BlueCruise relies on advanced cameras and radar to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings and maintain its position within the lane. The system is designed to work on prequalified sections of divided highways called Hands-Free Blue Zones. BlueCruise can be activated when the vehicle is within a Blue Zone and certain conditions are met, such as the driver being attentive and the lane markings being clearly visible.
Once BlueCruise is engaged, it keeps the vehicle centered in its lane and maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. The system can automatically adjust the vehicle’s speed based on the posted speed limit and traffic conditions. BlueCruise also handles mild curves and can even perform lane changes when the driver activates the turn signal.
From the driver’s perspective, using BlueCruise is straightforward. An instrument cluster prompt appears when the vehicle enters a Blue Zone. From there, the driver presses the adaptive cruise control button to engage the system and can let go of the steering wheel once BlueCruise activation is confirmed.
While BlueCruise enables hands-free driving, it is essential to note that the vehicle’s operator must be watchful at all times. The system monitors the operator’s eyes and head position using a driver-facing camera. If the operator becomes distracted or fails to respond to prompts, BlueCruise will disengage, and the driver must resume full and direct control of the vehicle.
It’s vital to understand that BlueCruise is not a fully autonomous driving system. There’s no sleeping behind the wheel or watching videos. The driver is still responsible for monitoring the road and being prepared to steer or brake as needed. In short, BlueCruise is designed to assist the driver and reduce fatigue during long trips, but it doesn’t replace the need for driver engagement behind the wheel.
Ford BlueCruise is available on select trims of specific Ford models: Mustang Mach-E (2021-2024), F-150 (2021-2024), F-150 Lightning (2022-2024), Expedition (2022-2024), and Explorer (2025). There are different BlueCruise versions (1.0, 1.2, and 1.3) that vary by model, trim, model year, and production date, but all compatible vehicles have a network of necessary hardware (cameras and radar sensors). In addition to the hardware requirements, BlueCruise also requires an active Ford Connected Services subscription and compatible software. The system receives periodic updates to improve its functionality and expand the network of Hands-Free Blue Zones.
It’s helpful for owners and prospective buyers of BlueCruise-compatible Fords to understand what this technology does and doesn’t do. Most notably, Ford BlueCruise reduces driver fatigue on long trips, making highway driving more convenient and comfortable. In addition, automatic lane centering and speed control make for safer travels, as humans aren’t capable of such precise adjustments. However, BlueCruise isn’t fully autonomous; a driver needs to be alert and attentive. In addition, the system only works when the vehicle is operating within a Hands-Free Blue Zone. Keep in mind that while these zones cover almost all limited-access highways in the U.S. and Canada, the system doesn’t work in certain situations, such as poor weather or situations where the painted lane markings have significantly faded.