When Will Self-Driving Trucks Become Mainstream?

When Will Self-Driving Trucks Become Mainstream?

The idea of trucks that drive themselves once sounded like science fiction. But in 2025, that future is inching closer to reality—and fast. Autonomous technology is now being tested on highways across the U.S., and truck buyers, fleet owners, and everyday drivers are asking: When will self-driving trucks actually go mainstream?

While we’re not handing over the wheel just yet, the momentum is real—and it’s reshaping the truck world in big ways.

Where We Are Today

Right now, self-driving trucks are in the advanced testing phase. Companies like Waymo Via, Kodiak Robotics, TuSimple, and Aurora are running autonomous 18-wheelers on real U.S. highways—mainly for long-haul freight routes. These vehicles use a mix of lidar, radar, cameras, and artificial intelligence to safely navigate roadways with minimal (or no) human intervention.

But what about pickup trucks like the Ford F-150 or Ram 1500?

At places like West Motor Ford and West Motor Ram, customers are already using semi-autonomous features—like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, and automatic emergency braking. These are the building blocks of full autonomy.

The Tech Behind It

In 2025, most consumer trucks are equipped with Level 2 or Level 2+ autonomy. This means the truck can assist with steering, braking, and acceleration—but the driver must stay attentive.

Ford’s BlueCruise and Ram’s Active Driving Assist are prime examples. Available on many trims at West Motor Company and Mountain West Motor, these systems make long drives easier and safer.

As technology improves and regulations evolve, we expect Level 3 and 4 autonomy—where the truck can handle full driving duties under certain conditions—to enter consumer pickups by 2027–2028.

What’s Holding It Back?

Self-driving technology is moving fast, but there are still a few major hurdles before trucks go fully autonomous:

• Regulations: Each state has its own laws around autonomous vehicles.

• Liability: Who’s responsible in a crash—the driver or the manufacturer?

• Public Trust: Many drivers are still uneasy about letting go of the wheel.

• Edge Cases: Snow, construction zones, and unexpected road behavior still confuse AI systems.

Until these are solved, you’ll continue to see self-driving tech assist drivers—rather than replace them completely.

What to Expect by 2030

Here’s the expected timeline for self-driving truck adoption:

Fleet services and delivery companies will likely be the first to adopt fully autonomous trucks. Consumer trucks, like those found at The Car Store or West Motor Ford, will continue to evolve with better hands-free systems.

How Dealerships Are Preparing

Dealerships aren’t just watching the trend—they’re getting ready. At West Motor Ford, customers are educated about BlueCruise and F-150 Lightning updates. At West Motor Ram, shoppers are guided through Active Driving Assist features. Meanwhile, Mountain West Motor specializes in trucks built for the future—with custom builds that integrate tech upgrades.

Even The Car Store, known as a top used dealership near me, is seeing increased demand for pre-owned trucks with advanced safety and semi-autonomous features.

Whether you’re shopping at a Jeep dealership or Ford dealership, tech-savvy customers want more than horsepower—they want smart trucks.

Is Now the Time to Buy?

Absolutely. If you want the best of both worlds—traditional control with modern tech—2025 is the sweet spot. Today’s trucks offer the latest driver-assist features without taking full control away from you.

Whether you buy new from West Motor Company or a tech-loaded trade-in from The Car Store, you’re already stepping into the autonomous age.

Final Thoughts

So, when will self-driving trucks become mainstream? The answer: sooner than you think. While full autonomy might still be a few years out, the foundation is already here—and it’s improving with every software update.

Whether you’re hauling gear through Idaho or cruising the canyons of Utah, your next truck may not just be powerful—it might be smart enough to take the wheel.

And when you’re ready for that future, count on West Motor Ford, West Motor Ram, Mountain West Motor, West Motor Company, and The Car Store to help you drive into it—with confidence, and maybe even a little less effort.