Fort Belvoir
Fort Belvoir Relocation Information
Welcome to Fort Belvoir
Among the military bases surrounding Washington, D.C., Fort Belvoir is the largest in size and population due to BRAC changes initiated in 2005. Although the Army operates Fort Belvoir, representation from more than 145 mission partners includes all other branches of the military and dozens of federal entities. This makes up a population of 245,000 who live and work on Fort Belvoir.
Fort Belvoir’s location is unique in that it highlights the roots of American history, not only because it rests on the land of indigenous settlers (the Douge Indians), but its intertwined relationship with Washington, D.C. (about 15 miles) and President George Washington’s home on the Potomac River, Mount Vernon (about 5 miles).
Because of its ideal location and distinct seasons, Fort Belvoir and surrounding area residents have access to year-round adventures in Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland that include river, bay, and ocean excursions, cultural activities of every kind, and sporting events; not to mention government and historic buildings to tour.
You won’t get bored in D.C.! Along with so many things to do in NoVA (northern Virginia), tourists visit from across the globe to see the sights. You’ll find something for everyone: festivals, museums, food, wine, and sports. Major events like the Cherry Blossom Festival, Marine Corps Marathon, and National Christmas Tree Lighting require planning.
Read local publications like The Washingtonian and The D.C. Patch, and follow military family Facebook groups to stay up to date on activities. Like the pace in D.C., everything moves quickly. Realize that attractions like the iconic Smithsonian museums easily take weeks to explore. Plan well in advance for visits to the White House or Pentagon.
Those who live near Fort Belvoir also find plenty of recreation outlets within a two to three-hour drive in neighboring West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Moving to Fort Belvoir? Download your free guide to the area now!
Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Belvoir
1. What is Fort Belvoir known for?
Fort Belvoir, Virginia, is known as a strategic U.S. Army installation near D.C., serving as a major hub for defense agencies like the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), intelligence units (ODNI), and R&D, alongside historic significance from its plantation roots and as a key training/support base with unique features like the National Museum of the U.S. Army.
2. Where do the families who are stationed at Fort Belvoir live?
Everywhere! Commute is king around Fort Belvoir. Families live as far north as Maryland and move south 40-50 miles toward Fredericksburg, Virginia, to maximize real estate dollars. Immediately outside of Fort Belvoir’s gates lie the most common cities to live in: Alexandria, Arlington, Springfield, Burke, Woodbridge, and Lorton.
It's very common for dual-military families to choose one of these cities between their two duty stations to equalize commute times. Drivable options around Fort Belvoir include the Pentagon, Fort Meade NSA, Walter Reed, Joint Base Andrews, and Quantico Marine Corps Base.
3. Where do Fort Belvoir kids go to school?
Fort Belvoir is part of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). Younger kids are assigned to Fort Belvoir Upper and Lower elementary schools, which are on base. Middle schoolers are officially assigned Walt Whitman Middle School, and high school kids attend Mount Vernon High School. However, many families take advantage of the opportunities to attend other nearby schools if space allows.
Fort Belvoir is home to many homeschool families, and there are plenty of private schools within a reasonable driving distance.
4. How many gates access Fort Belvoir?
Six gates lead onto Fort Belvoir: Tulley, Lieber, J.J. Kingman, Pence, Telegraph, Walker, and Farrar Gate (Davison Army Airfield). The Visitor Center is located at Tulley Gate. Lieber Gate and Farrar Gate are open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
5. What is the BAH for Fort Belvoir?
Fort Belvoir is in the greater Washington, DC Metro Area. BAH for Fort Belvoir ranges from $3,096 for E-1 to $4,128 for E-9 with dependents, and from $3,213 for O-1 to $4,731 for O-6 with dependents. See the housing section for more info.
6. What is the zip code for Fort Belvoir?
Fort Belvoir's primary zip code is 22060, which covers most of the installation's areas, including housing and facilities, with some specific addresses using variations like 22060-0009 for the Post Office. Nearby zip codes include 22079, 22309, 22315, 22150, and more.
Base Location and Information
Fort Belvoir Address:
9625 Middleton Rd.
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
Military Installations Near Fort Belvoir
Nearby military installations:
Fort Belvoir comprises North Post (area near the commissary), South Post (area near Town Center), and Davison Army Airfield. The majority of Fort Belvoir’s amenities, such as the commissary and Exchange, are either newly built or are extensively updated or remodeled, which makes their usage extremely popular, not only for residents but for nearby military families, veterans, and retirees. The same is true for community resources such as the leisure ticket office and food outlets.
