Visiting ALCF

Argonne National Laboratory
9700 South Cass Avenue
Building 240
Argonne, IL 60439

Getting to Argonne

North Entrance to Argonne coming from O'Hare International Airport: Take I-294 south to I-55. Exit west on I-55 (toward St. Louis) and continue for about four miles to Cass Avenue. Exit south on Cass and turn right at the Argonne sign on Northgate Road, immediately south of I-55. Follow Northgate Road to the Argonne Information Center.

North Entrance to Argonne coming from Midway Airport: Take Cicero Avenue north to I-55. Enter I-55 south and continue for about 14 miles to Cass Avenue. Exit south on Cass and turn right at the Argonne sign on Northgate Road, immediately south of I-55. Follow Northgate Road to the Argonne Information Center.

If you are not traveling to Argonne via private or rental car: please note that limousine and taxi drivers who are not US citizens may be unable to enter the lab. We strongly recommend you contact United Limousine for your ground transportation needs. As a contracted provider, United Limousine is familiar with Argonne security processes and will assure your driver meets the requirements to enter the laboratory.

  • United Limousine Reservations: 1-630-969-3865 (IMPORTANT: Be sure to notify United Limousine that you are traveling to Argonne National Laboratory.)
  • Airport Arrivals: 1-800-331-9037 or 1-630-969-3865

Your Required Gate Pass/Badge

Effective May 3, 2023, a REAL ID compliant identification will be required to gain access for individuals 18 years of age or older. Site access cannot be authorized without the required identification. Click here for a list of acceptable forms of identification.

Argonne is a badged facility. A gate pass (issued as a clip-on ID badge) is required to enter Argonne the lab. Once you are approved to attend this event, we will arrange for a gate pass to be ready for you to pick up at the Argonne Information Center, building 224, located outside the main Argonne gate ("Northgate") on Northgate Road off Cass Avenue. The Argonne Information Center is open from 6:30 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. central. If you arrive after hours, your gate pass will be available from the guards at the guardhouse. If you have not arranged in advance for your driver to receive a gate pass, he/she will not be allowed to drive you into the laboratory. See the Getting to Argonne tab for instructions.

Visitors who have been issued a gate pass may enter the site for Laboratory-approved activities subject to the time and date restrictions on their gate pass. All visitors are required to present photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, to receive a gate pass. Non-U.S. citizens must also provide INS documents (visa, passports, I-20, I-797A and/or DS2019). In addition, all those operating a motor vehicle on site must have a valid driver’s license. Passes must be worn in plain view, on the upper part of the body, at all times while on site. Gate passes may be used only to gain site access for the person to whom the pass was issued. Visitors, except Argonne Guest House or Lodging residents, may not authorize site access or issuance of a gate pass for any other person.