The drive rod for high-voltage switchgear that is insulated with a dielectric gas comprises a segment made of an electrically-insulating material and two metal end pieces fixed to respective ends of the segment, as well as a thermal shield that is made of an electrically-insulating material, that is disposed between the end pieces, and that surrounds the insulating segment while being spaced apart therefrom to define an annular gap serving to be filled with the dielectric gas. In this way, the insulating segment of the rod is protected against thermal attack from electric arcs.