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Norfolk/Hampton Roads: Generally lower than the U.S. national average, although costs vary by location and expense category, particularly housing.
Childcare – Childcare availability in the Hampton Roads area varies by location, type of care, child's age and family priority. Families are encouraged to begin looking for care as soon as they receive PCS orders.
Navy Child & Youth Programs offers several childcare options, including Child Development Centers, School Age Care, 24/7 care at select locations, and certified Family Child Care homes.
Families seeking military-operated or military-approved childcare should use https://militarychildcare.com/ to search available programs, submit requests for care and view anticipated placement times. Families may also want to explore certified Family Child Care homes and civilian childcare options when installation-based care is not immediately available.
Visit Navy Child & Youth Programs for additional information.
Cell Phones and Driving – Drivers on Navy installations may not use a hand-held cell phone or other hand-held electronic device while operating a vehicle unless the vehicle is safely parked. Hands-free cellular devices may be used unless prohibited by local installation policy. The use of portable headphones, earphones and similar listening devices while operating a motor vehicle is prohibited. Drivers should comply with all posted installation traffic regulations.
Motorcycle Safety Training – Active-duty military personnel who operate a motorcycle are required to complete applicable motorcycle safety training in accordance with Department of Defense and Navy requirements. Civilian personnel who operate motorcycles while on Navy installations must also comply with applicable installation requirements.
Training requirements vary based on the rider's experience, motorcycle type and previously completed training. Riders should consult the Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Motorcycle Training website or their installation safety office for current course requirements, schedules and registration information. Refresher training is generally required at intervals not to exceed five years following completion of Level II training.
Child Passenger Safety – Virginia – Virginia law requires children up to age eight to be properly secured in a child restraint device that meets U.S. Department of Transportation standards.
A child restraint device may not be forward-facing until the child reaches at least two years of age or the minimum weight specified by the manufacturer for a forward-facing seat.
Child restraint devices must be installed in the back seat. If the vehicle does not have a back seat, the restraint may be installed in the front passenger seat only when the vehicle does not have a passenger-side airbag or the airbag has been deactivated.
Children who are no longer required to use a child restraint device but are under age 18 must use a safety belt.
Defense Switched Network Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the Department of War's worldwide telecommunications network used for official government communications. Military installations and DOW organizations have assigned DSN telephone numbers.
Tips for placing a DSN call:
Naval Station Norfolk supports the operational readiness of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, providing facilities and services to enable mission accomplishment. We are committed to safety, security and continuous improvement in quality of life and quality of service for our sailors and families.
Official NAVSTA Norfolk – Mission and Vision
Naval Station Norfolk – History and Installation Overview
The land on which Naval Station Norfolk is located was originally the site of the 1907 Jamestown Exposition. During the exposition, high-ranking naval officers favored the site as an ideal location for a naval base. In 1908, a bill was proposed that would have appropriated $1 million to purchase the property and buildings, but the proposal did not move forward.
Following the United States' entry into World War I in April 1917, the Navy acquired 474 acres at the site and began development of what became the Naval Operating Base. The development included piers, aviation facilities, storehouses, fuel and oil storage, a recruit training station, submarine facilities and recreation areas for fleet personnel.
Naval Station Norfolk is located in the southeastern corner of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the Hampton Roads region. Hampton Roads generally includes the cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton and Newport News and has a population of nearly 2 million people.
Today, Naval Station Norfolk is located in the Sewell's Point area of the City of Norfolk, near the site of the historic Civil War naval battle between the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia. Naval Station Norfolk is the largest naval complex in the world and is home to the Navy's largest concentration of naval forces. The installation supports the U.S. Atlantic Fleet as well as significant joint military missions.
Read more about the history of Naval Station Norfolk through the Naval History and Heritage Command.
The Hampton Roads region, which includes Norfolk and several neighboring cities and counties, has a population of approximately 1.8 million residents. The region is home to one of the nation's largest concentrations of military installations and commands, representing every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Hampton Roads supports a large and diverse military community that includes active-duty service members, reservists, retirees, veterans, military families, DOW civilian employees, and joint and federal personnel. More than 120,000 active-duty, reserve and civilian personnel are associated with the region's military presence.
The Hampton Roads region has a population of approximately 1.8 million residents.
Hampton Roads is home to one of the largest concentrations of military personnel and installations in the United States. The region has 18 military installations representing every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and is home to more than 120,000 active-duty, reserve and civilian personnel.
The region has over 1.8 million people and serves a large community of active duty, retirees, family members and dependents, Reservists, DoD civilians and Joint Forces.
Naval Station Norfolk is located in southeastern Virginia in the region known as Hampton Roads. The region includes the cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson and Williamsburg, as well as York County, James City County, Isle of Wight County and other surrounding communities.
