If you live in Los Angeles, you know that getting from Point A to Point B is rarely as simple as hopping in the car. Between gridlocked freeways, limited parking, and the rising costs of vehicle ownership, Angelenos are increasingly turning to ridesharing services as a solution.
For more than a decade, Uber has been the go-to rideshare app in LA. From late-night pickups on Sunset Boulevard to airport runs at dawn, Uber revolutionized transportation in one of the world’s most car-dependent cities. But in 2025, Uber’s dominance faces a new kind of challenger: Waymo, the fully autonomous, driverless car service created by Alphabet (Google’s parent company).
For families, the question becomes more nuanced: Which service better fits our daily lives, budget, and safety needs? Is the novelty and safety promise of Waymo enough to outweigh Uber’s flexibility and coverage? And, most importantly, which one makes life easier for parents juggling strollers, car seats, and schedules?
This guide dives deep into the Waymo vs Uber rideshare showdown in Los Angeles, blending personal family experiences, cost data, and insights from authoritative transportation sources.
The Rise of Ridesharing in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has always been a city defined by cars. According to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans, 2024), nearly 70% of LA commuters still rely on personal vehicles. But ridesharing is steadily eating into that number, especially among younger residents and families who want flexibility without the hassle of full-time car ownership.
- Uber first launched in LA in 2012 and quickly became a household name. By 2020, Uber accounted for an estimated 25% of all rides in LA’s central neighborhoods (source: LA Times, 2021).
- Waymo, originally launched as Google’s self-driving car project, officially debuted its LA pilot program in 2023. By mid-2025, its service area has expanded to include Santa Monica, Westwood, Beverly Hills, and select surrounding areas (source: Waymo blog, 2025).
For LA families, ridesharing isn’t just about convenience anymore — it’s about budgeting, safety, and planning daily life in a city where commuting can eat up hours of every day.
How Waymo Works vs How Uber Works
Before comparing the two, it helps to understand the core differences in technology and service model.
Waymo: The Driverless Future
- Autonomous Vehicles: Waymo operates a fleet of Jaguar I-PACE electric SUVs, all fully autonomous.
- Technology: Each vehicle uses lidar sensors, radar, cameras, and AI-driven maps to interpret road conditions in real time.
- Experience: Rides are ordered via the Waymo app. Once booked, the car arrives without a driver, and you unlock the vehicle using your phone.
📖 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, 2024) reports that autonomous vehicles like Waymo reduce human error, which accounts for 94% of traffic accidents in the U.S.
Uber: Human-Driven Flexibility
- Human Drivers: Uber relies on contracted drivers who use their personal vehicles.
- Options: Riders can choose UberX (standard), Uber Comfort, Uber XL (larger vehicles), Uber Black (luxury), and Uber Green (EV/hybrid).
- Experience: Pickup is almost immediate in most parts of LA, with full flexibility on drop-off locations.
📖 According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 36% of Americans had used Uber at least once in the past year, compared to fewer than 5% who had experienced autonomous rides.
Cost Comparison: Family Budgeting
One of the first questions parents ask is: Which service is more affordable for a family of four?
To answer, we ran test trips across Los Angeles in 2025:
| Route | Waymo Cost (Varies) | Uber Cost (Varies) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westwood → Santa Monica Pier | $28+ | $30–46 | You don’t have to tip with Waymo. |
| Westwood→ LAX Metro Transit Center Station | $35+ | $44–86 | Both Uber and Waymo have surge pricing. Uber prices vary more than Waymo because you can pick the type of care you want. |
| Westwood → Downtown LA | N/A | $54-109 | Waymo doesn’t take the fwy so you can’t count on a Waymo getting you to downtown from the westside. |
Takeaway:
- Waymo’s Jaguar is way more luxurious than the most basic uber car ride so you might be getting a nicer ride for the amount of money you are spending.
- There aren’t a lot of Waymo cars available. Uber is more available. We had personal experience with no Waymo cars available one evening to take us home from a restaurant so we had to use Uber.
📖 The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT, 2023) found that surge pricing increases the cost of Uber rides by an average of 40% during peak hours, which disproportionately affects family budgets.
Safety: The #1 Priority for Parents
Waymo Safety Features
- No driver = no risk of distracted or fatigued driving.
- Built-in child lock and interior cameras ensure safe rides for kids.
- Vehicles drive conservatively, often avoiding risky maneuvers that human drivers might attempt.
- No carseats offered. You need to bring your own carseat for your child’s safety.
📖 A Consumer Reports (2024) study found that families rated autonomous rides higher for perceived safety but noted challenges with accessibility (help with strollers, luggage, etc.).
