Directions to fort jackson from my location?
Average driving speed: 60.3 mph Kilometers per hour: 97 km/h This is based on typical traffic conditions for this route.
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How long is the drive from Fort Lee, NJ to Fort Jackson? The total driving time is 11 hours, 58 minutes.
Your trip begins in Fort Lee, New Jersey. It ends in Columbia, South Carolina.
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It’s time to PCS and you’ve received orders to Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Congratulations! Located just outside Columbia, South Carolina, the post was established in 1917 as an infantry camp and named after President Andrew Jackson, a South Carolina native. It has served as a major training center since 1940. It is home to the Army Soldier Support Institute, the Department of Defense Chaplain Center and School, the US Army Drill Sergeant Academy, as well as the 165th and 193rd Infantry Brigades.
Fort Jackson covers approximately 53,000 acres and is the most active Initial Entry Training Center in the Army, training around 50 percent of all soldiers and 60 percent of the women entering the Army. The post processes over 48,000 basic training recruits and 12,000 additional advanced training Soldiers every year. The post houses around 3,500 active duty Soldiers and their families as well as more than 3,500 civilian employees.
*For all COVID updates for Fort Jackson, visit the post website’s COVID-19 page here.
Continue reading for our in-depth guide on Fort Jackson to help aid you in your transition to your new post home.
Fort Jackson Welcome Center Building 7550 Benning Road Fort Jackson, South Carolina 29207 Phone: 1 (800) 276-6984
With I-77 running just west of post, getting to Fort Jackson is relatively easy no matter where you’re coming from. And with plenty of transportation options in and around the city of Columbia, getting where you need to go on or off post is a breeze.
If arriving by train, the Columbia, SC Amtrak stop is located at 850 Pulaski St, Columbia SC 29201. Schedules and fares can be found here.
There are no specific shuttles or military liaison desk at the Columbia airport. A cab can be called for a flat rate of $32. The airport is located approximately 30 miles from Fort Jackson.
Greyhound Bus provides service to Fort Jackson, South Carolina. The Greyhound Bus station is located at MacGruder ST, Building 4350, Fort Jackson, SC. Ticketing and schedules can be found here.
Getting ready for a PCS move and in need of some help? Call the Fort Jackson Transportation Office to get started.
Fort Jackson Transportation Office Strom Thurmond Bldg 5450 Fort Jackson, SC 29207 Personnel Movements Phone: 1 (803) 751-6053 Personal Property Moves Phone: 1 (803) 751-7198
Fort Jackson Transportation Office Hours
To enter the post, you will need to show your military ID and all of-age passengers must present a valid ID (driver’s license, passport, etc). If you don’t have your military ID, you will need your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. Your vehicle will likely be searched if entering the post for the first time or without military ID. So you may want to include some extra time in your travel plans to allow for such a delay. All non-DOD persons can expect to obtain a visitors pass at certain gates with Visitor Control Centers (VCC).
Once you arrive at Fort Jackson, report to Room 200, 5450 Strom Thurmond Blvd between 0730-1700, Monday through Friday. The in-processing office will be closed on weekends and holidays as well as the first and third Thursday of every month from 1330-1700. Report in the ACU/OCP uniform.
If reporting outside the above hours, report to the IHG Army Hotel/Welcome Center. Upon check-in, you will be provided with a schedule and further instructions for completing your in-processing.
IHG Army Hotel/Welcome Center Bldg 7550 Benning Road Columbia, SC 29207 Phone: 1 (803) 782-9802
Bring a copy of your orders and your leave form and your orders including all amendments.
Family members, visitors, and others without proper ID will need to stop by the visitor control center when coming on post for the first time. Located right by the main gate (Gate 2), it’s open every day from 0500 to 2000.
Fort Jackson Visitors Center Columbia, SC 29207 Phone: 1 (803) 751-5483
For questions regarding access to the installation contact: Physical Security: 1 (803) 751-6019
Need to make some changes to your admin paperwork or get a new ID card? Stop by the post DEERS office between 0730 – 1630. Or, for convenience’s sake, set up an appointment online and avoid the wait.
