Epic Los Angeles to Joshua Tree Road Trip Itinerary
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If you want a Southern California trip that gives you a little bit of everything, a Los Angeles to Joshua Tree road trip is such a fun one. You get the buzz of LA, the retro desert-glam feel of Palm Springs, and the peaceful, otherworldly landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park all in one itinerary.
I loved how quickly the scenery changed on this trip. One day we were easing into poolside Palm Springs vibes, and the next we were wandering through massive boulders, Joshua trees, and wide-open desert roads. It felt like three totally different getaways wrapped into one.
This itinerary follows the exact route we took, with a few practical notes sprinkled in so you can plan your own version without overthinking every stop.
Los Angeles to Joshua Tree Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at LAX and Drive to Palm Springs
After landing at LAX, pick up your rental car (check prices here for the best deals!) and head straight toward the desert. The drive from Los Angeles to Palm Springs is about 110 miles and usually takes around 2 hours, depending on traffic.
In-n-Out Pit Stop
No California road trip feels fully official until there’s an In-N-Out Burger pit stop involved. Even as someone who isn’t usually a burger person, their sauce just gets me. It’s quick, affordable, and reliably good, which is exactly the energy I want from a first-day road trip meal.
Palm Springs
We rolled into Palm Springs right around sunset, when the mountains start glowing and the whole city feels extra dreamy. Depending on your arrival time, you can either ease into the night with dinner and drinks or keep it low-key and rest up for a full Palm Springs day.
We leaned into the evening and started with thrift shopping at Revivals, which ended up being such a fun first stop. I found a couple of men’s leather jackets that basically became my personality for the rest of the trip.
For dinner, Azúcar was the move. The food was amazing, the service was wonderful, and their mocktails were genuinely just as memorable as the meal. It felt like the perfect “we made it to Palm Springs” dinner.
Day 2: Exploring Palm Springs
Start your day in Palm Springs with an easy morning hike before the desert heat kicks in. We did the Andreas Canyon Palm Springs Trail, and it was such a peaceful way to wake up with the mountains, palms, and desert landscape all around us.
Afterward, refuel at 4 Paws Coffee Co., a cute and casual coffee shop with great drinks and breakfast sandwiches. It’s exactly the kind of post-hike coffee stop that makes the rest of the day feel easier.
Next, spend some time wandering Downtown Palm Springs. Pop into the shops, admire the mid-century modern details, and don’t miss the larger-than-life Forever Marilyn statue for a quick photo moment.
For one of the best views in the area, ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The rotating tram carries you from the desert floor up into the San Jacinto Mountains, and the view over the Coachella Valley is unreal. Bring a layer, especially if you visit in winter, because it can be much colder at the top.
As the sun sets, you can try your luck at one of the Palm Springs casinos or keep the evening more relaxed with dinner and an early night. Either way, this is a good night to reset before heading toward Joshua Tree.
Where to Stay in Palm Springs
Palm Springs has so many fun places to stay, and the hotel can really shape the vibe of your trip. If you want something sleek and central, the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel is a great option. If you’re more into bold color and a retro resort feel, The Saguaro Hotel fits that Palm Springs energy so well.
We stayed at The Saguaro Hotel and really enjoyed it. The location, price, and colorful pool scene all worked well for what we wanted from this part of the trip.
Check out more options available for your dates here.
Day 3: Exploring Joshua Tree
Wake up, grab coffee from Cartel Roasting Co., and start the drive from Palm Springs to Joshua Tree. This stretch is short, but it still feels like the trip shifts into a new chapter as the polished Palm Springs scenery gives way to a more rugged desert landscape.
Before entering Joshua Tree National Park, stop at the World Famous Crochet Museum. It’s quirky, tiny, free, and such a perfect little preview of how creative and wonderfully odd Joshua Tree can be.
Fuel up with a sandwich from the Grab-n-Go at the Visitor Center, ask the rangers any route questions, and grab a map before you head in. Cell service is limited inside Joshua Tree, so this is one place where having offline directions or a paper map is actually helpful. If you visit several national parks a year, consider getting an America the Beautiful Pass before paying individual entrance fees.
If you’re exploring Joshua Tree in one day, stick to the easier scenic stops and hikes like Barker Dam, Hidden Valley, Skull Rock, and Arch Rock. Most of these can be done in about an hour or less, which lets you see a lot without feeling like you’re rushing from trailhead to trailhead.
If the weather cooperates, try to time the Cholla Cactus Garden for sunrise or sunset. We had to skip it because of high winds and chilly temps, but it’s still high on my list for next time because the light there looks incredible.
After a full day in the park, end with dinner at Royal Siam Cuisine Thai Restaurant. A warm, flavorful Thai meal after hiking around the desert all day? Absolutely the right call.
For a more detailed breakdown of the park stops, check out my full guide on how to spend one day in Joshua Tree.
Where to Stay in Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree has some seriously fun places to stay, especially if you love a rental with personality. There are plenty of unique accommodation options in Joshua Tree, from cozy hideaways to eclectic desert homes.
We loved our rental because it was right in town and had a cowboy pool, jacuzzi, and sauna. It was this 2-bedroom home, and having our own space after busy days of exploring was such a nice bonus.
And the sauna after a day of hiking? Such a good decision.
