Waymo Begins Mapping Streets in Alexandria and Arlington

Waymo has begun mapping streets in Alexandria, Virginia, and will soon start the same process in Arlington. The work involves creating sensor-aided digital representations of roads and surrounding features, which the company says is required before any local robotaxi service can launch.

Drivers are currently operating the mapping vehicles. A Waymo spokesperson confirmed the activity to Wired and described it as an important preparatory step should Virginia authorize fully autonomous ride-hailing. The spokesperson added that the company does not currently have plans for commercial service in the area.

In a public meeting last week with a Virginia Department of Transportation working group, a Waymo policy adviser stated that vehicles had arrived in Alexandria and would soon reach Arlington. The adviser told state officials that moving from mapping to a full robotaxi service typically takes 12 to 18 months and requires substantial investment.

The adviser also said the company had briefed local officials before beginning the work. A Virginia Department of Transportation spokesperson said the agency could not respond to questions by press time. Virginia’s Autonomous Driving Work Group is examining how the state might regulate autonomous vehicles.

The state Senate is considering a bill that would create a licensing path for autonomous vehicles to carry passengers or cargo. The bill’s sponsor told a local publication that the measure is not expected to allow self-driving cars to operate before 2028.

Twenty-seven U.S. states currently permit driverless taxis on public roads, while five additional jurisdictions allow driverless testing.

Waymo currently operates paid passenger service in 11 U.S. metros and completes about 500,000 rides per week. The company is working to expand to 20 additional cities, including London and Tokyo. In 2025 the company announced plans to launch service in Baltimore and Washington, DC, though timelines remain unclear.

Last week Waymo paused operations in parts of Texas, Tennessee, and Georgia due to storms and flooding. Earlier this month the company recalled software related to vehicle behavior on flooded roads and said it would temporarily avoid operating on flooded, high-speed roadways.

The company told federal regulators it is developing a final remedy for the issue. A Waymo spokesperson stated the company is actively working to bring service to Washington, DC, and is continuing to lay the groundwork for operations in Baltimore. The current mapping work places vehicles near national policymakers who are considering laws that could affect autonomous vehicle deployment.