I should probably start by saying that Waymo has not paid me to write this.
Which feels like an administrative oversight, but here we are.
Like any product I promote, I’ve actually used it and believe in it. Mostly because nobody has offered me a bag of money big enough to put my ethics to the side. Everyone has their price, though. Even me.
Until that number is discovered, welcome to my completely impartial review.
An empty driver’s seat has its advantages
Living in the Phoenix area means driverless vehicles are more than some futuristic concept. They’re an actual transportation option. You request a ride through an app, get in, and let the vehicle handle the driving.
The empty driver’s seat is the part that makes the whole thing interesting. You’re trusting a vehicle to get you somewhere without a person sitting up front.
Apparently, the future arrived while I was busy researching another vacation.
I’ve used Waymo, and I like it. That doesn’t mean I think every vehicle should immediately become driverless or that technology is incapable of having a very expensive bad day. It means I see the appeal of having another way to get around.
Especially one that doesn’t require an introductory conversation every single time.
The pros: quiet rides and fewer responsibilities
No mandatory small talk
I can enjoy meeting people. I also enjoy sitting quietly and looking out the window without explaining what I do for work, where I’m headed, and whether I’ve lived in Arizona long.
Sometimes I just want transportation. My biography can wait.
With no driver in the front seat, there’s no social obligation to entertain anybody. For an introvert, that’s a strong selling point.
There’s also nobody up front complaining about the traffic, the weather, or the neighborhood I’m asking them to enter. And, heaven forbid, launching into political talk while I’m trapped in the back seat trying to get to dinner.
I booked a ride, not a mobile town hall. Please get me to my appetizers without a campaign speech.
Waymo marketing department: feel free to use that. My invoice will follow.
That said, I’m not opposed to answering questions when I’m in the mood. On the way to the airport, I often enjoy chatting about where I’m going. Sometimes you actually pick up a tip or two, or learn about a hidden gem worth visiting once you arrive.
The trip home is a different story.
By then, I’m usually exhausted because of my own poor travel choices, hung over from the airport lounge, or recovering from too many drinks on the flight home. I don’t want some random driver telling me about a hidden gem when it’s already too late to explore it. At that point, I want a quiet ride, my luggage, and perhaps several hours of unconsciousness.
There’s another kind of ride where the quiet matters, too: the late-night trip home from a bar. I’m usually traveling solo, but I’m still a man, and I don’t think I should have to feel embarrassed about wanting a little privacy or peace after a long night. If I’m being dropped off at some random location, or I’m in a particularly isolated area, not having a stranger in the vehicle can make the situation feel less complicated.
That doesn’t mean I’m assuming every human driver is dangerous, and it doesn’t mean I’m treating Waymo as a guarantee of safety. It simply means that, in an unfamiliar or isolated setting, removing one more unknown person from the interaction can be reassuring.
The same goes for riding with a female companion I may have known for years. We might bicker like we just met each other, or, once in a blue moon, actually behave like two people who have known each other for years. I’m not perfect. Neither is she. Sometimes the best possible ride is one where we can argue about dinner, directions, or whose fault it was without a third person sitting in the front seat silently judging us.
No driver means no audience for the relationship’s director’s cut.
Your music, your volume, your questionable vocals
You can pick your own music and adjust the volume without worrying whether the driver likes your choices. Waymo offers music controls and options for playing your own audio through supported services. Source: Waymo music help
No negotiating over the radio. No wondering whether your favorite song is irritating the person responsible for getting you home. Sometimes I want quiet. Sometimes I want my own soundtrack.
And you can sing along to your heart’s content without a driver becoming an unwilling audience. One of the automated prompts on a recent Waymo ride actually brought that possibility to my attention.
Apparently, the car was prepared to accept a level of musical confidence that no human should be required to endure.
I’m not saying I can sing. I’m saying there’s nobody up front asking me to stop.
Waymo: transportation and a private karaoke opportunity. The endorsement pitch practically writes itself.
Peace of mind matters, too
For women who feel uneasy riding alone with an unfamiliar driver, I can see how removing that person from the equation could offer some peace of mind. There’s no driver to make unwanted advances, ask intrusive personal questions, or turn a ride home into an uncomfortable situation.
I can’t speak for every woman’s experience, but I understand why that would matter when choosing a ride.
And even as a large gentleman, I feel that peace of mind myself. Being a big guy doesn’t mean I automatically feel comfortable getting into a stranger’s car. My size is not a security system, despite what the grocery bill might suggest.
I appreciate getting in, settling back, and having one less interpersonal variable to think about. That comfort is part of why I like the service. It doesn’t make any ride risk-free, but feeling more at ease has value.
