Des Moines to Joshua Tree, California (National Park): Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from Joshua Tree, California (National Park)?

The distance from Des Moines to Joshua Tree, California (National Park) is 1323.8 miles (2130.5 km) as the crow flies. Joshua Tree, California (National Park) is located WSW of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1588.6 miles, taking about 31h 57min. A direct flight would take roughly 3h 10min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Joshua Tree, California (National Park) in California.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Des Moines and Joshua Tree, California (National Park). The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.