Travel & Arrival Information
Fort Lee is situated alongside the Tri-Cities of Virginia – Petersburg, Colonial Heights and Hopewell – as well as the counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie and Prince George. It is located about 30 miles from Richmond, 135 miles from Washington, D.C., and 95 miles from Virginia Beach.
For more information please select an option below:
Installation Access
Effective 15 June 2015, anyone coming to Fort Lee, that does not have a federal government-issued identification card, will be subject to a background check before being allowed to enter the installation. These individuals will need to go to the Visitor Control Center (VCC) for a background check and an access pass, which can then be used at any gate. Those who show a common access card (CAC card), Military ID, Military Dependent ID, or a federal government-issued PIV won’t be affected.
Learn More or Download Fort Lee Installation Access FAQ
All adults are required to possess valid ID. All juveniles without valid ID must be accompanied by an adult family member.
Drivers must be able to show:
- Valid driver’s license
- Current vehicle registration
- Proof of current insurance
Driving Directions
I-95 Southbound from Arlington
- Proceed south on I-95 merging onto I-295 S via exit number 84A (left exit) toward Rocky Mount, N.C.
- Continue on I-295 S onto VA-36 W/Oaklawn Boulevard via exit number 9B toward Fort Lee/Colonial Heights.
- If you possess an accepted DoD or Federally issued ID:
When you're coming off I-295 via exit 9B toward Fort Lee/Petersburg, proceed to the fourth traffic light and turn left at the Sisisky Boulevard Gate. - If you will need a pass:
(between 5:00 AM and 8:00 PM weekdays or 6:00 AM and 11:00 PM weekends or holidays)
When you're coming off I-295 via exit 9B toward Fort Lee/Petersburg, proceed to the sixth traffic light and turn left at the Lee Ave Gate, then take the immediate right to the Visitor Control Center in The Dukes Welcome Center.
(between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM weekdays)
When you're coming off I-295 via exit 9B toward Fort Lee/Petersburg, proceed to the fourth traffic light and turn left at the Sisisky Boulevard Gate.
Approximate Travel Time: 2 hours, 17 minutes
I-95 Northbound from Rocky Mount, N.C.
- Proceed north on I-95 merging onto I-295 N via exit number 46 toward Washington.
- Continue on I-295 N merge onto VA-36 W/Oaklawn Boulevard via exit number 9B toward Fort Lee/Colonial Heights.
- If you possess an accepted DoD or Federally issued ID:
When you're coming off I-295 via exit 9B toward Fort Lee/Petersburg, proceed to the fourth traffic light and turn left at the Sisisky Boulevard Gate. - If you will need a pass:
(between 5:00 AM and 8:00 PM weekdays or 6:00 AM and 11:00 PM weekends or holidays)
When you're coming off I-295 via exit 9B toward Fort Lee/Petersburg, proceed to the sixth traffic light and turn left at the Lee Ave Gate, then take the immediate right to the Visitor Control Center in The Dukes Welcome Center.
(between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM weekdays)
When you're coming off I-295 via exit 9B toward Fort Lee/Petersburg, proceed to the fourth traffic light and turn left at the Sisisky Boulevard Gate.
Approximate Travel Time: 1 hour, 55 minutes
I-64 Eastbound from Charlottesville
- Proceed east on I-64 merging onto 1-295 S via exit number 177 toward Washington/Norfolk.
- Proceed on I-295 south merge onto VA-36 W/Oaklawn Boulevard via exit number 9B toward Fort Lee/Colonial Heights.
- If you possess an accepted DoD or Federally issued ID:
When you're coming off I-295 via exit 9B toward Fort Lee/Petersburg, proceed to the fourth traffic light and turn left at the Sisisky Boulevard Gate. - If you will need a pass:
(between 5:00 AM and 8:00 PM weekdays or 6:00 AM and 11:00 PM weekends or holidays)
When you're coming off I-295 via exit 9B toward Fort Lee/Petersburg, proceed to the sixth traffic light and turn left at the Lee Ave Gate, then take the immediate right to the Visitor Control Center in The Dukes Welcome Center.
(between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM weekdays)
When you're coming off I-295 via exit 9B toward Fort Lee/Petersburg, proceed to the fourth traffic light and turn left at the Sisisky Boulevard Gate.
Approximate Travel Time: 1 hour, 51 minutes
I-64 Westbound from Virginia Beach
- Proceed west on I-64 merging onto I-295 S via exit number 200 toward Rocky Mount, N.C.
- Merge onto I-295 S using the left side exit toward Bottoms Bridge.
- Proceed on I-295 south exiting onto VA-36 W/Oaklawn Boulevard via exit number 9B toward Fort Lee/Colonial Heights.
- If you possess an accepted DoD or Federally issued ID:
When you're coming off I-295 via exit 9B toward Fort Lee/Petersburg, proceed to the fourth traffic light and turn left at the Sisisky Boulevard Gate. - If you will need a pass:
(between 5:00 AM and 8:00 PM weekdays or 6:00 AM and 11:00 PM weekends or holidays)
When you're coming off I-295 via exit 9B toward Fort Lee/Petersburg, proceed to the sixth traffic light and turn left at the Lee Ave Gate, then take the immediate right to the Visitor Control Center in The Dukes Welcome Center.
(between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM weekdays)
When you're coming off I-295 via exit 9B toward Fort Lee/Petersburg, proceed to the fourth traffic light and turn left at the Sisisky Boulevard Gate.
Approximate Travel Time: 1 hour, 34 minutes
Other installation access points that can be used include the Lee, Mahone and Adams Avenue gates, or the Shop Road gate for Commercial Traffic. Their hours are listed below.
