a northwesterly direction from the District of Columbia–Maryland line over the Anacostia River (John Philip Sousa Bridge) and through Washington's well-known central section lined with government buildings between the Capitol and the White House. It continues past George Washington University to end in Georgetown just west of Rock Creek. Pennsylvania Avenue is the traditional route of presidential inaugural and other major parades.