In 1980 I broke down on I-40 about 60 miles east of Barstow late one August afternoon. Hotter than blazes. One of us hitched a ride to needles to arrange a tow and the other guy and me pushed the truck four miles to an overpass for shade.
That place is desolate.
Salton sea is another blazer, we cooked eggs on a plate with sausage in the sun out there. (no fire)