Moving to Fort Stewart: The Complete 2027 PCS Guide
Fort Stewart & Hunter Army Airfield · Updated October 2026
Congratulations on your orders to Fort Stewart, home of the 3rd Infantry Division, "Rock of the Marne." Whether this is your first PCS or your tenth, this guide covers what you need before you arrive: gates, BAH, where to live, schools, and the local spots worth knowing.
|
280k
acres, largest Army post east of the Mississippi
|
$2,175+
monthly BAH, E1 to E4 with dependents
|
40 min
to Savannah and the airport
|
$0 down
with a VA loan under $832,750
|
Quick answers
Will my BAH cover a mortgage? In most neighborhoods around post, yes, especially in Hinesville and Ludowici.
Where should we live? Hinesville for the shortest commute, Ludowici for land, Richmond Hill or Savannah if you're near Hunter Army Airfield.
When should we start? As soon as you have orders. May through August is peak PCS season, and homes move fast.
Want it all in one place?
My free 41-page Fort Stewart PCS Guide has every BAH rate, my trusted lenders, and local favorites.
Send me the free guideMeet your guide
I'm Ambar, a military spouse and REALTOR® who has been stationed at Fort Stewart twice. I've also PCS'd to Fort Drum, Fort Riley, and Grafenwöhr, Germany, so I know how much a home matters when everything else is changing. ¡Hablo español!
Fort Stewart at a glance
Fort Stewart is about 280,000 acres, with roughly 22,000 active-duty soldiers and 40,000 family members and civilians. Many families are tied to Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah too, which shapes where they choose to live.
| Location | Hinesville, GA, about 40 minutes from Savannah |
| Nearest airport | Savannah/Hilton Head International, about 40 minutes |
| Hot season | May to September: hot, humid, occasional hurricanes |
| Cool season | December to March: mild winters, beautiful springs |
| Official site | home.army.mil/stewart |
Gates and commute tips
Gate 1 is open 24/7 and the busiest, so plan around morning PT (6:30 to 8:30 AM) and afternoon release (4 to 6 PM).
| Gate | Hours | Local tip |
|---|---|---|
| Gate 1: Wooldridge | 24/7 | Busiest; Visitor Control Center here |
| Gate 3: Britt | 5 AM to 9 PM | Good alternative to Gate 1 |
| Gate 4: Marshall | 24/7 | Trusted Traveler 6 AM to 9 PM |
| Gate 5: Miyamura | 24/7 | Trusted Traveler 6 AM to 9 PM |
| Gate 7: McGarr | 5 AM to 9 PM | Best if you live near Ludowici or Airport Road |
| Gate 8: Barkley | 5 AM to 9 PM | Closest to several Hinesville hotels |
Gate hours change with training schedules; check the official site before your first drive in.
BAH and VA loans
Fort Stewart's 2026 BAH covers a mortgage on a nice home in most neighborhoods around post.
| Rank | With dependents | Without |
|---|---|---|
| E1 to E4 | $2,175 | $1,791 |
| E5 | $2,310 | $1,947 |
| E6 | $2,439 | $2,049 |
| E7 | $2,493 | $2,178 |
| W2 | $2,520 | $2,337 |
| O3 | $2,598 | $2,385 |
| O4 | $2,904 | $2,490 |
Check your exact rate with the DoD BAH calculator.
My VA loan tips for Fort Stewart buyers
- $0 down and no PMI on homes under the county limit of $832,750
- Funding fee: 2.15% first use, 3.3% after; waived with a service-connected disability rating
- Get your Certificate of Eligibility early through your lender or VA Form 26-1880
- Get pre-approved before your house hunting trip. Sellers want ready buyers in PCS season.
Best places to live near Fort Stewart
Hinesville gives you the shortest commute, Ludowici the most land, and Richmond Hill or Savannah put you closer to Hunter.
| Town | Miles to post | Avg. price |
|---|---|---|
| Hinesville | Outside the gates | $240k to $270k |
| Walthourville | About 6 | $180k to $220k |
| Midway | About 12 | $250k to $280k |
| Ludowici | About 14 | $290k to $310k |
| Richmond Hill | About 18 | $375k to $485k |
| Jesup | About 26 | $180k to $220k |
| Savannah | About 40 | $390k to $420k |
Prices are approximate and change with the market.
