Measured averagesWhat a ride costs in San Francisco
No operator quotes a per-mile rate in San Francisco, so the honest numbers are measured averages from independent studies (bar for Tesla shows the midpoint of its reported range):
| Service | Average per ride | Notes | Source · date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waymo | ≈ $20.43 | Average per ride; short trips cost disproportionately more per mile | CMU study via TechCrunch · 2025-06 |
| Uber (human-driven benchmark) | ≈ $15.58 | Benchmark for robotaxi comparisons | CMU Safety21 · 2025-06 |
| Tesla Robotaxi (SF Bay Area) | $8.31–$14.59 | Daily averages with strong day-to-day variation; bar shows the midpoint of the range | Obi pricing report · 2026-04-21 |
Two patterns: Waymo carries a clear premium over human-driven Uber here — consistent with national same-route comparisons — while Tesla's newer Bay Area service undercuts both on average, at the cost of strong day-to-day fare swings.
Why no rate cardDynamic pricing, explained
Neither operator publishes a per-mile rate card in San Francisco. Waymo prices dynamically per trip in its own app; Tesla's Bay Area service has shown strong day-to-day fare variation — Obi's daily averages ranged from $8.31 to $14.59 across April 2026. Every number on this page is a measured average from a dated study, not a quoted rate.
For a market where Tesla does publish its meter, see Austin: $3.00 base + $1.40 per mile — and the full Tesla price history shows how often those numbers move.
OperatorsRobotaxi services in San Francisco
Waymo runs its own app across San Francisco (no Uber needed, unlike Austin) and has operated here longest. Tesla's Robotaxi service covers the wider Bay Area with fares that vary day to day.
For the cross-city fare table, see the overview. Wondering what the vehicles cost? See Cybercab price.
FAQFrequently asked questions
How much does a Waymo cost in San Francisco?
Waymo rides in San Francisco averaged about $20.43 per ride (CMU study via TechCrunch, June 2025). Short trips cost disproportionately more per mile, because per-trip pricing spreads fixed costs over fewer miles.
How much does a Tesla robotaxi cost in San Francisco?
Tesla's Bay Area service showed daily average fares of $8.31–$14.59 per ride with strong day-to-day variation (Obi pricing report, April 2026). Tesla publishes no rate card for the Bay Area — these are measured averages, not quoted rates.
Is Waymo more expensive than Uber in San Francisco?
On average, yes: Waymo ≈ $20.43 per ride versus Uber ≈ $15.58 in San Francisco (CMU Safety21, June 2025). Nationally, same-route comparisons show the same pattern: Waymo ≈ $11.22 vs Uber ≈ $8.36 (The Rideshare Guy).
Why is there no per-mile rate for San Francisco?
Neither operator publishes one here. Waymo prices dynamically per trip in its own app, and Tesla's Bay Area fares fluctuate daily. Contrast that with Austin, where Tesla runs a published metered structure of $3.00 base + $1.40 per mile — see the Austin fare page for the metered model.
Sources & method
Numbers on this site are collected from public reporting, operator statements and published studies. Each figure is shown with the outlet that reported it and the date it was reported. When a figure is an unofficial estimate, it is labeled as such. If a number has no date next to it, treat it as unverified. Found a newer figure? The page will be updated and re-dated — that is the whole point of this site.