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Pogonomyrmex mohavensis Johnson sp. nov. is described from the Mohave Desert of eastern California and western Nevada, USA. A mitochondrial phylogeny affirmed taxonomic validity of P. mohavensis, and inferred that it is most closely related to Pogonomyrmex snellingi. Field observations and a distribution map for P. mohavensis are also provided, along with an updated key to Pogonomyrmex californicus group species that occur in central and western North America. Pogonomyrmex mohavensis can be separated from other P. californicus group species based on a unique combination of characters that include: (1) six mandibular teeth (very rarely with a small seventh denticle), and (2) in side view, the cephalic rugae extend more or less directly to the vertex and do not converge posterior to the eyes or form circumocular whorls. All other P. californicus group species have 7-8 mandibular teeth (six in Pogonomyrmex anzensis) and the cephalic rugae almost always converge posterior to the eyes or form circumocular whorls.