Where to Live in Maryland When You’re PCSing to NAS Patuxent River (Pax River)

PCSing to NAS Patuxent River means choosing where to live in a part of Maryland that is more rural, very water‑oriented, and spread out compared to many other duty stations. As a Southern Maryland agent who regularly works with Pax River–connected buyers, I help families compare commute time, housing options, and local services so their day‑to‑day life makes sense once they arrive.

Here is the same style of framework used for Andrews, now focused on Pax River.

 Step one: decide your commute and how often you’ll be on base

Before looking at towns by name, I always start with two questions:

1. How many minutes are you willing to commute to Pax River on a typical day?  

2. How often do you need to be on base (5 days a week, hybrid, occasional)?

For NAS Patuxent River, that usually translates to three practical bands:

- 0–15 minutes from base  

  - Includes Lexington Park, California, and immediate surrounding areas in St. Mary’s County.  

  - These locations generally give the shortest door‑to‑door time and the most straightforward drive to the gates.

- 15–30 minutes from base  

  - Includes places like Leonardtown, Hollywood, Great Mills, and nearby communities within central St. Mary’s County.  

  - This band often provides more variety in neighborhoods and housing styles while keeping commute time moderate.

- 30–45+ minutes from base  

  - Can include parts of northern St. Mary’s (such as the “7th District” and other outlying areas), some locations in Calvert County (for example, around Lusby), and more rural or waterfront communities.  

  - Often chosen when households want a particular setting and are comfortable with a longer drive.

Once your commute band is clear, we can quickly narrow the locations that realistically fit your schedule.

 Closest‑in: Lexington Park, California, and immediate surroundings

If being near Pax River is the top priority, I start right around the base and then expand out.

 Lexington Park

Lexington Park borders the installation and contains a lot of the off‑base housing and services that support Pax.

- Commute  

  - Many neighborhoods are just a few minutes from the gates by local roads, making it one of the shortest possible commutes.

- Housing and services  

  - You’ll find apartments, townhomes, and single‑family homes, along with shopping centers, restaurants, and everyday services.

 California

California sits just northwest of Pax River and is frequently mentioned in PCS and relocation guides as a primary off‑base option.

- Commute  

  - Drives from many parts of California to Pax River are often in the 5–15 minute range, depending on exact location and gate.

- Housing and everyday life  

  - Housing includes planned communities, townhomes, and single‑family neighborhoods, with easy access to big‑box stores, grocery options, and local dining.

When I work with Pax‑bound families who want a very short commute, these close‑in areas are usually the first places we map out.

 15–30 minutes: central St. Mary’s County towns

If you’re open to a slightly longer drive for a different style of neighborhood, we look at more of central St. Mary’s County.

 Leonardtown

Leonardtown is the county seat and has a traditional small‑town center.

- Commute  

  - Typical drive time to NAS Pax River is often around 20 minutes, varying with traffic and route.

- Local context  

  - Leonardtown offers a walkable town square, local shops and restaurants, waterfront access, and community events.

 Hollywood, Great Mills, and nearby communities

Areas like Hollywood and Great Mills sit between Leonardtown and Lexington Park, with a mix of subdivisions, rural roads, and local shopping.

- Commute  

  - Many locations here fall in the middle band for commute—commonly around 15–25 minutes to base, depending on exact address and route.

- Housing and setting  

  - These areas offer a mix of single‑family homes on varied lot sizes, plus access to schools, churches, and community recreation in central St. Mary’s.

For many Pax‑area buyers who want a balance between commute time and a more spread‑out feel, this central zone of St. Mary’s often becomes the focus.

 30–45+ minutes: outlying St. Mary’s and Calvert County

If you prefer more rural or waterfront settings and can accept a longer drive, we expand into some outlying parts of St. Mary’s and certain Calvert County locations.

 Northern and western St. Mary’s

More distant St. Mary’s communities, including areas often referred to as the “7th District” and other peninsula communities, can offer water access and lower density.

- Commute  

  - Depending on the exact town, drive times to Pax River can range from roughly 30 to 45 minutes or more.

- Local context  

  - These areas tend to include single‑family homes, many with larger lots, plus marinas, local restaurants, and scenic roads.

 Lusby and nearby Calvert County

Calvert County sits across the bridge to the east of Pax River. Some commuters choose areas such as Lusby and nearby communities.

- Commute  

  - Drives from Lusby to Pax commonly fall in roughly the 30–40 minute range, often depending on bridge traffic and departure time.

- Housing and setting  

  - The area offers single‑family homes, many in established subdivisions or near the water, with a mix of rural and neighborhood environments.

This band often works for households that want a specific setting—such as a particular waterfront or rural community—and plan their commute accordingly.

 On‑base and service‑connected options

For some families, on‑base or military‑managed housing is part of the decision.

- On‑base housing  

  - NAS Pax River has multiple on‑base neighborhoods with different layouts and rank eligibility, allowing for very short commutes and direct access to base amenities.

- Local support and transit  

  - County transit routes run through key parts of St. Mary’s County, including areas near Lexington Park and Leonardtown, with connections to surrounding communities.

When on‑base and off‑base options are both in play, I walk families through the trade‑offs between convenience, space, budget, and how long they expect to be stationed at Pax.

 How I help Pax River families choose where to live

Here is the process I typically follow with families PCSing to NAS Patuxent River:

1. Clarify your commute and schedule  

   We talk about how often you expect to be on base, what times you’ll usually travel, and your maximum acceptable commute.

2. Define your housing and lifestyle criteria  

   We identify your price range or BAH target, preferred home type, lot size, proximity to water or town centers, and any other needs like school preferences or access to specific services.

3. Narrow to a realistic set of areas  

   Based on your commute band and criteria, I outline a short list that can include close‑in areas like Lexington Park and California, central St. Mary’s towns like Leonardtown and Hollywood, and potentially outlying options in St. Mary’s and Calvert County.

4. Compare your top candidates  

   Together we look at commute routes, neighborhood layouts, available housing, and distance to your regular destinations (groceries, healthcare, recreation) in each candidate area.

5. Test the commute from favorites  

   When possible, I recommend doing a trial drive from one or two favorite neighborhoods to the base during realistic times so you can see how the route feels before you commit.

 Ready to explore Maryland options for your PCS to Pax River?

You don’t have to figure out Southern Maryland and NAS Patuxent River housing on your own. As a local expert who regularly works with Pax River–connected families, I help you connect commute patterns, housing options, and neighborhood layouts with what matters most to you.

When you’re ready, I can walk you through close‑in options around Pax, central St. Mary’s communities like Leonardtown and Hollywood, and farther‑out choices in St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties—then help you narrow that list to the homes and locations that best fit your commute, budget, and lifestyle.