Barstow sits at the junction of Interstate 15 and Interstate 40 in the Mojave Desert, about 140 miles northeast of Los Angeles and 160 miles south of Las Vegas. It is primarily a drive-through destination, though Amtrak's Southwest Chief stops here three times a week (eastbound and westbound) at the restored Casa del Desierto depot. Most visitors arrive by car — the location makes it a logical stop on the I-15 corridor between Southern California and Las Vegas.