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In 2024, Waymo introduced the first driverless cars to San Francisco. In just two years, electric automobiles have taken over San Francisco’s streets and gained media attention for their AI-powered 24/7 accessibility. I took a Waymo for the first time, and here are some pros and cons about taking a Waymo.
After waiting for 15 minutes, the Waymo arrived on time in an easy-access spot in the Marina for my dad and I to get in the car with a five-minute grace period for us to enter the vehicle and start the route. It was slightly confusing to figure out how to unlock the car and open the doors. Once I got inside, it repeated safety instructions in a calming voice. I enjoyed being able to adjust the air conditioning, windows, and seat position in the Waymo app. To start the car, I needed to swipe up on an obvious cue on the app. We took the car to an ice cream shop that was 12 minutes away.
The car drove the speed limit the entire time and was always a defensive driver, making full stops at every stop sign. I honestly cannot remember the last time I was in a car that did that. Much like a Tesla, there was a map that showed the other cars, cyclists, and pedestrians around us, which added to the sense of safety. The acceleration and breaking was very smooth. It was nice to not feel like I had to make conversation with a driver and could peacefully ride in non-awkward silence.
As much as I appreciated the technology, there wasn’t a human driver, and that felt weird. Part of the fun of an Uber or taxi is talking to your driver. Although I rode with just one other person, only four people can fit in a Waymo, unlike other ride services, where you can order bigger cars to fit more people or luggage. I also found it annoying that the only music options were instrumental. I like listening to traditional radio when in an Uber.
We took an Uber back to the Marina and the waiting period was 2 minutes. The human driver drove faster, admittedly running a red light, so the Uber ride was much faster. In some ways, the Uber driver was more aggressive, but nonetheless, I subconsciously wanted to trust the driver more. In my mind, a fast Uber is part of being in a big city. Even though I knew I was safe in the Waymo, I found myself extra alert and would look behind the car every time we merged lanes to check their mirrors. I felt safer in an Uber with someone who lives in San Francisco and was a real human. Yes, the Waymo wasn’t going to make human error like running a stop sign, but as proven when the power went out in December 2025, they make technological errors, something that scares me more.
The Waymo cost $15 and did not ask for a tip, and was a few dollars more expensive than my Uber.
Overall, I would give Waymo 4 out of 5 stars. It was safe and relaxing, but I wasn’t able to fully get past the fact that there wasn’t a human driving a car. I would take a Waymo again in a residential area in San Francisco if I wasn’t in a rush. If I needed to get somewhere faster and would be driving through a crowded area, I would go with Uber, Lyft, or a taxi.
