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The digital mapping mission wasn’t easy. A Ford Bronco Badlands, armed with the Sasquatch Package, carried Google’s 360-degree camera rig across some of the most hostile terrain in North America. The journey took 32 straight days of grueling travel through deserts, forests, and mountains.
The team conquered Utah’s Great Salt Lake Desert, climbed Colorado’s breathtaking San Juan Mountains — topping out at 11,789 feet — and finally made it to the Atlantic coast.
Ford didn’t send the Bronco into battle alone. A Ranger Lariat pickup and an Expedition Tremor SUV tagged along as support vehicles, hauling equipment and crew members through every punishing mile. The mission’s directive was simple but brutal: “stay off pavement as much as humanly possible.”
Outfitted with 35-inch tires, Bilstein shocks, and locking differentials, the Bronco proved it wasn’t just built for looks — it was engineered to survive the impossible. Every muddy pass, rocky climb, and sandy dune tested the vehicle’s endurance to the limit.
The mapping expedition took place in August 2025, producing hundreds of thousands of panoramic images that now live on Google’s servers. Anyone can hop online and trace the same path that adventurers have braved for decades — scouting routes, checking seasonal conditions, and seeing what lies ahead before setting foot on the trail.
It’s the first time Google has ever partnered directly with an automaker for a Street View project. The new lightweight 15-pound camera system meant Ford’s team could quickly adapt as terrain changed — capturing everything from desolate plains to mountain ridges without the bulky rigs Google once used in cities.
Since launching in 2007, Google Street View has captured more than 220 billion images across 100 countries. But this project breaks new ground — quite literally. It’s not about crowded landmarks or urban sprawl. It’s about America’s hidden backroads, its raw landscapes, and its forgotten beauty.
Ford insists this project isn’t just a flashy PR stunt. The goal was to make exploration more accessible and help off-roaders plan their own expeditions safely. With the new imagery, adventurers can identify hazards, gauge terrain, and prepare for real-world challenges before ever leaving their driveway.
Sam Correro’s original route was built for riders covering roughly 200 miles per day. Over the years, it became a bucket-list challenge for overlanders determined to cross the country without touching pavement. Now, suburban families can explore the same trail — virtually — without the risk of being stranded in the wilderness.
For the first time, Google Street View isn’t just about sightseeing — it’s about rediscovery. Ford’s partnership with Google reveals an America that most people have never seen: endless forests, towering peaks, and desolate deserts that define the heart of the nation.
By combining cutting-edge technology with old-school grit, Ford and Google have turned one man’s dream into a shared national experience. Emergency responders can now survey remote zones, environmental researchers can track changes in landscapes, and future adventurers can plan their journeys with more precision than ever.
Sure, no screen can replace the thrill of a muddy tire or the smell of dust after a long trail ride. But this project might just inspire a new generation of Americans to look beyond the pavement — and rediscover the raw, untamed beauty of their own country.
