Waymo suspends freeway robotaxi operations in four US cities over construction zone challenges
The move follows recent operational disruptions in Atlanta and San Antonio due to flooding, as the company targets one million weekly rides by late 2026.
Waymo has temporarily suspended its autonomous robotaxi services on freeways in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Miami, citing difficulties in navigating construction zones. The company confirmed the operational pause to TechCrunch on Thursday, stating that it is currently integrating recent technical learnings into its software. While highway services are halted, robotaxi operations on surface streets in these four cities remain active.
The decision to remove vehicles from higher-speed roads follows a series of recent operational disruptions in other markets. Waymo had previously paused services in Atlanta and San Antonio, Texas, to address challenges posed by flooding. A software recall announced last week was intended to help the fleet avoid flooded areas in San Antonio, where service has been suspended for weeks as the company works toward a permanent fix. Additionally, at least one robotaxi was spotted becoming stuck in Atlanta this week, contributing to the suspension of operations in that city.
Waymo did not cite a specific incident as the direct cause for this week’s suspension of freeway driving. However, the operator’s vehicles have been observed struggling with highway construction zones. On 19 May, a video posted by X user @Elliot_slade claimed that a Waymo ride “blasted through cones” and was subsequently “chased” by police, although the company has not linked this specific event to the broader service pause.
The ability to operate on freeways has been a critical component of Waymo’s expansion strategy in large metropolitan areas. Since introducing highway rides in late 2025, the company has utilised these routes to connect riders to airports and significantly reduce trip times. In the Bay Area, for instance, freeway travel has helped cut journeys that previously took between 45 minutes and over an hour across the peninsula.
These service interruptions occur as Waymo pushes to expand its network globally this year. The company has set a target of offering up to one million paid rides per week by the end of 2026. In parallel with its current fleet, Waymo is testing a new robotaxi built by Zeekr, designated as Ojai, with rides in the new vehicle expected to commence in the coming months.
