A virtual support element may be activated when it is beneficial to assist an autonomous drive system of the vehicle through a physical environment having one or more hazards. A remote support system generates the virtual support element (e.g., a virtual vehicle) that can be controlled through a simulated environment that corresponds to a physical environment of a vehicle. The autonomous drive system of the vehicle follows a path through the physical environment corresponding to the path of the virtual support element through the simulated environment corresponding to the physical environment.