Living in Bowie with orders to Coast Guard Headquarters
Coast Guard Headquarters sits on the St. Elizabeths campus in Southeast DC. Bowie gives you a suburban base with a direct route in on I-295.
Commute from Bowie to Coast Guard HQ
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 19 miles from central Bowie |
| Typical drive | 30 to 45 minutes |
| Main routes | US-50 west to DC-295 / I-295 south |
| Metro | Green Line to Congress Heights, with a transfer from Largo or New Carrollton |
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 Coast Guard HQ
- West Bowie and Belair sections near US-50.
- Mitchellville and Fairwood with Beltway access.
- Townhomes near Bowie Town Center.
See every area in our Bowie neighborhood guide and Bowie schools guide.
Getting on Coast Guard Headquarters: gates and access
- Headquarters sits on the West Campus of the historic St. Elizabeths Hospital. Don’t put the mailing address in your GPS. The Coast Guard suggests 2701 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE instead.
- Gate 4, at the end of St. Elizabeths Road SE, is the visitor entrance. The visitor center there is open weekdays 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Gate 6 is only for visitors cleared in advance.
- A sponsoring employee must submit visitor requests at least 48 hours ahead, and visitors need a REAL ID or similar photo ID.
Gate hours and access rules change. Confirm them on the official installation page before your first day.
Getting there without driving
Take the Orange or Silver Line from New Carrollton to L’Enfant Plaza, then the Green Line to Anacostia, the closest Metrorail station. Metrobus routes from Anacostia stop just outside Gate 4. WMATA renamed many bus routes in 2025, so check the current route number.
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 Coast Guard Headquarters that is usually 20593), 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 Coast Guard Headquarters?
About 19 miles. Most drives take 30 to 45 minutes via US-50 and I-295.
How do I get to Coast Guard Headquarters by Metro?
Ride to Anacostia on the Green Line, then take a Metrobus that stops outside Gate 4. Driving, use I-295 Exit 3A to Suitland Parkway, then Firth Sterling Avenue SE. If you pass under I-295 and see the JBAB entrance, you have gone too far.
Is there a Metro option?
Yes. The Green Line serves Congress Heights near St. Elizabeths, with a transfer from Largo or New Carrollton.
Can I start before I arrive?
Yes. Bruno handles video tours and times closing around your report date.
Orders to Coast Guard HQ? 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.