That value can be especially noticeable after a late night out. If I’m alone, tired, and being dropped off somewhere unfamiliar or isolated, I’d rather not have to manage an awkward conversation with a stranger while also figuring out where I am. I’m not claiming that a driverless ride eliminates every concern. I’m saying that fewer unknown variables can make an already vulnerable moment feel a little less uncomfortable.
Someone—or something—else handles the driving
Going out to dinner, exploring a neighborhood, or meeting friends gets easier when I don’t have to deal with parking at the destination.
And if adult beverages are involved, arranging a ride means I can leave my own car out of the equation. That benefit applies to taxis and other rideshare services, too. Waymo just adds the unusual experience of watching the steering wheel work without anyone holding it.
Dinner, drinks, and a ride home. That is a useful service even without the science-fiction element.
There’s also no need to tip. The fare is the fare, and I don’t have to sit in the back of the vehicle trying to calculate a percentage while wondering whether I’m being generous, cheap, or mathematically creative. One less decision before I arrive at dinner is a feature I’m happy to endorse.
It can also make the end of a night feel simpler. I can get home without driving after drinking, without asking a friend to pick me up, and without having to navigate a potentially awkward interaction with a stranger when I’m tired or alone.
No judgment for a five-minute ride to the bar
Another benefit: no judgment when I’m getting dropped off or picked up at a bar five minutes from my home.
Yes, five minutes. I know where I live. I’m booking the ride because I’m trying to be a responsible adult by not drinking and driving. I’m protecting myself and other people from a horrible mistake. The short distance doesn’t change that decision.
What I don’t need is some wise-ass driver—usually a guy, in my experience—asking whether I really couldn’t make the five-minute drive home or suggesting I’m wasting his time.
I’m paying for a ride. I’m not requesting a masculinity assessment from a stranger with a steering wheel.
I won’t let someone’s commentary tempt me into driving after drinking just to prove a point. If anything, choosing the ride is the point. I want to get home without putting anyone at risk, and I shouldn’t have to defend that.
With Waymo, there’s no driver to make that comment. I can take my short ride, get home, and save the questionable decisions for ordering another appetizer.
Personal experience: Phoenix Sky Harbor is not my favorite driving destination
I’ve been dropped off and picked up at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, and that experience has made me appreciate having another transportation option. The airport is a place I don’t even like driving to as a driving adult. Between the traffic, the terminal roads, the signs, the lanes, the parking decisions, and the general feeling that one wrong turn can turn a simple airport run into an unscheduled tour of the entire airport complex, I’m happy to let someone—or something—else handle it.
Getting to the airport without personally navigating all of that is appealing. So is getting home after a flight when I’m tired, carrying luggage, and not especially interested in proving my competence behind the wheel.
Waymo doesn’t eliminate every airport-related complication, and pickup instructions still matter. But from personal experience, avoiding the drive to and from Sky Harbor is a meaningful benefit.
The airport already asks enough of me. It doesn’t also need my full attention behind the wheel.
There’s also a difference between the outbound and return journeys. On my way to the airport, I may be perfectly happy to answer questions about where I’m going. Sometimes that conversation produces a useful travel tip or reveals a hidden gem I can add to the itinerary.
On the way home, however, I’m usually running on fumes. Maybe I’m exhausted because I scheduled an offensively early flight. Maybe I’m hung over from the airport lounge or from too many drinks on the flight home. Either way, I’m not looking for a random driver to tell me about a hidden gem that I’m now too tired, too late, or too far gone to explore.
At that point, silence is not antisocial. It’s recovery.
You can check the price before committing
Waymo shows the fare before booking, and says an unexpected reroute won’t change that trip’s price. Busier periods can cost more, though. Source: Waymo FAQ
I appreciate being able to look at a quote and decide whether the convenience is worth it.
Sometimes the answer will be yes. Sometimes the answer will be, “For that amount, I should at least arrive with a cocktail and a commemorative photograph.”
It gives travelers another option
When I travel, I like having choices: walking, public transportation, rideshare, whatever makes sense for the location and the day.
Driverless rides can fit into that mix where they’re available. They won’t replace every other option, but another way to connect a hotel, restaurant, attraction, or airport is useful.
My itinerary already has enough side quests. Transportation shouldn’t need its own character arc.
The cons: the future still has boundaries
The first ride can be a little unsettling
Knowing there’s no driver is one thing. Watching the steering wheel turn by itself while you’re sitting in the back seat is another. Your first ride can feel a little unsettling while your brain catches up with what’s happening.
Apparently, “I believe in the technology” and “I would like to stare intensely at every turn” can coexist.
You might settle into it quickly, or you might spend the trip wishing there were a person up front. There’s no requirement to enjoy it just because it’s impressive.
