What Do Americans Think of Robotaxis?

Self-driving vehicles are steadily moving from test tracks to city streets. In some parts of the country, hailing a ride no longer guarantees there will be someone behind the wheel.

As autonomous rideshare services expand, we wanted to understand how Americans actually feel about them. To do that, we surveyed 2,400 people nationwide, along with 500 individuals who have previously ridden in a robotaxi, to measure comfort levels, safety perceptions, preferences and value assessments.

The results reveal sharp regional divides and a clear gap between perception and firsthand experience. Here’s what Americans across the country are saying about the future of rideshare.

Robotaxi Sentiment by State

Self-driving vehicles are no longer a distant idea. In some parts of the country, they’re already part of the daily commute, but in others the idea isn’t received quite as well. Our survey shows that comfort levels with robotaxis vary sharply depending on where someone lives.

States Most Comfortable With Robotaxis

(Percent who said they would feel “uncomfortable” riding in a robotaxi)

1. California — 46.6%
2. Nevada — 51.9%
3. Arizona — 52.7%
4. Georgia — 52.9%
5. Washington — 56.4%

It’s not surprising that California, Nevada, Arizona and Georgia top the list. All four states currently have robotaxi services operating in select cities, giving residents direct exposure to the technology. When autonomous vehicles move from the headlines to the streets, comfort levels shift.

California, in particular, has become a hub for autonomous vehicle testing and deployment, especially in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Atlanta have all also hosted pilot programs for autonomous rideshares and were among the first cities to use the technology regularly. 

Washington rounds out the list, and with a major metro area and a growing tech scene in Seattle, residents may be more accustomed to emerging transportation technology than much of the country. Even without widespread robotaxi deployment statewide, proximity to innovation appears to correlate with greater openness.

States Least Comfortable With Robotaxis

(Percent who said they would feel “uncomfortable” riding in a robotaxi)

1. New Hampshire — 90%
2. Vermont — 88.4%
3. Alabama — 87.8%
4. Maryland — 82.1%
5. Wisconsin — 80.9%

In contrast, several Northeast and Southern states report significantly higher discomfort. In New Hampshire, 9 in 10 respondents said they’d feel uncomfortable riding in a robotaxi. Vermont follows closely behind.

These states tend to have more rural roadways and less visible autonomous vehicle testing. For many residents, robotaxis may still feel unfamiliar or experimental. Alabama also reports high discomfort, even with its closer proximity to a city in Atlanta where the technology is used more regularly.

Wisconsin’s inclusion is notable, particularly given its mix of urban centers and rural highways. In states where traditional driving culture remains strong, fully autonomous transportation may face more resistance.

The divide suggests that familiarity and exposure matter. Where residents see and interact with this technology, comfort levels tend to increase.

Where Robotaxis Are Viewed as Less Safe Than Traditional Vehicles

(Percent who said robotaxis are less safe than traditional vehicles)

Highest Skepticism:

1. New Jersey — 82%
2. Rhode Island — 78.7%
3. New Hampshire — 78%

Lowest Skepticism:

1. California — 44.8%
2. Arizona — 45.5%
3. Georgia — 51%

Perceptions of safety closely mirror overall comfort levels. In New Jersey and Rhode Island, dense traffic and heavily traveled roadways may heighten concerns about how autonomous systems handle unpredictable driving environments.

Meanwhile, in California and Arizona, where residents have had greater exposure to testing and deployment, fewer than half believe robotaxis are less safe than traditional vehicles. While skepticism remains, it’s far less pronounced.

Preference for Traditional Ride Share Over Robotaxis

(Percent who prefer traditional rideshare)

Strongest Preference for Traditional Drivers:

1. New Hampshire — 82%
2. New Jersey — 82%
3. Connecticut — 81.6%

Lowest Preference for Traditional Drivers:

1. California — 53.5%
2. Arizona — 58.2%
3. Idaho — 59.2%

In several Northeastern states, residents show a clear preference for human drivers. More than 8 in 10 respondents in New Hampshire and New Jersey said they’d choose a traditional rideshare over a robotaxi.

On the other hand, just over half of Californians said they prefer a traditional driver, with Arizona following closely behind. Idaho’s presence on this list suggests that openness to autonomous vehicles isn’t limited strictly to areas where autonomous driving is becoming more normal.

Taken together, the data reveals a consistent pattern. Exposure leads to comfort. States with limited experience report greater skepticism and stronger preference for human drivers.

Next, we’ll look beyond geography and compare how the general public’s views stack up against the opinions of people who’ve actually ridden in a robotaxi.

Comparing Robotaxi Sentiment Between Users and Non-Users

As we explored above, exposure changes perspective. When we compared responses from the general population (2,400 Americans nationwide) to the 500 people who have actually ridden in a robotaxi, the gap in sentiment became even more clear.

Across comfort, safety, preference and value, experience appears to shape opinion.

Comfort: Apprehension Fades With Experience

For most Americans, the idea of riding in a fully autonomous vehicle still feels uneasy.

• 7 in 10 Americans say they’d feel some level of uncomfortable in an autonomous rideshare. 36% say they’d feel very uncomfortable.
• If a robotaxi showed up after ordering a ride, 48% say they’d get in, but feel uneasy doing so.

