Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service Across San Francisco and Los Angeles
Waymo’s robotaxi service is making big moves in California. The autonomous vehicle company has extended its operating area to cover 250 square miles across San Francisco and Los Angeles. This expansion means riders in areas like Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Sunset Boulevard can now experience Waymo’s driverless rides. The update answers a growing demand for more accessible autonomous transport and follows Waymo’s public launch in San Francisco in 2024 and Los Angeles later that year. As robotaxis become a more common sight on California roads, this latest development cements Waymo’s position at the forefront of driverless ridehailing innovation.
Waymo robotaxis now serving new California neighborhoods
Starting June 17, Waymo began accepting passengers in more areas on the San Francisco Peninsula, including Brisbane, Millbrae, and Burlingame. Simultaneously, Los Angeles saw a rollout across diverse neighborhoods such as Playa del Rey, Echo Park, and Ladera Heights. Although recent protests in LA temporarily paused operations due to several vehicles being set on fire, Waymo has resumed service, signaling a resilient commitment to growth. These new additions represent an 80 square-mile increase in service, making it easier for more Californians to access autonomous transportation through the Waymo One app.
Waymo’s expansion strategy and growing ride count
Currently, Waymo offers 250,000 autonomous rides weekly across San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, and Phoenix. With its latest milestone of 10 million paid rides, the company is scaling strategically—expanding both coverage and capacity. Waymo plans to add 2,000 vehicles to its current fleet of 1,500 Jaguar I-Pace SUVs by 2026. In select markets like Austin and Atlanta, Waymo is also collaborating with Uber, where its robotaxis are accessible via the Uber app. This dual-platform approach is helping Waymo build momentum while staying adaptable to regional ridehail preferences.
What’s next for Waymo robotaxis in California?
Despite impressive growth, Waymo is still cautious about high-speed highway routes and airport pick-ups, two areas essential for challenging ridehail giants like Uber and Lyft. Testing is ongoing for employee rides on highways in both LA and SF, and discussions are underway with airports for future service. So far, only Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport supports Waymo airport rides, but the company has its sights set on San Francisco International (SFO) and Los Angeles International (LAX). If successful, these expansions could redefine how Californians move through cities—from door-to-door travel to seamless airport commutes, all without a human driver.
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