Waymo halts freeway rides after robotaxis struggle in construction zones

In the Bay Area in particular, freeway travel has helped Waymo dramatically cut trip times across the peninsula that previously took anywhere from 45 minutes to over an hour.

Waymo didn’t cite a specific incident behind its decision to suspend freeway driving this week. But the company’s robotaxis have been spotted struggling with highway construction zones. On May 19, X user @Elliot_slade posted a video claiming that his Waymo ride “blasted through cones” and claimed the vehicle was “chased” by police.