Renting a car in Bakersfield and driving 85 kilometers east is the primary way visitors enter the Mojave Desert. Greyhound and FlixBus also run 110-minute direct routes dropping passengers at the Mojave Carl's Jr. station.
Mojave National Preserve, California, USA
Rent a vehicle in Bakersfield and drive 85 kilometers east to reach the desert boundary. The drive takes just over an hour. You need a street-legal vehicle to navigate the 1.6-million-acre preserve, as out-of-state OHV stickers are not recognized under California law. Zero gas stations exist inside the park boundaries. You must fill your gas tank completely in nearby towns like Baker, Fenner, or Needles before entering. Breaking down in this remote region poses severe risks due to summer temperatures exceeding 110°F. Carry a spare tire, a heavy-duty jack, and a physical paper map. Cell phone service is completely non-existent across most of the desert. Digital mapping apps will leave you stranded if you lose the signal on unmaintained gravel roads.
Greyhound and FlixBus run direct routes from Bakersfield to the town of Mojave. The 85-kilometer journey takes 1 hour and 50 minutes. Passengers disembark at the Mojave Carl's Jr. station, the primary drop-off point for the area. Both operators provide onboard Wi-Fi, power outlets, and a standard carry-on bag allowance. Fares start at $23.99. This option gets you to the edge of the desert region cheaply. Public transit does not operate within the park boundaries. You will still need to arrange a street-legal vehicle to explore the actual preserve and access trailheads like the 650-foot Kelso Dunes. Do not attempt to walk into the preserve from the bus stop. The distances between attractions span dozens of miles across open, unshaded terrain.
Drive 1.5 hours north from Joshua Tree to reach the southern boundary of the Mojave National Preserve. The route connects two distinct desert ecosystems across open, sun-baked highways. Cell phone service remains completely non-existent across most of this region. Smartphone mapping apps will fail entirely. Pack at least one gallon of water per person, per day, before leaving Joshua Tree. Services vanish quickly once you head north into the high desert. Keep your vehicle on paved or maintained gravel roads unless you have specialized off-road tires and an emergency communication device. Watch the asphalt closely. The threatened desert tortoise occasionally crosses these remote stretches, and hitting one carries severe federal penalties under resource protection laws.
Travelers leaving the turquoise springs of Ash Meadows can drive one hour south to enter the northern Mojave region. The road cuts through remote basin and range topography. Elevations shift rapidly between 2,000 and 4,000 feet along the route. Temperatures fluctuate wildly here. Pack multiple clothing layers, including a light jacket, in the car. The desert heats up rapidly in the morning but cools down drastically after sunset. Unmaintained gravel and loose rock terrain can easily cause flats far from any tow truck service. Tell a reliable contact person your exact itinerary before leaving the refuge. If your vehicle breaks down, stay inside it. Walking for help in the arid climate drastically increases the risk of fatal heatstroke.
Free, 24-hour parking lots operate throughout the Mojave National Preserve. Wheelchair-accessible spaces sit at the visitor center, Longstreet Cabin, and Point of Rocks, though the Kelso Depot building remains closed for renovations. Regional buses drop passengers at the Mojave Carl's Jr. station.
| From | Mode | Time | Cost | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | Car | 1 hour 4 minutes | Variable (rental and fuel) | Fill your gas tank completely before driving east into the 1.6-million-acre preserve, as it contains zero gas stations. |
| Bakersfield | Bus | 1 hour 50 minutes | From $23.99 | Greyhound and FlixBus drop passengers at the Mojave Carl's Jr. station and provide onboard power outlets and Wi-Fi. |
Zero gas stations exist within the 1.6-million-acre preserve. Drivers must completely fill their tanks in surrounding towns like Baker, Fenner, or Needles. Running out of fuel leaves visitors stranded without a way to call for a tow.
Cell phone service drops to zero across most of the desert. Drivers relying solely on smartphone routing apps will lose navigation capabilities once inside the park boundaries. Pack a physical paper map or a dedicated off-road GPS device to track your location on remote trails.
California law requires all vehicles operating within the preserve to be street-legal. Out-of-state OHV sticker programs from Arizona or Nevada do not grant access here. Park rangers strictly prohibit UTVs, side-by-sides, and ATVs on all dirt and paved roads.
Greyhound and FlixBus run direct routes covering the 85 kilometers from Bakersfield to the town of Mojave. Tickets start at $23.99 for the one-hour and fifty-minute ride. Passengers disembark directly at the Mojave Carl's Jr. station, the designated local transit drop-off.
Give a reliable contact person your planned routes and expected return time before driving into the desert. The total lack of cell service prevents stranded drivers from calling emergency responders themselves. This designated contact will need to alert authorities if you fail to check in.
The drive takes 1 hour and 4 minutes to cover the 85-kilometer route from Bakersfield. Renting a car allows you to navigate the widely spread 1.6-million-acre preserve at your own pace. Fill your tank before entering, as zero gas stations exist inside the park boundaries.
Greyhound and FlixBus run direct routes connecting Bakersfield to the town of Mojave. Tickets start at $23.99 for the 1-hour and 50-minute trip. Passengers disembark at the Mojave Carl's Jr. station and can use onboard Wi-Fi and power outlets during transit.
Zero gas stations operate within the preserve boundaries. Drivers must completely fill their tanks in surrounding towns like Baker, Fenner, or Needles prior to arrival. Running out of fuel leaves you stranded in a remote area with no cell phone service to call for help.
Cell phone service remains completely non-existent across most of the desert region. Digital mapping apps fail frequently, leaving unprepared drivers lost on remote dirt trails. Bring a physical paper map, a compass, or a dedicated off-road GPS device to navigate safely.
Non-street-legal vehicles, including ATVs, UTVs, side-by-sides, and dirt bikes, are strictly prohibited everywhere in the preserve. Every vehicle operated on the roads must meet California street-legal requirements. Out-of-state OHV sticker programs from places like Nevada or Arizona carry no validity here.
Accessing the preserve costs nothing, as the park charges zero entrance fees. Nearby National Park Service sites may require paid passes, which you cannot purchase inside Mojave. If you plan to sleep at Hole-In-The-Wall or Mid-Hills, you must pay separate camping fees.
Groups can bring up to 7 vehicles and 25 people without needing special permission. Exceeding either limit requires applying for a special park use permit at least four weeks before your arrival. This permit costs $91.00 and covers large recreation gatherings or horse riding groups.
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