Influencers Hit the Road but Crash After Just 60 Miles

A pair of Tesla shareholder-influencers recently set out to make history by attempting a coast-to-coast self-driving journey that Elon Musk boldly claimed would be possible back in 2017. However, their ambitious quest came to a screeching halt after they barely traveled 60 miles.

The Dream of Full Self-Driving: A Distant Reality

In 2016, Musk made headlines by promising that Tesla would achieve a fully autonomous drive from Los Angeles to New York within a year. Fast forward to 2025, and that dream remains unfulfilled.

Their Journey Began... and Ended Early

Armed with the latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) software in a Tesla Model Y, the influencers embarked on their journey from San Diego to Jacksonville. However, they didn’t even make it out of California before colliding with avoidable road debris, severely damaging their vehicle.

The Crash: A Moment of Inattention

Footage from their attempt revealed a critical moment: the driver’s hands were off the wheel, and though the passenger spotted the debris well in advance, the driver failed to react in time. They managed to travel a mere 2.5% of their intended route before the incident.

What the Experts Are Saying

Post-crash, the influencers confirmed that their Model Y suffered serious damage—including a broken sway bar and compromised suspension—along with a barrage of warning alerts from the vehicle.

A Broader Perspective on Tesla’s Progress

Comments from industry insiders suggest that Tesla enthusiasts are becoming increasingly disillusioned as the company's ambitious self-driving claims have repeatedly fallen short. The expectation for a fully autonomous fleet remains elusive, particularly as competitors like Waymo sprint ahead.

Caught in the Crossfire of Expectations and Reality

Historical perspectives from Tesla’s journey into autonomy highlight the difficulties of achieving the elusive ‘March of the 9s’—the final stages of perfecting self-driving technology. Musk himself has admitted that once you reach 99% success, tackling the remaining challenges becomes exponentially harder.

A Cautionary Tale for the Future

The influencers’ failed endeavor is a stark reminder of the hurdles still facing Tesla's self-driving ambitions. Although the hope is there, the actual road ahead remains fraught with challenges and uncertainty.

In a parallel story, a past experience of mine in a Tesla Model 3 highlights similar risks. During a trip, I encountered an unexpected blowout on the road, which prompted a frantic reaction that ultimately led to costly repairs. This serves as a cautionary tale—one that underscores the ongoing challenges confronting the realm of autonomous driving.