Tesla Influencers' Cross-Country Self-Driving Attempt Ends in Early Crash
Autonomous Ambitions: When Reality Collides with the Open Road
A Cross-Country Vision: Elon Musk's Autonomous Driving Promise and Its Unfulfilled Past
In 2016, Elon Musk famously declared that Tesla vehicles would accomplish a fully autonomous cross-country journey from Los Angeles to New York by the close of 2017. The plan involved a live-streamed or continuously filmed drive, showcasing the vehicle's complete self-sufficiency. However, as of 2025, this ambitious feat has yet to be achieved by Tesla, leaving many to question the progress of its self-driving technology.
Shareholder Enthusiasm Meets Roadblock: The Influencers' FSD Expedition
Despite the consistent delays in achieving full autonomous driving, a segment of Tesla's investor base remains confident in the company's trajectory, particularly with the recent introduction of its 'Robotaxi' fleet in Austin and enhancements to the consumer-focused Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. Motivated by this belief, two such shareholders, who are also online personalities, embarked on a coast-to-coast drive in a Tesla Model Y, equipped with the most recent FSD software update, from San Diego, California, to Jacksonville, Florida. Their journey, however, was cut short.
Unexpected Detour: The Crash Incident and Its Aftermath
The ambitious cross-country attempt by the Tesla influencers ended prematurely, less than 60 miles into their journey, before they even exited California. The vehicle collided with road debris that, upon review, appeared to be easily avoidable. Video footage of the incident reveals the driver's hands were not on the steering wheel, despite the passenger spotting the obstacle well in advance. The driver's delayed reaction in gripping the wheel contributed to the impact, resulting in significant damage to the Tesla Model Y.
Damage Assessment: The Mechanics of the Early Failure
Following the collision, the two influencers confirmed in a subsequent update that their Model Y sustained a fractured sway bar bracket and compromised suspension components. The vehicle also displayed numerous warning alerts, indicating extensive issues. This incident occurred barely 2.5% into their planned cross-country trip, utilizing Tesla's FSD v13.9, casting a shadow over the system's current capabilities.
Industry Perspective: The "March of the Nines" and the Challenge of Real-World Autonomy
Historically, discussions among Tesla shareholders about autonomous driving were characterized by more pragmatic assessments. However, with the electric vehicle market shifting and the company's stock valuation increasingly tied to its self-driving and robotaxi aspirations, a more uncritical stance has emerged. Elon Musk himself once highlighted the immense difficulty of achieving true autonomy, describing the "march of the 9s" – the painstaking effort to reach near-perfect reliability, like 99.999999999% uptime, especially when encountering unpredictable real-world challenges such as road debris. This incident underscores that Tesla is still grappling with these foundational challenges, potentially lagging behind competitors like Waymo, which began its own rigorous testing years prior.
A Personal Anecdote: Lessons from a Similar Road Hazard
The author recounts a personal experience from 2020 involving a similar accident in a Tesla Model 3 during a trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. While on Autopilot, the vehicle encountered a blown-out truck tire on the road. Despite the author's late reaction, due to following a truck, applying the brakes helped mitigate the impact. Although the visible damage was minimal, a subsequent inspection by Tesla revealed approximately $10,000 worth of suspension damage, suggesting that seemingly minor impacts with road debris can lead to costly repairs. This personal account draws parallels with the influencers' recent crash, hinting at potentially substantial repair costs for their Model