(October 8, 2011) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Melissa Sweeney, of Woodbridge, Va., tracked down the third and final 2012 Dodge Journey hidden inside a barn in St. George, Maine, as part of the Dodge brand's "Search Engine for the Real World" campaign and vehicle giveaway.

Sweeney found the 2012 Journey with help from family members contributing to the search efforts from home.

"Taking home a new Dodge Journey was the biggest driver," Sweeney said. "I never thought I'd spend three days traveling more than 900 miles and sleeping in my car. I can't believe I beat out the hundreds of others who participated in the search. It was an incredible experience for me and my family."

The day before the East region search was live, Sweeney drove from her hometown in Virginia to Vermont to be in a good position to begin. For the next two days, she followed a long series of online and real-world clues that took her to New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and, ultimately, Maine.

Along the way, Sweeney's task force at home, composed of her husband, sisters, mom and dad, aided in the search efforts, monitoring the online conversation and researching clues.

Melissa Sweeney with her new
Journey in front of Maine barn

Sweeney managed to stay ahead of an estimated 200 people on the road participating from various parts of the United States – including Arizona, California, Texas, Nevada, Oklahoma, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Florida and Wisconsin. It was a close race, with two runner-up teams arriving shortly after Sweeney.

"The 'Search Engine for the Real World' campaign was an innovative way to showcase America's most versatile and affordable mid-size crossover – the Dodge Journey," said Reid Bigland, President and CEO of Dodge Brand. "It also proved extremely engaging, with more than 1 million people watching the Dodge brand's YouTube channel and thousands exploring America in search of a new Journey."

Dodge launched the national television and digital advertising campaign on Friday, Sept. 9, positioning the 2012 Dodge Journey as the "Search Engine for the Real World," the perfect vehicle for people looking for adventure.

The campaign encouraged people to get out and explore the real world instead of just reading about it online and, as an added bonus, included a chance to win one of three Dodge Journey vehicles hidden across America. Vehicles were hidden in the West, Midwest and East. The first person to find each Dodge Journey, won it.

There were approximately 300,000 people watching the live camera feed during the campaign for an average of 25 minutes. Ultimately, thousands of people searched the nation for a chance to win a 2012 Dodge Journey.

Watch the video of the search.

The first Dodge Journey was found in Gardnerville, Nev., on Sept. 10. The second was located near Strong City, Okla., on Sept. 17. See earlier story on MotorwayAmerica.