South Bay residents will soon have a new way to get around as Waymo rolls its driverless ride‑hailing service out to Torrance. The expansion pushes the company’s autonomous‑vehicle network farther down the coast, adding Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach before reaching Torrance.
Local impact of the expansion
The move is part of Waymo’s broader rollout plan that aims to add nearly 250 square miles of coverage across five markets within the next week. While the company has not disclosed exactly how many square miles are being added in Los Angeles, the updated service map now shows a clear corridor from Santa Monica through the South Bay.
Waymo’s growth timeline
Waymo began in 2009 as the Google Self‑Driving Car Project, testing autonomous vehicles on public roads. In 2016 Alphabet spun the effort off as an independent company, and Waymo launched its commercial ride‑hailing service, Waymo One, in Phoenix in 2018. The service started with a small fleet of minivans and later opened rides to the general public without a human driver in the front seat.
Los Angeles became Waymo’s next market in 2022. After a wait‑list period that began in March 2024, the service opened to all Los Angeles riders in November of that year. Currently, Waymo’s Los Angeles area runs from Santa Monica to Echo Park and south to Inglewood, but it does not include rides to or from LAX.
What the expansion means for commuters
South Bay commuters will now have the option to summon a driverless vehicle via the Waymo app, potentially easing traffic congestion on the I‑405 corridor and providing a convenient alternative to traditional rideshare services. Because the vehicles operate without a human driver in the front seat, riders can expect a consistent, technology‑driven experience.
Waymo’s national footprint
Beyond Los Angeles, Waymo now operates in 15 U.S. metropolitan areas and reports more than 500,000 paid rides each week. The company’s continued expansion underscores the growing acceptance of autonomous transportation and its potential to reshape urban mobility.
Looking ahead
Waymo has indicated that further growth in the Los Angeles region is likely, though specific timelines for additional neighborhoods have not been announced. Residents interested in trying the service can sign up through the Waymo app and will be notified when rides become available in their area.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
