116-mile drive (east to west) across the Mojave National Preserve on bumpy and rocky dirt roads. There is much history to explore along the way. The Mojave Road was originally an Indian trade route, as the locations of watering holes situated about every 20 to 30 miles made for safe passage through this barren and harsh landscape. Later it served as a supply and U.S. route in the 1860s and 1870s.