1. What is the River Region?
North of Montgomery, the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers join to form the Alabama River. Locals consider Montgomery and the surrounding communities of Prattville, Millbrook, and Wetumpka to be the River Region.
2. What is Maxwell AFB known for?
Maxwell AFB is known for being the home of the Wright Brothers first civilian flying school and as the Air Force's leadership development center.
3. How many entrance gates are on Maxwell AFB and Gunter Annex?
Maxwell AFB has three gates with distinct operating days and hours: Maxwell Boulevard Gate, Kelly Street Gate, and Day Street Gate. Gunter Annex operates two gates separate from Maxwell AFB: Congressman Dickinson Dr. Gate and Dalraida Road Gate.
4. What is the zip code for Maxwell AFB?
The zip codes for Maxwell AFB are 36113 and 36112.
5. What is the BAH for Maxwell AFB?
BAH for Maxwell AFB ranges from $1,548 for E-1 to $1,977 for E-9 with dependents and from $1,650 for O-1 to $2,517 for O-6 with dependents. The cost of living at Maxwell AFB is lower than the national average. See the housing section for more info.
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Base Location and Information
Military Installations near Maxwell AFB
Maxwell AFB is located in Central Alabama, in north-northeast Montgomery, Alabama. Gunter Annex is about 17 miles northeast of the main sites of Maxwell AFB. Less than a three-hour drive gets you to Atlanta, Georgia, for a weekend getaway, while Birmingham, Alabama, serves as an easy day trip about 1.5 hours away.
The city center of Prattville is 10 miles northwest of the base, and the city center of Millbrook is approximately 10 miles to the northeast. Also northeast of the base is Wetumpka, AL, at about 25 miles distance.
Nearby military installations:
Downtown Montgomery. Photo from Canva.
Montgomery has a thriving downtown and unique surrounding neighborhoods. The art and music scene and nightlife activities prevail downtown, but many military families enjoy living in Prattville, Millbrook, and Wetumpka. Military members appreciate the region's affordability, long-lasting warm seasons, and easy access to plenty of recreational activities, especially when the heat and humidity crank up. River activities flourish as the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers join to form the Alabama River, which runs north of Montgomery. Kayakers, canoers, boaters, and families hoping to wade in the riverside find plenty of opportunities in the River Region.
Life at the Max is the catch-all publication that serves the Maxwell population. Online and in print, Life at the Max provides vital base information directly related to servicemembers and their families. Readers find community news, event schedules, and directories. Various force support topics are highlighted, such as education, career information, and lodging. Newcomers find guidance on how to maximize the Air Force lifestyle on Maxwell. Standard offerings like food and fitness outlets and shopping opportunities are listed.
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Map via Air University
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Getting Around the Maxwell AFB Area
Maxwell has three gates with distinct operating days and hours.
- Maxwell Boulevard Gate has 24/7 access.
- Kelly Street Gate is open Monday through Friday, 0600-1800. It is closed on weekends, holidays, and AETC Family days.
- Day Street Gate Monday through Friday, 0600-1400, all traffic;1400-1800 outbound traffic only. Saturday through Sunday, 0600-1400, all traffic. Closed holidays and AETC Family Days.
Gunter Annex has two separate entrances from Maxwell.
- Congressman Dickinson Dr. Gate has 24/7 access.
- Dalraida Road Gate Monday through Friday 0600-1400 all traffic; 1400-1800 outbound traffic only. Saturday-Sunday, 0600-1400 all traffic. Closed holidays and AETC Family Days.
Aerial view of Montgomery, Alabama. Photo from Canva.
Depending on your home’s location, Montgomery Transit supplies bus transport to Maxwell on routes 6, 7, and 12. Due to its central location in Alabama and within the U.S., Maxwell has direct access to multiple major state and federal roadways, starting with Montgomery’s intersection of I-85 (East) and I-65 (North and South).
Residents notice an uptick in traffic as summer beach months approach. I-65 provides the shortest distance to popular beach towns like Gulf Shores in Alabama, Pensacola, and Panama City, Florida. When the major interstates are jammed from an abundance of traffic due to road work, accidents, or holiday traffic, smaller state-operated roads such as U.S. Route 31, U.S. Route 231, U.S. Route 331, U.S. Route 80, and U.S. Route 82 are the bailout roadways.
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Maxwell AFB Area Roads via Zip Data Maps
Arrival Lodging
Base lodging for initial lodging needs – Air Force Inns
Maxwell AFB On-Base Housing
Hunt Companies manage Maxwell Family Housing. More than 500 historic and traditional homes are situated across Maxwell and Gunter Annex.
Housing includes 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom homes. Active duty members are offered housing, as well as DoD federal employees, National Guardsmen, and retired military members. The application for on-base housing is online, but contact Maxwell Family Housing to discuss current wait list times.
Photo via Maxwell Family Housing
Maxwell Family Housing:
400 East Maxwell Boulevard
Montgomery, AL 36113
Office: 334-686-0444
Leasing: 877-704-1627
Maxwell AFB Housing Management Office: 953-2781/9406/9446
Maxwell AFB Off-Base Housing
Photo from Canva
Base Search
City Search
On-base housing is limited, so most military families live in off-base housing. Rental homes tend to be the most in-demand, especially for students assigned to Maxwell for shorter lengths of time. Due to the area's low cost of living and affordable housing, those permanently assigned to Maxwell often consider purchasing a home.