Fort Jackson DEERS Office 5450 Strom Thurmond Blvd Room 109 ID Card Section Ft. Jackson, SC 29207 Phone: 1 (803) 751-6024
With COVID-19 still present, call 1 (803) 751-6019 for questions regarding installation access; click here to verify hours of operation for Fort Jackson gates.
In need of groceries, home goods, or any other odds and ends you might need? The Fort Jackson Commissary, like all military commissaries, is a great stop for all those things.
Fort Jackson Commissary 4716 Commissary Way Columbia, SC 29207 Phone: 1( 803) 751-4753
Fort Jackson Commissary Hours
When you’re in the military, having a nice, fresh haircut isn’t just a matter of personal grooming preference. It’s an essential part of your appearance in uniform. Luckily, there are plenty of barbershops on post where you can get a regular trim.
Bldg. 4712 Lee Road Phone: 1 (803) 787-1274 Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 1000 – 1700
Bldg. 2420 Marion Street Phone: 1 (803) 743-0402 Hours: Temporarily Closed
Bldg. 5475 Johnson Street Phone: 1 (803) 786-5495 Hours: Temporarily Appointment Only
Bldg. 10440 Hampton Parkway Phone: 1 (803) 782-2582 Hours: Temporarily Appointment Only
Bldg. 4169 Sumter Street Phone: 1 (803) 782-2052 Hours: Temporarily Appointment Only
Bldg. 1865 Ewell Road Phone: 1 (803) 790-9825 Hours: Temporarily Closed
4110 Moseby St. Columbia, SC 29206 Phone: 1 (803) 743-9568 Hours:
Need to mail something? The United States Postal Service has a convenient location right here on post for all your shipping needs.
Fort Jackson Post Office 4350 Magruder Ave Columbia, SC 29207 Phone: 1 (803) 782-8709
Need some help, assistance, or advice when it comes to financial matters? The post finance office is the place to go for any money matters you need help with.
Fort Jackson Finance Office 5450 Strom Thurmond Blvd Columbia, SC 29206 Phone: 1 (803) 751-4565 Hours: Monday – Friday 0800 – 1600
Need some legal advice, assistance, or the services of a notary? The on-post legal assistance office is open for appointments to help you with any and all legal issues or concerns.
Fort Jackson Legal Office 2600 Lee Road Columbia, SC 29207 Fort Jackson Jag Office Number: 1 (803) 751-4287 Hours: Monday through Friday, 0830 to 1630.
From classic books to new video games, the Thomas Lee Hall Library has a wide selection of entertainment options to borrow. And their computer lab and study rooms make it a great place to learn and work in peace and quiet.
Fort Jackson Library 4679 Lee Rd, Bldg. 4679 Columbia, SC 29209 Phone: 1 (803) 751-4816 Hours:
1. Holiday Inn Express at Fort Jackson 7550 Benning Rd, Columbia, SC 29207 Phone: 1 (803) 782-9802
2. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Columbia-Fort Jackson 7329 Garners Ferry Rd Columbia, SC 29209 Phone: 1 (803) 695-1111
3. Hampton Inn & Suites Columbia/Southeast-Fort Jackson 201 Exchange Blvd Columbia, SC 29209 Phone: 1 (803) 217-3999
The following are transient barracks/billeting/hotels that can all be reserved through either IHG at 1 (803) 782-9802 or Victory Travel at 1 (803) 787-6005 or use the IHG Army Hotels website here.
1. IHG Army Hotels Magruder Transient Area Magruder Ave, Columbia, SC 29207 Phone: 1 (803) 782-9802
2. IHG Army Hotels Dozier Hall & Palmetto 10300 Hampton Pkwy Columbia, SC 29207 Phone: 1 (803) 782-9802
Hot Tip: Download MyBaseGuide’s Fort Jackson Military Relocation Guide for information about hotels near Fort Jackson.
If you’re considering living on post, check out the available on-post housing options. Otherwise, read on to find out more about living off post.
