waymo is hitting the highway – but Waymo is set to expand its autonomous vehicle services by introducing highway travel in select regions, marking a significant milestone in its journey toward full autonomy.
waymo is hitting the highway – but
Waymo’s Highway Expansion
Starting today, Waymo’s robotaxis will begin incorporating more highway trips into their routes across Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. This expansion also includes a new service area extending south to San Jose, which will feature 24/7 curbside access at both terminals of San Jose International Airport. This marks Waymo’s second airport service, following its operations in Phoenix.
Historically, Waymo’s robotaxis have largely avoided highways, opting instead for longer routes that primarily utilize local roads. This decision has drawn attention from customers, many of whom have expressed frustration over longer travel times due to the vehicle’s restrictions on highway usage. However, after extensive testing on public highways, closed courses, and in virtual simulations, Waymo is now prepared to offer highway trips to a broader audience.
Insights from Waymo’s Leadership
“Freeway driving is one of those things that’s very easy to learn, but very hard to master when we’re talking about full autonomy without a human driver as a backup,” stated Dmitri Dolgov, co-CEO of Waymo, during a briefing with reporters. He emphasized that achieving this level of autonomy at scale required a strong focus on system safety and reliability, which has taken considerable time and effort.
Initial Rollout and User Experience
The initial rollout of highway trips will be limited to early-access users—those who have opted in to test new features from Waymo. As performance data and user feedback are collected, the feature will gradually expand to more riders. For users, the experience will remain familiar; they can hail a ride via the Waymo app, view their estimated time of arrival (ETA) and route preview, and if a freeway route is significantly faster, the system will automatically select it.
Waymo is optimistic that riders will respond positively to the new service, as freeway routing has the potential to make trips up to 50 percent faster. For instance, a journey from San Francisco to Mountain View could see significant time savings. Additionally, the ability to connect riders more efficiently to public transit will enhance the overall user experience, improving what is often referred to as “first-mile” and “last-mile” mobility.
Challenges of Highway Driving
Despite the potential benefits, highway driving presents numerous challenges for autonomous vehicles. The higher speeds associated with freeway travel mean that Waymo’s autonomous vehicles will have less time to make critical decisions. Any mistake made at these speeds could result in severe consequences. To address these challenges, Waymo’s engineers have developed a robust hardware stack that includes lidar, cameras, and radar, providing 360-degree visibility and the ability to detect objects up to three football fields away.
“Freeway driving is one of those things that’s very easy to learn, but very hard to master when we’re talking about full autonomy without a human driver as a backup,” Dolgov reiterated, highlighting the complexities involved in ensuring safety and reliability.
Redundancy and Safety Protocols
Given the complexities of highway driving, Waymo has built additional redundancy into its systems to account for a wider variety of edge cases. For example, the company has simulated scenarios where a total power failure occurs in one of Waymo’s dual onboard computers. In such a situation, the system instantly activates its backup, allowing the vehicle to maintain control and safely navigate to the nearest freeway exit. Pierre Kreitmann, a principal software engineer at Waymo, likens this to a human suddenly losing half their vision and cognitive ability but still managing to drive safely.
When Waymo vehicles need to pull over, the company has established well-defined protocols to ensure rider safety and the continuity of their trips. Waymo is closely coordinating with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, California Highway Patrol, and other regional safety authorities to ensure that its operations align with local rules and regulations.
Critics and Industry Comparisons
Waymo’s cautious approach to highway driving has drawn criticism from some industry observers, who argue that the avoidance of highways indicates that autonomous vehicles are not yet ready for the realities of long-distance travel. In contrast, self-driving truck companies have primarily focused their testing on highways, often with human safety drivers present in the front seat.
Waymo stands out in the autonomous vehicle landscape as one of the few robotaxi companies offering rides in fully driverless cars. In comparison, Tesla operates a “robotaxi” service in California that includes safety drivers in the vehicle, and is only available to a select group of riders, which also incorporates highway routes.
Service Expansion to San Jose
The extension of Waymo’s service area to San Jose, including the city’s airport, has been in development for several months. Notably, the company does not yet offer commercial service to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), making San Jose’s Mineta Airport its first official airport service in California. This development is significant, as airports are critical hubs for transportation and often generate substantial revenue for ride-hailing companies.
Waymo will establish dedicated curbside pickup and drop-off zones at both Terminals A and B of San Jose International Airport. Meanwhile, operations at SFO are still in the early pilot stage. Waymo received its permit to commence commercial operations at SFO in September but is currently coordinating with airport officials to phase in operations gradually. The company has been engaged in negotiations with SFO for several years, seeking to assure regulators that its vehicles can safely navigate the complex environments of busy airports, where thousands of cars, taxis, shuttles, and passengers intermingle daily.
The Importance of Airports and Highways
Airports and highways are intrinsically linked, as most airports are accessed via highway travel. They represent lucrative opportunities for ride-hailing companies, accounting for an estimated 20 percent of services provided by traditional companies like Uber and Lyft. For Waymo to successfully compete with these established players, mastering both airport and highway operations will be crucial. This is particularly important as the company seeks to transition from a developmental phase to a commercially viable business model.
As Waymo continues to refine its technology and expand its service offerings, the implications for the future of transportation are significant. The successful integration of highway travel into its autonomous vehicle service could not only enhance user experience but also pave the way for broader acceptance of self-driving technology. However, the company must navigate the complexities of safety, regulatory compliance, and public perception to achieve its goals.
Conclusion
Waymo’s decision to incorporate highway travel into its robotaxi service represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of autonomous vehicles. By addressing the challenges associated with freeway driving and expanding its service area, Waymo is positioning itself to compete more effectively in the rapidly evolving landscape of transportation. The success of this initiative will depend on the company’s ability to maintain safety, reliability, and user satisfaction as it ventures into new territory.
Source: Original report
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Last Modified: November 12, 2025 at 9:39 pm
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