Waymo robotaxis to drive on US freeways for the first time

Long distance autonomous taxi services will be available to select group of eary-access users

Waymo`s services in California

Waymo`s services in California

Waymo is set to become the first company to offer driverless rides on a US freeway.

The Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle developer has been offering ‘robotaxi’ services on the streets of cities such as San Francisco.

Waymo is now to begin offering robotaxi rides that use freeways across San Francisco and Los Angeles in California, and Phoenix in Arizona. Freeway rides will initially be available to early-access users. 

Waymo said: “Freeway trips make Waymo even more convenient and efficient, whether you're headed to Sky Harbor International Airport, cruising from Downtown LA to Culver City, or commuting in our newly expanded Bay Area service.

“Expanding our service territory in the Bay Area and introducing freeways is built on real-world performance and millions of miles logged on freeways, skillfully handling highway dynamics with our employees and guests in Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angeles. 

“This experience, reinforced by comprehensive testing as well as extensive operational preparation, supports the delivery of a safe and reliable service. 

“We've also closely collaborated with safety officials, to seamlessly support this new phase of service. Waymo currently operates in parts of the San Francisco Bay Area and is extending operations to San Jose, including Mineta San Jose international airport, the second airport in its service area after Phoenix Sky Harbor.”

Waymo, which is a subsidiary of Google, is currently the only company running a paid robotaxi service in the USA. It operates a fleet of more than 1,500 vehicles, without safety drivers or in-vehicle monitors. 

Waymo began offering paid rides in Phoenix, Arizona in 2020 about 11 years as part of Google’s self-driving car project. 

Waymo operates commercial robotaxi services available to the public in Phoenix (Arizona), San Francisco (California), Los Angeles (California), Atlanta (Georgia), and Austin (Texas). Waymo services are available to select passengers on a waitlist in Silicon Valley (California). As of April 2025, it is reported to offer over 250,000 paid rides per week, totalling over 1 million miles monthly. 

Waymo and rivals such as Tesla have faced federal investigations over unexpected driving behaviour. however different factors apply as the vehicles travel at much faster speeds. Freeway driving is regarded as being relatively less complicated than navigating city streets. Waymo says it had developed new freeway protocols with local highway patrols and safety agencies.

Tesla has long offered driver-assist features on freeways and plans to expands its own robotaxi service with safety monitors and drivers. Meanwhile, the Amazon Zoox service offers free robotaxi rides on and around the Las Vegas Strip.

Meanwhile, last month Waymo signalled its intention to start operating autonomous ride-hailing services in London during 2026.