Waymo Robotaxi Expansion Reaches More Cities in California
Waymo robotaxi expansion continues to reshape urban transportation in California. As of June 2025, the Alphabet-owned self-driving car company has added 80 more square miles to its service areas in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Silicon Valley. This marks a significant milestone, bringing Waymo's total California service area to over 250 square miles. The company is rapidly scaling up its presence despite recent challenges, including protests that temporarily halted its operations in parts of LA. Still, the push forward signals Waymo’s commitment to autonomous mobility—even amid public controversy and operational hurdles.
Waymo Robotaxi Expansion Covers More of LA and Bay Area
The latest Waymo robotaxi expansion opens service to several new neighborhoods in the San Francisco Bay Area, including Brisbane, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Millbrae, and Burlingame. Additionally, Silicon Valley communities such as Palo Alto and Menlo Park have now been added to Waymo’s commercial network. On the southern side of the state, Waymo is reentering and growing in Los Angeles with new coverage across Playa del Rey, Ladera Heights, Echo Park, Silver Lake, and the iconic Sunset Boulevard. The company says its LA service now spans over 120 square miles—giving more Californians access to fully autonomous rides in Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicles.
Navigating Challenges Amid Expansion
While the expansion is impressive, it hasn’t been without complications. In early June 2025, Waymo robotaxis were burned during protests in Los Angeles, drawing national attention. The unrest, which stemmed from controversial federal immigration raids, forced Waymo to pull back some of its services, especially in central LA. However, the company says it continually reviews conditions based on local guidance, traffic patterns, and public safety. A spokesperson noted that while downtown Los Angeles is still seeing temporary service restrictions, Waymo intends to restore full operations soon. These setbacks haven’t slowed overall momentum, as new service zones continue to roll out weekly.
Waymo’s Growth Signals the Future of Driverless Mobility
Despite the hurdles, Waymo’s expansion illustrates strong demand and growing trust in autonomous technology. Weekly paid rides across Waymo’s operating cities—San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin—have grown fivefold since mid-2024. The company now facilitates over 250,000 paid trips weekly and operates a commercial fleet of more than 1,000 autonomous vehicles, including 400+ in LA alone. This growth puts Waymo at the forefront of the robotaxi market in the U.S. As cities grapple with traffic congestion and environmental concerns, services like Waymo’s offer a glimpse into a cleaner, safer, and more efficient urban transport future.
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