Uber Safety Features
- Uber added driver background checks, in-app safety features, and rider verification after years of criticism.
- Riders can share trip details live with family.
- Some drivers offer car seats (via Uber Car Seat in select areas).
📖 According to the University of California Transportation Center (2022), safety incidents in Uber rides decreased by 25% after in-app safety features were introduced in 2019.
Family Insight:
- Waymo feels more luxurious and safe, but the lack of a driver means no help lifting a stroller.
- Uber offers flexibility, but parent comfort depends on the driver’s skill and professionalism.
Coverage: Where You Can Actually Ride
Waymo Coverage (2025):
- Strong in Santa Monica, Westwood, Beverly Hills. My husband and I took a Waymo on our wine tasting date night at AJA Tasting Room in Santa Monica. It was private and elevated our date night experience. This is a great way to travel to AJA if you are on the westside!
- Slowly expanding toward Century City, Culver City, and West Hollywood.
- No coverage in the San Fernando Valley.
- Does not ride on the fwy
Uber Coverage (2025):
- Available virtually everywhere in Los Angeles County, in most states and countries as well.
- Particularly strong for airport trips, late-night rides, and suburban coverage.
📖 According to the Los Angeles Times (2024), Waymo plans to triple its LA service area by 2026, but for now Uber remains the only option in large swaths of the city.
Family-Friendly Features
| Category | Waymo | Uber |
|---|---|---|
| Car Seats | Not provided (BYO required) | Uber Car Seat available in select areas (extra fee) |
| Luggage/Help | No driver to assist | Driver can help with stroller/luggage |
| Kid Appeal | High — novelty of driverless cars | Moderate — depends on driver/vehicle |
| Predictability | Consistent driving style | Varies by driver personality |
✨ Our Experience: Our daughters loved the novelty of a driverless Waymo ride and felt like they were in the future. But for airport runs or trips with lots of bags, we have to go with Uber.
The Environmental Factor
- Waymo: Operates primarily electric vehicles (Jaguar I-PACE EVs). This aligns with California’s push for zero-emission vehicles by 2035.
- Uber: Expanding Uber Green and Uber Comfort Electric, but many rides are still gas-powered.
📖 The California Air Resources Board (CARB, 2024) reported that ridesharing accounts for 3% of transportation emissions in LA County, and electrification efforts are critical to reducing smog.
The Future of Ridesharing in LA
- Waymo’s Roadmap: By 2026, Waymo plans to expand into West Hollywood, Downtown LA, and Century City (source: Waymo blog).
- Uber’s Strategy: Uber is doubling down on premium tiers, EV adoption, and food delivery integration to retain market share.
- Policy Angle: The California Public Utilities Commission (2024) continues to regulate autonomous rides, meaning expansion will be gradual.
Verdict: Which Rideshare Wins for Families?
Choose Waymo if…
- You live in the Westside and are commuting within the westside.
- Safety and novelty appeal to your kids. Our kids experienced their first ride in a waymo when we drove locally to Orla in Santa Monica.
- You’re comfortable managing strollers/luggage without a driver’s help.
Choose Uber if…
- You need full LA coverage.
- You’re traveling to/from the airport.
- You prefer driver assistance with car seats and bags.
Our Family Take: Waymo feels like the future of ridesharing, but Uber remains the practical everyday option in 2025. For now, families may find themselves using both services strategically — Waymo for short, safe Westside errands and Uber for airport runs and longer city trips.
Final Thoughts: The Parent’s Guide to LA Ridesharing in 2025
Ridesharing in Los Angeles isn’t just about convenience anymore. For families, it’s about budgeting smarter, keeping kids safe, and making city life manageable.
- Waymo delivers innovation, safety, and predictability.
- Uber delivers coverage, flexibility, and human assistance.
Together, they reflect a city in transition — one foot in the traditional rideshare era and one foot in the autonomous future. For Los Angeles parents, that means more options, less stress, and a glimpse of how our kids will move through the city in years to come.
About the Author (Ginger Graham):
Ginger Graham is a Los Angeles–based travel and lifestyle writer who approaches every journey — even a quick family rideshare — with curiosity, care, and an eye for detail. Focused on making travel easier and more enjoyable for families, this writer explores everything from five-star resorts to everyday logistics that shape how we move through the world.
Having personally tested both Waymo and Uber across Los Angeles with kids in tow, the author brings a firsthand perspective on convenience, safety, and value. Through Culinary Passages, they aim to help families travel smarter, stress less, and discover new ways to make even local adventures feel extraordinary.