Fort Belvoir Map from Ft. Belvoir Family and MWR
Fort Belvoir’s prime location offers the best qualities of various types of lifestyles. Nearly adjacent to the I-95 Corridor, the base has direct routes to major Eastern Seaboard cities such as New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston, which are all within a day's drive.
Because the greater Washington, D.C. area is dotted with military installations and encompasses not only the District but also Maryland and Virginia, it’s difficult for newcomers to grasp the geography and understand how base locations affect living conditions, especially when it pertains to traffic and commute times.
For simplicity’s sake, the major military presences are categorized by relationship to The Beltway. The Beltway is also known as Interstate 495, the highway that circles Washington, D.C. and the inner suburbs of adjacent Maryland and Virginia.
The location is also readily accessible to mountain activities, as the Shenandoah National Park is just two hours away to the west. Beach lovers take heart; miles and miles of coastline are accessible from Delaware down to Southern Virginia in two to three hours.
If driving isn’t ideal, one of the three major airports in the region, Reagan National, Baltimore Washington International, and Dulles International, offer thousands of domestic and international flights. Similarly, Amtrak is a reliable travel source, often cheaper or comparable to a flight.
Washington, D.C.’s Metro train and bus service is a significant transportation source for the Fort Belvoir region. Popular train stops include Huntington, King Street, Eisenhower, Van Dorn, and Braddock Station.
The cost of living in popular suburbs of Washington D.C. and Fort Belvoir is very high compared to traditional military towns. Newcomers are often surprised that a cost-of-living allowance (COLA) isn’t provided and that it’s very challenging to stay under BAH payments in the most desired neighborhoods, which is why base living remains popular.
Alexandria is the most well-known city near Fort Belvoir, and many families find homes that fit their needs. Keep in mind that there are actually two Alexandrias. One is the City of Alexandria, and the second is Alexandria, Fairfax County. Other than the name, they are completely separate entities. Each has an independent government and school system. This is particularly important to remember when reviewing school choices.
Looking for things to do in Northern Virginia, more information about the surrounding area, and housing? Download your free guide about the Alexandria area:
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Arrival Lodging
Fort Belvoir offers on-base lodging through IHG Army Hotels.
Holiday Inn Express Knadle Hall
9775 Gaillard Road, Building 70
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
(703) 704-8300
Staybridge Suites Building 1208
9215 Woodbury Road, Building 1208
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
(703) 844-0303
To make reservations, visit the IHG Army Hotel site or call 1-877-711-TEAM.
Fort Belvoir Housing
Photo from The Villages - George Washington Village
The Housing Services Office (HSO) assists eligible personnel in finding adequate, affordable rental housing in the immediate surrounding community's. Unaccompanied personnel housing is for junior enlisted service members that report to Fort Belvoir and are assigned barracks rooms under the First Sergeants Barracks Program (FSBP). The Army RCI and privatized housing partner is The Villages at Belvoir.
The Villages offers premier on-post housing to eligible personnel and their families. Fifteen housing villages provide homes ranging from three to five bedrooms to service members of all branches. The on-post Town Center is a hub of retail outlets, including Starbucks and Domino’s Pizza. Community members also have access to neighborhood gyms, pools, playgrounds, and sponsored entertainment.
9851 Harding Place
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
(703) 805-3019
Fort Belvoir Off-Post Housing
Old Town Alexandria. Image from Canva.
Base Search
City Search
Near Fort Belvoir, choosing an off-base home often comes down to ranking and balancing personal preferences as associated with budget, commute, and school accessibility. Each family’s priorities will determine the best location to search for a home. In most cases, residents can expect to pay premium prices for homes for sale and rent that are zoned for top schools or have very convenient commutes. Homes with larger property sizes and smaller price tags, have longer commute times.
Commuting routes are challenging near Fort Belvoir. Although many places of work and home destinations are less than 15 miles in distance, at peak traffic hours, it's not uncommon for drive times to measure beyond one hour and more.
Military families searching for homes should be aware that although stand-alone single-family homes are the most popular, townhouse, condo, and apartment living are all comparable options. For example, some neighborhoods only cater to those interested in townhomes, and single-family homes aren't available.
It's highly recommended that you consult a qualified real estate agent knowledgeable about your desired area. It’s common for agents to be licensed in DC/MD/VA, but some choose only to work in one or two states or the District.
Washington, D.C. real estate can be a challenge for first-timers. Both property and money move quickly and often in cash transactions. Unless PCS’ing from other expensive locations such as San Diego or Hawaii, you’ll want to prepare savings accounts to adjust to rental and home buying costs.
