Illustrated glossary · Off-road angles
Approach, breakover and departure angles, illustrated
Approach angle describes clearance at the front, breakover at a crest between the axles, and departure at the rear. A vehicle can clear one part of an obstacle and still contact it somewhere else.
See how it works
Switch the obstacle, then change or in this geometric example.
Clearance check
With the same clearance, a longer wheelbase lowers the breakover limit. Try shortening it without changing the crest. The marker identifies the underside region at risk. This is a rigid geometry example, not a real trail-clearance verdict.
An idealized rigid-body clearance diagram, not a simulation of a vehicle on a trail. Suspension travel, tire deflection, load and irregular obstacles change real clearance.
The front and rear overhangs matter
runs from the front tire’s contact area toward the lowest forward obstruction. makes the equivalent check at the rear. A low bumper, step or hitch can become the first contact point, even when the center of the vehicle has enough clearance.
A crest asks a different question
concerns the underside between the . For the same idealized clearance, a longer wheelbase gives less room over a sharp crest. That is why two bodies of the same vehicle can have different breakover angles.
Use the angles for the actual build
Tires, , body and bumpers can change the published figures. Factory names alone do not supply a number. Our model tools show the build’s sourced dimensions and leave missing measurements explicit.
Explore it on a vehicle
Pick an equipped build to explore. Prices before .
2026 Ford Bronco
2026 Jeep Wrangler
About these examples
Year-specific examples from our catalogs, not a complete market list. A missing vehicle or trim does not establish that the feature is unavailable. Each illustration and link uses the shown build. Unknown prices stay unknown.
2026 Ford Bronco
The side view shows published dimensions; it does not drive the vehicle over simulated terrain.
2026 Jeep Wrangler
The side view shows published dimensions; it does not drive the vehicle over simulated terrain.
Our Wrangler data has the gas Wrangler's engines, transmissions, 4x4 systems, axles, wheels, tires, bumpers, tops and some of its packages. It doesn't have every package, the 392 V8 or the 4xe plug-in hybrid yet, so something missing from this page may still be offered.