04/28/2023 • 8 min
Miami driving guide
So, you’ve set your heart on Miami – the sunshine state’s most popular party town, famous for its white beaches and houses as vibrant as the people that live there.
We’re here to make your trip to Florida’s ‘Magic City’ a breeze – whether you’re stopping by for a weekend of fun or there to cruise the iconic coastal highways.
Read on to discover everything you need to know about driving in Miami. Including taking you through toll roads, speed limits and even the best places to park. Start planning a magic trip to Miami that you won’t soon forget!
Driving rules in Miami
- Red lights – you can turn right at a red light in Miami, unless otherwise signposted.
- Signaling – you must signal when you want to turn or change lanes. However, keep an eye out for drivers who move without signaling.
- Right of way – pedestrians always have the right of way on Miami roads.
- Cell phone use – it is illegal to use your phone when driving. You shouldn’t take your eyes off the road or hands off the steering wheel.
- Bad weather – if it’s raining heavily, you should always put your headlights and windshield wipers on.
Speed limits in Miami
Miami tends to have general speed limits in place across different road types and areas. You’ll need to stick to these unless signs tell you otherwise – or weather conditions require you to alter your speed.
| Cars | Trucks |
Residential and business roads | 30 mph | 30 mph |
Downtown areas | 25 mph | 25 mph |
Expressways | 55 mph | 55 mph |
School zones | 15 mph | 15 mph |
Toll roads in and around Miami
There are a few Miami toll roads to take into account if you’re planning a trip across the city. Handily, all South Florida tolls are paid automatically, using the SunPass e-tag platform. Less commonly used are EPass and Leeway.
All you need to do is buy one of the devices online or in a retail store, activate it, and you’ll be able to pay for tolls automatically. You can drive straight through and beat the line.
Even more conveniently, you can use Hertz PlatePass throughout Florida to pre-pay for all tolls that use SunPass, EPass and LeeWay. This allows you to pay for your tolled trip in advance, so you don’t have to fumble in your pockets for change, and you can cruise straight on through.
Let’s take a look at some of the major toll roads in Miami.
I-75 Alligator Alley/Everglades Parkway
The Alligator Alley toll connects the east and west coasts of Miami. It’s one of the major tolls in and around the city.
From: I-75/ I-595/ SR 869 (Sawgrass Expressway)
To: I-75/ CR 951
Cost for cars: $2.95 on SunPass, $3.25 with cash
Cost for trucks: SunPass $5.88, cash $6.50 – for three-axle vehicles
How to pay: Via SunPass or with cash at the booth.
SR 869 Sawgrass Expressway
The Sawgrass Expressway is one of Miami’s extension toll roads off the Florida Turnpike. It’s a 24 mile-long road that covers Broward County.
From: Florida’s Turnpike / SR 91
To: Turnpike / SR 91
Cost for cars: $2.14 on SunPass, $2.68 with cash
Cost for trucks: SunPass $4.28, cash $5.36 – for three-axle vehicles
How to pay: Via SunPass or with cash at the booth.
SR 821 Florida’s Turnpike – Homestead Extension (HEFT)
This toll extension is one of the busiest roads in the state. It is the southernmost extension of Florida’s Turnpike toll road.
From: US Route 1 in Florida City
To: SR 91 in Miramar
Cost for car: $4.24 on SunPass, $5.28 on toll-by-plate
How to pay: Via SunPass or toll-by-plate. Cash not accepted.
You can learn more about statewide toll roads in our comprehensive Florida driving guide.
Miami Beach Parking Garage
As the name might suggest, this large parking garage is the prime place if you’re wanting to lounge on the city’s iconic beachfront or stop at one of the sea-view stores or restaurants. The garage is open 24 hours.
Location: 200 7th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Cost: $3 per hour (on-street), $2 per hour (off-street – in the garage). Maximum $20 per day.
How to pay: Via the ParkMobile app.
Courthouse Garage
The Courthouse is in an excellent central location if you’ve got museums and shopping on your to-do list for the day. Situated just around the corner from HistoryMiami Museum and Lummus Park, this riverside lot provides a moment of quiet away from the bustling beachfront.
Location: 40 Northwest 3rd Street, Miami, FL 33128
Cost: $10 for 4 hours, $15 for 24 hours, $125 per month.
How to pay: Via cash, card or contactless at the booth.
Bayside Parking
Acting as the perfect middleman for central Miami and the beachfront, this spot provides great access to – you guessed it – the Bayside and its adjoining marketplace. Bayfront Park is just a few minutes’ walk away, as are many of Miami’s top eateries.
Location: 375 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33132
Cost: $7 for 1 hour, $12 for 3 hours, $16 for 5 hours, $30 for ten to 24 hours.
How to pay: Online (card or PayPal), cash at the meters or on the Pay-by-Phone app.
Street parking in Miami
There is a mixture of paid-for and free street parking spots across Miami. These can vary in price, depending on their location. For example, anything within the South Beach Zone, usually charges around $4 an hour.
Generally, you’ll be looking at around $2 per hour for street parking in Miami.
Miami parking app
The handy PaybyPhone Miami parking app is available to use in South Miami and allows you to locate and pay for both registered garage and street parking venues across the region. All you need to do is download the app and register your details.
Electric car charging in Miami
With Florida having the second-highest amount of EV charging points in the US (only after California), it’ll come as no surprise that Miami itself has just under 500 charging points. Out of these, around 30% are free for public use – so there’s no need to worry about getting caught out by a low battery.
There is a mixture of ChargePoint, Blink, Tesla and EVGo charging stations positioned at popular points across the city. You’re likely to find these in parking garages, at tourist attractions like museums, and shopping malls.
You can read our Florida state driving guide for a more detailed look into EV charging across the state.
Quick driving tips for Miami
- Miami roads are quartered up. The four quadrants are northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest. This makes it a little easier to find your way around.
- Watch out for areas with expected lower speed limits. Always keep an eye out for school zones and business districts.
- Remember the roundabouts. Miami has a few more roundabouts than many US cities. Always remember, you need to yield to traffic already on them and they always travel counterclockwise.
- Pick a lane. It’s often the case that faster drivers in Miami will use the far-left lane, so you may feel more comfortable in the slowest far-right lane – especially when it’s busy.
- Plan your routes. Miami is a little busier than other Florida cities such as Orlando, so it may be a little daunting for new drivers. Planning ahead can help reduce any delays and help you make the most of your driving experience.
What is the best time of day to drive in Miami?
Miami can get a bit busy, especially during the hours of 7-9am and 3-7pm. These are classic rush hour times and, in a city as lively as Miami, your journey times will probably be shorter if you travel during the late morning or early afternoon.
Is it difficult driving in Miami?
As long as you come prepared, driving in Miami should be no more difficult than in any other city. Besides it being busier, there are a few things you may want to look up before your trip. For example, the toll road systems, the expressway quadrants and the highway routes.
How much is a speeding ticket in Miami?
Speeding tickets in Miami for first-time offenders can range from $144 to $1,000. It all depends on how fast you were going and where you were caught speeding. A ticket can also lead to excess points being added to your license and even jail time.
Now you’ve got the low-down on driving in the Magic City, it’s time to take to the road. Don’t forget to pick your perfect rental car for cruising the sun-soaked streets. And, as always, try and prepare for your journey by planning your route.
Get ready for your trip to Miami
Ready to take on Miami? You’ve got the rules of the road down, so get set to explore The Magic City’s hidden gems and hotspots. Take a look at our guides below to help you plan your trip.
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