Geobachelors, military members who leave their families at previous cities or duty stations while they complete their time at Maxwell, are common. They tend to find apartments, shared homes, and vacancies in military housing on Maxwell.
Military families headed to Maxwell AFB are pleased to find affordable living in the base's surrounding cities. Montgomery provides the big city feel with downtown living next to cultural activities, while local towns offer suburban conveniences. Most commutes are less than 10 miles from Maxwell AFB, but the range can widen to nearly 20 miles if access to a home with land is important.
Maxwell AFB BAH
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S.-based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed service members with compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Maxwell AFB is in Montgomery, Alabama, with many options to buy or rent. Maxwell AFB's BAH is close to the cost of living in the area. Some sample Maxwell BAH rates for zip code 36113:
- E-1 with dependents: $1,548
- E-1 without dependents: $1,236
- E-9 with dependents: $1,977
- E-9 without dependents: $1,683
- O-1 with dependents: $ 1,650
- O-1 without dependents: $1,464
- O-6 with dependents: $2,517
- O-6 without dependents: $1,887
Maxwell AFB Area Weather & Climate
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Wilderness Park in Prattville. (Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Blankenship)
Alabama is in the heart of the Deep South, and the weather lives up to its Southern tradition. High heat and humidity begin in late spring and run until about the end of September. The remaining fall and winter months are quite pleasing and temperate. In the winter months, temperatures can easily be seen in the 70s. Alabama is classified as humid sub-tropical, with the northeast section of the state in the mountains usually much cooler.
Thunderstorms occur year-round but are most common in the spring and summer. Tornadoes do occur here, as the state sits in the region of the U.S. known as "tornado alley." The southern portion of the state can also see hurricanes. Connect with Maxwell-Gunter AFB Weather Resources to stay current on severe weather alerts and preparedness.
Year-round activities near Maxwell are abundant. In addition to the iconic and must-see Civil Rights era memorials and museums, the region features a variety of things to do even during the hottest or wettest days.
Outside, families enjoy u-pick farms like Sugar Hill, festivals such as the Penton Farms Pumpkin Festival, outdoor concerts played by the Montgomery Symphony, and the annual Alabama National Fair each October. With a history dating back to 1854, the fair is a constant draw of attendees from Alabama and neighboring and distant states.
Gulf Coast beaches in Florida and Alabama are just a few hours' drive away!
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Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex Area Schools
Students unloading at Maxwell AFB elementary/middle school. Image from maxwell.af.mil.
The Department of Defense Education Activity manages the Maxwell AFB Elementary/Middle Schools that serve students Pre-K through grade 8. Students who live on Maxwell in grades 9-12 attend Carver Senior High School, and Gunter students attend Lee High School--both of which are part of the Montgomery County Public School System.
Maxwell AFB E/MS School Info
800 Magnolia Blvd, Bldg 538
Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6147
Phone: 334-233-2900
Fax: 334-953-4339
DSN Phone: 493-6533
Montgomery County via US Census Bureau
Students at Maxwell can attend schools on base or within three adjacent school districts: Pike Road School System, Autauga County Schools, and Elmore County Schools.
Montgomery Public Schools operates a magnet school program, and the newly established LEAD Academy is a charter school.
Military families can also have private and homeschool education in the area.
- Montgomery Catholic Prep School
- Autauga Academy
- Prattville Christian Academy
- Elmore County Homeschool Association
- Academy Days Homeschool Co-Op
The Maxwell AFB School Liaison Officer assists families who need help making the right education decisions for their family.
Support For Military Families
Photo from Canva
The Maxwell-Gunter AFB community welcomes and supports military families in the area, so civilian community engagement occurs annually through various events, from job fairs to holiday celebrations.
Spouses who hope to work while stationed here often start with the largest employers: Maxwell-Gunter AFB, the State of Alabama, Montgomery Public Schools, Baptist Health, and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing. Career guidance is also available through the Maxwell AFB Human Resources Office.
Several institutions are available online and offline, potentially with military discounts, for family members who want to further their education. Maxwell is connected with multiple options: Alabama State University, Huntingdon College, Trenholm State Community College, and Troy University. Auburn University at Montgomery is also nearby.
More helpful links:
Things to Do Near Maxwell-Gunter AFB
Photo from Fun In Montgomery.com
Legacy Museum: The acclaimed Legacy Museum features first-person historical accounts, interactive content, cutting-edge technology, and a world-class art gallery.
National Memorial for Peace and Justice: A serene and beautiful setting for reflection and remembrance.
Dexter Parsonage Museum - Dr. Martin Luther King: Visit the home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his family.
Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Games: Enjoy an evening of baseball and food with the Minor League Baseball team, the Tampa Bay Rays Double-A affiliate.
Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site: This National Historic Site tells the story of the first African American military aviators in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Rosa Parks Museum: Step back into the 1950s and explore the life of civil rights icon Rosa Parks. You’ll learn about the people of the era and the political and social climates of just 70 years ago.
Hank Williams Museum: Known as the father of contemporary country music. In 1961, Hank was among the first three to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Harriott II Riverboat: Cruise the Alabama River and enjoy live entertainment. Bring the kids and make it a fun family night.
Montgomery Zoo: Spend the day in the jungles of South America, the savannahs of Africa, or the hilltops of Asia. Wander through the exhibits, then head to the skylift for an unforgettable view of zoo life.
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More Area Info
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