Waymo is hitting the highway — but can it handle the speed?

Waymo is finally ready to hit the highway. Starting today, the company’s robotaxis will gradually start to include more highway trips in its routes in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. In addition, Waymo’s Bay Area service is extending south to San Jose, including 24/7 curbside access at both terminals of San Jose International Airport — the company’s second airport service after Phoenix.

Since its inception, Waymo’s robotaxis have typically avoided highways, opting instead for longer routes that stick to local roads when ferrying passengers. This has not gone unnoticed by customers, who often note their trips can take longer because the vehicles are prohibited from using routes that travel on highways. But after years of testing, including on public highways with employees as well