Motion sickness could spoil the experience
If you’re prone to motion sickness, this might not be the ride for you. Waymo says its cautious, defensive driving can feel different from a human driver’s, including more sudden braking than you may be used to. That’s something to consider if changes in motion tend to make you queasy. Source: Waymo autonomous FAQs
That doesn’t mean everyone will feel sick, or that every Waymo ride is rough. But a short first trip might be a better introduction than committing to a longer journey before you know how comfortable you feel.
I want to arrive ready for appetizers, not negotiating with my stomach over whether dinner is still happening.
It won’t take you everywhere
Waymo operates within supported service areas. Check your actual pickup and destination in the app instead of assuming an entire metro area is covered. Source: Waymo Phoenix
That matters in the Valley, where “nearby” can mean a substantial drive and several opportunities to question your plans.
A driverless car is impressive. It still needs to serve the places you want to go.
Availability still trails Uber and Lyft
Uber and Lyft have much broader geographic coverage, which makes them more practical across a wider range of destinations. Waymo is another option in supported areas, but it isn’t something I can assume will be available on every trip. Sources: Uber cities, Lyft cities
Even where Waymo operates, I’d compare the actual pickup estimates across apps. Broader coverage doesn’t guarantee Uber or Lyft will arrive faster on a particular night, but having alternatives matters when I need to get somewhere.
Brand loyalty is lovely. Missing dinner because I refused to open another app is less lovely.
Driverless doesn’t automatically mean cheaper
An empty driver’s seat doesn’t guarantee a bargain. Compare the quote with other transportation options, especially when demand is high.
I like the service. I also like having money left for the destination.
My enthusiasm has a budget. My hypothetical endorsement contract, however, remains open to negotiation.
Pickup details matter
Read the pickup instructions and give yourself time to find the vehicle. Don’t build your entire schedule around the assumption that any ride service will materialize at the exact curb you pictured.
This is especially important at an airport. Phoenix Sky Harbor has multiple terminals, levels, pickup areas, and enough signs to make a confident adult briefly question whether they understand roads.
If I’m heading somewhere time-sensitive, I want a buffer.
There is “fun travel chaos,” and then there is watching the clock while wondering whether I’m standing on the wrong side of the building.
The same principle applies late at night. If I’m being dropped off at a random location, I want to know where the vehicle will stop and what the surrounding area is like. A driverless ride may remove the awkwardness of having a stranger in the car, but it doesn’t remove the need to pay attention to the destination itself. An isolated drop-off can still be inconvenient or uncomfortable, especially if I’m alone, tired, or carrying luggage.
No driver means no immediate hands-on help
Waymo offers Rider Support, but that’s different from having someone physically in the vehicle. Source: Waymo Support
That distinction matters if you need assistance with luggage, mobility, or an unexpected situation. A service that works well for one person may not meet another person’s needs.
You’re also loading and unloading your own luggage. The trunk is available, but there’s no driver to hop out and wrestle your suitcase into it. Waymo’s instructions walk you through opening the trunk, loading your belongings, and closing it yourself. Source: Waymo trunk access
After a long flight, that can be one more chore. If you have heavy bags, an injury, or limited mobility, it can be a much bigger consideration. A human rideshare driver’s help isn’t guaranteed either, but with a driverless ride, plan on handling your bags yourself or having a companion help.
Apparently, the future can drive me home, but it still expects me to deadlift everything I packed for a vacation.
Convenience depends on what you need the ride to do.
It also depends on who you’re riding with. If I’m traveling with a female companion I’ve known for a long time, we may spend the entire ride bickering like we just met. Or, once in a blue moon, we may actually act like people who have known each other for years. I’m not perfect, and neither is the ride. At least there’s no driver in the front seat wondering whether our argument about directions is part of the entertainment.
Construction can complicate the ride
Construction zones can change the route, the pickup spot, and how straightforward the trip feels. Waymo says its vehicles may change course when they encounter difficult situations, and construction can prevent them from reaching your exact pickup or drop-off location. Sources: Waymo routing, Pickup and drop-off
Temporary lanes, closures, and unusual traffic patterns deserve extra time in the schedule. A cautious response or detour can feel frustrating when you’re watching the clock, even if caution is what you want from the vehicle.
And this isn’t purely hypothetical: a 2026 recall report documented problems recognizing some freeway construction closures, with software improvements and operational protocols identified as the remedy. That history is worth acknowledging without assuming every construction zone will cause trouble. Source: NHTSA recall report
Orange cones: somehow still capable of disrupting the future.