If you are looking for cities near Fort Jackson, SC, Columbia sits adjacent to the post and offers plenty of good schools, universities, and fine neighborhoods both metropolitan downtown and quiet suburbs. Columbia is the capital of South Carolina and the city is home to about 830,000 people. It is home to the University of South Carolina and it’s Williams-Brice Stadium. The city website provides excellent information about the city and links to various services, events, and more.
Fort Jackson, in addition to being right next to Columbia, is at the intersection of Interstates 20 and 77. Soldiers who want to live off post will likely find housing in Columbia itself, however, the surrounding smaller communities or Irmo, Lexington, Lugoff, Cayce, and Dentsville are all within reasonable driving distance of the post. All these suburban communities are known for being safe and relatively affordable places to live. The area public schools all fall into the Richland School Districts One and Two, both of which offer quality education at all levels. And since traffic on I-77 and I-20 is usually smooth and rarely congested, the commute on and off post is relatively hassle free.
Hot Tip: Look for Fort Jackson homes and apartments for rent or sale, and find BAH, PCS, TLA & ETS military housing information at AHRN.com.
The schools on Fort Jackson are part of the Department of Defense Education Activity network. The post has two elementary schools.
1. Pierce Terrace Elementary School, Pre-K-1 5705 Carter Rd Columbia, SC 29206 Phone: 1 (803) 782-1772
2. Pinckney Elementary School, 2-6
5900 Chestnut Rd Columbia, SC 29206 Phone: 1 (803) 787-6815
Students in grades 7-12 who live on post will attend public schools in Richland County School District Two.
1. Dent Middle School, 6-8 2721 Decker Blvd Columbia, SC 29206 Phone: 1 (803) 699-2750
2. Richland Northeast High School, 9-12 7500 Brookfield R Columbia, SC 29233 Phone: 1 (803) 699-2800
Find more local school information at The Best Fort Jackson Schools: Daycare – High School.
According to WeatherSpark.com, Summers are hot and humid in central South Carolina while winters are cold. Average summer temperatures are in the 90’s with around 80-90 percent humidity with cooler nights that often bring summer heat lightning. Winter temperatures are rarely below freezing and range between 36 and 56 during the day. It is partly cloudy all year and summers are the rainy season with frequent afternoon showers throughout July and August.
To find out more in-depth weather information visit our blog Fort Jackson South Carolina Weather: What To Expect When Moving Here.
As the capital of South Carolina, there is plenty to do in the Columbia area surrounding Fort Jackson. From the University of South Carolina football and the Riverbanks Zoo to the fun college town atmosphere of Five Points which offers lots of dining and beverages.
There are several large malls, lots of local galleries and boutique shopping as well as lots of bookstores and sporting goods. You can check out some of the city’s shopping attractions on the Columbia city website here.
While COVID has slowed things down, for now, the large arenas and venues of the University of South Carolina, as well as the convention center combined with lots of live music in bars and restaurants in Five Points, mean you can still find lots of live music and big concert events here.
Suggested Read: 22 Of the Best Things to Do in Fort Jackson
Southern food is famous for being smoked, fried, decadent, and delicious. Here are the top three Yelp reviewed restaurants in Columbia, near Fort Jackson.
1. Midwood Smokehouse 702 Cross Hill Rd Ste 400D Columbia, SC 29205 Phone: 1 (803) 764-1231
2. Kairos Mediterranean 4600 Devine St Columbia, SC 29205 Phone: 1 (803) 851-4141
3. GOAT’s 2017 Devine St Columbia, SC 29205 Phone: 1 (803) 708-4495
Looking to really explore more food and drink options? Check out the 30 of the Best Fort Jackson Restaurants.
Hot Tip: Connect with military-trusted businesses and deals exclusively for Fort Jackson at MyBaseGuide.
Welcome to the South and enjoy your new home in the Columbia area! Be sure to check out our other useful articles to get to know your new area and get your family settled. Be sure you check the post’s COVID updates for any new information regarding changes to policies or post use.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
