NASA’s Perseverance sets the off-world record for distance driven

NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover has driven farther than any vehicle on another world, JPL reported. On 11 October 2026 — mission sol 2006 — the odometer reached 28.10 miles (45.22 km), edging past Opportunity’s long-standing 28.06 miles (45.16 km).

How the record fell

JPL says a 299.6-foot (91.31 m) drive that day pushed Perseverance past Opportunity. Guinness World Records and space digests place the route near the rim of Jezero Crater, from an area nicknamed “Lac de Charmes” toward ancient eroded rocks called “Idubi.”

Perseverance needed roughly five and a half years to pass a total that took Opportunity almost 15 years. JPL credits stronger autonomy and drive planning: Perseverance can cover hundreds of metres in a single drive when terrain allows, while Curiosity typically moves tens of metres at a time for science-focused work.

Context among Mars rovers

As of that date, JPL compares:

• Sojourner (1997): about 100 m
• Spirit: 7.7 km
• Opportunity: 45.16 km (previous record)
• Curiosity: more than 38.07 km and still operating
• Perseverance: 45.22 km and still climbing

The milestone is about odometer distance on another planetary surface, not speed records or sample-return deadlines. Mission science at Jezero continues.