Friends from Florida Lauren Lee and Cassie Aran set out on an unusual journey: they drove 500 miles in toy vehicles that were red and blue from Jacksonville to Key West! Their objective? to establish a record for the furthest distance driven in these novelty cars by the Guinness World Records.
The 29-year-old best friends, who have been together since kindergarten, carefully thought out their route and made sure they followed Guinness’ stringent record-keeping requirements. This required recording all stops, daily average speeds, and precise mileage covered. Their commitment was demonstrated by the images and witness signatures they included in the diary of every landmark and hotel stay.
Their journey wasn’t all sunshine and lollipops. The toy cars, with a top speed of around 10 mph, were no match for Florida’s uneven sidewalks, posing a constant threat to their undercarriage. Nightly storage also proved a challenge, with hotel staff reactions ranging from enthusiastic to bemused. But Lauren and Cassie, ever resourceful, carried a toolkit for repairs and even sported sports glasses to deflect flying dirt kicked up by passing traffic.
Despite the breakdowns and logistical hurdles, the duo remained upbeat. Their adventure doubled as a fundraiser for ending kill shelters, and their social media (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok) amassed millions of fans following their progress.
On May 6th, Key West erupted in cheers as Lauren and Cassie, after 50 days on the road, triumphantly rolled into town. The city officially welcomed them, acknowledging their incredible feat. While official confirmation from Guinness is pending, these determined best friends have undoubtedly proven their resilience and love for a good adventure.
