Waymo Is Going Fully Autonomous in 5 New Cities. Everything to Know About the Robotaxi

Self-driving vehicles are slowly changing into much less sci-fi and extra real-world as corporations like Waymo, the autonomous arm of Google’s mother or father, Alphabet, broaden into extra areas. And on Tuesday, Waymo mentioned it will be driving absolutely autonomously in 5 new cities, doubling the variety of locations by which its automobiles function with no human behind the wheel. 

Waymo presently provides absolutely autonomous rides to most people in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Austin, Texas, by way of the all-electric Jaguar I-Tempo. The automobiles may be summoned both through the Waymo app or Uber, relying on town. 

Now, it will additionally drive absolutely autonomously in Miami, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Orlando — first with staff solely, earlier than opening to the general public subsequent 12 months. The rollout kicked off on Tuesday in Miami and can prolong to the opposite 4 cities within the coming weeks, Waymo mentioned in a weblog submit.

Waymo’s expansions have ramped up in current months. In an Aug. 29 weblog submit, Waymo mentioned it is “getting into a brand new chapter and accelerating our business enlargement.”

In early November, Waymo mentioned it is bringing its ride-hailing service to a few new cities: Las Vegas, San Diego and Detroit. As a part of the rollout, Waymo is deploying each its Jaguar I-Tempo fleet, which already operates in a handful of different cities, in addition to the newer Zeeker RT automobiles which can be geared up with Waymo’s newest, sixth-generation self-driving expertise. The corporate plans to speak in confidence to public riders within the new places subsequent 12 months. 

And final week, Waymo started driving passengers on freeways in San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles.

You could find a full checklist of the place Waymo presently operates and plans to broaden beneath.

Waymo’s development extends to its manufacturing amenities. In Could, the corporate mentioned it is opening a brand new, 239,000-square-foot autonomous car manufacturing unit within the Phoenix space. The plan is so as to add 2,000 extra absolutely autonomous Jaguar I-Tempo automobiles to its current 1,500-vehicle fleet. Notably, Waymo indicated it obtained its “last supply from Jaguar” earlier this 12 months, because it plans for future iterations of its driverless rides. Waymo added that the “facility’s versatile design” will permit it to combine its upcoming sixth-generation self-driving expertise into new automobiles, beginning with the all-electric Zeekr RT. 

Final October, Waymo additionally introduced it is partnering with Hyundai to carry the following technology of its expertise into Ioniq 5 SUVs. Within the years to come back, riders will be capable of summon these all-electric, autonomous automobiles utilizing the Waymo app. And in April, Waymo mentioned it reached a preliminary settlement with Toyota to “discover a collaboration” geared towards growing autonomous driving tech, which may sometime be factored into personally owned automobiles. 

The self-driving firm says it is pushed over 100 million absolutely autonomous miles on public roads and has supplied greater than 10 million paid rides. I’ve hailed a number of rides myself in San Francisco and, as off-putting as it might probably appear at first (particularly to see a steering wheel flip by itself), I rapidly adjusted, and it quickly felt like an extraordinary trip.

That is to not say there hasn’t been pushback as Waymo rolls out to extra cities. The corporate’s automobiles have been concerned in a handful of high-profile collisions, together with one with a bicyclist in San Francisco and one other with a towed pickup truck in Phoenix. (Waymo recalled and up to date its software program to handle the problem.) 

Waymo’s Security Influence report notes that over the course of 71 million autonomous miles pushed by way of March 2025, its Waymo Driver expertise had 88% fewer crashes resulting in critical accidents or worse and 78% fewer injury-causing crashes, in contrast with “a mean human driver over the identical distance in our working cities.” It additionally reported considerably fewer crashes with accidents to pedestrians (93%), cyclists (81%) and motorcyclists (86%).

As Waymo continues to broaden and develop its self-driving tech, this is how and the place to summon the robotaxi if you happen to occur to be in one of many few cities the place the corporate presently operates its fleet. 

Hailing a trip in Phoenix

Phoenix was the primary metropolis to open up absolutely autonomous Waymo rides to the general public, in 2020. To hail a trip, obtain the Waymo app on iOS or Android. The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days every week.

You can even use the Uber app to summon one in every of Waymo’s automobiles in Phoenix. If you request an UberX, Uber Inexperienced, Uber Consolation or Uber Consolation Electrical trip, you will have the selection to substantiate a Waymo trip, if you happen to’re matched. 

