Waymo Robotaxis Left Stranded in San Francisco Holiday Traffic

WHO:

NBC News - Waymo vehicles

Business Insider - Waymo spokesperson Chris Bonelli

Business Insider - San Francisco residents, including an X user named Marco Gutierrez

WHAT:

NBC News - Several Waymo vehicles had to be towed after their batteries died.

Business Insider - Some Waymo robotaxis malfunctioned, stalled, or were towed during Fourth of July celebrations.

Business Insider - Waymo reported that some vehicles ran out of charge while idling in traffic.

WHERE:

NBC News - San Francisco

Business Insider - Northern San Francisco, near the Golden Gate Bridge

WHEN:

Business Insider - The incidents occurred during Fourth of July celebrations.

Business Insider - An X user reported that it could take "3-4 hours to tow the disabled vehicles."

WHY:

Business Insider - Severe traffic congestion disrupted normal operations for some Waymo cars.

Business Insider - Unplanned road closures occurred after the Golden Gate Bridge fireworks.

HOW:

Business Insider - Waymo's roadside assistance team coordinated with local authorities and emergency services to clear the vehicles from the area.

Business Insider - Waymo stated that their vehicles were operating fully autonomously prior to the incidents.

(UPDATED July 6, 2026 06:26 UTC)

Several Waymo vehicles in San Francisco had to be towed after their batteries died during the Fourth of July celebrations, with reports indicating that some robotaxis malfunctioned or stalled due to severe traffic congestion and unplanned road closures following the Golden Gate Bridge fireworks. A Waymo spokesperson, Chris Bonelli, mentioned that the vehicles were operating fully autonomously before the incidents, and an X user noted it could take "3-4 hours to tow the disabled vehicles." Waymo's roadside assistance team worked alongside local authorities and emergency services to clear the affected vehicles from the area.