How far is Anaheim, CA from Joshua Tree, CA?
The driving distance from Anaheim, CA to Joshua Tree, CA is about 111 miles (178.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 94.1 miles (151.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 19m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Riverside County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Anaheim and Joshua Tree.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anaheim and Joshua Tree.
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1
Start on the route
61 m · 17 sec
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2
Turn left onto South Anaheim Boulevard
129 m · 23 sec · South Anaheim Boulevard
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3
Turn right onto East Lincoln Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · East Lincoln Avenue
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward CA 57 North: Pomona
1483 ft · 38 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Orange Freeway
2344 ft · 31 sec · Orange Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward CA 91 East: Riverside Freeway, Riverside
2077 ft · 36 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Riverside Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Riverside Freeway
31.2 mi · 36 min · Riverside Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 215 South, CA 60 East: San Diego, Indio
1 km · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway
1689 ft · 22 sec · Pomona Freeway
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11
Continue on Escondido Freeway
3.9 mi · 5 min · Escondido Freeway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Escondido Freeway
2346 ft · 31 sec · Escondido Freeway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Moreno Valley Freeway
15.6 mi · 19 min · Moreno Valley Freeway
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14
Continue on Moreno Valley Expressway
2 mi · 2 min · Moreno Valley Expressway
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15
Continue on Moreno Valley Freeway
1 km · 42 sec · Moreno Valley Freeway
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16
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
18.2 mi · 19 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
4.1 mi · 4 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward CA 62: 29 Palms Highway
1.5 km · 1 min
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19
Continue on 29 Palms Highway
26.9 mi · 39 min · 29 Palms Highway
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20
Turn right onto El Reposo Circle
27 m · 4 sec · El Reposo Circle
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · El Reposo Circle
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Anaheim and Joshua Tree.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Riverside Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Riverside Freeway
31.2 mi · 00h 36m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Anaheim and Mostly Sunny near Joshua Tree.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Anaheim to Joshua Tree?
The road trip is about 111 miles (178.7 km) and usually takes 02h 19m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Calimesa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55.4 miles from Anaheim and 55.6 miles from Joshua Tree.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 94.1 miles (151.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:52 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.61 one way or $45.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Anaheim and Mostly Sunny near Joshua Tree.
Stop Ideas Near Calimesa
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Khyra Beaucrest Ranch
Bear Springs Hotel
Golden Village Palms RV Resort
H&R Block
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Calimesa.
Moreno Valley, California
San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot
Cabazon, CA
Perris, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Anaheim and Joshua Tree. Straight-line distance: 94.05 mi (151.36 km).
#1 Anaheim
The second most populous city in Orange County, California and the center of the Anaheim metropolitan area.
| Population | 353,676 |
| Coordinates | 33.8352900, -117.9145000 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Joshua Tree
National park of the United States
| Population | 7,414 |
| Coordinates | 34.1347300, -116.3130700 |
| Altitude | 834 |
| Country | United States |
End: Joshua Tree (-116.31307, 34.13473)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 179 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $22.61 | $45.23 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $23.78 | $47.56 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $24.47 | $48.95 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $29.66 | $59.33 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.