Riders in Austin can now access Waymo autonomous rides

Starting March 4, 2025, we began rolling out a limited number of Waymo autonomous vehicles (AVs) on the Uber app for riders in select areas of downtown Austin, Texas.

In Austin, Waymo’s autonomous vehicles operate alongside drivers like you. Below are some answers to frequently asked questions.

Where in Austin are Waymo rides available to riders, and when will they operate?

As of July 17, Waymo vehicles will operate across 90 square miles of Austin, from North Austin to South Austin. Drivers will also continue to get trip requests in this area. Any trip starting or ending outside this area, including airport trips, will not be eligible to match with a Waymo. Waymo vehicles will continue to operate 24 hours a day.

What types of trips are Waymo vehicles eligible for?
Currently, riders who request an UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric may be matched with a Waymo vehicle. Riders who request UberXL, UberX Share, or Uber Premier will not have the option to be matched with a Waymo.

Will riders have the option to choose between drivers or Waymo vehicles?

Yes. Currently, riders in Austin requesting an eligible ride may be matched with an autonomous vehicle, but they will need to opt in and accept the match. Riders who decline or fail to confirm the match with a Waymo will automatically be matched with a driver.

Will there be a difference between the price a rider receives in their app for an AV versus a vehicle with a driver?

Currently, Waymo autonomous rides will be offered to riders at the same price as the UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric they request. For example, if a rider requests an UberX, is offered a Waymo vehicle, and accepts, the rider will pay the same price as they would have if they had declined the Waymo and been matched with a driver.

Will drivers’ trip requests or earnings be impacted?

Not all trip types will be served by Waymo vehicles.

Within the Waymo vehicle service area, riders requesting an eligible ride will have the choice between a driver or an autonomous vehicle. While we expect that overall demand for rides may increase, earnings will always fluctuate based on factors like rider demand and the number of drivers and autonomous vehicles on the road, which can vary by location, time of day, and day of the week.

Drivers serving riders outside of the Waymo operating area should not see an impact to trip requests. 

Will the Waymo vehicle service area expand?

As of July 17, Waymo vehicles will operate across 90 square miles of Austin, and we expect to continue to gradually expand the operating area over time. We commit to letting you know when this is happening and where.

Will the number of Waymo vehicles on the road increase?

We launched with a limited number of Waymo vehicles on the road in Austin and have been gradually adding more Waymo vehicles over the last few months. We expect this number to continue to grow gradually over time.

Where can I learn more about Waymo?

Visit waymo.com to learn more about Waymo’s track record. 

For more details on our partnership in Austin, and to learn about the rider experience, visit uber.com/waymo-on-uber.