How far is Riverside, CA from Joshua Tree, CA?
The driving distance from Riverside, CA to Joshua Tree, CA is about 77.2 miles (124.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 63.3 miles (101.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 17m 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 01h 38m.
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.
Census-designated place 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 Riverside and Joshua Tree.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and Joshua Tree.
-
1
Start on the route
27 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn slight right onto Central Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · Central Avenue
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3
Take the ramp left toward CA 91 East: San Bernardino
1454 ft · 37 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Riverside Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Riverside Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 215 South, CA 60 East: San Diego, Indio
1 km · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Pomona Freeway
1689 ft · 22 sec · Pomona Freeway
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7
Continue on Escondido Freeway
3.9 mi · 5 min · Escondido Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Escondido Freeway
2346 ft · 31 sec · Escondido Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Moreno Valley Freeway
15.6 mi · 19 min · Moreno Valley Freeway
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10
Continue on Moreno Valley Expressway
2 mi · 2 min · Moreno Valley Expressway
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11
Continue on Moreno Valley Freeway
1 km · 42 sec · Moreno Valley Freeway
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12
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
18.2 mi · 19 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
4.1 mi · 4 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward CA 62: 29 Palms Highway
1.5 km · 1 min
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15
Continue on 29 Palms Highway
26.9 mi · 39 min · 29 Palms Highway
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16
Turn right onto El Reposo Circle
27 m · 4 sec · El Reposo Circle
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · El Reposo Circle
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverside 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.
29 Palms Highway
Continue on 29 Palms Highway
26.9 mi · 00h 39m
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 Riverside 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 Riverside to Joshua Tree?
The road trip is about 77.2 miles (124.3 km) and usually takes 01h 38m 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?
Cabazon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.6 miles from Riverside and 38.6 miles from Joshua Tree.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 63.3 miles (101.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.9 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 3:12 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.75 one way or $31.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Riverside and Mostly Sunny near Joshua Tree.
Stop Ideas Near Cabazon
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Khyra Beaucrest Ranch
Highland Springs Ranch & Inn
Hampton Inn & Suites Banning-Beaumont
Cherry Valley Lakes RV Resort
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cabazon.
Cabazon, CA
Palm Springs
Palm Springs Downtown, CA
Palm Springs (Buses), California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riverside and Joshua Tree. Straight-line distance: 63.26 mi (101.81 km).
#1 Riverside
The most populous city in Riverside County, California and the center of the Riverside metropolitan area.
| Population | 330,786 |
| Coordinates | 33.9533500, -117.3961600 |
| Altitude | 252 |
| 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: 124 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $15.75 | $31.50 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $16.56 | $33.12 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $17.04 | $34.09 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $20.66 | $41.32 |
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.