Montgomery, Alabama
Maxwell AFB Crashpad — TDY lodging that feels like home
Looking for a Maxwell AFB crashpad? Montgomery is where the Air Force sends its officers to school — SOS, ACSC, Air War College, OTS and a dozen other Air University courses run back to back all year, and the University Inn fills up despite being the second-largest lodging operation in the Air Force. A furnished crashpad priced inside the government rate gives you a real kitchen, quiet, and DTS-ready receipts instead of a hotel on the bypass.
Mission
42nd Air Base Wing — hosts Air University, the Air Force's center for professional military education and officer accessions
Host units
Air University (SOS, ACSC, Air War College, Barnes Center, CCAF) · Jeanne M. Holm Center — Officer Training School, AFROTC and Warrant Officer Training School · 908th Flying Training Wing (AFRC) — MH-139A Grey Wolf formal training unit · Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters and Gunter Annex tenants (AFLCMC Business and Enterprise Systems, Air Force Cyber College)
Commute
From east Montgomery and Pike Road it is 15 to 25 minutes west on I-85 to I-65 and the Day Street or Maxwell Boulevard exits; from Prattville and Millbrook it is 15 to 20 minutes south on I-65 to Exit 172 and Maxwell Boulevard.
Homes near the gate
Crashpads serving Maxwell AFB
2 fully furnished properties positioned for the Maxwell AFB commute.
Why stay in a crashpad near Maxwell AFB?
Maxwell AFB sits on the Alabama River on the west side of Montgomery, on the ground where the Wright brothers opened their civilian flying school in 1910. Today the 42nd Air Base Wing supports roughly 42,000 active duty, Reserve, civilian, contract personnel, students and families across Maxwell and Gunter Annex, and Air University graduates more than 50,000 resident students a year. That churn is the whole story for lodging: SOS alone cycles about 4,200 captains through each year in multi-week classes, OTS runs continuous 8.5-week courses, and ACSC and AWC each seat a full academic-year cohort with families in tow. When a big class starts, the University Inn issues non-availability numbers and students scatter to hotels along I-65 and Eastern Boulevard. A Base Crashpads house puts you 10 to 20 minutes from the Maxwell Boulevard gate with a full kitchen, laundry, fast Wi-Fi and a flat nightly rate at or under the $110 Montgomery lodging per diem.
Who we host at Maxwell AFB
- Captains attending Squadron Officer School in residence
- Majors and lieutenant colonels at Air Command and Staff College and Air War College
- Officer Training School and Warrant Officer Training School candidates plus AFROTC field training cadre
- Enlisted PME students at the Barnes Center (NCO Academy, Chief's Leadership Course, First Sergeant Academy)
- MH-139A Grey Wolf aircrew, maintainers and Gunter software-acquisition staff on TDY
Per diem, DTS, and your wallet
Every Maxwell AFB stay is priced at or below the Montgomery government lodging rate. You'll receive itemized, DTS-ready receipts for your travel voucher — for a typical TDY that means zero out-of-pocket lodging cost. Read the full breakdown in our TDY per diem guide, or run your own numbers: the per diem calculator and the on-base lodging calculator use the same rates DTS does. PCSing here instead? Check BAH for Maxwell AFB.
Local intel
Maxwell AFB crashpad FAQs
Can I stay off base at Maxwell on TDY orders?
Yes, once on-base lodging issues a non-availability number. Call the University Inn first (334-953-3931 or 334-953-2055 for reservations); if it is full for your dates you can lodge commercially at the FY2026 Montgomery rate of $110 lodging plus $68 M&IE and file the receipt in DTS.
Which gate should I use arriving at Maxwell?
The Maxwell Boulevard main gate off I-65 Exit 172 is open 24/7 and is where the Visitor Center (Building 518, 5164 Maxwell Blvd, 334-953-4283) issues passes on weekdays. The Day Street gate is inbound weekday mornings only and outbound-only in the afternoon; Kelly Street is weekdays 0600 to 1800. Confirm current hours on maxwell.af.mil before you land.
Is a crashpad allowed for SOS, ACSC or OTS students?
It depends on the course. OTS candidates are billeted in the OTS complex and cannot lodge off base. SOS students are normally directed to the University Inn but receive non-availability when it is full. ACSC and AWC students on PCS orders live off base and often rent or buy; check your welcome letter and ask the school registrar before booking.
Mission-ready lodging
TDY to Maxwell AFB? Lock in your lodging.
Send your dates and reason for stay — we'll match you with a furnished crashpad near Maxwell Air Force Base at the government rate.