New Carrollton is located on the Orange Line (Orange Line), one of Washington DC's operational metro corridors. This is the final stop on the line, so all passengers alight here. Trains turn around and head back towards Vienna/Fairfax-GMU.

The station layout follows the standard Washington DC Metro design – entry gates at street level, ticket counters and machines in the concourse, and platforms accessible via escalators, stairs, or lifts.