Car rental in Joshua Tree, CA

SUVs and trucks provide excellent ground clearance for Joshua Tree's rocky desert roads and sandy washes throughout the national park. Compact cars work well for paved routes around Joshua Tree, while vans offer ample space for camping gear and supplies during extended desert adventures. Four-wheel drive vehicles handle the varied terrain around Yucca Valley and Desert Hot Springs with confidence.

Gas stations are located in Joshua Tree town along Highway 62, with additional fuel stops in nearby Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms. The closest stations to Joshua Tree National Park's west entrance sit in the town of Joshua Tree itself. Stock up on fuel before entering the park, as no gas stations operate within the national park boundaries.

Park Boulevard offers stunning views of iconic Joshua tree forests and massive boulder formations throughout the national park. The drive from Palm Springs through Desert Hot Springs to Joshua Tree showcases dramatic desert landscapes and mountain vistas. Highway 62 connects Joshua Tree to Yucca Valley, providing excellent views of the Mojave Desert's unique terrain.

Carry extra water, snacks, and a full tank of gas when exploring the vast desert areas around Joshua Tree and the national park. Check your car's cooling system and tire pressure before venturing into remote desert regions near Indio or Desert Hot Springs. Plan your route carefully and inform others of your travel plans when driving through Joshua Tree's isolated desert areas.

Joshua Tree National Park features designated parking areas at popular trailheads and viewpoints throughout the park. The town of Joshua Tree offers street parking and small lots near local businesses and restaurants. Parking fills quickly during peak season at popular spots like Skull Rock and Cholla Cactus Garden within the national park.

Drive slowly on unpaved roads around Joshua Tree to avoid damaging your car on loose rocks and sandy surfaces. Keep your headlights on during dawn and dusk when wildlife is most active near Joshua Tree and surrounding desert areas. Watch for sudden weather changes that can create flash flood conditions in desert washes around the national park and Yucca Valley.

Turo accepts valid licenses (not expired, suspended, or revoked) that allow for full driving privileges; this includes driver's licenses issued outside of the US. Licenses that Turo doesn't accept in the US include any that have expired, have been altered, are conditional, probational, provisional, or restricted. Learner's permit/instruction permits are not accepted.

No, you don't need personal insurance coverage to rent a car on Turo. In the US, any personal insurance you may have that covers damage to the host's vehicle would kick in before your Turo protection plan. When booking a car in the US, you'll choose between three protection plans — Premier (eligibility requirements apply), Standard, or Minimum — to get the level of protection that's right for you. On each trip, you're covered with third-party automobile liability insurance provided under a policy issued to Turo by Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company.* In New York state, you'll also choose between Premier (if available), Standard, or Minimum. With each plan, you're covered with liability insurance of $1,250,000.* Protection plans for New York trips also include access to roadside assistance, priority phone support, and 24/7 customer assistance.

To rent a car on Turo, you must create a Turo account, have a valid driver's license, get approved to drive on Turo, and be 18 years old or older in the US, 21 years old or older in Australia, or 23 years old or older in Canada. In the UK, you must be 21 years old or older and have held a UK or EU license for at least one year, or another driver's license for at least two years. In France you must be 18 years old or older and have held a driver's license for at least 2 years, longer for certain makes and models of vehicles. When you're booking your first trip, you'll go through a quick approval process by entering your driver's license and some other information. In most cases, you'll get approved immediately, and you'll be set for all future road trips, day trips, and business trips!

You can get discounts and low cost car rental on Turo. On your Account page, make sure you've checked the box to receive email notifications, and enable push notifications from the Turo app in your phone settings — we'll send you occasional promo codes, discounts, and deals. Additionally, frequent travelers on Turo can get rewarded with the loyalty bonus — earn a promo code for one bonus day when you take trips totaling 10 days in a 90-day period.

Rates can vary between weekdays and weekends. Look out for savings on longer bookings and try adjusting your trip dates to find the best price for your schedule.

To prevent unexpected fees when you rent a car on Turo in Joshua Tree, make sure to return the vehicle on time. All applicable fees are clearly displayed in the Turo app, so review them before finalizing your booking. If you need more information, you can contact your host after booking.

Some hosts offer one-way trips as an Extra. When you search on Turo, you can filter for one-way trips to see what’s available in your area.