NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover has driven farther than any vehicle ever has on another world. On October 11, 2026 — sol 2,006 of its mission — its odometer reached 28.10 miles (45.22 kilometers), passing the 28.06-mile (45.16-kilometer) record set by NASA’s Opportunity rover over nearly 15 years of exploration. Perseverance covered that distance in about five and a half years, helped by AutoNav, its autonomous navigation system that has handled more than 90% of its driving. The milestone came during a 299.6-foot (91.31-meter) drive near Jezero Crater’s western rim as the rover headed toward ancient terrain nicknamed Idubi; NASA has extended the mission through roughly the end of 2028.
Source: NASA Science — Perseverance sets off-world record for total distance driven
Image: Perseverance selfie with sample tubes at Jezero Crater’s Three Forks depot (PIA25735). Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS via Wikimedia Commons.
