Getting to NIST Gaithersburg

Address: 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Md. 20899

Site status update (for weather and other closures): (301) 975-8000 and (800) 437-4385 (toll free) 

Driving directions

When driving to NIST, plan some extra time to get through the security checkpoints at the visitor entrances to campus. Consider taking public transportation as an alternative. See the Parking and Getting Around page for details.

From northbound I-270: Take Exit 10, Route 117 West, Clopper Road. Bear right at the first light onto Clopper Road/West Diamond Avenue. At the next light, turn left onto the NIST grounds. 

From southbound I-270: Take Exit 11, Route 124, Montgomery Village Avenue/Quince Orchard Road. Bear right at the light onto Route 124 West, Quince Orchard Road. After you merge onto Rt. 124, Quince Orchard Road, turn left at the second light onto Route 117, West Diamond Avenue. Turn right at the first light onto NIST grounds.

From Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Follow the Dulles Access Road to Bethesda/Baltimore entrance ramp to 495
Take 495 (left lane exit) to 270 North
Take Exit #10 toward Clopper Road (MD 117) and Quince Orchard Rd (MD 124)
At the first light, turn right onto West Diamond Ave. 
At next stop light (Bureau Dr.), turn left

From Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI)

Take 195 West
Take 95 South Exit #4B toward Washington
Take 495 West Exit #27-25 toward College Park/Silver Spring
Take 270 North Exit #35 toward Frederick
Take 270 Local North toward Montrose Road
Take Exit #10 toward Clopper Road (MD 117) and Quince Orchard Rd (MD 124)
At the first light, turn right onto West Diamond Ave.
At next stop light (Bureau Dr.), turn left

From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Exit National Airport heading north on the George Washington (GW) Parkway toward Maryland
Take the GW Parkway to 495 North toward Maryland
Take 495 (left lane exit) to 270 North
Take Exit #10 toward Clopper Road (MD 117) and Quince Orchard Rd (MD 124)
At the first light, turn right onto West Diamond Ave.
At next stop light (Bureau Dr.), turn left

Biking information

NIST is accessible by bicycle and e-bike and provides free covered bike parking in multiple locations. For specific guidelines on bicycle parking, please see Parking and Getting Around.

The City of Gaithersburg and surrounding Montgomery County offer a wide network of bike paths, many of which are separated from roadways. To plan a route, please see the Montgomery County Bikeways Map.

Bikes are allowed on all RideOn buses and on most Metrorail cars. 

Public transportation

• RideOn bus: The Montgomery County bus system serves the NIST Gaithersburg campus, with the Route 54 bus stopping outside Building 101. 
• Metrorail: The Shady Grove Metrorail station, on the Metro's Red Line, is about a 15-minute drive, taxi ride or shuttle ride from the NIST campus. See below for shuttle information.     
• WMATA Trip Planner: This online tool allows for bus and rail planning with real-time departure and arrival information.

Shuttle from Shady Grove Metro

NIST provides shuttle service for official visitors and staff to and from the Shady Grove Metro Station. The shuttle operates Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays, from 6:45 am to 6:15 pm. 

Visitors using Metro can meet the NIST shuttle at Bus Bay H on the east side of  Shady Grove Metro Station. If you are facing the front of the train, the east side is on your right, and is the side with the parking garages. The shuttle picks up at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour. The last NIST shuttle leaves Shady Grove Metro at 6:15 pm. 

The shuttle departs from the front of the NIST Administration Building at 5 and 35 minutes past the hour. The last shuttle leaves NIST at 6:05 p.m.

The ride between NIST and the Shady Grove Metro Station takes approximately 15 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

If bad weather causes a delayed opening or early closure of NIST, the shuttle schedule will be adjusted. If there is a delayed opening, the first shuttle will leave Shady Grove one hour prior to opening time, and will leave the station every 15 minutes until 11:00 a.m. Starting at 11:05 a.m., the shuttle will return to its normal schedule.

Shuttle Status Line: 301-975-3315