Robotaxi Atlas

Lit clusters: US cities with public driverless rides. Rings: testing or announced.

Can I ride Waymo in Washington, DC?

Waymo is testing in Washington, DC with specialists but can't carry riders until the DC Council passes a robotaxi bill, and Axios D.C. reported that service under that bill wouldn't begin until 2028.

Status
Testing
Since
Last checked

Riding Waymo in Washington, DC

Waymo announced on Mar 25, 2025 that it would start DC rides in 2026 through the Waymo One app, TechCrunch reported. That target has slipped. Waymo specialists have been driving and testing here, but the city has no path to a commercial launch yet, and DC sits under 'Up Next' on Waymo's updates page.

Everything hangs on a pending DC Council bill that would allow robotaxis with a proposed 200-vehicle cap, with a final vote possible in fall or winter 2026. Axios D.C. reported on Aug 6, 2026 that service under the bill wouldn't begin until 2028, a timeline Waymo hasn't confirmed. DC has no service area, airport plan, freeway plan or age rules yet. The DC rules page follows the bill.

Electrek reported that Zoox is testing in the city too, with no riders (see Zoox in DC). Until the council acts, trying Waymo means traveling to an open market. It's booked in its own app in cities such as Miami and Phoenix, and through Uber in Atlanta.

The details

Status
TestingReportedWaymo has tested in DC with specialists on board. Launch waits on a council bill with a proposed 200-vehicle cap, under which service wouldn't start until 2028.
Since
Mar 25, 2025Waymo announced a 2026 DC launch target, which has since slipped
Freeways
Not usedNo rider service in this city.

Other operators in Washington, DC

Everything about robotaxis in Washington, DC

Timeline

  1. Waymo announced plans to launch robotaxi service in Washington, DC in 2026. Reported. Source

Waymo in Washington, DC: questions

When will Waymo launch in Washington, DC?

Not before the DC Council acts. Axios D.C. reported that under the pending bill, robotaxi service would not begin until 2028.

What is the proposed robotaxi cap in DC?

A pending DC Council bill would allow robotaxis with a proposed cap of 200 vehicles.

Is Waymo driving in DC now?

Yes, for testing. Waymo has tested in Washington, DC with specialists, and it carries no public riders there.

Sources

  1. Waymo: Waymo Updates
  2. TechCrunch: Waymo to launch robotaxi service in Washington, D.C. in 2026, Mar 25, 2025
  3. Axios D.C.: Waymo adds third D.C. site while awaiting robotaxi approval, Aug 6, 2026

"Reported" means one news report that the operator or a regulator hasn't confirmed yet.

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