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JPL’s Perseverance sets off-world driving record on Mars

The rover built and operated by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena has traveled farther on another world than any vehicle in history.

Published October 13, 2026

Perseverance’s odometer reached 28.10 miles, or 45.22 kilometers, on October 11, edging past the 28.06-mile mark set by NASA’s Opportunity rover. Perseverance reached the record after about five and a half years on Mars; Opportunity accumulated its distance over nearly 15 years.

Autonomy extends the rover’s reach

NASA credited Perseverance’s AutoNav system for much of the progress. The rover has completed more than 90% of its total distance using autonomous navigation to image the terrain, map hazards and choose a safe route between waypoints selected by Earth-based planners.

The system allows Perseverance to cover as much as 1,351 feet in a Martian day. NASA said the rover processes 600,000 terrain measurement points with each look, compared with 20 for the agency’s first Mars rover, Sojourner.

Mission extended through 2028

NASA recently approved Perseverance’s first mission extension, carrying its exploration of Jezero Crater’s rim through roughly the end of 2028. JPL project manager Steven Lee told Reuters that the rover’s engineering hardware and instruments remain in excellent condition and are expected to operate well into the 2030s.

JPL, managed for NASA by Caltech, built Perseverance and directs its operations for the agency’s Mars Exploration Program.

Sources: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory — October 12, 2026 → · Reuters — October 13, 2026 →