By contrast, people who’ve actually ridden in one tell a different story:

• 64% say they felt some level of comfortable during their most recent ride.
• Only 19% say they felt uncomfortable.
• 85% admit they were apprehensive at first.

That last number stands out. Most users were nervous going in, but the majority ended up feeling comfortable. The data suggests that for many riders, hesitation doesn’t always match the lived experience.

Safety: A Perception Divide

Safety is where the gap widens.

Among the general public:

• 65% believe an autonomous rideshare would be less safe than a traditional one. Only 14% think it would be more safe.
• 48% say they’d be more concerned about a technological malfunction than human driver behavior. Just 10% say they’d be more concerned about human driver behavior.

For people who’ve used robotaxis:

• 47% say they feel safer in an autonomous rideshare than in a traditional one.
• 22% say they feel less safe. 52% of men say they feel more safe, compared to 42% of women.

The general population’s concern centers on system failure, while users are more likely to report feeling safer once they’ve experienced the ride. That shift suggests firsthand exposure may reduce fear of malfunction, even if broader skepticism remains.

Preference: Tradition Still Leads, But Not Among Everyone

When asked to choose between the two options at equal cost:

• 72% of Americans say they’d prefer a traditional rideshare.

Among robotaxi users, that preference softens:

• 46% say they prefer autonomous rideshares.
• 35% prefer traditional rideshares.
• 19% say they have no preference.

Usage patterns reinforce that openness:

• 34% say they choose autonomous rides when available most of the time.
• 36% say they choose them occasionally.
• 15% say they always choose them when possible.

For the general public, familiarity with human drivers still carries weight. For users, autonomous rides have become a practical option, and, in some cases, a preferred one.

Value: Cost and Convenience Matter

Price plays a significant role in the rideshare equation.

Among the general public, 57% say they’d choose an autonomous rideshare if it were cheaper.

When asked how much cheaper:

• 22% say they’d need to save $6–10 to make the switch.
• 15% would switch for $2–5 in savings.
• 11% would need $11–20.
• 12% would need $20+.
• 33% say savings wouldn’t persuade them at all.

Among users:

• 53% say autonomous rideshares are a better value.
• 47% say they cost about the same.
• 26% say they feel more expensive, while 27% say they feel cheaper.
• 63% say not having to tip makes them more likely to choose one.

Interestingly, users are nearly split on whether robotaxis are easier to get than traditional rideshares:

• 38% say traditional rides are easier.
• 36% say autonomous rides are easier.
• 26% say there’s no difference.

For many users, value isn’t just about the base fare. Convenience and the absence of tipping influence how they assess the overall experience.

Broader Impact on Technology Trust

The experience appears to extend beyond transportation.

• 6 in 10 users say riding in a robotaxi increased their trust in technology as a whole.
• Only 10% say it decreased their trust.
• 65% say they intentionally choose autonomous rides when booking.
• 31% say they’re typically assigned one rather than selecting it directly.

The technology doesn’t just move people from point A to point B. For many users, it reshapes how they view automation more broadly.

The data shows a clear pattern. Americans who haven’t ridden in a robotaxi tend to approach the technology with caution, particularly around safety. Those who’ve experienced it report higher comfort, greater perceived safety and a growing sense of value.

The divide highlights how quickly public opinion can evolve as emerging transportation becomes more common on American roads.

Closing Thoughts

Robotaxis are no longer a concept limited to testing facilities and tech headlines. Our survey shows that sentiment toward autonomous rides varies widely by location and shifts dramatically between those who’ve tried them and those who haven’t. 

That divide matters. As autonomous vehicles become more common, they’ll share the road with traditional drivers, passengers and pedestrians. With growth, new questions about responsibility, system failures and what happens when something goes wrong emerge.

Murphy & Prachthauser has long represented people injured in car crashes and rideshare accidents. As transportation evolves, so do the legal challenges tied to it. Whether a collision involves a traditional driver or a rideshare vehicle, experienced legal guidance remains critical when navigating the aftermath of a serious accident.

Methodology

To better understand how Americans perceive self-driving rideshare services, we conducted two surveys in February 2026.

First, we polled over 2,400 U.S. adults across 48 states to assess general sentiment toward self-driving rideshare options. Respondents were asked about their comfort levels, perceived safety, willingness to use self-driving rideshares compared to traditional rideshare services, cost considerations, trust in autonomous technology, and expectations around the future of autonomous transportation. Alaska and Wyoming were excluded due to low response populations.

We then surveyed 500 U.S. adults who reported having used a self-driving rideshare service. This group was surveyed to gain deeper insight into real-world experiences with driverless rideshares, including comfort and safety perceptions, cost comparisons, tipping behavior, availability, trust in the technology, and likelihood of future use.

Both surveys were conducted over a two-week period in February 2026. All responses were collected anonymously and analyzed in aggregate to identify state-level trends and broader national patterns.

Fair Use

You are welcome to use, reference, and share non-commercial excerpts of this study with proper attribution. If you cite or cover our findings, please link back to this page so readers can view the full methodology, charts, and context.

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