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Visitor Information

Arrival & Settling In

Transportation from Airports

Arrivals via commercial air carrier will land at one of three airports in the Washington D.C., and Baltimore areas. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Dulles International Airport are located in the Washington, D.C., metro area. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is close to Baltimore.

Because of our rural location, no public transportation is available between NAS Patuxent River and the airports. To avoid being stranded at an airport, it is important to have either a major credit card or enough cash on hand to spend the night in a hotel or rent a car. Taxi service is available, but may cost more than $150 from the airports to the station.

To be reimbursed for taxi fares or rental car fees, orders must state: Authorized to utilize taxi or rental car from airport to ultimate destination.

Coordinating your arrival with your sponsor or the Command Duty Office may help prevent transportation problems. The Command Duty Office telephone number is 301-342-1095 or DSN 342-1095.

Registration of Vehicles

Military members assigned to, and civilians employed at, NAS Patuxent River must register privately owned motor vehicles with the naval air station Department of Public Safety immediately on arrival.
Registration requirements include:

  1. Proof of motor vehicle ownership and state registration. Valid state registration plates must appear on all vehicles.
  2. A valid state driver’s license.
  3. A valid base identification or Common Access Card.
  4. Certification of current motor vehicle liability insurance in an amount that meets the minimum limits prescribed by the Financial Responsibility Law of the state of Maryland.
  5. Permission for vehicle search upon request by proper authority.
  6. Notify the NAS Public Safety Department pass office of any change in information submitted on the initial registration application.
  7. Familiarization with NASPAXRIVINST 5560.2, Administration of Traffic Regulations.

If the vehicle being registered is a motorcycle or scooter, the operator must complete a motorcycle safety course that meets the requirements established by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. A temporary pass will be issued to allow the operator time to complete the required training, which is offered by the NAS Safety Department.  

Entering the base

Entering Naval Air Station Patuxent River can be confusing for first time visitors. There are three entry gates, all accessible from Route 235 (also known as Three Notch Road) in Lexington Park. The NAS Public Safety pass offices provide various services to Pax River residents, employees and visitors. The offices are open Monday through Friday, except on holidays.

Gate One is at the intersection of Pegg Road and Route 235. Two left-hand lanes will guide you into Gate One. For a landmark, you will see office complexes on both sides of the road just before the gate. You should notice the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum on the left . Make your turn here. Gate One is only open weekdays from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Gate One Pass Office is immediately to your right after you make your turn onto the base.

Gate One services 301-757-1770/1771
The Gate One Pass Office is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vehicle registration, weapons registration, issuance of temporary passes, scheduling and arranging for special events is available during these hours.
 

Gate Two is approximately 3/4 mile south of Gate One, also on the left hand side of 235 (Three Notch Road). It is distinguished by offices, hotels and businesses on the right side of the road, and fence line on the left. The fence marks the boundary of NAS Patuxent River. Gate Two is open 24/7.

After passing Shangri-La Drive, you will have two lanes to the left entering the base. The Pass and ID office is on the right as you make the turn onto the base. Be careful making the turn into the Pass and ID parking lot as you cross lanes with traffic traveling north on 235 turning onto the base.

Gate Two services 301-342-3231/4509
Gate Two Pass Office is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vehicle registration, weapons registration, issuance of ID badges, scheduling and arranging for special events is available during these hours.

Gate Three is approximately two miles south of Gate Two on 235 (Three Notch Road). You will turn left (east) at the intersection of Hermanville Road/Forest Park Road. There are no services at Gate Three. Gate Three is open weekdays from 5:30-8:30 a.m. for inbound and outbound traffic, and from 3:30-5 p.m. for outbound-only traffic.

Webster Outlying Field, in St. Inigoes, visitors must get a pass from one of the NAS Patuxent River Pass and ID offices.