Dodge Journey Search (Midwest)

/ Steven Barley

From the two introductory commercials, there are a number of clues that identify a 100-mile segment of the Dodge Journey (Midwest) route.

Find the latest on Dodge Journey Search (Midwest) Clues

Update #1: Two new locations added – Main Street, El Reno and Yellow Bridge crossing. Google map revised.
Update #2: One probable location identified – Hot air balloon ride, McKinney, TX. Google map route expanded.
Update #3: I was just contacted by someone who claims to work with Rohr balloons – “I can confirm that it was not our balloon or company used for this contest. Please stop overloading my phone with questions.” <- The power of social media (and a contest of interest)
Update #4: New clues added, part of the Midwest drive.
Update #5: New location added – Dairy Best, Clinton. Google map revised.

1. Yukon Mill & Grain Co, Yukon, OK

Yukon Mill & Grain Co

In the video, the Dodge Journey is traveling west along route 66 (the mill is on the south side of the highway).

Notes: Although you have a general location (Yukon, OK) and can google to find pictures and general information, the precise location took some detective work, via google street view (and the possibility that it could be along route 66, see next clue)

Yukon Mill & Grain Co - Google street view

2. Route 66 National Museum, Elk City, OK

Route 66 National Museum

In the video, the Dodge Journey is traveling west along Route 66.

Notes: A quick search in google reveals the location of the Route 66 National Museum and google street view can be used to determine location relative to the highway.

3. “Main Street” – El Reno, OK

Marching band

In the video, the Dodge Journey is traveling west along Sunset Dr (and old Route 66).

Notes: Revisiting the route and assuming that the Dodge is sticking to old Route 66, which cuts straight through El Reno, a virtual tour using google street view reveals this location.

Sunset Drive - El Reno - Google street view

4. “Yellow Bridge” crossing

Yellow bridge crossing

In the video, the Dodge Journey continues to travel west along old Route 66.

Notes: This was contributed by Jason Y. Many thanks for identifying and sharing. Google street view for verification:

Bridge crossing

5. Dairy Best, Clinton, OK

Dairy Best

Notes: This was contributed by Richard. Clinton, OK lies in between the “yellow bridge” and Elk City. Google street view to verify:

Dairy Best - Google street view

Google Map of partial Dodge Journey (Midwest) route using introductory videos.

Remaining Clues

These are the remaining clues for the Dodge Journey (Midwest) search, but there’s not much to work with:

Hot air balloon, location ??

Hot air balloon

Notes: Initially, a great prospect and contribution from Jason Y. Rohr balloons out of McKinney, TX provides hot air balloon rides and has the same hot air balloon. More pictures of the balloon here. A recent contact by Rohr balloons (or someone who claims to work with them) denies that their balloon or company was used.

Midwest drive

Midwest drive

Notes: Not much to work with but this seems to be the identifying image for the Midwest search (like Hangtown Motel for the West and Uncle Sam for the East searches). Observations: Both roads are unpaved (so Google street view will be useless) with a line of telephone poles and power line poles, running parallel along the road.


MB Ranch?

Notes: A number of astute observers (in hi-def) noted the letters MB, on the fence, to the right, which may represent a ranch or landowners. The road signs, unfortunately, cannot be read (although the first letter on the bottom road sign appears to be N)

Midwest drive #2

The introductory video has two other shots (0:06) and (0:31) that are most likely 1) part of the same sequence. Note the dirt road (dust kicked up by the Dodge Journey), ridge along side the road, general terrain, including contours, and position of the sun. The (0:06) segment was shot first, note the position of the sun, and lack of shadows (early morning).

This second sequence (0:31) should be fairly easy to identify by satellite imagery (although I spent a good checking the areas north and south of Elk City with no luck). More importantly, they are traveling North, if this was taken at sunrise (my belief) or south if taken near sunset.

Midwest drive (0:31)

It might be worth noting that the main Midwest drive was shot around noon (shadow directly beneath the Dodge) but may be a destination for these other two shots.

Given that the Dodge Journey Search (West) started from a landmark city like San Francisco, Dodge Journey Search (Midwest) will probably start from Dallas, TX, traveling north, toward the two known destinations (estimated route length: 290 miles), although that would not leave too much room for additional travel.

