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United States National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health

Directions to NLM

Table of Contents

General Information

NLM Address:
National Library of Medicine
8600 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20894

The National Library of Medicine is located approximately 5 miles from the District of Columbia in Bethesda, Maryland. The Library and Lister Hill buildings are at the southeast corner of the campus of the National Institutes of Health. The NIH, like all Federal Government facilities, has instituted safety and security measures. Visitors must enter the campus through the central location for registering and orienting visitors (the Visitor Gateway Center) and show one (1) form of identification (a government-issued photo ID--driver's license, passport, green card, etc.); visitors should continue to wear their identification prominently at all times while on campus. The Visitor Gateway Center is located at the South Drive near the exit of the Metro system's Medical Center stop.

All visitors are encouraged to use Metro or other public transportation if at all possible. Parking for visitors is always in short supply at NIH, especially during conferences, and parking regulations are strictly enforced with tickets and tow trucks. In addition, all visitor and commercial vehicles will be inspected. Visitors who drive should allow extra time for this vehicle inspection procedure.

See NIH Visitors and Security and Security Procedures for On-Site Researchers at NLM for more information.

A valid picture ID is required to enter the Library.

By Metro

Take Metro's Red Line to the Medical Center Station; upon exiting the escalator, proceed to the Visitor Gateway Center. The Library is 2 blocks (approximately 200 yards) south of the visitor center. Visit the Metro Web site for information on fares and schedules: http://www.wmata.com/tripplanner/maps.cfm.

By Bus

Maryland
RIDE ON - Montgomery County - 301-217-7433
CALL-A-BUS - Prince George's County - 301-925-5656
Virginia
DASH - Alexandria - 703-370-3274
CUE - Fairfax - 703-385-7859
Washington DC
Metrobus - 202-637-7000. Metrobus routes making daily stops at NIH/NLM are J2 and J3.

By Taxi

Barwood Taxi
301-984-1900
Baltimore-Washington Limo
800-438-5001

Advise the driver to stop either at the main entrance of NLM (facing Wisconsin Avenue) or the ten-story Lister Hill Center (building 38A) adjacent to the main building (refer to Washington DC area road map and NIH campus map).

By Car

As mentioned above, all visitor and commercial vehicles will be inspected at the South Drive entrance. NIH-related traffic advisories and safety information are available on AM 1660; the broadcast range is within a few miles of the NIH campus.

Directions from Baltimore: Take I-695 to I-95 (South) to I-495. On I-495 proceed West toward Silver Spring. Continue on I-495 to Exit 34, Route 355 North to Rockville. Stay in the exit lane and follow the signs to Route 355 South (Bethesda), also known as Rockville Pike/Wisconsin Avenue. Continue south about 2 miles and turn right at South Drive onto campus and join the security line for visitors. After inspection and visitor badging, continue down South Drive to the first stop sign. Make a left onto Center Drive and proceed until you come to the library, Building #38, on the right. (Also available are a Washington DC area map and an NIH campus map).

Directions from Frederick: Take I-270 (South) toward Washington and I-495. Where I-270 and I-495 split, follow the signs to I-495. Take the exit for 355 South (Bethesda) onto Rockville Pike/Wisconsin Avenue. Continue south about 2 miles and turn right at South Drive onto campus and join the security line for visitors. After inspection and visitor badging, continue down South Drive to the first stop sign. Make a left onto Center Drive and proceed until you come to the library, Building #38, on the right. (Also available are a Washington DC area map and an NIH campus map).

Directions from Virginia: Take I-95 North to I-495. Proceed on I-495 in the direction marked "Tyson's Corner" (West). Stay on I-495. Take the exit for 355 South (Bethesda) onto Rockville Pike/Wisconsin Avenue. Continue south about 2 miles and turn right at South Drive onto campus and join the security line for visitors. After inspection and visitor badging, continue down South Drive to the first stop sign. Make a left onto Center Drive and proceed until you come to the library, Building #38, on the right. (Also available are a Washington DC area map and an NIH campus map).

Directions from DC: Proceed north from the District on Wisconsin Avenue/Rockville Pike to the intersection of South Drive and Rockville Pike. Turn left onto South Drive and join the security line for visitors. After inspection and visitor badging, continue down South Drive to the first stop sign. Make a left onto Center Drive and proceed until you come to the library, Building #38, on the right. (Also available are a Washington DC area map and an NIH campus map).

Parking Information:

By Train

The NLM/NIH is accessible by train via Washington DC's Union Station, which is on the Red Line of the Metro rail system.

Amtrak
MARC (Maryland Commuter Rail)
Virgina Rail Express

By Air

The NLM/NIH is accessible from any of the three major regional airports. Travel time is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour from Ronald Reagan Washington National, Dulles International, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airports (refer to Washington DC area road map and NIH campus map).

Last reviewed: 29 October 2005
Last updated: 29 October 2005
First published: 01 January 2001
Metadata| Permanence level: Permanence Not Guaranteed