Waymo has launched its fully driverless ride-hailing service in Nashville, marking its 11th active market in the United States as the company continues to expand its commercial footprint.
Starting April 7, selected users in the city can begin booking rides without a human driver via the Waymo app. Access will initially be limited, with invitations issued gradually to ensure what the company described as a “consistent, comfortable, and especially safe rider experience from day one.”
The service covers an area of approximately 60 square miles, including key districts such as Downtown, Midtown, Music Row and East Nashville. Waymo said it is also testing operations at Nashville International Airport, with plans to expand service to the airport in the near future.
The launch follows around six months of local testing, during which Waymo mapped city streets and studied driving patterns, initially using safety drivers before transitioning to fully autonomous operations.
Mark Lewis said safety remains central to the company’s deployment strategy.
“Every year, over 40,000 people die because of road deaths, and that’s really why Waymo was created: to be the world’s most trusted driver,” said Mark Lewis, a spokesperson for Waymo.
For now, riders must join a waitlist to access the service, which the company said is already seeing strong demand. Pricing is currently set slightly above traditional ride-hailing options such as Uber and Lyft.
Waymo also plans to deepen its partnership with Lyft later this year, allowing users to request autonomous vehicles directly through the Lyft app. Lyft is expected to assist with fleet operations in Nashville as part of the collaboration.