Along with hailing a trip, you might also have your Uber Eats meal delivered by an autonomous automotive. When putting an order within the Phoenix space, you may get a word that “autonomous automobiles could ship your order.” When the Waymo automotive arrives, take your cellphone with you to pop open the trunk and seize your supply. You’ll be able to decide out of this throughout checkout if you happen to’d slightly have a human ship your meals.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Worldwide Airport grew to become the primary main airport to supply absolutely autonomous Waymo rides to its terminals. Waymo mentioned in September 2025 that it has “served tons of of 1000’s of journeys to/from Sky Harbor, and it stays the only hottest Waymo vacation spot in Phoenix.”

Waymo added freeways entry to passengers in Phoenix in November.

Hailing a trip within the San Francisco Bay Space

San Francisco adopted go well with after Phoenix, rolling out absolutely autonomous rides in late 2022. It scrapped the ready checklist in June 2024, so now anybody can obtain the Waymo app to trip anytime. The service additionally operates 24 hours a day, seven days every week. There’s presently no Uber partnership in San Francisco. 

In November, Waymo expanded its service space to stretch throughout greater than 260 sq. miles of the San Francisco Bay Space, and added freeway entry for passengers. Riders can now hail a driverless trip to San Jose Mineta Worldwide Airport, making it the second worldwide airport at which Waymo operates, after Phoenix Sky Harbor Worldwide Airport.

Waymo obtained a pilot allow to function commercially at San Francisco Worldwide Airport in mid-September. The rollout will embody three phases, starting with an onboard security driver, then transferring onto exams with no human driver with Waymo and airport staff, and culminating in business operations.   

Hailing a trip in Los Angeles County

In November 2024, Waymo scrapped its waitlist for Los Angeles and started welcoming all public riders through the Waymo app. Now any passengers can hop within the robotaxis 24/7 and trip throughout almost 120 sq. miles of LA County, together with Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Inglewood, Silver Lake, Playa del Rey, Ladera Heights, Echo Park and Downtown LA, and alongside all of Sundown Boulevard. 

There’s presently no Uber partnership in Los Angeles.

In November, Waymo started rolling out freeway entry to LA riders.

Hailing a trip in Austin

Riders can hail a Waymo throughout 90 sq. miles of Austin, together with neighborhoods like Crestview, Windsor Park and Franklin Park and places like The Area and McKinney Falls State Park. There are greater than 100 Waymo automobiles within the metropolis, with plans for additional enlargement. 

In Austin, the one method to hail a Waymo trip is thru Uber — no Waymo app right here. By requesting an UberX, Uber Inexperienced, Uber Consolation or Uber Consolation Electrical, you possibly can be matched with a Waymo car — and you will not be upcharged. For those who’d slightly not take a driverless trip, you will have the choice to change to a normal one. However, if you wish to enhance your possibilities of being matched to a self-driving automotive, you possibly can go to Account > Settings > Autonomous automobiles, then hit the toggle subsequent to Get extra Waymo rides.

Unlock the door, pop open the trunk and begin the trip from the Uber app. You will nonetheless be requested to price your trip on the finish, however you will not be requested to tip.

If there are any points, riders can entry human assist 24/7 through the Uber app and from contained in the Waymo car (there are screens in the back and front that allow you to rapidly summon buyer assist).

As a part of the Uber partnership, Uber will handle duties like car cleansing and restore, whereas “Waymo will proceed to be answerable for the testing and operation of the Waymo Driver, together with roadside help and sure rider assist capabilities,” the businesses mentioned. The collaboration ought to make autonomous rides accessible to extra individuals, who now will not must obtain a separate app to hitch a trip in a robotaxi.

Hailing a trip in Atlanta

Waymo operates throughout 65 sq. miles of Atlanta, with plans for future expansions. Like in Austin, you possibly can climb aboard a Waymo robotaxi solely through the Uber app. If you ebook a trip by way of UberX, Uber Consolation or Uber Consolation Electrical, you is likely to be paired with a Waymo car at no further price. You will have the choice to just accept or decline the driverless trip every time. 

You’ll be able to unlock the car, pop the trunk and begin the journey all from the Uber app, and you’ll entry human assist 24/7 through the Uber app and from touchscreens contained in the car.

If you wish to enhance your possibilities of being paired with a Waymo car, you possibly can decide in by going to the Uber app, tapping Account > Settings > Autonomous automobiles (beneath Trip Preferences), after which hitting the toggle subsequent to Get extra Waymo rides.

Upcoming expansions 

Las Vegas

In January, Waymo mentioned it will start testing with manually pushed automobiles in 10 new cities, beginning with Las Vegas and San Diego. And in November, it introduced its robotaxi service will formally be increasing to these cities in 2026. 

