EVwire brief: Waymo has begun restoring freeway travel for its robotaxi service, marking the end of a six-week pause that followed a software recall tied to construction-zone navigation.
The company announced Wednesday that it is gradually resuming freeway routes, starting in Phoenix. Riders can request access through the Waymo app as the rollout expands. Waymos in Miami, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area are expected to get freeway driving again soon.
Here's Waymo's announcement on X:
The return of freeway driving follows Waymo's voluntary recall of 3,871 vehicles equipped with its fifth-generation autonomous driving system. The recall was issued in June after several robotaxis entered active freeway construction zones by driving through lane closures marked by traffic cones.
Even before the recall, Waymo disabled freeway operations while developing and deploying a software update to address the issue.
Following Phoenix, freeway driving is expected to be resumed in Miami, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area soon.
Context:
Waymo first introduced freeway rides in late 2025, allowing robotaxis to use highways in markets including Phoenix, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The feature significantly reduced trip times for longer journeys, airport trips, and travel between cities within Waymo's service areas.
Waymo’s freeway comeback arrives as San Francisco leans harder on robotaxi oversight. A day before Waymo's announcement, Mayor Daniel Lurie backed a federal bill from Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-San Mateo) that would set rules for how robotaxis handle emergencies. The push follows the city's July 4 Waymo gridlock, when stalled robotaxis blocked streets as crowds streamed home from the Golden Gate Bridge fireworks.
Source: Waymo on X, Waymo Help, and the San Francisco Chronicle
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