Joshua Tree

Fly-and-drive RV road trip · round trip from LAX

Los Angeles to Joshua Tree RV Road Trip

About three hours east of Los Angeles to Joshua Tree's boulders and desert skies.

Photo: Joshua Tree National Park (Public domain)

Los Angeles to Joshua Tree by RV is about 159 miles and about 3½ hours of driving via Rancho Cucamonga, Morongo Valley. This round trip covers 319 miles in 3 nights (4 days): Joshua Tree National Park (2 nights), then back to Los Angeles. Best months: Oct–Apr. In season now · best Oct–Apr.

At a glance

Trip length
3 nights · 4 days
Route
Los Angeles → Joshua Tree National Park → Los Angeles · 319 mi · about 6½ hours driving
Longest driving day
About 3½ hours
Arrive and depart
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
RV pickup and return
Los Angeles area (rental listings around Los Angeles)
Overnights
Joshua Tree National Park → Los Angeles (near the airport and RV return)
Best months
Oct–Apr

Customize a suggested itinerary. RV rentals, campgrounds, and activities are booked separately with providers. Airports are planning reference points; flights are arranged separately.

Route map and itinerary

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  1. Day 1 Joshua Tree National Park · about 3½ hours
  2. Day 2 Joshua Tree National Park (night 2)
  3. Day 3 Los Angeles (near the airport and RV return) · about 3½ hours
  4. Day 4 Fly home from LAX

Day by day

  1. Day 1 Arrive in Los Angeles and pick up your RV

    Experience

    Land at LAX, get to your rental location (some owners offer airport pickup or delivery; otherwise allow for a taxi or rideshare), do the walkthrough and orientation, and stock up on groceries, water and propane before you leave town.

    Getting there

    After pickup: about 3½ hours · 159 mi to Joshua Tree National Park. Keep the first afternoon short; you're learning the vehicle.

    Your stay: 2 nights (check out Day 3)

    Inside the parkJumbo Rocks CampgroundTwentynine Palms, CA · inside the park · 5.0★ (2944)Why stay here: Inside the park, so no daily drive to the entrance; lists RV sites up to 46 ft; 5.0★ from 2,944 reviews.
    Change or extend: Add a night here in the planner
    Compare 3 other campgrounds
    • Inside the parkIndian Cove CampgroundTwentynine Palms, CA · inside the park · 5.0★ (1826)Lists sites up to 35 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Inside the parkBlack Rock CampgroundYucca Valley, CA · inside the park · 4.0★ (1954)Lists sites up to 35 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Inside the parkRyan CampgroundTwentynine Palms, CA · inside the park · 5.0★ (692)Lists sites up to 32 ft; confirm your site fits

    Getting around Joshua Tree National Park

    From Jumbo Rocks Campground: you're inside the park.

    Driving the RV
    • Trailhead and town lots are often small; check RV parking before you go.
    Shuttles

    We don't have verified shuttle information for Joshua Tree National Park; check the park or town's official site.

    Activities with pickup

    Loading activities…

    Other local transport
    • Rideshare, taxis and bike rentals vary by area and season; arranged and paid separately.

  2. Day 2 Joshua Tree National Park: explore

    Experience

    Two nights for the Joshua tree forest, Hidden Valley and Keys View.

    Travel today

    No campground change today; local travel is additional.

    Your stay

    Stay a second night at Jumbo Rocks Campground · same site, no packing up

  3. Day 3 Drive back toward Los Angeles

    Experience

    Spend the last night close to the rental return so departure morning is easy: dump tanks, refuel and clean up as your rental agreement requires.

    Getting there

    about 3½ hours · 160 mi

    Your stay: 1 night

    Near the airportMalibu RV ParkMalibu, CA · about 40 min from the RV return areaWhy stay here: About 40 minutes from the RV return area; lists RV sites up to 45 ft; full hookups listed.
    Change or extend:
    Compare 2 other campgrounds
    • Near the airportMalibu Creek SPCalabasas, CA · about 40 min from the RV return areaLists sites up to 30 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Near the airportWaterfront RV ParkHuntington Beach, CA · about 60 min from the RV return area · 4.5★ (103)Lists sites up to 45 ft; confirm your site fits

  4. Day 4 Return the RV and fly home from LAX

    Experience

    Return the RV at the agreed time (check-in times vary by owner), then get to the airport. Leave a buffer: returns, inspections and the transfer can take a couple of hours.

    Getting there

    Short drive to the rental return, then transfer to the airport.

Campgrounds are suggestions from our park data, ranked by estimated drive time to the destination first, then listed site length, then reviews; "Inside the park" uses the National Park Service's list. Drive times are estimates. Seasonal openings and live availability aren't in our static park data; the planner checks them for your dates. Open dates and prices are checked live in the planner.

RV pickup and return

Pick up and return the RV in the Los Angeles area. Day 1 allows time to get from LAX to the rental (owners' locations vary; a few offer airport pickup or delivery), the walkthrough, and a grocery stop, so the first drive is short: about about 3½ hours to Joshua Tree National Park. The last night is near the return so you can refuel, empty the tanks and return on time before your flight.

Pickup and return times, mileage allowances and fees are set by each owner; check them before you book. This trip is about 319 miles.

RV rentals near Los Angeles airport

Before you go

  • Campgrounds inside the park have no hookups and little water; private parks are in Twentynine Palms and the Coachella Valley.
  • Summer highs pass 100°F; fall to spring is the season.

Official National Park Service pages: Plan your visit · Alerts & conditions · Directions & access · Fees & passes · Hours & seasons

Los Angeles to Joshua Tree by RV: common questions

How far is it from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree?

Los Angeles to Joshua Tree is about 159 miles, roughly about 3½ hours of driving via Rancho Cucamonga, Morongo Valley without stops. The whole round trip in this itinerary is about 319 miles.

How many days do you need for Los angeles to joshua tree by RV?

Plan on 3 nights (4 days): Joshua Tree National Park (2 nights), with an easy first afternoon after RV pickup and a final night near the RV return so departure day isn't rushed. The longest driving day is about 3½ hours.

When is the best time to go?

Oct–Apr. Campgrounds inside the park have no hookups and little water; private parks are in Twentynine Palms and the Coachella Valley.

Where can you camp with an RV?

Suggested RV campgrounds near Joshua Tree include Jumbo Rocks Campground, Indian Cove Campground, Black Rock Campground. Inside the park: Jumbo Rocks Campground, Indian Cove Campground, Black Rock Campground, Ryan Campground. Check site length and hookups with each campground before booking.

Can you rent an RV near Los Angeles International Airport?

Yes. RV rental listings from Outdoorsy and RVshare are available around Los Angeles. A few owners mention airport pickup in their listings and some deliver; otherwise you arrange your own transfer to the owner's location. RVs and campgrounds are booked separately with each provider.

Related trips

RV parks near Joshua Tree National Park · All fly-and-drive trips · Road trip planner

Los Angeles to Joshua Tree
3 nights · round trip