344 thoughts on “Dodge Journey Search (Midwest)”

  1. here is the bridge from the commercial
    http://maps.google.com/maps?q=bridge&hl=en&sll=35.540782,-98.321435&sspn=0.0099,0.021136&vpsrc=0&t=h&radius=0.71&layer=c&cbll=35.540964,-98.321704&panoid=chkN323_SQR40a5WwQcXdQ&cbp=12,217.66,,0,4.02&z=16

    and here is the “mainstreet usa”
    http://maps.google.com/maps?q=elite+counseling+llc&hl=en&ll=35.532292,-97.952669&spn=0.000009,0.005284&sll=35.532403,-97.952664&sspn=0.001249,0.002642&vpsrc=0&t=h&layer=c&cbll=35.532403,-97.952663&panoid=fJnJlaNIPeT9cjecl4MQjw&cbp=12,146.01,,0,2.67&z=18

    BOTH ARE IN THE 100 MILE STRECH

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    • Thanks Jason. I was revisiting the route, sticking to 66 (which takes you through El Reno) and found the Main Street location. The bridge is a fantastic find (and still along route 66). I’ve updated the post and credited you.

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      • when I was seeking clues earlier in the week I confirmed the El Reno spot as well by talking with members of the El Reno Marching Band, that actually staged this scene with Dodge. Somewhere around the 30th of August. on a Tuesday. i thought this would be important to get the date for the hot air balloon clue,thinking a festival or something, but now I’m convinced they hired the balloon. Which I see below a comment with the McKinney Texas balloon place, which is a close match, especailly if you go and view their pictures. Which if it’s right, it helps with the starting point which will help with the ending point. However it blows my theory of going up north after Elk city into Kansas where there are two interesting towns, Dodge City and Ford, Kansas.

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      • Great detective work Mark. I wouldn’t mind give Rohr balloons a call to confirm that they were used (but I’m 99.9% sure) but more importantly, where did they go to set up the balloon. The route is right at 300 miles now (from McKinney).

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    • I understand that is what you did. I saw the pic, however the white sign is what is making me think this. I pulled the phone number off of it. Maybe I am wrong, though.

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      • No worries Toni. Perhaps worth noting. Google street view capture was from 2009 and would explain the slight differences in look.

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      • Toni, you are partially right. The phone number that you pulled was for the Elite Counseling LLC. While the Watonga address is the first one to come up when you pull the number, it is worth noting that Elite Conseling has 4 or 5 addresses in the area. The Google Earth match is for the El Reno office, not the Watonga one (they all have the same main phone number).

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    • Hi Ted. I looked at that sequence (including the reflection in the windshield that follows <- just clouds) No signs to work with at all 😦 but I do believe it's part of the Midwest route.

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      • Will do!!! Doing recon tonight on a few locations that it may be at. Keep the hint/help coming in people! And if I do find it, I will give a shout out to you steven!!!!

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  8. could this be the hot air ballon in the commercial?

    based out of Buchannan Orthodontics based out of McKinney, TX?

    I know there are probably a bunch of hot air ballons that look this way…. but who knows

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    • That’s definitely the closest hit I’ve seen for that balloon Jason – and I’ve looked at a lot! There are so many unique variations, you’d have to believe that this particular balloon would belong to someone, and like the kayaks for the west, hot air balloon rides are a big thing in the Midwest (plains).

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    • Just another quick follow up Jason. I didn’t have time to check their site (or location) when you shared the image. I’m very sure that’s the balloon and McKinney TX is in near perfect line from my projected departure city, Dallas. I’m updated my blog, crediting you. Great job!

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  10. I know this isn’t it….. but based on the fields and background and etc… the setting from the field is very similar to this….Black Kettle National Grassland….. with is west of all of the other clues…..http://maps.google.com/maps?q=20900+S+4200+RdClaremore,+OK+United+States+74019&hl=en&ll=35.682677,-99.925632&spn=0.079756,0.169086&t=h&z=13&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=35.682276,-99.925637&panoid=c1Gl40nDgTl7ljdOAA_xIQ&cbp=12,358.4,,0,9.78

    so maybe it is somewhere near here.

