Driverless Semi-Trucks Expand Operations to Arizona

Aurora autonomous technology company launches 1,000-mile driverless routes between Phoenix and Texas

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Driverless semi-trucks are now officially operating on Arizona highways as the autonomous technology company Aurora expands its operations to the desert. The company has launched driverless runs on a 1,000-mile route between Fort Worth, Texas and Phoenix, claiming the technology will significantly cut transit times by nearly half since the trucks do not require mandatory rest breaks that human drivers must take.

Why it matters

The shift toward driverless semi-trucks is meeting resistance from some long-haul veteran drivers who feel the technology is putting good drivers out of business in pursuit of profits. However, some business owners welcome the potential for lower costs and increased efficiency, even if it means losing the human element of driving.

The details

Over 250,000 driverless miles since its Texas launch last year, Aurora reports a perfect safety record with zero crashes attributed to its autonomous system. The company plans to have more than 200 driverless trucks on the road by the end of 2026. While Aurora claims its "Aurora Driver" can navigate both highways and surface streets, some drivers remain skeptical of a computer's ability to handle complex routes.

  • Aurora launched driverless runs on a 1,000-mile route between Fort Worth, Texas and Phoenix in February 2026.
  • The company plans to have more than 200 driverless trucks on the road by the end of 2026.

The players

Aurora

An autonomous technology company that has expanded its driverless semi-truck operations to Arizona.

Tim Bickler

A long-haul truck driver with 13 years of experience who expressed frustration with the move toward automation, saying "They're putting good drivers out of business because all they care about is the profit the company makes. They don't care about the drivers whatsoever."

Eric Ramirez

The owner of a car-hauling company who said he welcomes the potential for lower costs with driverless trucks, noting "If they're automated, we wouldn't have to monitor that. We'd just have to make sure they get there safely."

John Dixon

A truck driver who remains skeptical of a computer's ability to handle complex routes, saying "You can have it on the interstate, but you can't get to where we got to go most of the time. How are they gonna figure that out?"

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I hate them. They're putting good drivers out of business because all they care about is the profit the company makes. They don't care about the drivers whatsoever.”

— Tim Bickler, Truck Driver (fox10phoenix.com)

“As a company, as an owner, we have to accommodate [drivers] because they do need their 10 hours of sleep, so it kind of does hurt us. If they're automated, we wouldn't have to monitor that. We'd just have to make sure they get there safely.”

— Eric Ramirez, Company Owner (fox10phoenix.com)

“You can have it on the interstate, but you can't get to where we got to go most of the time. How are they gonna figure that out?”

— John Dixon, Truck Driver (fox10phoenix.com)

What’s next

The company plans to have more than 200 driverless trucks on the road by the end of 2026.

The takeaway

The expansion of driverless semi-trucks in Arizona highlights the ongoing tension between technological progress and the livelihood of human workers. While the autonomous technology promises increased efficiency and lower costs for businesses, it also raises concerns about the future of long-haul truck driving jobs and the ability of computers to handle the complexities of the open road.