The cost of living in the Baltimore-Washington Metro Area is 21 percent higher than the national average. Expect higher than average rental and housing purchase prices. Utilities and other expenses are also high. Fort Meade Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) can be located online. Zip Code is 20755.
All phone numbers on post are in the 301 area code unless otherwise indicated. Fort Meade DSN is 312-622-xxxx. National Security Agency numbers are 301-688-xxxx.
The use of hand-held mobile phones and devices (without a hands-free capability) while operating a motor vehicle is strictly prohibited on DoD installations.
It is illegal to text and operate a motor vehicle in Maryland.
Cell Phone usage while driving in Maryland and on Fort Meade
It is illegal in the state of Maryland to use a cell phone without a hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle. On Fort Meade and neighboring installations, it is against regulations to drive while using a cell phone without a hands-free device.
On Post Transportation
Fort Meade is virtually a city in itself. It consists of 5,400 acres with 65.5 paved miles, 3.3 miles of secondary roads and about 1,300 buildings. There is a very LIMITED bus shuttle on post. Having your own vehicle is highly recommended.
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included.
Provide required services, infrastructure, a safe and secure community, and a quality of life that supports mission readiness and the Fort Meade Community.
Fort George G. Meade was established as Camp Meade in 1917 as one of 16 cantonments built to prepare American Expeditionary Forces for WWI. Named after Union Civil War officer, Major General George Gordon Meade, Fort Meade was home to the first women to serve in uniform. The “Hello Girls” served as telephone operators connecting front line troops in France with Stateside operations. After WWI, Fort Meade became home of the Tank Corps, the home to the Army’s first Cook and Baker’s School and the home of the Special Services Unit Training Center where notables like musician Glenn Miller and boxer Joe Lewis trained in uniform to entertain the troops. Future Generals Dwight Eisenhower and George Patton served at Fort Meade. Today, Fort Meade is home to the National Security Agency, U. S. Cyber Command, several other large Military Intelligence units, Defense Information Systems Agency, Defense Media Activity and 116 other agencies which serve as the nation’s platform for Intelligence, Information and Cyber Operations. For more information, go to the Fort George G. Meade web page.
Every day more than 140,000 people seek the services Fort Meade has to offer.
Fort Meade is equidistant between Baltimore and Washington D.C. Fort Meade It is surrounded by:
Anne Arundel County: 590,367
Howard County: 334,897
Prince George’s County: 955,306
Montgomery County: 1.057 million
The entire National Capital Region population is: 13.4 million.
Fort Meade is home to over 18,000 military personnel, representing all services, as well as 40,000+ civilian employees. Over 11,000 family members reside on post and 80,000 in the surrounding communities. There is also a robust retiree population that exceeds 150,000 individuals.
Located in Maryland, midway between the cities of Baltimore, Annapolis and Washington, DC, Fort George G. Meade lies five miles east of Interstate 95 and one-half mile east of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, between Maryland State Routes 175 and 198. Fort Meade is situated within the communities of Odenton, Laurel, Severn, and Columbia.
There is no longer a vehicle registration requirement on Fort George G. Meade.
Please note: Hands free cell phones are the only authorized use of cell phones while driving on Fort Meade.
Headphones are only permitted on running track or sidewalks.
BWI Airport is a convenient 20 minutes away from Fort Meade. At BWI Airport, follow signs for I-195 W; take exit 2B for MD 295 S/Balt/Wash Pkwy towards Washington DC; Merge onto MD295 South; Exit onto Annapolis Rd/ MD 175 E/Odenton Rd towards Odenton. Continue to follow Annapolis Rd/MD-175 E for 2.7 miles and turn right at Mapes Rd into the Ft Meade Main Gate and Visitor Control Center.
From Washington, D.C.: Take I-95 or I-295 North toward Baltimore to MD. State Route 175 East. Follow 175 until it turns into Annapolis Road. Follow the signs to the Mapes main gate. If a non-DOD I.D. holder, be prepared to present identification, vehicle registration and proof of insurance at the gate.
From Annapolis: Take U.S. Route 50/301 West to Interstate 97 North toward Baltimore. Take Md. State Route 32 West toward Odenton/Fort Meade. Take Md. State Route 175 West, Annapolis Road. Follow the signs to the Mapes main gate. Be prepared to present identification, vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
Fort Meade is a great installation at a great location! Fort Meade is conveniently located between Washington D.C. and Baltimore. The installation lies approximately five miles east of interstate 95 and one-half mile east of the Baltimore-Washington parkway, between Maryland State routes 175 and 198. Fort Meade is located near the communities of Odenton, Laurel, Columbia, Severn, and Jessup.
There is a very LIMITED bus shuttle on post. Having your own vehicle is highly recommended.
Fort George G. Meade has no Base Operators, and do not assist with placing morale calls. For DSN access on FGGM, please dial 94 and the 7 digit number.
Use the following DSN's to call Ft Meade:
For prefix 677, dial 622.
For prefix 833, dial 733.
For prefix 225, dial 375.
Release 2024.03.06.1