Milky Way Road Trip

The Milky Way Road Trip is an excellent way to explore the stunning beauty of California. Starting in San Diego, this 385km route takes you through Borrego Springs and Joshua Tree National Park, providing you with an unforgettable experience. The best time to drive this route is during the spring and fall months, when the landscapes are at their most beautiful. The roads are in excellent condition, making it suitable for any driver. You should plan to spend at least 3 days on the road, taking in the sights and enjoying the journey. With a moderate budget, you can make the most of this road trip and create memories that will last a lifetime.

San Diego is a beautiful city in the United States that is the perfect starting point for a road trip on the "Milky Way Road Trip". It is known for its sunny beaches, world-class attractions, and vibrant culture, making it the perfect place to start your journey. The city has plenty to offer, from the iconic USS Midway Museum, the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, Balboa Park, and much more. For those looking for a more relaxing experience, there are beautiful beaches to explore and plenty of waterfront activities such as sailing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. If you are flying into San Diego, the closest international airport is San Diego International Airport (SAN). There are car rental services available at the airport, so you can easily pick up your car and start your journey. San Diego is a great place to start your Milky Way Road Trip. With its stunning beaches, world-class attractions, and vibrant culture, it is the perfect place to begin your journey.

Are you ready for an amazing road trip? Starting in San Diego, you'll be traveling 111 miles to Borrego Springs. Along the way, you'll get to see some of the most beautiful and interesting places in California. Your first stop is Julian, a charming mountain town with a rich history. Here you can explore the Julian Mining Company Museum, learn about the town's gold rush days, and even try some of their famous apple pie! The next stop is Borrego Springs, a peaceful desert oasis. Here you can take a hike in the sprawling Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, soak up the sun at Borrego Palm Canyon, or take a dip in the Salton Sea. The entire journey should take you less than 10 hours, and you'll get to experience some of the best sights and attractions in the state. For more information on attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, be sure to check out the "Itinerary" of this stage. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and hit the road!

Embark on a journey of discovery through the stunning landscapes of southern California! Starting in Borrego Springs, travel 97mi to Salton City, a small community in the Salton Sea area, to explore the unique geology and wildlife of the area. After a few hours, drive to Joshua Tree National Park, a vast desert reserve that is home to a variety of desert plants and animals. Here, you can experience the unique beauty of the desert, from the majestic Joshua trees to the colorful wildflowers and the rugged rock formations. Along the way, be sure to stop by the Salton Sea State Recreation Area, where you can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and bird watching. You can also visit the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the largest desert state park in the US, to explore its vast array of trails and stunning views. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. This is a great opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful places in California!

Embark on an unforgettable road trip from Joshua Tree National Park to Twentynine Palms, located only 31 miles away. The drive will take you less than an hour, and you will be mesmerized by the picturesque landscape that you will encounter along the way. You will pass by the Oasis Visitor Center and the Cottonwood Visitor Center, both of which offer great views of the surrounding desert and interesting insight into the history of the area. You will also pass by the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, a great spot for bird watching and nature photography. As you drive through the Mojave Desert, you will be able to take in the unique beauty of the area, and you will be sure to find plenty of interesting places to stop and explore. Once you reach Twentynine Palms, you will be able to explore the city, visit the Joshua Tree National Park, and enjoy some of the local attractions. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, be sure to check the Itinerary for this stage of your road trip.

Twentynine Palms is the end point of the magnificent Milky Way Road Trip. This city in the Mojave Desert of California is the perfect place to wrap up a road trip and enjoy the last days of the adventure. Twentynine Palms is full of attractions. The Joshua Tree National Park is a must-see with its breathtaking views and unique flora. Those who are looking for a more cultural experience can visit the 29 Palms Historical Society & Murals, which is a great way to learn about the history and culture of the area. If you're looking for a relaxing break, the City of Twentynine Palms has two state parks, one of which has a natural oasis and a swimming pool. There is also a hot springs spa and the famous 29 Palms Inn and Spa. For those who like to shop, the town has a variety of stores, from quirky ones to big chain stores. 29 Palms also has plenty of restaurants to try, from traditional American eateries to Mexican and Mediterranean cuisines. To end the Milky Way Road Trip, Twentynine Palms is the perfect destination. The closest international airport is the Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), which is about 45 miles away.

Surely, our road trip idea gave you numerous inspirations for your future holiday excursions.
The plan we’ve prepared can be used as a foundation that you can recreate in its entirety or only partially and that can be enriched with original stopovers of your choice.
If travelling by car is your plan when moving around California, there are a number of essential road rules to follow and a bunch of things to keep in mind to make your road trip smooth and safe. The following road rules will surely become useful for all holidaymakers considering car rental or renting a camper in California.
It is vital to be mindful of the local traffic rules when on a trip around California. Alcohol is best to be avoided at all costs if California is your road trip destination. In California, the legal alcohol limit is extremely low and is only 0.5‰. The maximum allowed speed when travelling around the the city streets is 40km/h. When it comes to non-build-up areas, you should be mindful of the fact that the maximum speed is 72km/h. Avoid driving faster than the speed limit of 129km/h when travelling on motorways. It is best to equip your car with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit and drive with your headlights on at daytime for safety reasons.
The majority of travellers are also interested in the travel expenses of the whole road trip. Depending on the budget option that you are interested in, the final cost of the whole undertaking will vary. A wide range of budget options is showed below.
If you go for the cheapest option, you have to spend the maximum of 50 EUR on gasoline to cover the planned 385km. Travel expenses connected with economy accommodation options will cost up to approximately 242 EUR. Tourists should also take into consideration the fact that they will spend about 216 EUR for restaurants and food in this option. Travellers will have to pay approximately 135 EUR if they are interested in the budget hire car option as well. Thus, you can expect the travel expenses to be roughly 508 EUR without car rental and 643 EUR with vehicle hire.
When it comes to the standard offer, you have to spend the maximum of 75 EUR on the gasoline needed to cover the tour. Cost amounting to 352 EUR can be expected by all tourists who are looking for standard hotels. Holidaymakers can expect that the standard option in terms of food and restaurants will cost around 324 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the trip in a standard rental vehicle can expect a cost of about 162 EUR. Summing up the standard offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total about 913 EUR for holidaymakers who would like to try car rental and 751 EUR for those who are not interested in renting.
The highest level of comfort of the premium option will live up to the expectations of the most demanding holidayers. Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay around 1,396 EUR for the whole Milky Way Road Trip, whereas those who are not interested in vehicle hire will spend roughly 1,126 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the itinerary in a premium hire vehicle can expect a cost of roughly 270 EUR. If you are interested in the premium version of the itinerary, you need to spend the maximum of 100 EUR on the gasoline needed to cover the itinerary. Holidayers who opt for top services in all aspects of their tour should expect to pay approximately 432 EUR for food and restaurants and roughly 594 EUR for hotels.
Milky Way Road Trip is also ideal for camper enthusiasts. If you choose this travel mode, the costs will be up to approximately 675 EUR. Travellers will spend approximately 100 EUR on fuel allowing to cover all stages of the Milky Way Road Trip. Tourists who are interested in camper hire should expect to pay around 165 EUR for accommodation and around 216 EUR for expenses connected with food.
The Road Trip Costs section presents all the presented details in a simple manner.
The part of California presented in our Milky Way Road Trip is most enjoyable between January and December. If you like Milky Way Road Trip, check out other beautiful journeys that we offer on our website. Hopefully, the broad spectrum of travel opportunities will definitely measure up to the expectations of the most demanding holidayers.