In this guide
Short answer: Waymo is open to everyone in Houston, 24/7, in the Waymo app. The area is about 50 square miles: Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, the Heights, Rice Military, Upper Kirby, Rice Village, the Museum District, EaDo, the Texas Medical Center and the NRG Stadium area. Neither IAH nor Hobby airport is served yet.
Waymo launched in Houston on February 24, 2026 with about 25 square miles and invited riders. It nearly doubled the area in spring 2026, ahead of the World Cup games at NRG Stadium, and opened to everyone on August 20, 2026. For other cities, see every Waymo city.
Waymo Houston at a glance
- Status
- Open to everyone since Aug 20, 2026
- App
- Waymo app
- Hours
- 24/7
- Area
- About 50 sq mi
- Airports
- IAH and Hobby not served
- Minimum age
- 18 for an account
Where Waymo goes in Houston
- Inner Loop: Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, the Fourth Ward (Freedmen's Town), First Ward and Rice Military.
- North: Houston Heights, Woodland Heights, Ryon and Kashmere Gardens.
- Southwest: Upper Kirby, Rice Village, the Museum District, the Texas Medical Center and the Astrodome and NRG Stadium area.
- East: EaDo (East Downtown).
Going to an appointment at the Texas Medical Center? Waymo drops you as close to the entrance as it safely can, and you don't need to worry about parking. Pick the building entrance the app suggests.
Airports
As of October 21, 2026, Waymo doesn't stop at George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) or Hobby (HOU). In Texas, Waymo's only airport is San Antonio (SAT); see Waymo San Antonio and Waymo at the airport.
Freeways and storms
Houston trips mostly use surface streets. Storms matter more here than in most Waymo cities: in May 2026, Waymo paused rides in Houston and Dallas as a precaution before forecast severe weather, after one of its cars drove into a flooded street in Atlanta. Expect pauses during flood warnings. More in Waymo hours and weather.
Tesla Robotaxi in Houston
Tesla Robotaxi has carried the public in Houston since April 2026. You need a Tesla account and the Tesla Robotaxi app. Some cars drive with nobody aboard and others carry a safety monitor; minors aged 8 to 17 can ride with an adult. Zoox and Nuro are testing in Houston but don't carry riders. Compare in Tesla Robotaxi vs Waymo.
Houston tips
- For Astros, Rockets or Texans games, book a few blocks from the venue to skip the gridlock at the gates.
- Summer heat: the car cools down before pickup, and you can adjust the climate from the rear screen.
- New to robotaxis? Start with how to ride Waymo and check Waymo prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Waymo available in Houston?
Yes. Waymo has been open to everyone in Houston since August 20, 2026. It started with invited riders on February 24, 2026 and welcomed more than 100,000 riders from its interest list before opening.
Does Waymo go to the Texas Medical Center?
Yes. The Medical Center was added in Waymo's spring 2026 expansion, together with EaDo, northeast Houston and the NRG Stadium area.
Does Waymo go to Houston airports (IAH or Hobby)?
Not as of October 2026. Neither George Bush Intercontinental nor Hobby is listed as a Waymo pickup point.
Is Tesla Robotaxi in Houston?
Yes. Tesla Robotaxi has run in Houston since April 2026 in the Tesla app, with a mix of driverless cars and cars with a safety monitor.
Update log
- Guide published with the May 2026 expansion (EaDo, Texas Medical Center, NRG) and the August 2026 public opening.
Sources and official texts
- Waymo blog: Houston open to all (Aug 2026)
- The Charge Port: Houston robotaxi guide (neighborhoods, Tesla)
- Human Progress / Axios: Waymo nearly doubles Houston service area (May 2026)
- KPRC Click2Houston: Waymo launches public rides in Houston (Feb 24, 2026)
- TechCrunch: Waymo pauses service in four cities (May 21, 2026)