Take a ride through the sun-soaked Mojave Desert as we drive the very first mile of Interstate 40 eastbound, beginning in the historic railroad hub of Barstow, California. This brief but significant stretch marks the western terminus of one of America’s great cross-country routes, stretching all the way to Wilmington, North Carolina. In this video short, we trace the earliest moments of that long journey, set against a backdrop of desert terrain, aging roadside infrastructure, and the ever-present hum of westbound freight.
We begin our drive at the interchange with Interstate 15, where I-40 breaks off to the east from the busy north–south corridor connecting Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Almost immediately, we pass signage marking the highway’s zero milepost—an important detail for cross-country travelers and logistics drivers alike. This initial mile traverses the eastern edge of Barstow, a city that has long served as a transportation crossroads, first for the Santa Fe Railway, then Route 66, and now the Interstate system.
As we travel this short distance, we skirt a mix of low-slung commercial buildings and wide desert plains. The surrounding landscape is arid and sparse, with creosote bushes dotting the sandy soil and distant ridgelines shimmering in the heat. Before long, we reach the East Main Street overpass, a reminder of Barstow’s older alignment along Historic Route 66, which still runs parallel to the interstate just to the south. We end the video just before Exit 1, as I-40 continues its long push eastward toward Needles and beyond.
This brief stretch of highway may only be a single mile, but it marks the beginning of a legendary American journey—one that connects the Pacific with the Atlantic, and deserts with mountains, rivers, forests, and plains. For now, it’s just Barstow. But ahead lies over 2,500 miles of open road.
🗺️ Route Map
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