Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Evening in Los Angeles on Sunday
Local time
6:38 PM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Los Angeles, CA to Joshua Tree, CA
Drive Time
2h 33m
Distance
127.7 mi
206 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 23m
★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 40m
12 PM
2h 38m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 53m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Leonardi
Joshua Tree, CA
Robert Hacker
Trip Overview
Trading the Pacific Coast bustle for the desert landscape of Joshua Tree is a straightforward 127.7-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 33 minutes. Because the total distance is relatively short, this trip is perfectly manageable as a one-day excursion, though you could easily extend your stay if you prefer a slower pace. Expect to spend approximately $17 on fuel, making this an affordable getaway from Los Angeles. You will navigate a mix of major freeways before transitioning onto the 29 Palms Highway for the final leg. Whether you are looking for a quick change of scenery or a brief escape, this route offers a practical balance between urban transit and desert arrival.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
63.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is a mixed-terrain experience that shifts from heavy metropolitan traffic to more open desert corridors. You will spend roughly 46% of your time on highways, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 45.1 miles on the San Bernardino Freeway. As you progress, the road transitions from the dense infrastructure of the San Bernardino Freeway and the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway into the more localized flow of the 29 Palms Highway. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for a transition from high-speed interstate driving to a more moderate pace as you approach your destination. The route requires a steady hand during the highway segments but becomes significantly more relaxed once you exit onto the final stretch.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
San Bernardino Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 45.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Main Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 127.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (East Aliso Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Main Street
Turn left onto North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Aliso Street
Turn right onto East Aliso Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
10.7 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
14.8 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
15.8 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Los Angeles, CA and Joshua Tree, CA, road signs point toward Redlands and Palm Springs.
Redlands
55.5 mi in
|
~1h 4m
|
via I 10
Palm Springs
55.5 mi in
|
~1h 4m
|
via I 10
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino Freeway | 45.1 mi | 51m |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 40.3 mi | 44m |
| 29 Palms Highway | 26.9 mi | 38m |
| I-10 Metro ExpressLanes | 9 mi | 9m |
| Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Santa Ana Freeway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| North Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Aliso Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
San Bernardino Freeway
— 45.1 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Joshua Tree, CA.
1
Start on West 1st Street
69 ft
·
9 sec
·
West 1st Street
2
Turn left onto North Main Street
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Main Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto East Aliso Street
338 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Aliso Street
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 101 South, I 10 East, I 5 South
5
Merge onto US 101
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
Santa Ana Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 1D
Toward I 10 East: San Bernardino
7
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Toward I 10 East
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR
9.0 mi
·
9 min
·
I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Use the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto I 10
14 mi
·
16 min
·
San Bernardino Freeway
Use the none lane.
20
Continue on I 10
40 mi
·
44 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Toward Redlands, Palm Springs
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 117
Toward CA 62: 29 Palms Highway
23
Continue on CA 62
27 mi
·
38 min
·
29 Palms Highway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
24
Turn right onto El Reposo Circle
87 ft
·
3 sec
·
El Reposo Circle
Use the right lane.
25
Arrive at destination
El Reposo Circle
Trip Plan
To maximize your experience, plan to leave early in the morning to beat the heaviest traffic leaving the Los Angeles area. Since the entire trip is just over 127 miles, you only need to build in one well-timed stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $17, so filling up before you leave the city can help you avoid potentially higher prices closer to the desert. Given the manageable duration, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule rather than worrying about a rigid overnight itinerary. A pro tip for this specific drive: keep a close eye on your speedometer when transitioning from the freeways onto the 29 Palms Highway, as speed limits can change quickly during this transition.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.9 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Joshua Tree, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Los Angeles, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Los Angeles, CA
This is one driving day of about 127.7 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Los Angeles, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on San Bernardino Freeway for about 45.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.9 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 1h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Joshua Tree, CA
The final approach into Joshua Tree, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Joshua Tree, CA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.57 one way
$59.14 round trip
$5.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.07 | $30.50 | $60.99 |
| premium | $6.24 | $31.39 | $62.77 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $28.37 | $56.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.3 | 0 | $13.41 | $6.13 |
| Efficient EV | 31.9 | 0 | $11.17 | $5.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.1 | 0 | $17.88 | $8.17 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Joshua Tree, CA
Evening in Joshua Tree on Sunday
Local time
6:38 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
23 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 33m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Los Angeles, CA to Joshua Tree, CA covers 127.7 miles and takes about 2h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Bernardino Freeway, Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, 29 Palms Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.57 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 127.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (East Aliso Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Los Angeles, CA and Joshua Tree, CA, road signs point toward Redlands and Palm Springs.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Joshua Tree, CA
Explore more options from Los Angeles, CA or browse trips ending in Joshua Tree, CA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CA road trips.
Explore maps for Los Angeles, CA or Joshua Tree, CA on MapSof.net.