“We have recurrently visited Las Vegas through the years and located the Waymo Driver simply adapts to town,” Waymo mentioned in a weblog submit. “Whereas Las Vegas is exclusive, its driving dynamics are familiar-similar to cities the place we already function. This familiarity positions us nicely to assist serve Las Vegas’s 40-plus million annual guests.”

Waymo mentioned it plans to make its ride-hailing service out there in Vegas in the summertime of 2026.

San Diego

San Diego is the most recent main metropolis Waymo is increasing to in its residence state of California.

“As we work to broaden our deployment permits, we’re partnering with native groups, coaching first responders, and deepening neighborhood relationships so we are able to greatest serve the neighborhood and its guests once we open our doorways,” the corporate mentioned in a weblog submit.

Waymo says it plans to open up its autonomous service in San Diego in 2026.

Detroit

Not like most of the different cities Waymo is increasing to, Detroit presents the problem of harsh winter climate. 

In a weblog submit, Waymo mentioned it has “recurrently examined in Detroit throughout winter climate to develop our capabilities in snow and ice. We have made nice strides in our efforts to function in heavier snow – together with testing in Michigan’s Higher Peninsula – and look ahead to the Sixth-generation Waymo Driver navigating Detroit streets this winter.”

London

In mid-October, Waymo mentioned its automobiles are headed to London, making town its first European location. It’s going to begin driving on town’s roads with people behind the wheel “whereas we lay the groundwork for absolutely autonomous operations,” the corporate mentioned in a press release. “We are going to scale up primarily based on pointers established by the UK Division for Transport and Transport for London, and work intently with native and nationwide leaders to safe the required permissions to supply absolutely autonomous rides in 2026.” 

London is Waymo’s second worldwide metropolis, after asserting final 12 months that it is increasing to Tokyo, although passengers cannot hail a trip there simply but. 

Nashville

In September, Waymo mentioned it is partnering with Lyft to broaden to Nashville. Waymo will begin driving within the metropolis autonomously within the “coming months,” earlier than opening to the general public in 2026. Riders will be capable of hail automobiles by way of the Waymo app, and can ultimately have the choice to be matched with a robotaxi within the Lyft app, too. 

As a part of the collaboration, Lyft will handle the robotaxi fleet, which incorporates car upkeep and cleansing, whereas Waymo can be answerable for the self-driving expertise. 

Denver

Waymo is ready to reach in Denver this fall “to put the groundwork for a totally autonomous service sooner or later,” the corporate mentioned in an early September weblog submit. It’s going to deploy a blended fleet consisting of Jaguar I-Tempo automobiles with its fifth-generation Waymo Driver in addition to Zeekr RT automobiles with the sixth-gen Waymo Driver. That newer expertise “is knowledgeable by years of winter climate expertise throughout Michigan, upstate New York, and the Sierra Nevada and engineered to autonomously maintain operations in harsher climates,” Waymo mentioned.

Seattle

In early September, Waymo shared that it is heading to the Seattle metropolitan space, noting in a weblog submit that it “spent years attending to know the realm — from communities across the Lake to its notoriously moist climate.” It isn’t but clear when precisely that service will launch.

Dallas, Houston and San Antonio

Waymo is presently conducting early testing in Dallas, with plans to launch public rides through the Waymo app subsequent 12 months. The corporate is teaming up with Avis Price range Group, which can handle the fleet, together with car cleansing and upkeep.

“Our partnership with Waymo marks a pivotal milestone in our evolution, from a rental automotive firm to a number one supplier of fleet administration, infrastructure and operations to the broader mobility ecosystem,” Avis Price range Group CEO Brian Choi mentioned in a press release. “Collectively, we’re dedicated to creating scaled autonomous mobility a actuality for the individuals of Dallas, with plans to broaden to further cities within the close to future.”

Waymo can also be planning to launch in Houston and San Antonio subsequent 12 months. In November, Waymo mentioned it will start rolling out absolutely autonomous rides within the three Texas cities for workers, earlier than launching for the general public in 2026.

New York Metropolis

In June, Waymo shared plans to carry its autonomous tech again to New York, after having first operated by hand its automobiles there in 2021. It as soon as once more started driving manually within the Large Apple in early July, particularly in Manhattan and components of downtown Brooklyn, in addition to in close by Jersey Metropolis and Hoboken. Waymo submitted a allow software with the New York Metropolis Division of Transportation to function autonomously with a human behind the wheel, which was granted in late August.  

As a part of the New York Metropolis allow, Waymo can take a look at as much as eight autonomous automobiles in Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn till September. After that, it might probably apply for an extension to the pilot testing interval. 