New construction to tour: Boundary Hall, Heritage Pointe, Cottages on Carter, Tatum Crossing, Doctor's Creek, Grand Reserve, and The Village at Sassafras.
Neighborhoods with pools and playgrounds: Oak Crest, Cherokee Station, Griffin Park, and Tranquil South.
On-post vs. off-post housing
Apply for on-post housing the day you get orders, even if you plan to buy. Waitlists can run 3 to 6 months, and it gives you a backup. Buying off post builds equity, and many of my clients keep their homes as rentals after they PCS.
Where to stay while you house hunt
- IHG Army Hotels Main Lodge (on post): 912-369-6962. Fills 2 to 3 months ahead in PCS season.
- La Quinta Inn & Suites Hinesville: my best overall pick; pet friendly, free breakfast, indoor pool
- Baymont by Wyndham Hinesville: about 1 mile from Gate 8, pet friendly, free YMCA pass
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hinesville East: newer, with an extended stay program
TLE tip: claim up to 21 days for a CONUS move. Get a Non-Availability letter before booking off post.
Schools, childcare, and healthcare
Four public school districts serve the area: Liberty County (Hinesville, Fort Stewart, Walthourville, Midway), Long County (Ludowici), Bryan County (Richmond Hill), and Wayne County (Jesup).
Liberty County zones changed for 2026-27, so verify the assigned schools for any address before you write an offer. Call the Military Family Coordinator at (912) 877-5037, or send me the address and I'll make the call for you.
Childcare: on-post CDC waitlists can run 6 to 12 months. Get on the list right away and apply for off-post fee assistance at the same time.
Healthcare: Winn Army Community Hospital is on post. Off post, ExperCARE accepts TRICARE, and PedsNow handles kids' urgent care. Switch to TRICARE East when you arrive.
Things to do near Fort Stewart
|
Favorite restaurant
Latin Nation
A taste of home, every time
|
Favorite shop
Dawson's General Store
Small-town charm, one-of-a-kind finds
|
Weekend trip
Orlando or Jacksonville
Theme parks or beach days
|
- Coffee: Sunbury Coffee Bar in downtown Hinesville
- Family fun: Bradwell Park splash pad, Cypress Sam's Treehouse on post, Savannah Children's Museum, and Tybee Island beach days
- Annual events: Small World Festival (March), Liberty County Food Truck Festival (September), and Fort Stewart's Fall Carnival and Oktoberfest (October)
Your PCS timeline
- When you get orders: call me, apply for on-post housing as a backup, join the CDC waitlist, and book lodging.
- 3 to 6 months out: get your VA COE and pre-approval, and start virtual tours.
- 60 to 90 days out: schedule your household goods move (Fort Stewart HHG: 571-801-3509) and give written notice to your landlord.
- 30 days out: transfer medical and school records, and get pet health certificates.
- Closing: aim for 2 to 3 weeks before your report date.
Frequently asked questions
When should I contact a realtor after getting PCS orders?
As early as possible. Even 6 months out, we can plan your timeline, get financing ready, and watch the market for you.
Do I need official orders to start house hunting?
No. You can research and tour before orders are final. You'll typically need them for VA pre-approval and making an offer.
Can I buy without seeing the home in person?
Yes. I do live video tours that show the good and the not-so-good, attend inspections on video, and offer digital closings.
What if my orders change after I find a home?
There are contingencies that can protect you. Let's talk through your situation before you write an offer.
Ready to make Fort Stewart home?
Buying, selling, or renting, I'd love to help your family land softly. ¡Hablo español!
Book a free relocation call Get the free guideCall or text: 305-613-9974
Ambar Michelle Caraballo, REALTOR® | Brokered by REAL Broker, LLC
Information is for general purposes and gathered from sources deemed reliable but not guaranteed. BAH rates, VA loan rules, gate hours, and school zones change, so verify with official sources.
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