Top 7 of Miami’s Most Beautiful Drives

adriana
Jun 17
3 min read

Image by Pixabay / Pexels

Miami’s streets are more than just roads - they’re extensions of the city’s energy. With ocean views, canopy-covered lanes, and postcard-worthy backdrops, some drives feel like they were made for music, windows down, and a long exhale.

But even the dreamiest drive can hit a bump. Whether it’s a distracted tourist, a surprise scooter, or a crowd spilling into the street, knowing what to expect makes all the difference.

Here are 7 of Miami’s most scenic routes, and how to enjoy them with style intact.

Rickenbacker Causeway

Stretching from Brickell to Key Biscayne, this breezy causeway offers sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami. With sailboats to your left and runners on your right, it’s best driven in the early morning or golden hour. Just keep an eye out as this road is a favorite for cyclists and joggers, especially on weekends, so give space and stay focused.

Ocean Drive

Image by Bryant's Juarez / Pexels

Short, iconic, and packed with personality, Ocean Drive is the ultimate South Beach cruise. Lined with pastel hotels, vintage cars, and sidewalk cafes, it's perfect for a slow weekday morning loop. But with tourists, scooters, and plenty of foot traffic, this drive is best taken slow—honestly, it’s more fun that way.

Image by Luis Erives / Pexels

MacArthur Causeway

Connecting downtown to Miami Beach, this elevated causeway delivers open water views and glimpses of luxury homes and cruise ships. Sunset drives here are magic. Just watch for sudden braking near the port exits, and avoid lane changes near sharp curves.

Old Cutler Road

Tucked away in residential South Miami, Old Cutler winds under banyan canopies from Coconut Grove down to Palmetto Bay. It’s peaceful, lush, and best enjoyed on a quiet Sunday morning. The curves are sharp in places, and cyclists love this route, so drive slow and stay wide when passing.

Collins Avenue (A1A)

From the art deco glamour of South Beach to the serenity of Sunny Isles, Collins Ave is a coastal classic. It’s lined with high-end hotels, buzzing beach clubs, and plenty of scenery. Just be ready for sudden stops from valets or delivery trucks, especially near hotel zones, as this isn’t the place to rush.

Image by Osmany Mederos / Pexels

Julia Tuttle Causeway

A quick connector between Midtown and Miami Beach, Julia Tuttle offers short but dramatic views of the bay and skyline. It’s smooth sailing most weekday mornings, but merges come fast and traffic can be unpredictable, so it’s smart to stay alert and avoid last-second switches.

Biscayne Boulevard (US-1)

Biscayne winds through Miami’s urban heart, passing museums, cafés, parks, and the Design District. It’s dynamic and walkable, especially near downtown and Edgewater, so keep a careful eye at crosswalks. Best enjoyed in early evenings when the street lights start to glow.

Image by followingnyc / Pexels

Final Tip: Savor the Drive, Not Just the Destination

Whether you're chasing a sunrise over Biscayne Bay, heading to lunch in Coral Gables, or drifting through Coconut Grove with your windows down and nowhere to be, Miami was built to be driven. The roads are as full of character as the city itself, and every turn tells a story.

To keep the journey as smooth as the soundtrack, a few timeless tips go a long way:

Set your route before you roll as Miami traffic waits for no one
Keep your eyes on the road, not your playlist or the waves
Give cyclists and scooters space (they’re everywhere and fast)
Watch for sudden stops near hotel zones, cafés, and causeways
Slow down in the scenic stretches - half the joy is in soaking it in
And if you’re ever in a crash, don’t go it alone - consulting a local car accident lawyer can save you stress, time, and unexpected costs

Miami’s streets offer more than just transportation, but they’re an experience. A late afternoon cruise along Old Cutler Road can clear your head. A calm morning on Collins reminds you why you live here. And the way the sun hits the water on Rickenbacker? That’s its own kind of therapy. So here’s to the drives that reset your mood, to the detours that lead to new favorites, and to the city that always looks good in motion.

Buckle up, breathe in the salt air, and enjoy the ride - Miami’s waiting.