Present legal guidelines within the state of New York do not allow the identical absolutely autonomous ride-hailing service that corporations like Waymo provide in different components of the nation, so Waymo remains to be unable to cost for rides. In June, Waymo mentioned it was “advocating for a change in state legislation that might permit for working a car with no human behind the wheel,” including, “we now have each intention of bringing our absolutely autonomous ride-hailing service to town sooner or later.” 

Philadelphia

Waymo mentioned in July that it is bringing a restricted fleet of its automobiles to “probably the most advanced components” of Philadelphia, “together with downtown and freeways.” These automobiles may have human drivers behind the wheel as the corporate continues to develop its driving capabilities. There are not any fast plans to launch a robotaxi service there.

Washington, DC

Waymo plans to start out providing rides by way of its Waymo app in Washington, DC, in 2026. The corporate returned to the nation’s capital in January to check its autonomous driving tech. In late March, it mentioned it was bringing extra automobiles to town and dealing to scale its service all year long. In a weblog submit, Waymo mentioned it will “proceed to work intently with policymakers to formalize the rules wanted to function with no human behind the wheel within the District.”

Miami and Orlando

You will even have to attend till 2026 to trip a Waymo in Miami. The corporate has been conducting climate testing within the lead-up to that eventual rollout, noting in a weblog submit, “Our earlier street journeys to the Sunshine State’s difficult wet situations have been invaluable in advancing our autonomous driving capabilities.”

Waymo will collaborate with Moove, a fintech firm that provides car financing, first in Phoenix, the place Moove will handle the robotaxi’s fleet operations, amenities and charging infrastructure. In Phoenix after which Miami, “Waymo will proceed to supply our service by way of the Waymo app, and stay answerable for validation and operation of the Waymo Driver,” the corporate mentioned in a weblog submit.

In November, Waymo started working absolutely autonomous rides in Miami with staff, because it prepares for a public launch subsequent 12 months. 

It is also rolling out driverless rides in Orlando for workers because it will get able to launch its service there in 2026.

Tokyo

In December, Waymo introduced it is increasing to Tokyo, making it the corporate’s first worldwide location. Waymo is partnering with Japanese taxi service Nihon Kotsu and taxi app Go. In April, the self-driving firm shared that it is lastly able to hit the street overseas.

Waymo says skilled Nihon Kotsu drivers will manually drive its automobiles throughout seven Tokyo wards, together with Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa and Kōtō. This can permit engineers to check and adapt Waymo’s autonomous driving tech to native street options and visitors. 

“In Tokyo, we’re abiding by the identical steadfast ideas that information us within the US — dedication to security, dedication to incomes belief in communities the place we function, and collaboration with native officers and neighborhood teams right here in Tokyo,” Nicole Gavel, Waymo’s head of enterprise growth and strategic partnerships, mentioned in a press release.

It isn’t clear when riders will be capable of hitch a self-driving trip with Waymo in Tokyo.

The street forward: Future automobiles

In August 2024, Waymo unveiled the sixth technology of its self-driving expertise, which strives to broaden the capabilities of its driverless fleet. Smarter sensors are supposed to assist the vehicles higher navigate in excessive climate, Waymo mentioned. The sixth-gen Driver will come aboard the all-electric Zeekr car, which incorporates a flat flooring, extra head- and legroom, adjustable seats and a detachable steering wheel and pedals. The up to date tech remains to be being examined, however the firm says it will be out there to riders quickly.

In October, Waymo additionally introduced a partnership with Hyundai to combine its sixth-generation Driver into the all-electric Ioniq 5 SUV, which, in keeping with a weblog submit, “can be added to the Waymo One fleet over time.” The businesses added that they “plan to provide a fleet of Ioniq 5s geared up with Waymo’s expertise in important quantity over a number of years to assist Waymo One’s rising scale.” Testing with these automobiles will begin by late 2025 and develop into out there “within the years to comply with.”

Presently, on a regular basis riders cannot take a Waymo car on highways and freeways, however which will quickly change. The corporate is testing absolutely autonomous rides on freeways in Phoenix, as seen in an unique video shared with CNET in Could 2024. It is also now making absolutely autonomous freeway rides out there to Waymo staff in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Space.

Waymo is working to broaden its autonomous driving tech into trucking as nicely, however it mentioned in 2023 that it is scaling again these efforts in the intervening time, to give attention to ride-hailing with Waymo One. It famous, “Our ongoing funding in advancing Waymo Driver capabilities, particularly on freeways, will straight translate to trucking and profit its growth efforts.”