If you’ve ever wondered about waymo, you’re in the right place. In simple, clear terms, this article explains what Waymo is, how to ride it using the Waymo app, where it’s available, how its cost stacks up with Uber, and whether Waymo is publicly traded. Plus, you’ll get fresh insights and news that go beyond what you usually find online.
What Is Waymo?
Waymo is a company under Alphabet (Google’s parent) that builds self-driving, electric robotaxis. Started long ago as Google’s self-driving project in 2009, it became its own company in 2016. Since then, it has launched Waymo One, the world’s first commercial self-driving ride service.
Using the Waymo App
Booking a ride is easy:
- Download the Waymo app from Google Play or the App Store.
- Set your pickup and drop-off points.
- Get a price estimate before you ride.
In some cities like Austin and Atlanta, you still use the Uber app and choose Waymo as the vehicle option.
Where Is Waymo Available?
Current Cities:
- Arizona (Phoenix metro), one of the first and most established markets
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Los Angeles
- Austin (via Uber)
- Atlanta (via Uber)
By mid-2025, Waymo crossed 10 million paid rides, with over 250,000 rides per week, and operated roughly 500 square miles across its cities.
Expansion Coming Soon:
- Miami, Washington, D.C., announced plans, timelines TBD.
- New York City, testing and mapping in progress, aiming for future robotaxi rides there.
- Japan (Tokyo), pilot mapping and testing underway.
Is Waymo Cheaper Than Uber?
Often, waymo costs more than Uber by about $5 on average. But in some cases, prices are similar, for instance, a 5-mile ride in Phoenix once cost about $11, equal to Uber.
Also, at events like festivals, Waymo sometimes offered the lowest price, though wait times reached up to 36 minutes.
So the answer to “Is Waymo cheaper than Uber?” is usually no, but pricing can vary depending on demand, timing, and location.
Is Waymo Publicly Traded?
No, Waymo is not publicly traded. It remains a subsidiary of Alphabet, funded privately within the company’s structure and supported by investors. That means you can’t buy Waymo stock directly. You can only invest in Alphabet, the parent company.
Safer Than Humans?
Waymo’s safety record is one of its strongest selling points:
- In over 3.8 million miles of fully driverless rides, Waymo had zero bodily injury claims, compared with human drivers at 1.11 claims per million miles.
- Another study covering 56.7 million miles saw up to 96% fewer serious collisions than human drivers.
- Waymo vehicles also show 93% fewer pedestrian injury crashes, and 79% fewer airbag-deployment incidents, compared to human-driven vehicles.
Breaking News: Waymo & Uber Team Up
Recently, Uber began offering rides in Waymo’s autonomous vehicles in Atlanta and Austin. Uber’s CEO said that “the average Waymo is busier than 99% of our drivers in terms of completed trips per day,” making a strong case for riding productivity and revenue potential.
Uber plans to expand to hundreds of vehicles soon in Atlanta, and Austin already covers about 90 square miles. This partnership could boost self-driving car adoption and show investors the revenue model works.
Our Quick Take (Go Beyond the Headlines)
- Value over cost: Even if Waymo tends to cost a bit more, riders are paying for autonomy, electric comfort, and safety that human drivers can’t match.
- Trust is growing: Safety stats are compelling, Waymo is delivering far fewer injuries and crashes.
- Partnerships drive growth: Uber helps Waymo scale without owning the fleet; this model might define future mobility.
- Expect more cities: With pilots in NYC and Tokyo, Waymo is quietly preparing to expand globally, make no mistake, this is just the beginning.
- Not for stock traders yet: If you’re hoping to invest directly in Waymo, you’ll need to consider Alphabet instead.
FAQs
1. What is Waymo and who owns it?
Waymo is an autonomous vehicle company developing self-driving ride-hailing services. It is owned by Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company.
2. Where is Waymo currently available?
As of 2025, Waymo operates in Phoenix (AZ), San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin (TX), and Atlanta (GA). Expansion plans include Miami, Washington D.C., New York City, and Tokyo.
3. Is Waymo cheaper than Uber?
Generally, Waymo rides cost slightly more than Uber, often by around $5, but prices can be similar or even lower depending on location, demand, and time.
4. Is Waymo publicly traded?
No, Waymo is not publicly traded. It is a privately held subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., so you can only invest indirectly by buying Alphabet (GOOGL) shares.
Final Thoughts
That’s your friendly, easy-to-understand guide to waymo, what it is, how to use it via the Waymo app, where it’s available, whether it’s cheaper than Uber, and the truth about its trading status and safety.
Check the Uber partnership updates and Waymo’s expansion plans if you’re curious about the future of robotaxi travel. And if you’re near a new launch city, keep an eye out: self-driving rides are closer than you think.
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