There isn’t a shortage of neighborhoods to choose from! Each offers a unique setting, feel, vibe, and pro/con list. It’s up to each house-hunter and their real estate agent to research the vicinity to find the perfect match.
Fort Belvoir BAH
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S.-based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed service members compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Fort Belvoir is near the National Capital Region, with many options to buy or rent. Some sample Fort Belvoir BAH rates for zip code 22060:
- E-1 with dependents: $3,096
- E-1 without dependents: $2,409
- E-9 with dependents: $4,128
- E-9 without dependents: $3,447
- O-1 with dependents: $3,213
- O-1 without dependents: $3,054
- O-6 with dependents: $4,731
- O-6 without dependents: $3,999
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Area Weather & Climate
Cherry Blossoms and the Jefferson Memorial via Ron Cogswell
Fort Belvoir’s weather patterns include a little bit of just about every phenomenon: cold winters with an occasional blizzard, a blustery and wet spring season, very humid and hot summers with the potential for hurricane residue from the coast, and a colorful but temperate and short-lived fall season.
Summer: July high is around 87 degrees.
Winter: January low is around 28 degrees.
Rain: About 43 inches of rain per year.
Snow: About 14 inches of snow per year.
Residents need all the gear in and around the National Capital Region, from shorts and bug spray to shovels and winter boots. The good news is that if a heat wave or cold front sets in, it typically heads out in a week or two.
Worth noting:
- Weather forecasters often use I-95 as a dividing line to describe transitioning weather.
- Areas north and west of D.C. take on weather from the Shenandoah Mountains.
- East of the city, the weather is influenced by coastal weather patterns.
Fort Belvoir Area Schools
Via Fairfax County Public Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools serves students who reside on and around Fort Belvoir. The school system is the 10th largest in the country and educates 188,000 students each year. These stats can be intimidating for families who are used to smaller school sizes, but FCPS offers highly sought-after specialized learning opportunities throughout the system, including language immersion, AAP, AP, IB, ESOL, fine and performing arts, STEAM, and special education classes, just to name a few programs.
Because Fort Belvoir’s educational opportunities are so vast and varied, it’s important to contact the Fort Belvoir Student Liaison Officer (SLO) to ensure the right educational track for each military child, whether public or private. The SLO answers questions about transfer credits, curricula, and specialty programs.
Private schools in the Fort Belvoir area include Saint Louis Catholic School, Bishop Ireton, Montessori School of Alexandria, The River Farm Cooperative School, Metropolitan School of the Arts, Browne Academy, Burgundy Farm Country Day School, and Episcopal High School.
Visit Private School Review for more information regarding private school education near Fort Belvoir. Homeschool families should follow the Virginia’s Department of Education homeschool regulations.
Support for Military and Families
There is much support for military families on and around Fort Belvoir. The Washington, D.C., area is inundated with various support systems. From employment to education and recreation, a group is eager to share opportunities with military families.
Some recognizable names include:
Fort Belvoir is also exceptionally connected to helpful organizations, including the USO Metro and Fisher House. Fort Belvoir offers its own employment-readiness programs through MWR, in addition to continuing education guidance through the Barden Education Center.
Some more helpful links:
Things to Do Near Fort Belvoir
Image from Canva
Near Fort Belvoir, you can visit historical sites like George Washington's Mount Vernon and The National Museum of the United States Army, enjoy nature at Huntley Meadows Park and Pohick Bay Regional Park, go shopping and dining in nearby areas like Old Town Alexandria and NoVA, and enjoy outdoor activities such as cycling and hiking on trails like the Mount Vernon Trail and Pohick Loop Trail.
History & Museums
Nature & Outdoors
- Huntley Meadows Park: Experience a beautiful park known for its nature and walking trails.
- Pohick Bay Regional Park: Enjoy the outdoors with trails, boating , and campgrounds.
- Great Falls National Park
- Mount Vernon Trail: Enjoy the beautiful views of this nearby park.
Shopping & Dining
- Old Town Alexandria: Explore this charming historic town for shops, restaurants, and local flavor.
- Tysons Corner Center: Visit the large shopping mall nearby.
Other Activities
- Fort Belvoir Golf Club: Play a round of golf at the on-base course.
- The Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Center: Explore this large aviation and space museum near Dulles Airport
A Pentagon Tour is one of the first tours families often take upon arriving in the D.C. area — schedule it well in advance. Find more information at Pentagon Tours FAQ.
More Fort Belvoir Area Info
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Base Address:
9625 Middleton Rd.
Fort Belvoir
,
22060-5932