Waymo is Way More Awesome

A few weeks ago, we took a trip to Phoenix, Arizona, and had the opportunity to take our first Waymo ride. If you're not familiar with Waymo, it's a self-driving car service.

We had wanted to try one when we were in Florida, but at the time they were still in the testing phase and only available to people with special invitation codes. So when we arrived in Arizona and discovered that Waymos were not only available but everywhere, there was no question—we had to try one!

There was definitely a small learning curve at first, but after our first ride, we were hooked.

To get a Waymo, you download an app on your phone, much like any other rideshare service. When you request a ride, you enter your pickup location, destination, and a name that will appear on the vehicle so you know which car is yours.

For example, when we traveled from the airport to our resort, we used the name "Krissy Freirose." The app gave us the price of the ride, and when the car arrived, a digital sign on top displayed "KF." After that first ride, we changed the name to "Team Freirose," so our future rides proudly displayed "TF."

The cars themselves are Jaguars, which was also a first for us! They are covered with cameras and sensors that help them navigate roads, recognize traffic signals, monitor surroundings, and safely reach their destinations.

One thing we learned is that Waymo generally avoids major highways, so some trips may take a little longer than a traditional rideshare or taxi.

When your car arrives, the doors unlock and the trunk opens so you can load your belongings. You can sit in the front passenger seat or in any of the three rear seats, but the driver's seat remains empty. Watching the steering wheel turn on its own while driving is a little surreal—almost like a ghost is driving the car!

Before the ride can begin, everyone must buckle their seatbelt and press the "Ready to Ride" button. Once you're underway, you can adjust your seat, choose music, view your route, control the temperature, or watch the vehicle's surroundings on the screens inside the car. There is also a help button available if you need assistance from a live Waymo representative.

When you arrive at your destination, getting out takes two pulls of the door handle. The first pull checks for approaching cars, cyclists, or pedestrians. The second pull actually opens the door. After that, you grab your belongings and continue on your way.

The Negatives

There were really only three negatives I could think of.

First, while we didn't experience this ourselves, there is always the possibility that previous riders could leave behind trash or otherwise make the vehicle less clean.

Second is simply the unknown. The car may be incredibly smart, but it still shares the road with human drivers. You never know what another driver might do, and that's something no technology can completely eliminate.

Finally, some rides take longer because Waymo avoids highways and prefers routes that it considers safer.

The Positives

For us, the positives far outweighed the negatives.

The first surprise was the price. Waymo was consistently cheaper than other rideshare options and, in some cases, cost nearly half as much.

My favorite part was not having to interact with a driver. Krissy and I could talk freely, laugh, and have conversations without feeling like someone else was listening.

Most importantly, it felt incredibly safe. The car slowed gradually for lights, maintained awareness of everything around it, and made smooth lane changes without the sudden movements that sometimes happen with human drivers.

And honestly? It was just plain fun.

If you'd like to see our experience for yourself, check out our Waymo video on YouTube at Team Freirose Fun. If you enjoy content like this, we'd love it if you'd subscribe both here and on YouTube.

Have you ever taken a Waymo? Would you try one? Do you think self-driving cars will become common personal vehicles in the future?

Have Waymo Fun!

— Anne