Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst  In-depth Overview

Camp Dix is named for MG John Adams Dix, veteran of the War of 1812 and the Civil War. During World War I, Camp Dix was a training and staging center that soon grew to become the largest military reservation in the Northeast. On March 8, 1939, Fort Dix became a permanent Army post and from 1947 until 1988, Fort Dix was designated as a Basic Training Center. As a result of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) recommendations, Fort Dix has become a major training and mobilization center for Reserve Component soldiers. In 2005, base realignment guidelines designated Fort Dix to become part of a mega-installation, merging with McGuire AFB and NAES Lakehurst.

Known as Rudd Field, and established as a part of the Army in 1937, the base transferred to the Air Force in 1949. The base is named in honor of Major Thomas B. McGuire, Jr., the second leading American Air Ace of World War II and posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor.

NAES Lakehurst dates back to 1917, when the command was established as the Naval Aircraft Factory. Because aircraft manufacturers were too busy building planes for the Army, the Navy decided to build the only aircraft factory ever to be completely owned and operated by the U.S. Government. After breaking ground in Philadelphia in August 1917, the first plane, an H-16 Flying Boat, flew off to war eight months later. By the end of World War I, aircraft were coming off the line at the rate of two airplanes per day. Experimental research and development of new types of airplanes was the thrust after the war. Nearly 1000 of the famed N3N "Yellow Peril" airplanes were built here before and during World War II. A total of 1,407 airplanes of six types were produced during World War II, as were 1,300 aircraft engines. Hangars 5 and 6, built in 1943, are among the largest single-arch wooden structures in the world.

In 1962, the center became the Naval Air Engineering Center. It was reorganized in 1967 with various functions moving to several different locations. In 1973, NAEC was transferred to Naval Air Station Lakehurst. In 1977, existing Lakehurst commands were consolidated with NAEC, with NAEC as the host command. In 1992 the NAEC became the Naval Air Engineering Station, Lakehurst, NJ. Lakehurst is most well known as the site of the 1937 crash of the hydrogen powered dirigible, the Hindenburg. On 30 September 2009, a formal ceremony was held to decommission NAES Lakehurst. On 1 October, 2009, Lakehurst formally merged to become Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

For more information, log onto: https://home.army.mil/dix/index.php

In addition, there are more than 60,000 retirees within a 50 mile radius.

As of July 2022:

Burlington County: 464,486; Trenton: 90457; Lakehurst: 2,632; Toms River: 93,674

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst supports over 45,000 active duty, guard, reserve, family members and civilian personnel.

In addition, there are more than 60,000 retirees within a 50 mile radius of Joint Base-McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL).

McGuire and Dix are located in Burlington County, New Jersey (south central) in the Delaware River Region, near Philadelphia, New York City, Atlantic City and the famous New Jersey Shore. The base is located in a wooded, rural/agricultural area which is the least densely populated area in the state. This area is not only rich in the history of the American Revolution but offers a wealth of natural open space, rural farms, little pollution, minimal traffic and great entertainment venues. The cost of off-base housing and car insurance is extremely high in this area. 

Lakehurst is located on the eastern portion of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. - formerly known as Naval Air Engineering Station (NAES) Lakehurst.

Lakehurst lies on approximately 7,400 of the joint base's 42,000 contiguous acres and is centrally located in the New Jersey Pinelands. The eastern side of the base is a resort area located geographically in a high cost of living region of the United States. This is a suburban/rural community and you will need a personal vehicle to take advantage of the services and activities in the area. 

Traveling to Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst (McGuire and Dix)

Location & Background

JB MDL (McGuire and Dix) is located in a lovely, rural agricultural area of southern New Jersey, the least densely populated part of the state. There is very little pollution, traffic or crime in the area. JB MDL has easy access to the New Jersey Turnpike, Interstate 295 and the metropolitan cities of New York and Philadelphia.

From Philadelphia International Airport

Commercial Transportation 

If using a ride-share service, ask for assistance to find the special ride-share pick-up area. 

Driving directions from Philadelphia Airport to JB MDL(about 50-minute ride to JB MDL):

For Air Force personnel:

Head east. Take the ramp on the left to I-95 N 0.7mi
Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Philadelphia/I-95 N and merge onto I-95 N
Take exit 19 for Interstate 76 toward Walt Whitman Br/Packer Avenue
Merge onto I-76 E Entering New Jersey
Take exit 1B to merge onto I-295 N toward Trenton
Exit onto Florence Rd/Rte 656
Continue straight onto Columbus Rd
Continue onto E Main St
Continue onto Mt Pleasant Rd
Turn right onto Wrightstown Georgetown Rd
Continue on road after slight left and you'll be on McGuire Access Hwy
Continue on to Main entrance to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
After passing through gate make the first left before the circle into the parking area.
Follow the parking area back around to the front buildings and you'll find Personnel (MPS).

For Army Personnel:

Head east Take the ramp on the left to I-95 N 0.7mi
Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Philadelphia/I-95 N and merge onto I-95 N
Take exit 19 for Interstate 76 toward Walt Whitman Br/Packer Avenue
Merge onto I-76 E Entering New Jersey
Take exit 1B to merge onto I-295 N toward Trenton
Exit onto Florence Rd/Rte 656
Continue straight onto Columbus Rd
Continue onto E Main St
Continue onto Mt Pleasant Rd
Turn Right on Route 68
Continue on 68 to enter Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (limited Hours)
Through the gate take 3rd exit off circle on Ft. Dix Road
Travel to next traffic circle and take the first right off circle - Delaware Ave
Follow Delaware to Bldg 5418 on your left side about 1 mile up.
Parking is on back side of building.

Military and Family Support Center (MFSC) is located at 3435 Broidy Road near the base exchange.

