Directions

The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center is located about 30 miles East of Washington, D.C., on the Rhode River, a sub-estuary of the Chesapeake Bay.


From Washington, DC:
Take U.S. Route 50 east toward Annapolis
Exit south at Md. Route 424 (Davidsonville Road)
Turn left (east) at stoplight onto Md. 214 (Central Ave.)
Follow directions from Central Avenue in Edgewater below.

From Baltimore, Maryland:
Take Interstate 97 south toward Annapolis
Exit east onto Md. Route 665 (Aris T. Allen Blvd.)
Exit south onto Md. Route 2
Go over the South River bridge and through Edgewater
Turn left (east) at stoplight onto Md. 214 (Central Ave.)
Follow directions from Central Avenue in Edgewater below.

From Eastern Shore, Maryland:
Take Route 50 West over the Bay Bridge
Take Exit 23A onto Md. Route 2 (Solomon's Island Road) toward MD-450/Parole
Go approximately 5 miles and turn left at a traffic light onto MD-214 Central Avenue
Follow directions from Central Avenue in Edgewater below.

From Southern Maryland:
Take Md. Route 2/4 north to Sunderland
Continue on Md. Route 4 north to Wayson's Corner
Exit onto Md. Route 408 east, which becomes Md. Route 2 north
Turn right (east) at stoplight onto Md. 214 (Central Ave.)
Follow directions from Central Avenue in Edgewater below.

From Central Avenue in Edgewater, Maryland:
Follow Central Ave. (Md. 214) east to stoplight at Md. 468 (Muddy Creek Road). Turn right (south).
Proceed about 1 mile, then turn left (east) at the SERC sign on the corner of Contees Wharf Road
Proceed 0.8 mile on gravel road to SERC sign, turn right onto paved road
After you pass the gate, do one of the following:

For the Administration Building:
continue past the gate and past the first turn on your right. The administration building is the white two-story frame building on your right just before the stop sign.

For the Schmidt Center:
continue past the gate and turn right at the first intersection. The Schmidt center is a brick building on the right, just past the row of parking spots.

For the Philip D. Reed Education Center and dock area:
take an immediate left after the gate and proceed 1/3 mile down Dock Road. The Education Center facility and parking will be on the right.