Mojave Road
140 miles through ghost country.
Before it was the Mojave Road, it was a Native American trade route. Then a Spanish exploration corridor. Then a U.S. Army wagon road dotted with redoubts to protect mail riders from Paiute raids. Today it’s 140 miles of the most accessible, historically rich desert crossing in the American Southwest.
The route starts at the Colorado River near Bullhead and ends at the Mojave River near Afton Canyon. In between: Fort Piute ruins, the Penny Can Tree, Marl Springs, the lava tubes, and enough petroglyphs to fill a museum. Stock 4x4s do it all the time. You don’t need 35s. You need fuel, water, a shovel, and the Dennis Casebier guidebook.
It’s not technical. It’s a commitment. Three days minimum if you’re doing it right — camping at Rock Spring, ringing the bell at the mailbox, stopping long enough to let the place get under your skin.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 140 mi / 225.3 km |
| Duration | 2-4 days |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4x4 with high clearance and AT tires |
| Nearest town | Needles, CA / Baker, CA |
| Land manager | BLM / Mojave National Preserve (NPS) |
| Permit required | No |
| Fuel interval (miles) | 140 mi |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle Mojave Road without any mods?
Yes — a stock 4x4 with high clearance and all-terrain tires is the baseline requirement. Lockers and skid plates aren't mandatory but sand sections and rocky washes will punish low-clearance rigs. Run appropriate tire pressure for sand.
What months is Mojave Road actually drivable, and what happens if you go in summer?
October through April is the window. Summer temps regularly exceed 115°F, and heat-related breakdowns in a 140-mile no-cell-service corridor can turn fatal fast. The NPS and BLM don't recommend summer travel, and neither does anyone who's tried it.
Do you need a permit to drive Mojave Road?
No permit required. The route crosses BLM land and Mojave National Preserve — both are free to drive. Campfire restrictions apply inside the Preserve, so check current fire regulations with the NPS before you go.
What's the hardest section and what does it actually feel like to drive it?
The sand washes — particularly around Afton Canyon — are where most rigs get stuck. There's no single gnarly rock obstacle; the challenge is sustained sand driving, loose wash crossings, and route-finding in sections where the 'road' disappears. It's moderate but unforgiving if you're not paying attention.
There's no gas for 140 miles — how do I plan fuel for the full route?
Fill up completely in Needles or Baker before you start, and carry extra fuel in rated jerry cans. The entire 140-mile route has zero fuel stops. Factor in the fuel hit from airing down tires for sand and any detours — this is not a trail to run on a half tank.
Trail track
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