The station opened on July 1, 1977.
Its opening coincided with the completion of 11.8 miles (19.0 km) of rail between National Airport and RFK Stadium and the opening of the Capitol South, Crystal City, Eastern Market, Farragut West, Federal Center SW, Federal Triangle, Foggy Bottom–GWU, L'Enfant Plaza, McPherson Square, National Airport, Pentagon, Pentagon City, Potomac Avenue, Rosslyn, Smithsonian, and  Stadium–Armory stations.

In May 2018, Metro announced an extensive renovation of platforms at twenty stations across the system.
The platforms at the Arlington Cemetery station would be rebuilt in September 2021.

On March 19, 2020, this station closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The station reopened on August 23, 2020.
The station opened on July 1, 1977. Its opening coincided with the completion of 11.8 miles (19.0 km) of rail between National Airport and RFK Stadium and the opening of the Capitol South, Crystal City, Eastern Market, Farragut West, Federal Center SW, Federal Triangle, Foggy Bottom–GWU, L'Enfant Plaza, McPherson Square, National Airport, Pentagon, Pentagon City, Potomac Avenue, Rosslyn, Smithsonian, and  Stadium–Armory stations.
In May 2018, Metro announced an extensive renovation of platforms at twenty stations across the system. The platforms at the Arlington Cemetery station would be rebuilt in September 2021.
On March 19, 2020, this station closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The station reopened on August 23, 2020.
Arlington Cemetery station