As of early 2024, Waymo does not publicly disclose the exact, real-time number of its autonomous vehicles operating in San Francisco. However, based on permits, observational reports, and industry analysis, the fleet is estimated to be in the low hundreds, likely between 250 and 400+ vehicles. This number is dynamic, as the company continuously deploys and retires vehicles for testing and its commercial ride-hailing service, Waymo One.
The most concrete figures come from regulatory filings. In late 2023, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) granted Waymo the permission to operate its commercial service 24/7 in San Francisco and parts of San Mateo County. While the permit doesn't specify a vehicle cap, previous applications and reports from media like TechCrunch indicated an active fleet of around 250 vehicles at that time. With the subsequent expansion of its service area, that number has certainly grown.
It's important to distinguish between the total fleet and vehicles actively on the road at any given time. Not all vehicles are in service simultaneously; some are charging, undergoing maintenance, or used for mapping and software validation. The table below summarizes key data points that help triangulate the fleet size.
| Data Point / Source | Estimated Figure / Context | Date / Period |
|---|
| CPUC Permit Approval (Expanded Service) | No explicit cap, but built upon existing deployment | Q4 2023 |
| Media Reports (e.g., Reuters) | "Hundreds" of vehicles in the SF fleet | Early 2024 |
| Observational Data & Analyst Estimates | 300-400+ total vehicles | Q1 2024 |
| DMV Deployment Permit (Historical) | Allowed for up to 250 driverless vehicles | 2022 |
| Commercial Service Area Coverage | Supports a fleet size in the hundreds | Ongoing |
For a regular user, this translates to a noticeable presence. During the day, it's common to see several Waymo Jaguar I-PACEs in a single trip across neighborhoods like the Mission or Pacific Heights. The frequency of sightings is a practical indicator of a substantial and growing deployment, even without a precise official number.