Fort Lee Gates, Hours of Operation
Download Printable Gate Hours Map
| Gate | Hours of Operation |
|---|---|
| Lee Avenue | Monday - Friday, 5 a.m. - 8 p.m. Weekends and Federal Holidays: 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. |
| Mahone Avenue | Monday - Friday, 5 a.m. - 11 p.m. Closed Weekends and Federal Holidays |
| A Avenue | Monday - Friday, 5 a.m. - 8 p.m. Closed Weekends and Federal Holidays |
| Shop Road (commercial vehicle entrance)* |
Mon - Fri: 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Closed Weekends and Federal Holidays.
|
| Sisisky Boulevard | Open 24 hours |
| Jackson Circle | Open 24 hours to residents and authorized guests. |
| Temple Avenue (Ordnance Campus) |
Mon - Fri: 4:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Outbound only). Closed Weekends and Federal Holidays. |
* Commercial traffic must enter through Shop Road Gate but can exit the installation from any gate.
After hours, Weekends and Holidays - Commercial traffic must enter through Sisisky Boulevard Gate.
Starting Aug. 6, weekend visitors will no longer access the post via the drive-thru Visitor Control Center at the Sisisky Boulevard Gate, but rather the VCC at the Lee Avenue Gate.
Richmond International Airport
If you're flying into this area, it's likely you will land at Richmond International Airport (RIC) – the primary commercial airport closest to Fort Lee.
Located seven miles southeast of Richmond's central business district, RIC is 40 minutes from the post, within an hour drive of Williamsburg, and a two-hour drive from Washington, D.C., the Blue Ridge Mountains and Virginia Beach.
Eight air carriers currently serve RIC offering nonstop flights to major domestic destinations and connecting service to points around the globe.
A United Service Organizations Center is available in the terminal for active duty and retired military personnel, National Guard, Reservists, Merchant Marines and their dependents. The USO Center at RIC is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Military ID is required for entry. To learn more about the USO Center at RIC, call (804) 236-7234 or visit www.usocentralva.org.
Ground Transportation
To/From Richmond International Airport
For Advanced Individual Training Soldiers – including Army Reservists, National Guardsmen and Initial Ready Reserve Soldiers – the following companies will provide transportation between Richmond International Airport and the post at no individual cost when provided with a complete copy of the service member's signed military orders to Fort Lee (applies only to initial arrival and final departure in accordance with orders):
- James River Transportation: (804) 249-1052
- Groome Transportation: (804) 222-7226
- CMC, INC.: (804) 222-7790
The companies are also authorized to convey other passengers to/from Fort Lee at their normal rates.
Taxi Service
The taxi companies listed below are authorized to operate on Fort Lee, providing transportation on/around post and in surrounding communities. Other taxi companies may deliver and pick up customers on Fort Lee by request, but may not solicit fares on post.
- Marshall Cabs: (804) 458-3325
- Airport Taxi: (804) 233-4444
Rail Service
Regional and national rail service is provided by AMTRAK. The AMTRAK station is located at 3516 South Street, Ettrick, Va., and the ticket office hours are 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily.
Bus Service
Regional bus service is provided by Greyhound Trailways. The local terminal is located at 108 East Washington Street, Petersburg.
- Toll-free: 1-800-872-7245
- Local: (804) 732-2905
The Petersburg Area Transit operates on Fort Lee providing services to and from the installation to Petersburg with connections to the surrounding communities. Pick-up location is outside the PXtra on Mahone Ave.
Helpful Information
Visitor Center
500 Lee Avenue, Bldg. 5228 (Dukes Building)
Fort Lee, Va. 23801
804-734-4593
Information Assistance: 804-765-3000
The Visitor Center is adjacent to the Lee gate, just off Route 36. The staff can help visitors find a destination on post and answer general questions about installation services and events. The Visitor Center hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed holidays).
Soldier Support Center, Faughn Hall
1401 B Avenue, Bldg. 3400
Fort Lee, Va. 23801
During Duty Hours: 804-734-7784/6722/7752
After Duty Hours: 804-765-7930
Fax: 804-734-6986
The Soldier Support Center is located in building 3400, between B and C Avenues and 16th and 17th Streets. It is the first stop all permanent party Army personnel will need to make when reporting to Fort Lee during duty hours. This includes U.S. Army Medical Department Activity and U.S. Army Dental Command Soldiers. Other services, to include Army recruiters and MEPS cadre, should contact their gaining units for specific instructions.
The staff signs Soldiers in from permanent change of station leave, starts their financial paperwork, schedules new arrivals for their first appointments and directs them to their new unit.
In addition, the staff provides service to all active-duty military, family members, retirees and their family members, as well as Department of Defense Civilians requiring ID cards for employment. This includes registering eligible personnel in the DEERS system, which gives them access to medical care, the Post Exchange system and the commissary.
Personnel requiring a new ID should bring with them all required supporting documentation (such as birth certificate, marriage certificate and power of attorney). In most circumstances, sponsors are required to accompany family members.
The Soldier Support Center is open for general operations from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. After hours, permanent party should report to the Installation Operations Center, building 1107, to sign in off leave and receive required instructions for the next duty day.
When arriving at the Soldier Support Center, parking in the 13th Street lot is recommended.
Soldiers
If reporting for duty or schooling, click here for more info
Regional Climate
The seasonal weather changes in the Tri-Cities area are usually mild. In January, the coldest month, temperatures range from an average high of 50 degrees Fahrenheit to a low of 29 degrees. In July, the warmest month, the average high is 91 degrees with occasional lows near 70 degrees. Severe weather threats for this area include tornadoes, tropical storms, hurricanes, nor'easters and snow storms. New arrivals should check current weather conditions while en-route to this area and use the Fort Lee Status Hotline (804-765-2679) to verify the operational status of the installation if severe weather conditions exist.
