Living in Bowie with orders to Joint Base Andrews
Bowie gives you more house and more yard for the money than most places inside the Beltway, and Andrews is a straightforward drive south. Here is how the commute, the neighborhoods and the VA loan math work.
Commute from Bowie to Andrews
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 15 miles from central Bowie |
| Typical drive | 20 to 35 minutes, longer at peak |
| Main routes | MD-193 or US-301 to MD-214, then I-95/I-495 to Allentown Rd or the Main Gate |
| Closest Bowie areas | South Bowie: Mitchellville, Fairwood, Collington, Woodmore |
Drive times are typical ranges, not guarantees. More routes in our Bowie commuting guide. Bruno can map your exact gate and shift times before you tour.
Bowie neighborhoods closest to Andrews
- Fairwood: newer construction, larger lots, close to MD-214 toward the Beltway.
- Mitchellville: established single-family streets and townhomes on the south side.
- Collington: townhomes and single-family homes near US-301.
- Woodmore: larger homes and a golf community near the Beltway.
See every area in our Bowie neighborhood guide and Bowie schools guide.
Getting on Joint Base Andrews: gates and access
- Main Gate: from Allentown Road, Capital Beltway Exit 9.
- Virginia Gate: from Branch Avenue (Route 5) by way of Virginia Avenue. Pearl Harbor Gate: off Dower House Road. North Gate: its own exit from Suitland Parkway.
- Visitors without base credentials stop at the Visitor Control Center first, open weekdays 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and closed weekends (301-981-0689).
Gate hours and access rules change. Confirm them on the official installation page before your first day.
Getting there without driving
There is no verified train or bus route from Bowie to Andrews, so most people drive. Because Andrews has four gates on four different roads, it pays to know which gate is closest to your unit before you pick a neighborhood. From Bowie, Pennsylvania Avenue (MD-4) connects to Dower House Road and the Pearl Harbor Gate.
Money and timing
- BAH is set by your duty station, not by where you live. Look up your rate in the DoD BAH calculator with the duty station ZIP on your orders (for Joint Base Andrews that is usually 20762), not a Bowie ZIP. Source: DoD Travel Management Office. More in how far BAH goes in Bowie.
- From April to September 2026, Bowie homes sold at a $500,000 median (Bright MLS). See the monthly payment on a $450K Bowie home.
- VA loans work on Bowie single-family homes, townhomes and VA-approved condos. Details on the VA loan in Bowie page.
- Buying before you report is common. Here is the PCS home buying timeline.
Common questions
How far is Bowie from Joint Base Andrews?
Central Bowie is about 15 miles from Joint Base Andrews. Most commutes run 20 to 35 minutes depending on which gate you use and the time of day.
Which Bowie neighborhoods are closest to Andrews?
South Bowie neighborhoods such as Mitchellville, Fairwood, Collington and Woodmore sit closest to MD-214 and the Capital Beltway, which shortens the drive.
Can I buy a home in Bowie before I report to Andrews?
Yes. Many buyers start remotely with video tours and close before or right after report date. Bruno can tour homes live on video, and the VA loan process can run while you are still at your current station.
Is Bowie also a good fit if my spouse works in DC?
Often, yes. Bowie has the Bowie State MARC station on the Penn Line to Union Station, and New Carrollton and Largo Metro stations are a short drive away.
Which Andrews gate should I use from Bowie?
It depends on where your unit sits on base. Andrews has four commuter gates: Allentown Road (Main), Branch Avenue (Virginia), Dower House Road (Pearl Harbor) and Suitland Parkway (North). Ask your sponsor which one your building uses, then Bruno can match homes to that route.
Orders to Andrews? Get a plan built around your report date.
Answer a few questions and get a written PCS plan: target neighborhoods, budget with your BAH and a timeline. Or just text Bruno.