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    • Yeah Jason. That Midwest drive shot is clearly in the plains. What really struck me was the two sets of power lines on each side of the road (minor on the left, somewhat major on the right). That’s pretty unique. Worth noting as well: both roads are not paved. That unfortunately means that Google maps street view would not have ventured into area … and we’re not left with much to go on and no way to really explore. I did check a good number of street view shots west of Elk City, just hoping to catch the start of the power lines 😦

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      • I thought the power lines on the right looked pretty unusual and did some brief googling of power line types with no luck. (And I did a number of street view searches of OK and couldn’t find the type used). Thanks for sharing!

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    • Hi Nick. Well you definitely are in the right area 🙂 I’m on the east coast and plan on enjoying the armchair / virtual hunt. I missed out on the launch of the West, so I’m not completely sure. You can subscribe/register and perhaps, they’ll share with those first.

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    • Best of luck Joe! It would definitely be a great adventure (finding the car or not). I’ll definitely be sharing whatever I can from the East coast. Cheers!

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    • Yes Mikey. Someone shared that earlier but I didn’t have a chance to dig further. That is definitely the balloon and McKinney TX (even if they set up the balloon ride north of McKinney) supports the route, as predicted, a departure from Dallas, TX.

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  15. I get the feeling the hotel rooms from Elk City to Oklahoma city are going to be booked up! “Ah Yes, Holiday inn…. do you have free wifi for my laptop?”

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    • Same here. I missed the launch of the West campaign. I do not expect they’ll throw any curve balls beyond the scope of Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay. Cheers!

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  17. If the hot air balloon is tied to McKinney, TX and that starting point, why would it show the people getting out of their car. I think wherever this balloon is, it has more to do with the destination.

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    • I understand Mike. It’s the only time we see the family exiting the car – unusual but I’d like to believe there’s a little site seeing along the way. I don’t think they could hit the Route 66 drive, then head south. Time will tell though 🙂

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      • I am not saying they are going to end up in McKinney Tx. I am saying I don’t think the balloon is tied to there. I think it is from somewhere else. I am pretty sure a company makes that design and anyone can purchase it. Therefore, there are probably plenty of people that own that design. My guess is that the balloon will be set up somewhere and that is how we will know where the car is.

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      • I tend to agree Mike. I really believed that the drive through the plains (intersection shot) and hot air balloon shot would be in close proximity. All of my hot air balloon searches for OK kept turn up locations East, not West. That’s the first solid match on the balloon we’ve had.

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  18. Steven – Great work man, this is great info. I’m also kinda doubting the tie to Dallas. I grew up in N. Dallas and that balloon doesn’t really look like it’s in N. Dallas. It just kinda looks off to me, but that’s just me. Also, to me it looks like they’re pointing an arrow straight towards Amarillo…maybe? Who knows. Once again, great work on picking these videos apart. Well done.

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      • Let me second the applause for you Steven. I really appreciate this blog and comments over Dodge’s youtube Channel, you are kinder with your words than calling people retarted if they fail to get a clue. I’m now sitting at 8 hours away and would love to go, but it’s still a big gamble, I may just have to settle with watching it live. Again thanks so much for providing information and a place to discuss with kindness.

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      • Thanks a bunch Mark. 8 hours away. That’s definitely closer from either Midwest and East than I am 🙂 And yeah, tough call … I caught the tail end of the West search and they were giving some pretty easy (quick google) clues, but you were still left with a 10-mile radius search, a 5-mile radius search?! A 5-mile radius is a good days worth of driving and luck will certainly factor in … If end up rolling the dice, best of luck! I’ll continue to update and share what I can.

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  19. To all it may concern,

    I work for Rohr Balloons, and I can confirm that it was not our balloon or company used for this contest. Please stop overloading my phone with questions.

    Thank you

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    • Mike. That’s definitely helpful information and it sounds like a needed update for all concerned 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to post.

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  20. I’m out here at tech in Lubbock. Thinking about headed out at 4am to Elk City by ways of picking up 40 in Amarillo. Love the page, keep the clues coming!!!

