- Shelby Easler and her family were returning from the Las Vegas Grand Prix when Google Maps sent them on an off-road route to avoid a dust storm on I-15
- Their car got stuck on a gravel road in the middle of the desert
- Easler’s car had to be towed due to the damage on the mysterious route
Wrong turn!
A convoy of drivers headed to Los Angeles from Las Vegas became stranded in the desert after Google Maps sent them on an off-route route to avoid a dust storm.
Shelby Easler, her brother and their significant others were returning from the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas when Google Maps redirected them from Interstate 15 – the main highway connecting Southern California to Sin City.
The web mapping platform directed the group to a faster off-road route instead of the highway, which was delayed by a dust storm.
Easler told the SFGoes: ‘Ironically we thought it would be a safer option, and it said it would be 50 minutes faster.
“It was our first time driving to/from Vegas, so we didn’t know you can actually only take I-15 back and forth.”
Shelby Easler, her brother and their significant others were returning from the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas when Google Maps rerouted them off Interstate 15
Footage shows the cars stuck on a dirt road and traveling at a speed of three kilometers per hour to avoid damage
Easler then posted a TikTok about the incident. The now-viral video has been viewed nearly 2 million times and shows a group of cars driving together through the sand.
Images show the cars stuck on a dirt road and driving at a speed of three kilometers per hour to avoid damage.
The family tries to turn around and return to the highway, but is unable to due to the quality of the roads. They eventually also see wild donkeys on the route.
Easler included a photo from her Google Maps page in the video, showing the route takes more than four hours and has no noticeable signs.
Easler posted on social media a photo of her Google Maps page in the video, which shows the route is more than four hours long and has no noticeable signs
“The first driver who turned around told us that the road washes out the higher you go into the mountain, and that we have to turn around because the path doesn’t lead anywhere,” she said
“The first driver who turned around told us that the road gets vaguer the higher you go into the mountain, and that we should turn around because the path doesn’t lead anywhere,” she said.
“He was in a huge truck and just drove right through the bushes and brush to let people know to turn around,” Early said.
Ultimately, the family was forced to call 911 for help, but was told that California Highway Patrol was preoccupied with the dust storm on I-15.
They eventually contacted a towing company, which sent trucks to assist them and the other stranded vehicles.
“The tow truck came around 5 p.m., so we were stuck there pretty much all afternoon,” Easler said.
“We had to leave the car in Vegas and it was towed to a dealer’s service center.
“They said the right rear tire was off and the alignment was messed up too. Low-key, quite an expensive solution.
Ultimately, the family was forced to call 911 for help, but was told that California Highway Patrol was preoccupied with the dust storm on I-15.
They eventually contacted a towing company, which sent trucks to assist them and the other stranded vehicles
In a subsequent TikTok video, she made it clear that the group saw other cars driving the same “mysterious” route and didn’t look back, which instilled confidence in the family.
She also explained that as they descended the ‘well dug’ ground, the maps kept showing them links that they could take after a few miles.
Easler said when they tried to turn the car around, their car was surrounded by other vehicles.
The search engine giant has since said it is investigating the incident.
A spokesperson told the New York Post: ‘During unpredictable conditions, we are working as quickly as possible to update the route based on information from local authorities and sudden changes in driving patterns.
“We are investigating the issue that occurred this weekend and can confirm that we have been diverting drivers via Interstate 15 since it reopened.”