From Newark International Airport

New Jersey Transit Bus

From Terminal A, B or C take bus 62 toward Newark Penn Station Newark Airport to Broad St.
From Broad St take bus 67B toward Toms Rivers via Brick Twp Parkway Express to Brick Plaza.
From Brick Plaza take Bus 317 toward Philadelphia to Dix or McGuire.
New Jersey Transit Bus #67 runs from Newark to Lakewood Bus Terminal and Bus #317 runs from Lakewood to Dix.

For additional information visit the NJ Transit website.
Shuttle buses are available on JB-MDL. For information call 609-562-5888. To get shuttle schedule visit the JB MDL website (search).

Driving directions Driving From Newark International Airport (about 75-minute ride to JB MDL)

When departing the Newark International Airport follow signs for NJ Turnpike
Proceed south on NJ Turnpike
Exit at Bordentown, Exit 7
Bear left after the toll to Dix
Take Route 206 South for approximately 1/4 mile
Turn left onto Route 68
Proceed for about 8 miles - this will bring you to Route 68 JB MDL Gate and onto the checkpoint.
Continue to circle. Take first right off circle onto 4th Street.
At blinking light (old Walson Army Hospital will be in front of you) turn right onto New Jersey Avenue
Take left onto 8th Street
Soldiers - Take a left onto Delaware Avenue, go to 5418 Delaware Avenue for in-processing.
Airmen - continue on 8th Street and make a left onto Texas Avenue, take second right off circle to Wrightstown Road. Make a right at traffic light onto Cookstown Road.
JB MDL checkpoint will be to your right.

From John F. Kennedy International Airport (about two-hour drive to JB MDL)

There is no military or direct commercial transportation from JFK to JB MDL. Princeton Air porter operates a scheduled run from JFK IAP to Newark IAP. From Newark IAP travelers en route to JB- MDL can switch to the New Jersey Transit bus (see NJ Transit Bus information mentioned above ).

Directions Driving From Washington, D.C.

Take I-95 to New Jersey
After departing Delaware Memorial Bridge look for 295N signs
Stay on 295N exiting at Exit 40A - Moorestown, NJ to Route 38 East
Stay on Route 38 East through Mount Laurel, Hainesport, Mount Holly to Pemberton for about 15 miles
Road will narrow to one lane prior to turn at traffic light in Pemberton
Turn left onto Route 616 (Pemberton-Wrightstown Rd which becomes Ft. Dix Rd)
Proceed for 4-5 miles to the three-way traffic light at Route 68
At the light turn right to the Dix checkpoint
Proceed through the checkpoint
Take first right of the traffic circle onto 4th Street, proceed to traffic light 
Turn right onto New Jersey Avenue.

Trenton Amtrak Train Station

Call 1-800-872-7245 for Amtrak information. There is no NJ Transit bus transportation from the Trenton Train Station to JB MDL, however local taxi service is available. Proximity to site is about 25 minutes.

Traveling to Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst (Lakehurst)

There are no mass transit services directly to Lakehurst. For information on Public Transit in NJ, visit the NJ Transit website.

From Philadelphia International Airport

North to exit for Walt Whitman bridge ($2 toll)
After bridge, follow signs to Route 295 North
Route 295 North to Route 195 East (follow signs & stay right when nearing 195 East)
Route 195 East to exit 16. Left onto Route 537
Route 537 to Route 571 (2nd light). Right onto Route 571
Route 571 to Route 547 (right at 2nd light-Ridgeway Liquor)
Proceed to main gate

From Newark Airport

Parkway South to Exit 88 (Route 70 West)
Follow signs on route 70 West to Route 547 and turn right (Gulf station on right, McDonalds on left)
Bear left down 547 and proceed about ¼ mile to main gate (second gate-after the industrial gate)

From Philadelphia's 30th Street Train Station

East on Market Street to fifth street
Left on Fifth - two blocks to Ben Franklin Bridge ($2 toll)
Cross bridge onto Admiral Wilson Blvd. (Route 30-to Cherry Hill)
2½ miles on Admiral Wilson Blvd. To Route 70 East
Stay on route 70 east approximately 45 miles
Turn left at route 547 (There will be a traffic circle two lights before the turn with the Mike-O-Neal motel on the left. At
547, Gulf station on left and McDonalds on the right.)
Bear left on 547 and proceed about ¼ mile to main gate (second gate-after the industrial gate)

From Trenton Train Station

Clinton Ave to Hamilton Ave (right at 2nd light)
Hamilton Ave to next light. Turn left onto Route 129 South.
Route 129 to Route 195 East (Shore Points)
Route 195 East to exit 16. Left onto Route 537
Route 537 to Route 571 (2nd light). Right onto Route 571
Route 571 to Route 547 (right at 2nd light-Ridgeway Liquor)
Proceed to main gate

Driving to Lakehurst from Patauxent River

Route 2 to 301 east or north
301 (about 896E (4miles) to 13N
13N (16 miles) to Delaware River Bridge ($2)
Immediately as you exit bridge, get on 295N
Route 295 North to Route 195 East (follow signs & stay right when nearing 195 East)
Route 195 East to exit 16. Left onto Route 537
Route 537 to Route 571 (2nd light). Right onto Route 571
Route 571 to Route 547 (right at 2nd light-Ridgeway Liquor)
Proceed to main gate

What to do when You Arrive at the Front Gate

When you arrive at the front gate, show proper ID and seek guidance from Gate Guard. You may be expected to detour to the Pass & ID office during working hours to produce appropriate paperwork for the vehicle that you are driving (registration, insurance, etc.) 

McGuire:  609-754-1110 or DSN 312-650-1110

Dix:  609-562-1011 or DSN 312-562-1011

Lakehurst:  732-323-2011 or DSN 312-624-2011