Hampton Roads is home to one of the nation's largest concentrations of military installations and personnel, with every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces represented in the region.
The area offers a wide variety of historic sites, museums, parks and attractions, including the Norfolk Botanical Garden, Virginia Zoo, First Landing State Park, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Water Country USA, The Mariners' Museum and Park, Historic Jamestowne, Colonial Williamsburg, Battleship Wisconsin at Nauticus, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, and Virginia Air & Space Science Center.
Naval Station Norfolk Quarterdeck: 757-341-9400Base/Ship Information: 757-444-0000
Arriving by Air
Hampton Roads is served by two commercial airports:
Norfolk International Airport (ORF)2200 Norview Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23518757-857-3351
Newport News/Williamsburg Airport (PHF)900 Bland Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23602757-877-0221
Norfolk International Airport (ORF)
Personnel arriving at Norfolk International Airport should make arrangements in advance with their sponsor or gaining command for transportation from the airport.
The USO Mid-Atlantic Center is located on the second floor of the Arrivals Terminal, above baggage claim and the rental-car counters. The center provides a comfortable place for eligible military members and families to relax while traveling and offers amenities such as snacks, Wi-Fi, computers, television and games, as well as travel and transportation information.
USO Norfolk International AirportPhone: 757-233-0567Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.–midnight
USO Centers are available to eligible currently serving military personnel and their dependents, military retirees and their dependents with valid DoD identification, and other eligible guests in accordance with current USO admissions policy.
Taxis, rental cars, rideshare services and other ground transportation options are available at the airport. Travelers should verify current fares directly with the transportation provider.
Newport News/Williamsburg Airport (PHF)
Personnel arriving at Newport News/Williamsburg Airport should make arrangements in advance with their sponsor or gaining command for transportation to Naval Station Norfolk.
Rental cars, taxis, rideshare services and private ground transportation are available at the airport. Travelers should verify availability and current fares directly with the transportation provider.
Because Newport News/Williamsburg Airport is located on the Peninsula and Naval Station Norfolk is located on the Southside, travelers should allow additional travel time for traffic and possible delays at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.
From Richmond
Take I-64 East toward Norfolk. Continue through the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and take I-564 toward Naval Station Norfolk. I-564 leads directly toward the installation and becomes Admiral Taussig Boulevard. Follow signs for the appropriate installation gate.
From Philadelphia and the Eastern Shore
Travel south through Delaware toward the Eastern Shore, following DE-1 South to US-113 South, then US-13 South toward the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. After crossing the CBBT, continue on US-13 and follow signs toward I-64 West and I-564/Naval Station Norfolk.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel charges a toll. For a standard passenger vehicle, the current one-way toll is $16 off-peak and $21 during peak periods. A discounted return trip within 24 hours is available to E-ZPass customers. Check current CBBT toll rates before traveling.
From Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia
Take I-95 South toward Richmond, then follow I-295 around Richmond to I-64 East toward Norfolk/Virginia Beach. Continue on I-64 through the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and take I-564 toward Naval Station Norfolk.
From the South via I-95
Take I-95 North into Virginia and take Exit 11A at Emporia for US-58 East. Follow US-58 East toward Hampton Roads and connect with I-64 West, then take I-564 toward Naval Station Norfolk.
Installation Access
Personnel with authorized DOW identification should present their valid identification at the installation gate. Visitors and individuals without authorized installation-access credentials may be required to report to the Naval Station Norfolk Visitor Control Center for access processing.
Visitor Control Center9040 Hampton BoulevardNorfolk, VA 23505757-322-2971
Gate locations and operating hours may change due to operational requirements. Gate 2 on Hampton Boulevard is currently open 24 hours daily. Travelers should check current NAVSTA Norfolk gate information before arrival.
Naval Station Norfolk is served by Hampton Roads Transit's Base Express, a free shuttle service with two routes: Blue and Gold.
The Blue and Gold routes connect personnel to major destinations on Naval Station Norfolk, including the ship piers, Aquatics Center, and locations along Decatur Avenue, Massey Hughes Drive, Gilbert Street and other areas of the installation.
Gold Route
The Gold Route originates at the HRT bus stop near the Navy Exchange and provides service to locations on and around Naval Station Norfolk.
Blue Route
The Blue Route begins at the Gilbert Street and First Avenue bus stop and provides frequent weekday service to locations throughout the installation, including the piers.
Taxi service, HRT local bus service, Uber and Lyft are also available for transportation throughout the Hampton Roads area.
Individual military commands may also provide government transportation for authorized command personnel.
Naval Station Norfolk Quarterdeck: 757-341-9400
Naval Station Norfolk Base/Ship Information: 757-444-0000