I-40 Tour

Interstate 40 crosses the United States from Barstow, CA in the west to Wilmington, NC, 2,554 miles to the east. This tour refers to the North (your left) and the South (your right) of I-40. Mileage/odometers may vary. Begin as you pass the exit for the Marine Base.

Mile 0
The US Marine Corps Logistics Base along Barstow's eastern border was established December 28, 1942, during World War II. The base today employs about 2,500 active duty personnel and civilians to store, modify, repair, and ship equipment and supplies.

Mile 7.5
Just east of Daggett, CA is a solar powered electric generating plant visible from I-40. Though not open to the public, Southern California Edison continues to develop solar technology which may one day replace the power lines here.

Mile 15+
Route 66 was the first cross-country paved route connecting Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA, completed in 1926. Much of its fame came from songs, movies, and the popular "Route 66" TV show of the 1950's. Signs indicate drivable stretches of Old Route 66.
The Newberry and Rodman Mountain ranges to the south were two of more than 60 Wilderness Areas designated by the Desert Protection Act, signed by President Clinton on October 31, 1994. These mountains contain ancient petroglyphs, lava flows, canyons, and valleys of high scenic value.

Mile 24
Notice the flat, sandy ground. Troy Dry Lake is evidence of the wet environment that existed here over 15,000 years ago. The highway crosses the lake bed. Watch for others visible in the distance between here and Needles.

Mile 27
Just past the Rest Area you'll cross over the Pisgah Crater lava flow, which extends for over 10 miles and probably blew from the volcanic cone (visible at Mile 34) about 10-15 thousand years ago! There are many volcanic cones and lava flows in the southwest, some millions of years old. The darker colored mountains along I-40 are likely old volcanic basalt. Today cinders are used as an aggregate in highway construction, concrete and railroad ballast, as an abrasive, and landscaping component.

Mile 30
The pointed, cone-shaped, white facility on the north side of the interstate is a Federal Aviation Administration facility known as VORTAC - Very High Frequency Omni Range Tectricial Air Navigational Aid! It serves as a tracking tool for aircraft.
The large power line transports electricity from Boulder Dam, NV to southern CA.
The next 15 or so miles are just north of Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air to Ground Combat Center, also established during World War II.

Mile 48
Food, gas, and lodging are available at Ludlow. Ludlow was established in 1882 to serve the Southern Pacific Railway, which became the Santa Fe RR 15 years later. Mining and railroad development continue to contribute significantly to San Bernardino County's economy. You'll likely see at least one train on your drive.
The Mojave Desert is one of the most mineralized areas in the world. Mining has changed from the old days of hard labor with a stick of dynamite, pick, ax, and mule. Today, non-fuel minerals worth more than $1 billion are annually mined from the desert. Gold, silver, gypsum, soda ash, clay, talc, boron, zinc, and rare earths are some examples. Limestone, sands, and gravel supply much of the region with the materials for concrete.

Mile 76
Kelbaker Road provides access to the newly designated Mojave National Preserve, and is a scenic route ending at I-15 in Baker, about 60 miles. Highlights include the Kelso sand dunes, old Kelso RR deopt, Granite Mtns., lava flows, and Joshua trees.

Mile 80+
Desert vegetation include the creosote bush, salt bush and rabbit brush, smoke trees, and a variety of cacti. There's more vegetation in the washes. Rainfall is about 6" per year, but varies greatly. Flash floods occur during summer cloudbursts and rainy winters. Elevations range from 2,000' to over 5,000'. Notice the old mine and home at mile 95.

Mile 98
Essex Rd. is another entry into Mojave National Preserve. Mitchell Caverns State Park offers guided cave tours (September through May) in the red colored, steep Providence Mtns. Hole-in-the-Wall and Mid Hills campgrounds are amidst great mesas, rock formations, and rolling hills. Information (no services) is available at Hole-in-the-Wall, about 17 mi. north of I-40.

Mile 105
About 30 people call Goffs home, 10 mi. north of the exit. Within the new preserve, much of the Lanfair Valley remains private land with active and historic ranching, mining, and railroading. A general store/cafe/gas station marks the town center. The town of Essex is to the south.

Mile 107
Notice the "Smoke tree" wash you cross next to the rest area.

Mile 114
Mountain Springs Rd. exit is at 2,770 ft. elevation above sea level, and I-40 now descends into Ward Valley.

Mile 122+
Notice the "forest" of "teddy bear" or Cholla cactus. (Just be extra careful not to touch it. Yow!!!) Soils, elevation, and drainage is just right for this species. Cacti are protected, and removing any is illegal. Look east and see the green of the Colorado River Valley! I-40 and the Mojave Desert continue into Arizona, with the Sonoran Desert to the south, and the Grand Canyon to the north.