NASA’s Opportunity rover holds the record for the longest distance driven on another planet, traveling about 45.16 kilometres (28.06 miles) across Mars.
Opportunity landed in Meridiani Planum on January 25, 2004, for a mission originally planned to last only 90 Martian days. It far exceeded that goal, operating for nearly 15 years while examining rocks, soil, and ancient environmental conditions.
The rover’s total distance surpassed the previous planetary-driving record held by the Soviet Lunokhod 2 rover on the Moon. Opportunity’s final communication came in June 2018, after a planet-wide dust storm blocked sunlight from its solar panels. NASA ended the mission in February 2019.
Curiosity and Perseverance are sometimes confused with the record-holder because they remain active and have traveled substantial distances. However, Opportunity’s 45.16-kilometre journey remains the recognized record for surface travel on another planet.