Following the Maps
Overlaying the Map
Fallout 3's map covers a vast area across DC, MD, and VA. (Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia). Otherwise referred to as the DMV by locals.
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It can be scaled and overlaid onto the real world map in such a way that it follows the natural path of the Potomac River quiet nicely.
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Furthermore, It can be seen that the brighter green area at the bottom right-hand side of the map, portraying the Capital Wasteland, fits fairly well within the diamond borders of the real worlds Washington D.C.
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At first glance, it would give the impression that this would be the actual scale and that the Fallout 3 map is a good representation of this area for these reasons alone.
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It could also lead you to assume that the Fallout 3 map would then offer many of the locations found within the real world area it engulfs.
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However...
The Main Map
Explore the area!
The main map found here, will contain all of the locations in the Capital Wasteland that have currently been found though episodes for some locations are still underway. Additionally, as some locations may also still be under investigation, marked with "*", you'll still be able to get a glimpse of where they are ahead of all the final content.
The main map will give you the freedom of exploring and finding the found locations all at once with the additional features of maps such as map-views and street-view for example.
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(Some locations are still under investigation and have been roughly placed on the map in the general area where they should be found based on the positioning of other found locations. Please be aware until further research has been done, some of these locations may be subject to change.)
Comparing the Maps
A new location has been found!
Searching for locations across the maps is probably the important aspect with this series. Aside from being entertaining, it's also illuminating to discover how the Fallout 3 map and our real map compare. Below, you'll be able to search for a location and discover how it compares between both maps.
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Type in the name of a Capital Wasteland Fallout Location in the into the "Enter a Location" field above the Fallout 3 Map, if it has been located, it will populate the "..." field above the Real Life Map. Click on the Location name that appears to populate its placement on the maps.
Fallout 3 Map
Real Life Map
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Play the random game and see where on the map you'll land.
Metro Maps
Mapping the Underground?
The DMV area contains transportation systems for trains, planes, boats and automobiles! There are roads and highways leading everywhere and it has the traffic to show it. To accommodate the ever growing traffic, the DMV metropolitan area also provides a Metro system. This being one the more memorable additions found in Fallout 3.
The DC Metro system, that branches out across the DMV, began building in 1969 and started operating Metrorail lines in 1976. It serves 98 stations and 128 miles of track.
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Due to the size of the this transit system and the accessibility that it offers the DMV area, it would seem almost impossible to not have it included in the Fallout 3 wasteland.
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Discovering Metro stations while venturing across the wasteland becomes a very common occurrence. It's a fun alternative to travel through to quickly reach other locations.
Coming across the Metro Map is also a nice treat, especially to DMV locals, though it only seems to represent half of what actually exists.
Futhermore, much of what remains of the Metro system in Fallout 3 has suffered a great deal of damage from the Great War. Thus making the reliability of the Metro map somewhat questionable.
Click on the Polaroids gallery to expand and view images about this episode.
Zoned Maps
Extra Areas?
The Fallout 3 Pipboy Map does a great job of showing just how much of the DMV can be explored. However, it wont be hard to discover that there are many outdoor, open air, areas that are not directly accessible as you adventure and progress through the wasteland.
The city of DC is a large culprit of this! After all, the Capital Wasteland has been heavily nuked resulting in many buildings being destroyed and spilled into the streets, thus blocking any or all direct paths. You'll need to load into buildings, metro tunnels or other spaces to make your way through to these additional areas.
Areas such as the Arlington National Cemetery or the DC National Mall are great examples of this as they (and some others) are large open spaces that simply cannot be walked right into. Nonetheless, these areas have their own maps to explore and to be looked at!
Location: Dupont Circle
Area: Washington DC (The Capital Wasteland)
Status: Inspired
Findings: All roads lead here
Dupont Circle is one of few large roundabouts found in Washington DC, but is likely the one that most will know about. This is because it is the only roundabout that provides easier access into the city for commuters with a main street that stretches into a neighboring state, Maryland.
Dupont Circle acts like a central hub into and out of the Capital Wasteland with many routes passing through the area, both above and below ground via the Metro's Red Line.
And yet with so many paths leading to Dupont Circle both pre and post Great War, we cannot just walk there via the main map.
Click on the Polaroids gallery to expand and view images about this episode.
Location: National Mall
Area: Washington DC (The Capital Wasteland)
Status: Inspired
Findings: Never Ending War
The National Mall is the heart of the Capital Wasteland with its iconic lawns, paths and reflecting pool. It's the one place that comes to mind when discussing Washington DC for it's home to a number of memorable monuments and museums found among its surrounding borders.
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From the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol Building, it covers a little over 2 miles and can take 2-3 hours to walk point to point.
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​In Fallout 3, the area is represented well and it's truly amazing to wander about such an iconic area to experience it in the setting of Fallout's unique apocalyptic wasteland style.
Click on the Polaroids gallery to expand and view images about this episode.
Keeping Track
Does it exist?
We should also keep tabs on the locations we find to see how many are clearly inspired by locations in the real world. If some aren't as clear but could be potentially influenced by structures that exist in the spots where they would be found and of course those which obviously do not exist in our reality.