Alphabet (GOOGL) was one of the top tech stocks on the US market in 2025, with the stock roaring over 60% during the year. Entering 2026, the bulls are out yet again, projecting another big year for the Google parent company. While there are many catalysts for a potential stock boom, one that has most analysts salivating is Waymo, the Alphabet-owned robotaxi program.

Waymo, part of Alphabet, began in 2009 as an in-house startup within Google’s X initiative and officially became Waymo in 2016. With Tesla (TSLA) dominating the robotaxi sphere in the last few years, Waymo has quietly caught on in several states in the US. Entering 2026, both Tesla and Waymo are expected to continue their expansion across the country. However, Tesla has experienced plenty of hiccups, whereas Alphabet’s Waymo has gotten consistent praise.

Waymo’s 2026 Projections: a GOOGL stock Catalyst?

Waymo says it has the most robotaxi miles driven and that it performs around 250,000 trips a week and has performed 20 million trips since the service began. But those numbers are likely to jump, perhaps big-time. The company is targeting around 1 million rides a week by the end of 2026 — four times its current volume. Furthermore, in 2026, Waymo will enter its most aggressive expansion phase yet, moving beyond its current territories to tackle more US cities and international markets.

Currently, Waymo has robotaxi fleets in San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Austin, and Atlanta. Users are able to hail the robotaxis via Waymo’s app or from partners like Uber in Austin and Atlanta. The plan for 2026 moves beyond those areas, eventually adding 20 new markets across the country. Indeed, Waymo says it is progressing in test areas in the South, including Miami, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando, with full service expected to begin in early 2026. Should these numbers come to fruition and expansion prove a success, investors may flood GOOGL stock with optimism of Alphabet’s success.

Also Read: Tesla Stock Climbs Despite Q4 Earnings Miss: TSLA Unstoppable?

For GOOGL stock, despite a slowdown in earnings-per-share growth, Alphabet’s revenue is expected to grow by 14% in 2026, driven by its cloud and AI initiatives. Waymo can also spur the company’s revenue higher, which will reap a solid return for Alphabet (GOOGL) stock. Analysts have diverse opinions on GOOGL’s future, with price targets ranging from $220 to $375. The consensus leans towards a positive outlook, with most analysts maintaining their current ratings.