The 6 Best Waterfront Sunday Drives in Miami-Dade (With Routes)

Miami traffic is a nightmare five days a week. But on a Sunday morning — before the brunch crowd wakes up and the Uber drivers descend — this city has some of the most stunning waterfront drives in the country. The kind that make you remember why you live here (or why you should).

Here are six routes every car enthusiast in Miami-Dade should have in their rotation, ranked by scenery, road quality, and the all-important "vibe factor."

1. The Rickenbacker Causeway Loop

Start: Brickell Ave & SE 26th Rd
End: Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Distance: ~14 miles round trip
Best time: 7:00–9:00 AM Sunday

This is the quintessential Miami drive. The Rickenbacker Causeway rises over Biscayne Bay with the downtown skyline in your rearview mirror and Key Biscayne ahead. On a clear morning, the water is impossibly blue on both sides.

The road itself is smooth, with gentle curves and a satisfying climb over the bridge. Park at Bill Baggs, walk to the lighthouse, then drive back slowly. The return view — downtown Miami framed by palm trees and open water — is the shot every car photographer in the city eventually takes.

Pro tip: The park entrance fee is worth it. The lighthouse parking lot is nearly empty before 9 AM and makes for incredible car photography with the ocean backdrop.

2. Coconut Grove to Matheson Hammock

Start: CocoWalk, Main Hwy
End: Matheson Hammock Park
Distance: ~6 miles one way
Best time: 8:00–10:00 AM

Old Cutler Road south of Coconut Grove is one of the few streets in Miami that actually feels like a "driving road." The canopy of banyan trees creates a natural tunnel, the curves are gentle but engaging, and the speed limit (35 mph) is actually appropriate for once — you'll want to go slow.

Matheson Hammock's atoll pool and marina make a perfect turnaround point. The parking lot fills up by 11 AM on weekends, so early is essential.

Best for: Convertibles, classic cars, anything you want to photograph under dappled light.

3. The A1A Coastal Run: Sunny Isles to Bal Harbour

Start: Sunny Isles Beach (Collins Ave & 163rd)
End: Bal Harbour Shops
Distance: ~5 miles
Best time: 7:30–9:30 AM

Collins Avenue through Sunny Isles is a canyon of luxury condo towers, and on Sunday mornings it's nearly deserted. The road runs parallel to the beach with glimpses of the Atlantic between buildings. South of the Haulover inlet, the vibe shifts — Bal Harbour is quieter, leafier, and the road narrows into something almost intimate.

Park at Bal Harbour Shops (free before 10 AM on Sundays) and grab a coffee before heading back.

Best for: Luxury cars and GTs. The tower reflections on a polished hood make this route Instagram gold.

4. Miami Beach: The Full Island Perimeter

Route: Start at South Pointe Park → Ocean Drive north → Collins Ave → Indian Creek Dr → Alton Rd south → loop back
Distance: ~18 miles
Best time: 6:30–8:30 AM (seriously, this early)

The only way to enjoy driving on Miami Beach is before it wakes up. At 7 AM on a Sunday, Ocean Drive is a completely different street — no pedestrians stumbling out of clubs, no double-parked Lamborghini rentals, just Art Deco buildings bathed in golden light.

The full perimeter loop takes you through every neighborhood on the island: the glamour of South Beach, the residential calm of mid-Beach, the old-money elegance of Indian Creek, and the gritty-meets-hip energy of Alton Road.

Best for: Sports cars. The empty straightaways on Indian Creek Drive are the closest thing to open road you'll find on the island.

5. Deering Estate to Black Point Marina

Start: Deering Estate, 16701 SW 72nd Ave
End: Black Point Marina
Distance: ~8 miles
Best time: Any Sunday morning

This is the Miami drive that doesn't look like Miami. South of Cutler Bay, the condo towers disappear and you're suddenly in old Florida — mangroves, limestone outcroppings, and water birds everywhere. SW 87th Avenue (Galloway Road) is a straight, smooth two-laner with almost no traffic.

Black Point Marina is a working marina with a no-frills restaurant that serves some of the best fish sandwiches in the county. Park, eat, watch the boats, then cruise back.

Best for: Trucks, SUVs, or anything you don't mind getting a little dusty. Also perfect for muscle cars — the long straight stretches invite you to hear the exhaust note.

6. The Venetian Causeway at Golden Hour

Start: Biscayne Blvd & NE 15th St (mainland side)
End: Dade Blvd, Miami Beach
Distance: ~2.5 miles
Best time: 6:30–7:30 PM (sunset, not morning)

This is the one exception to the Sunday morning rule. The Venetian Causeway at sunset is arguably the single most beautiful drive in Miami. The road hops across a series of small islands, each with its own character, and the views of Biscayne Bay, Star Island, and the downtown skyline are unmatched.

The speed limit is 25 mph and there are speed bumps on the islands — this is a cruise, not a sprint. Windows down, music on, sunroof open. The .25 toll is the best money you'll spend all week.

Best for: Literally any car. This drive is about the view, not the machine.

Quick Comparison

Route	Distance	Scenery	Road Quality	Vibe
Rickenbacker Causeway	14 mi	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Iconic Miami
Coconut Grove → Matheson	6 mi	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Old Florida charm
A1A Sunny Isles → Bal Harbour	5 mi	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	Luxury corridor
Miami Beach Perimeter	18 mi	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	Art Deco dawn
Deering → Black Point	8 mi	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Hidden gem
Venetian Causeway	2.5 mi	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	Sunset magic

Miami's best driving isn't on the highway. It's on these quiet waterfront roads, early in the morning (or late in the evening), when the city is still and the light is perfect. Pick a route, pick a Sunday, and go.