FLL to MIA Via A1A

Hello everyone I am looking for some locals advice and guidance for traveling from FLL to Mia via A1A. Is this something a New Yorker should experience? I have heard that the homes and views are pretty nice and since I have time to burn the day before my cruise I was wondering if it is worth it and if there are some do's and don'ts from the locals perspective, I am staying by Miami international for the night and cant get into my room till 3pm. I am landing in FLL at 11am so by the time I grab my bag and the car say 12 noon starting out is this a bad time? Any help would greatly be appreciated. Thanks:D

Also are there cash tolls on this route?

Well, it is a nice drive as you'll drive through nice areas such as Hollywood boardwalk, Golden Beach, Haulover Beach then South Beach. You can drive down Ocean Drive before making heading to MIA with I395.

At some point you'll be surrounded by condos but you'll get a good overview of local architecture.

I would say it is a nice way to get to MIA...you won't be in a hurry.

The drawback for me is that, when I am the driver, I don't get to see anywhere near as much as my passengers. Don't discount the amount of attention that traffic will require from the driver.

It is a nice drive, make sure to do it all the way south and take I-395 across Biscayne Bay not, I-195.

Take your time, feel free to stop, and if you want to see more great homes take some turns off in Miami Beach and check out homes on North Bay Road, or Pine Tree Drive. Also you can take a drive down Ocean Drive as well. You might as well stop in Miami Beach while you are there and check out Lincoln Road.

Traffic will start to get heavy going west towards MIA around 4:00pm and be heavy until at least 7:00pm. But even with heavy traffic from I-395 to MIA should be no more than 30-mins. And this is for weekdays, weekends traffic is worse in the evening and usually only bad going into Miami Beach not out.

Also, if its a Friday/Saturday/Sunday you can head to South Point Park and get great views of the cruise ships leaving Port Miami.

Thanks for the tips I am in the process of navigating which roads I have to use to get from FLL and from South beach area to MIA. I-395 does look to be the best route as I-195 looks to get pretty busy.

As an out of town driver in Miami, I drove into the city on I-95 once. I will never do that again! I'd use A1A or U.S. 1.

It is a nice drive ......

I'll be the odd man out here. I think the drive on A1A is "eh". It's nothing special with plenty of lights and condos. I don't see the point. I'd just pick somewhere to actually go, and get out of the car and enjoy it. Maybe even do a trip/tour on the water taxi and grab lunch before heading down to Miami.

I'll be the odd man out here. I think the drive on A1A is "eh". It's nothing special with plenty of lights and condos. I don't see the point. I'd just pick somewhere to actually go, and get out of the car and enjoy it. Maybe even do a trip/tour on the water taxi and grab lunch before heading down to Miami.

Its a pretty unique area when you consider it compared to anywhere else in the United States though.

I agree stop and go somewhere but taking A1A might add 30-40 minutes? Why not take a more scenic and less hectic drive and then stop somewhere.

The drive down I-395 is fantastic too. But that can be done via I-95 or A1A.

Thanks for the tips I am in the process of navigating which roads I have to use to get from FLL and from South beach area to MIA. I-395 does look to be the best route as I-195 looks to get pretty busy.

I-395 gets plenty busy too.

If you want a scenic drive this is the route I would take(https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Fort+Lauderdale-Hollywood+International+Airport+(FLL),+100+Terminal+Dr,+Fort+Lauderdale,+FL+33315/South+Pointe+Pier,+1+Washington+Ave,+Miami+Beach,+FL+33139/@25.8153372,-80.1450155,13.51z/data=!4m49!4m48!1m40!1m1!1s0x88d9aa7ae4c8faf5:0x2ae0339d90a6cbe6!2m2!1d-80.1506022!2d26.0742344!3m4!1m2!1d-80.1146846!2d26.0457179!3s0x88d9aac49eb86da1:0x4343bb8e240a1521!3m4!1m2!1d-80.1202472!2d25.9779965!3s0x88d9aca279eed76d:0x84cd5db87d0d6271!3m4!1m2!1d-80.1223839!2d25.9261956!3s0x88d9ad1796f20dd5:0xdb501a860e630e8a!3m4!1m2!1d-80.1221633!2d25.8251397!3s0x88d9b3150a45f01f:0xe738083a29218f8e!3m4!1m2!1d-80.1287005!2d25.7966709!3s0x88d9b49da9591ae5:0xe97527e6cf55d484!3m4!1m2!1d-80.1297587!2d25.7851556!3s0x88d9b4904b9a2d3d:0xcb94632449ea234f!3m4!1m2!1d-80.130926!2d25.7791842!3s0x88d9b49265b87b07:0x7c894ec87ac79cda!1m5!1m1!1s0x88d9b4e55bdd627f:0x5f2bc6bfc72fade2!2m2!1d-80.1301802!2d25.7637824!3e0)

And the way back is pretty simple: Just take I-395 west towards 836 expressway towards MIA.