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  22. Steven and Jason, I have been searching and searching also on that clip of the “midwest drive” I have found something that hasn’t been mentioned which is the Iron gate on the right side of the screen it has MB on the gate. I have searched for MB ranches in oklahoma and texas with no luck. So I was thinking maybe you guys could help me out with this?

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    • Also the dirt road, cross street sign I can’t read that either but I do believe the sign on top begins with the letter N and I have noticed that a lot of the roads begin with N if its north of route 66 road. Any clues on this?

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    • Hi Rick. I was just searching (again) for dirt roads, intersections, power/telephone lines, etc hoping to get lucky (b/c google street view won’t travel along a dirt road :() In any event, that’s an interesting bit of info. The two opposing corners have gates and should belong to ranches. I certainly don’t mind trying a different angle 🙂

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    • Hi Scott. I caught the tail end of the West search, so I’m not certain how or when they will release subsequent clues. Their How to Play video on YouTube states “Each one you solve unlocks the next clue.” I’m also not clear what mechanism they have for individuals unlocking clues. In the 300-mile clue, there are multiple clues. At the very least, we’ll discover the answer to your question, sooner, rather than later 🙂 Cheers!

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    • Glad to hear Jermaine 🙂 I’m not sure which bridge you’re referring to though. There are a couple in the introductory videos, a “yellow” bridge, part of the Midwest Journey search, and a steel, arched bridge, located in NY. Thanks for the post. Cheers!

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    • Hi Thomas. That’s certainly the first MB ranch I’ve seen (great detective work!) but I do think that the drive south from OK to Hardeman County, Texas would be a stretch. We have a known 100-mile section of their route. They’ll either start in OK, which would support a drive south, or start in TX, which supports a final destination in OK. The 300-mile clue should answer that key question.

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  27. oh dear. just kissed my husband goodbye. he’ll be driving through the night to get to OK. wish more than anything i could join him!! that’s what happens when you fall in love with a man with an adventurous spirit!! i’ll be up at all hours of the night, waiting for update and hunting for clues!! thanks for the great info, steven!!

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    • What a great post Liz (and wonderful relationship you both have). I sure do wish you both the best of luck! And get some sleep 🙂 After they post the 300-mile clue, unless there’s a complete giveaway clue, which I doubt, a good bit of searching and fortune will be required. Cheers!

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    • Hi Robert. I have but they struck me as metaphors: translation, get off the sofa, start your journey and explore 🙂 I thought it a bit ironic though that the way we solve the clues is to use the very thing they suggest we break away from, i.e. the web … LOL, but they acknowledge that towards the end. Thanks for the post. Cheers!

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    • It certainly does appear to be MB (in 1080i or hi-res). There were a number of people who search for MB ranches in OK and Texas, myself included.

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      • The sequence in the video (0:35) shows them turning with white building. There’s a sign near the left that can’t be made out but by comparing the buildings (left, right) with google street view, I can confirm it’s a match – and it is in line with their travel west.

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    • Hi Mikey. The new clues have not been released, so the only thing we have to work with are the two introductory videos, see my very first post. There are some open plain shots, probably of OK, but no wheat fields that I can make out. Cheers!

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  35. Good luck to everyone, thanks for the post…live just outside Chicago…too far for us to go with all our plans this weekend…this is really fun though doing it virtually…I had the Elk City location last week…thanks for starting this Steven!!

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  37. Okay I looked up the Clinton ok Dairy Best and yes that is where they were in the original 1 min video at the 35 sec mark. It was a shot that was completely blurred on the video but looking at street view its definitly the same. Again though this was on the original video.

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  42. all others for Justin Mcbride are to this location THIS IS PUBLIC RECORD

    COUNTY ASSESSOR TAX ROLLS Print-Friendly Page
    PERSONAL INFORMATION REAL PROPERTY INFORMATION
    MCBRIDE, JUSTIN TRAVIS & JILL
    12700 N 1900 RD

    SAYRE OK 73662

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    • I used the address and looked at satellite views of this area and nothing still looks like the interesection with the two power lines and two dirt roads.

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