Waymo Pauses Freeway Rides Amid Robotaxi Struggles

Waymo has suspended its robotaxi service on freeways in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Miami as it works to improve performance in construction zones. The company confirmed the move to TechCrunch, stating that it's integrating "recent technical learnings into our software and expect to resume these routes soon."

Freeway Expansion Crucial for Waymo's Growth

Waymo started offering highway rides in late 2025, which has been crucial to its expansion in large metro areas. Freeway travel helps the company better connect riders to local airports and reduces ride times by skipping surface streets. In the Bay Area, freeway travel has helped Waymo dramatically cut trip times across the peninsula, which previously took anywhere from 45 minutes to over an hour.

Recent Incidents Highlight Struggles with Construction Zones

Waymo robotaxis have been spotted struggling with highway construction zones, including a recent incident where a vehicle "blasted through cones" and was allegedly "chased" by police. The company didn't cite a specific incident behind its decision to suspend freeway driving this week, but it's clear that the issues are ongoing.

Surface Streets Remain Operational

Despite the pause on freeway rides, Waymo's robotaxis are still operating on surface streets in the affected cities. The company is pushing to expand to new cities around the globe this year, with the goal of offering as many as one million paid rides per week at the end of 2026.

Ongoing Expansion Plans

Waymo is currently testing its new Zeekr-built robotaxi, called Ojai, and is expected to start offering rides in that vehicle in the coming months. The company's expansion plans are ambitious, but the recent setbacks may raise concerns about its ability to meet its targets.

Waymo's decision to suspend freeway rides is a setback for the company's ambitious expansion plans, but it's clear that the issues are being addressed internally.

As Waymo's robotaxis continue to navigate the complex landscape of urban transportation, it's clear that the company is committed to finding solutions to the challenges it faces. The recent pause on freeway rides is a reminder that the development of self-driving technology is a complex and ongoing process.