I find A1A more hectic than I95. Compared to just about any other city, I think I95 in Miami is pretty tame.

I guess if you aren't from here, maybe A1A is interesting, but to me, it's mostly condos with very little water/interesting views. A1A going north is a different story, areas in Palm Beach are stunning.

Thanks again everyone. Flymia that was the route I was thinking about doing but yours adds the local knowledge which is invaluable for an out of towner like myself Thank you very much. BnBr is it that bad honestly if you haven't seen it? ( mind you I am not being sarcastic here) I am sure if you came to NY I would probably say not to do a lot of things also, but I guess that is all relative. I was hoping to get some sea and beach views while also seeing some architectural buildings of the south ( no just condos).

I just really don't want to give bad advice here! You may enjoy the drive. But to me, the south portion of A1A is just condos and hotels with a little view of the water here and there. Going north in to Palm Beach is a great drive, very interesting. You may enjoy it, and for the extra 30 minutes or so it adds to the drive, may be totally worth it. If you want to see the water and architecture, I'd suggest just hitting 95 south and driving straight to South Beach. Park, and enjoy the real architecture and vibe which has the real art deco and Miami flair.

You can't go wrong either way, and if your gut is saying to give A1A a try, it's a very minimal amount of extra time and you should probably give it a shot. Don't expect beach views, though. The water views will the be the intracoastal side.

https://www.google.com/maps/@25.8656661,-80.1222794,3a,60y,179.01h,84.42t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1smny1k5Zy2NKWBkwQczncfw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@25.9622244,-80.1199211,3a,75y,185.56h,79.49t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1slU5bmNKRMaoGTYLHL3QeOg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@25.9947207,-80.1186548,3a,75y,183.31h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s_50orLYyMrzW0LrDL8Su2Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

This is pretty much the drive south on A1A.... and when you think you may get a beach view... lol...

https://www.google.com/maps/@25.9169907,-80.1226499,3a,75y,129.2h,83.81t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sh_PgcjHs1xHq0-BExKmF6w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

It's all condos, hotels, and houses. And when you finally get to North Miami Beach, you'll get a quick view of some intracoastal... Of course, you could have just driven 95 and saved yourself 30+ minutes. If these is the architecture and stuff you want to see and you enjoy stop lights, then by all means, don't miss it! But yeah, I'd just pick somewhere specific you want to go and just drive straight there, like South Beach.

What BNBR is saying is true. Its not a ton of beach sites but as someone who has travelled a lot I still think its a pretty difference place. And while BNBR has pointed out how much of the drive looks you still will get views like this: https://www.google.com/maps/@25.9003266,-80.1247215,3a,75y,188.48h,93.87t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1siDh6rCRtIc0njCCH9-stAQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Or this: https://www.google.com/maps/@25.8279378,-80.121957,3a,75y,199.42h,95.55t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjRWA6i6cG-ocHyvknXKmGQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I agree though that A1A in West Palm Beach is something else. Really really great.

You won't go wrong either way. Either drive to where you want to go or take the scenic route that adds a little bit more time.

If you want to see beaches you need to get off A1A and some points, but there are not many roads that follow the beach, primarily Ocean Drive in Miami Beach. As for Southern architecture, not sure what you mean by that. Miami is more of an Art Deco/Mediterranean type of town. There is not much "southern" architecture down here. There is some, primarily in the oldest parts of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale but not much. Miami is a very young city.

I you like architecture another area to check out is Coral Gables. Also, don't be afraid in Miami Beach to just take some side roads like and see the homes on the bay. North Bay Road and Alton Road have some nice homes. If you want to see really nice homes, you will see the back of them on A1A in the mid-Miami Beach area.

LOL you guys are awesome. I might just make my way to the South beach area and take in the views from there and take some of those side street suggestions. I didn't mean southern architecture in the sense of old southern buildings I was thinking of south beach style architecture( E.g. vibrant colors and beachy style high end houses). Living in NYC area you don't really see these styles. Once again I have to thank both of you for your insight it has been quite the educational post.

On a side note have either of you been to Gran Turk, La Romana,Curacao or Aruba and have any suggestions?

LOL you guys are awesome. I might just make my way to the South beach area and take in the views from there and take some of those side street suggestions. I didn't mean southern architecture in the sense of old southern buildings I was thinking of south beach style architecture( E.g. vibrant colors and beachy style high end houses). Living in NYC area you don't really see these styles. Once again I have to thank both of you for your insight it has been quite the educational post.

On a side note have either of you been to Gran Turk, La Romana,Curacao or Aruba and have any suggestions?

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