Naval Air Station Patuxent River  In-depth Overview

Patuxent River is home to the Naval Air Systems Command and the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division headquarters. NAVAIR's Aircraft Division at Patuxent River (including the Webster Field Annex) is the Navy's full spectrum acquisition, research, development, test, evaluation and engineering and fleet support activity for manned and unmanned aircraft, engines, avionics, aircraft support systems and ship/shore/air operations. With more than 165,000 air operations annually, activities at Patuxent River fly 140 different aircraft over 780 restricted and 5,000 controlled square miles. Capabilities range from concepts analysis and procurement to flight testing and support equipment. NAS Patuxent River is under the command of Naval District Washington (NDW). NDW is one of ten regions reporting to Commander, Navy Installations. Headquartered at the Washington Navy Yard, NDW is the regional provider of common operating support to twenty Navy installations, including Naval Air Station Patuxent River. NDW is also known as the Quarterdeck of the Navy.

Situated on a peninsula between the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay, NAS Patuxent River is located on 6,400 acres (26 km²) of what was once prime farmland, consisting of several large farms, Mattapany, Susquehanna, and Cedar Point, as well as numerous tenant and sharecropper properties and a few clusters of vacation homes. The Cedar Point community included several churches, a post office, and a gas station. Some of the old homes now serve as quarters for Navy personnel stationed there. In 1937, the Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics sought to consolidate aviation test programs, previously being conducted at several stations, including Dahlgren and Norfolk, Virginia, the Washington Navy Yard, and Naval Air Station Anacostia in Washington, D.C., and the Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Cedar Point was selected due to its remote location on the coastline, well removed from air traffic congestion, with ample space for weapons testing.

• 2,400 active duty personnel 
• 4,500 family members
• 9,800 federal employees
• 5,700 defense contractors
• 400 non-appropriated-fund employees

St. Mary's County, Maryland Population 2019. St. Mary's County, Maryland's estimated population is 113,510, according to the most recent United States census data. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/Census

The Navy is the largest employer in the community with over 20,000 employed on the station. This includes about 3,000 active duty, 7,800 federal employees, 9,000 defense contractors, 400 non-appropriated-fund employees, and 4,500 family members.

Naval Air Station Patuxent River stretches across approximately 12 miles of shoreline at the mouth of the Patuxent River in St. Mary's county, overlooking the picturesque Chesapeake Bay, 65 miles southeast of Washington, D.C. and 75 miles south of Baltimore. NAS Patuxent River covers more than 13,800 acres, including the Bloodsworth Island Range and the Webster Field Annex, which is located about 15 miles south of the station. Patuxent River is located outside of Lexington Park in southern Maryland. The base operator's phone number is 301-342-3000 or DSN 312-342-3000.

There are no airports in the immediate vicinity of NAS Patuxent River. There are, however, 3 major airports in the Washington, DC Metro area. These are Dulles International (IAD) in Dulles,Virginia; Baltimore-Washington International (BWI); and Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Va.

Washington Dulles International (IAD)

Drive East on Saarinen Circle for 13.0 miles, then merge onto VA-267 E (Dulles Toll Rd) (toll required for some segments)  for 0.9 miles. Take Exit 18 (I-495, Baltimore, Richmond) on the right, and drive for 29.2 miles. Take Exit 11A (MD-4 SOUTH/EAST, Pennsylvania Av, Upper Marlboro) on  the right, and continue onto MD-4 S (Pennsylvania Av). Drive south on MD-4 for approximately 49.5 miles. Continue through Prince Frederick and over the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge. Go to the traffic light at the intersection of Routes 4 and 235 and turn left onto Route 235. Gate 1 is on the left at the intersection of Route 235 and Pegg Road. Gate 2 is on the left at the intersection of Route 235 and Great Mills Road (Route 246). Both intersections have a stop light.

From Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)

Take Route 1 south to I-95 toward Baltimore. Go about 4 miles to Route 210 south toward Indian Head. Go 10 miles to Route 228 and turn left toward Waldorf. Go 6 miles, cross Route 301, and keep straight onto Route 5 south. Route 5 will become Route 235 as you continue straight. Continue on Route 235 to Lexington Park. Gate 1 is on the left at the intersection of Route 235 and Pegg Road. Gate 2 is on the left at the intersection of Route 235 and Great Mills Road (Route 246). Both intersections have a stop light.

From Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)

Take I-97 south to Route 3 south. Route 3 will become Route 301 south. From 301 south exit to Route 4 south. Continue through Prince Frederick and over the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge. Go to the traffic light at the intersection of Routes 4 and 235 and turn left onto Route 235. Gate 1 is on the left at the intersection of Route 235 and Pegg Road. Gate 2 is on the left at the intersection of Route 235 and Great Mills Road (Route 246). Both intersections have a stop light.

From Route 301 or I-95 (3 Options)

Route 234 South off of Route 301

Go about 20 miles to intersection of Route 5 south - make a right. Continue straight about 15 miles to Great Mills Road (Route 246, light) and turn left. Go approximately four miles and Gate 2 is at the end of Great Mills Road. For Gate 1 turn north on Route 235 and Gate 1 is on the right at the intersection of Pegg Road and Route 235.

Route 4 South from Route 301 or I-95

Go about 45 miles from Route 301 (8 miles further from I-95), across the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge to Route 235. Turn left onto Route 235 and go about 5 miles. Gate 1 is on the left at the intersection of Route 235 and Pegg Road. Gate 2 is on the left at the intersection of Route 235 and Great Mills Road (Route 246).

Route 5 South from Route 301 or I-95

Go to Waldorf where Route 5 will turn left going toward Lexington Park. When Route 5 turns right (about 20 miles from Waldorf), continue straight on Route 235. Gate 1 is on the left at the intersection of Route 235 and Pegg Road. Gate 2 is on the left at the intersection of Route 235 and Great Mills Road (Route 246). Both intersections have a stop light and are clearly identified by street signs.

After entering Gate 1, continue straight to Cedar Point Road (at the third traffic light). Turn left to Building 409, your check in spot, which is on the right at the intersection of Cedar Point Road and Tate Road. After entering Gate 2, continue straight on Cedar Point Road to Building 409 (approximately a mile down on the right just before the second light). In Building 409, you will check in at the Command Duty Office.

Naval Air Station Base Taxi Service was suspended as of 18 March 2013 as directed by Commander, Navy Installation Command, as a result of the ongoing budget constraints.

301-342-3000 or DSN 312-342-3000 (Fully Automated System)