Days 4-7: Return to LA to Explore the City of Dreams
Joshua Tree Morning
Start your morning with coffee from Joshua Tree Coffee Co., then walk next door to JT Country Kitchen for breakfast. It has a cozy, down-to-earth diner feel, and the portions do not mess around, which is exactly what you want before driving back to LA.
Whether you order the hearty breakfast burrito or a stack of fluffy pancakes, you’ll leave full, caffeinated, and ready for the city part of the trip.
Arriving in LA
Returning to the energy of LA after the stillness of the desert is such a fun contrast. I actually loved doing the trip this way because it gave us a slower, calmer start before diving into LA’s neighborhoods, beaches, and nightlife.
Three days in LA barely scratch the surface, but it’s enough time to get a taste of the city’s different personalities and leave already thinking about a return trip.
From the laid-back beaches of Venice and Santa Monica to the glam of Beverly Hills and Hollywood, each area feels like its own little world.
LA Neighborhoods
Hollywood is touristy, yes, but it’s also one of those places that feels worth seeing at least once. Between the Walk of Fame, Warner Bros. Studio, and the Hollywood Sign, it gives you that classic LA movie-moment energy. Then Beverly Hills brings the polished side of the city with beautiful homes, Rodeo Drive, and plenty of people-watching.
For sunset, Griffith Observatory is hard to beat. Watching the city light up from above was one of my favorite LA moments. If you want to keep the night going, West Hollywood has plenty of fun dinner and drink spots, including Sur and TomTom.
If you’re up for a busier afternoon, dedicate some time to downtown LA. The Broad, Little Tokyo, and Chinatown give you a mix of art, food, and culture, while Grand Central Market is great when everyone wants something different to eat. Book lovers should also add The Last Bookstore to the list.
Honestly, this is the part of the itinerary where you can really tailor the trip to your own interests.
Save at least one day for the beach side of LA. Venice Beach and Santa Monica are right next to each other, so they pair perfectly for a slower day by the water.
Venice Beach has that cool, slightly chaotic, laid-back energy, while Santa Monica Pier at sunset feels classic in the best way. Add in the Venice Canals, beach walks, and plenty of people-watching, and it makes for such a memorable LA day.
LA Traffic and Parking
LA traffic honestly wasn’t as bad as I expected, but we were also intentional about how we planned our days. We did hit slower stretches during peak times, so I’d still build in extra time and avoid crossing the city at rush hour when possible. We visited in January, which may have helped with crowds and parking.
The biggest thing that helped was grouping our plans by area. Stick to one neighborhood or side of the city at a time so you can park, wander, and avoid spending your trip constantly moving the car.
Related read: Check out my full 3-day LA itinerary for more details on all of these neighborhoods and activities!
Where to Stay in LA
For where to stay in LA, try to match your accommodation to the areas you’ll spend the most time exploring. I stayed in Koreatown, which was central and had tons of food nearby, but I do wish we had stayed a little closer to our main activities.
If you’re most excited about glam, restaurants, and nightlife, West Hollywood is a great fit. For a more relaxed beachy trip, look at Santa Monica or Venice Beach. LA is spread out, so choosing the right home base really does make the trip smoother.
How Far is Joshua Tree from LA?
Joshua Tree National Park is about 130 miles east of Los Angeles, and the drive usually takes around 2.5 hours without major traffic. That makes it doable as a day trip from LA, but I personally loved turning it into a longer road trip with Palm Springs added in.
If you’re driving between Joshua Tree and LA, try to hit the road early so you can avoid the worst of rush hour and enjoy the desert scenery along the way.
When is the Best Time for a Los Angeles to Joshua Tree Road Trip?
The best time for an LA to Joshua Tree road trip depends on the kind of experience you want, but spring and fall are usually the sweet spots for milder hiking weather. Summer can be beautiful in a dramatic desert way, but it gets extremely hot, so outdoor plans require more caution.
We visited in winter, and I honestly loved it. The days were comfortable for exploring, the crowds felt manageable, and the desert had such a peaceful feel. The only downside was that the evenings got chilly, so pack layers if you’re visiting during the colder months.
Los Angeles to Joshua Tree Road Trip Tips
- Plan fuel stops: Keep an eye on your gas tank before entering Joshua Tree National Park, and consider filling up before you get back into LA, where prices may be higher.
- Bring sun protection: Even in cooler months, the desert sun is strong. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
- Pack more water than you think you need: This is especially important in Joshua Tree, where shade can be limited, and temperatures can climb quickly.
- Entrance fee/America the Beautiful Pass: Joshua Tree charges an entrance fee per vehicle, but the America the Beautiful Pass can be worth it if you plan to visit multiple national parks within a year.
- Respect the desert: Stay on designated trails, follow Leave No Trace principles, and be gentle with the landscape. The ecosystem is more fragile than it looks.
- Double-check attraction details: Some Palm Springs and desert-area information online can be outdated. Before building your day around a specific installation, restaurant, or activity, verify current hours and availability.
Are you ready for your epic LA to Joshua Tree road trip?
This LA to Joshua Tree road trip ended up being one of my favorite US trips because it had such a good mix of city energy, retro resort vibes, and peaceful desert scenery. It never felt one-note, and every stop added something different.
I hope your trip feels just as fun, scenic, and varied as ours did! Before you go, be sure to follow me on Insta @guidedbydestiny for more travel content, and check out some of my other California blog posts:
Iconic 3-Day San Diego Itinerary For First Timers
Cheap Things to Do in San Diego, California
Must-Visit Coffee Shops in San Diego, California
