Waymo driverless cars will hit U.S. freeways for the first time — in Arizona

Christina Estes/KJZZ

Autonomous vehicles are nothing new to Valley residents. Waymo has been operating driverless taxis in the Valley since late 2020.

The company announced Monday that it plans to expand services to Arizona’s freeways, beginning with employee-only rides before fully rolling out to the public.

Up until now, its vehicles have been confined to surface streets, and Waymo notes operating on freeways will improve travel times.

This will be the first time driverless vehicles have been allowed on U.S. freeways.

The Show spoke with Andrew Hawkins, transportation editor at The Verge, about this. 

More stories from KJZZ

• Startups working on self-driving trucks have stalled, Axios reporter finds
• 'JJRicks Rides with Waymo': Arizona YouTuber records 70 self-driving car rides