How far is Joshua Tree, CA from Fresno, CA?
The driving distance from Joshua Tree, CA to Fresno, CA is about 322.1 miles (518.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 265.5 miles (427.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 27m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Desert in southwestern 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 Joshua Tree and Fresno.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joshua Tree and Fresno.
-
1
Start on El Reposo Circle
27 m · 9 sec · El Reposo Circle
-
2
Turn left onto 29 Palms Highway
3.3 mi · 5 min · 29 Palms Highway
-
3
Turn right onto Yucca Mesa Road
2 mi · 3 min · Yucca Mesa Road
-
4
Turn left onto Buena Vista Drive
3 mi · 4 min · Buena Vista Drive
-
5
Turn right onto Old Woman Springs Road
41.8 mi · 52 min · Old Woman Springs Road
-
6
Continue straight
23.1 mi · 33 min
-
7
Continue on National Old Trails Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · National Old Trails Highway
-
8
Turn left onto Air Expressway
5.3 mi · 7 min · Air Expressway
-
9
Turn right onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
30.3 mi · 36 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
-
10
Turn left onto CA 58 West: Mojave
2667 ft · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left onto Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
4.8 mi · 5 min · Barstow-Bakersfield Highway
-
12
Continue on Mojave-Barstow Highway
26.9 mi · 30 min · Mojave-Barstow Highway
-
13
Continue on Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
8.2 mi · 9 min · Barstow–Bakersfield Highway
-
14
Continue on Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway
1.2 km · 51 sec · Bakersfield–Tehachapi Highway
-
15
Continue on Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
52.4 mi · 1 hr · Bakersfield Tehachapi Highway
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward CA 204: Union Avenue
1161 ft · 30 sec
-
17
Turn left onto East Brundage Lane
136 m · 22 sec · East Brundage Lane
-
18
Turn right onto Union Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · Union Avenue
-
19
Continue on Golden State Avenue
3.4 mi · 4 min · Golden State Avenue
-
20
Merge slight left onto Golden State Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Golden State Freeway
-
21
Continue on Golden State Highway
98.2 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Golden State Highway
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward CA 41 North: Yosemite
1.1 km · 1 min
-
23
Merge slight left onto Yosemite Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Yosemite Freeway
-
24
Continue on Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway
1042 ft · 14 sec · Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward Tulare Street
1517 ft · 41 sec
-
26
Turn right onto East Tulare Avenue
1069 ft · 25 sec · East Tulare Avenue
-
27
Turn left onto North 1st Street
119 m · 16 sec · North 1st Street
-
28
Continue on North First Street
1320 ft · 32 sec · North First Street
-
29
Turn right onto East Washington Avenue
9 m · 1 sec · East Washington Avenue
-
30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joshua Tree and Fresno.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Golden State Highway
Continue on Golden State Highway
98.2 mi · 01h 45m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Joshua Tree and Mostly Sunny near Fresno.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joshua Tree to Fresno?
The road trip is about 322.1 miles (518.3 km) and usually takes 05h 27m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mojave is a useful midpoint, sitting about 157.7 miles from Joshua Tree and 164.4 miles from Fresno.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 265.5 miles (427.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:04 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $65.54 one way or $131.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Joshua Tree and Mostly Sunny near Fresno.
Stop Ideas Near Mojave
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mojave.
Mojave, California
Tehachapi, California
Lancaster, California
Palmdale (Amtrak Thruway), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joshua Tree and Fresno. Straight-line distance: 265.51 mi (427.29 km).
#1 Joshua Tree
National park of the United States
| Population | 7,414 |
| Coordinates | 34.1347300, -116.3130700 |
| Altitude | 834 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fresno
The fifth most populous city in California and the center of the Fresno metropolitan area.
| Population | 530,267 |
| Coordinates | 36.7477300, -119.7723700 |
| Altitude | 94 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Washington Avenue (-119.77237, 36.747738)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 518 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $65.54 | $131.07 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $68.91 | $137.82 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $70.92 | $141.84 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $85.96 | $171.92 |
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.