Storms can interrupt the service
Waymo says severe weather and safety considerations can make service unavailable. For a Phoenix rider, storms, excessive rain, flooding, and dust storms are conditions where I’d check the app and have another plan. That doesn’t mean every rain shower triggers a shutdown; availability depends on conditions and operating decisions. Sources: Waymo autonomous FAQs, Waymo weather research
The practical drawback is that the ride you wanted might not be available just when the weather makes walking particularly unappealing. Other transportation services can be affected, too, and a backup plan still needs to account for unsafe roads.
Arizona occasionally turns the sky into a wall of dirt, then follows up by trying to turn the street into a river. Even my completely impartial enthusiasm has to respect that.
Internet and app disruptions can get in the way
Booking and managing a ride depend on an app and connectivity, so an internet or cellular disruption can interfere with requesting a car or communicating through the app. Waymo also lists technical app issues among reasons service may be unavailable. Source: Waymo autonomous FAQs
The important distinction is that the vehicle makes its driving decisions onboard. An internet outage doesn’t automatically mean a car already carrying passengers loses its ability to drive. The drawback here is potential disruption to booking, communication, and service access. Source: Waymo onboard computing
I’d still rather discover a connectivity problem before I’m standing outside with a suitcase, a dying phone, and a rapidly deteriorating attitude.
A quiet ride isn’t the same as complete privacy
No driver doesn’t mean no cameras. Waymo says it uses interior cameras for purposes including lost items, cleanliness, emergencies, and checking ride rules. Source: Waymo Phoenix
Enjoy the lack of small talk. Remember you’re still using a connected service.
That distinction matters if you’re riding alone late at night, being dropped off somewhere unfamiliar, or sharing the vehicle with someone you know well enough to argue with but not well enough to behave normally around. The absence of a driver may make the ride feel more private, but it isn’t the same as being completely unobserved.
Technology can still get things wrong
I believe in a product without assuming it’s perfect.
Driverless vehicles still have to operate around construction, unusual traffic situations, and people doing unpredictable things. I’m not treating my own rides as proof that a system can never fail, and I’m not making a blanket safety claim about every autonomous vehicle.
Other questions deserve attention, too: how these services affect driving jobs, how accessible they are, and how companies handle problems when they happen.
Those questions don’t disappear because the steering wheel looks cool moving by itself.
So, why Waymo?
Because I’ve used it, I like it, and I see situations where it makes sense.
The quiet ride and peace of mind appeal to me. Having another transportation option appeals to me. Getting somewhere without having to park my own car—or hear a political monologue before dinner—appeals to me.
Avoiding the drive to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport also appeals to me. As a driving adult, it is a place I don’t even like driving to, and personal experience has made me appreciate the option of letting Waymo handle that part of the trip.
On the way to the airport, I may even enjoy answering questions about where I’m going. A conversation can occasionally produce a useful tip or point me toward a hidden gem worth visiting.
On the way home, I’m usually in no condition to appreciate anyone’s local recommendations. I’m exhausted from my own poor choices, hung over from the airport lounge, or recovering from too many drinks on the flight home. By then, a hidden gem is not a travel opportunity; it’s an accusation. I don’t want to hear about somewhere I’m now too tired or too late to explore.
The same logic applies after a late night at a bar. If I’m alone, tired, and being dropped off at some random or isolated location, I appreciate not having to manage a stranger’s presence in the vehicle. I’m still a man, but that doesn’t mean I’m immune to feeling uneasy in unfamiliar circumstances. No judgment, no awkward explanations, and no assumption that I should automatically be comfortable just because I’m male.
And if I’m riding with a female companion I’ve known for years, there’s a decent chance we’ll bicker like we just met. Once in a blue moon, we may even act like we know each other. I’m not perfect. She isn’t either. A driverless ride gives us room to be our imperfect selves without making a stranger part of the argument.
Not having to tip is a small but welcome bonus. The fare is clear, the ride is quiet, and I don’t have to perform end-of-trip arithmetic while collecting my luggage.
The price, availability, service area, weather, and practical details still have to work. I’d check those before booking, just as I would with another ride service—and allow extra time for construction, airport pickup logistics, isolated drop-offs, and handling my own luggage.
That’s my completely impartial review: useful, interesting, and worth considering when it fits the trip.
And Waymo, if you’re looking for someone to promote the benefits of driverless transportation with travel photos, mild sarcasm, airport avoidance, late-night ride-home observations, complicated companion dynamics, and a suspiciously full vacation calendar, I’m available.
I already believe in the product.
The lucrative endorsement deal would simply help cover my extensive research—and perhaps spare me another drive to Sky Harbor.
I’ll update this post if I ever have a negative experience with Waymo or almost lose my life due to the machine uprising.
#Waymo #DriverlessCars #Phoenix #Travel #Rideshare
