Rickenbacker Causeway to Key Biscayne
Start near Brickell and head east on the Rickenbacker Causeway. The route crosses several bridge sections over Biscayne Bay before continuing onto Crandon Boulevard. Miami-Dade identifies the causeway as the only road connection to Virginia Key, Key Biscayne, Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.
The higher bridge sections give you the clearest open-water views on this list. Continue toward Key Biscayne for palms and lower-speed island streets, then choose a legal parking area before stopping. The causeway carries cyclists and runners, so leave space and expect slower traffic near recreation areas.
Rickenbacker uses electronic tolling. Confirm how the rental agreement handles tolls before leaving, and check the current Miami-Dade toll information rather than relying on an old rate quoted online.
MacArthur Causeway to South Beach
The MacArthur Causeway connects downtown Miami with South Beach over Biscayne Bay. Driving east gives you water, cruise-port and skyline views before the road reaches Fifth Street. The City of Miami Beach directs drivers toward Ocean Drive, Washington Avenue and Collins Avenue from that approach.
This route works best when traffic is moving and you already know where you will park. South Beach meters and garages have different rates and time limits, and event traffic can change access around Ocean Drive. Use a municipal garage when you plan to stop rather than circling narrow blocks in a high-value rental.
For a longer coastal drive, continue north on Collins Avenue after South Beach. Traffic lights and hotel entrances make this a sightseeing route, not a fast one. Keep extra room around buses, valet lanes and rideshare pickups.
Old Cutler Road through South Miami-Dade
Old Cutler Road trades skyline views for banyan trees, historic neighborhoods and long shaded stretches south of Coral Gables. The route passes near Matheson Hammock Park, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and the Deering Estate before continuing toward Palmetto Bay.
Miami-Dade's Old Cutler Trail runs beside parts of the road, so watch for cyclists and pedestrians at crossings. The drive suits a relaxed morning or late-afternoon loop when you want less stop-and-go than Miami Beach, but school traffic and local intersections can still slow the route.
Plan the return before you start. Old Cutler stretches farther south than many visitors expect, and a round trip can use more of the rental's daily mileage allowance than a quick causeway drive.
Venetian Causeway between Miami and Miami Beach
The Venetian Causeway takes a lower and slower path across Biscayne Bay than the MacArthur Causeway. It links a chain of residential islands between downtown Miami and Miami Beach, with water views appearing between homes and palms. The road suits an unhurried drive when the goal is the crossing itself rather than the fastest route to the beach.
Treat the islands as neighborhoods. Watch for cyclists, pedestrians, narrow lanes and drivers entering from side streets. Keep the exhaust note and speed appropriate for a residential road, and avoid stopping in travel lanes or private entrances for photographs. Use a legal public space after the crossing if you want to get out of the car.
Miami-Dade operates electronic tolling on the Venetian Causeway as well as Rickenbacker. Ask how toll charges and any processing fee appear under the rental agreement. Bridge operations, maintenance and traffic can affect the crossing, so check live navigation before committing to it as a timed airport or dinner route.
Build a route around where the day starts
A Brickell start makes Rickenbacker the easiest scenic loop. Cross to Key Biscayne, continue along Crandon Boulevard and return to the mainland before adding another neighborhood. From downtown, choose MacArthur for the direct South Beach arrival or Venetian for a slower island crossing. A Miami Beach start works in reverse, with the skyline opening ahead as you drive west.
Old Cutler Road needs a separate block of time. Start near Coconut Grove or Coral Gables and follow the road south, choosing a turnaround point before the drive becomes longer than the rest of the schedule allows. Combining Old Cutler with Key Biscayne can produce a full driving day once traffic, parking and stops are included.
Airport arrival days deserve a shorter plan. Collecting bags, completing the rental handoff and reaching the hotel can consume more time than the map suggests. Save the longer route for a day without a flight deadline, and tell the booking team if the proposed handoff involves Miami International Airport rather than assuming the car will wait at the terminal curb.
Parking, weather and mileage can change the plan
Choose parking before choosing a stop. Miami Beach publishes municipal garage and meter information, while parks and attractions maintain their own access rules and operating hours. A legal garage is safer than leaving an exotic car in an improvised space, and it prevents a scenic drive from turning into repeated laps around a crowded block.
Direct sun heats dark interiors and exposed surfaces fast. Use the roof and climate controls according to the vehicle instructions, keep sunscreen and wet beach gear away from upholstery, and close the car when it is unattended. During heavy rain, reduce speed and leave more room because causeway spray can cut visibility within minutes.
Add every leg before estimating mileage: delivery point, scenic loop, hotel, meals and the return handoff. A route that looks short on its own may sit inside a much larger rental day. If the estimate approaches the included allowance, ask about the published extra-mile charge before the reservation rather than discovering it at return.
Plan the drive before choosing the car
A convertible fits the open views on the causeways, while a performance sedan gives you more room for passengers and bags. An SUV is easier when the day includes airport luggage, beach gear or several stops. Compare the exact seating, minimum rental duration and mileage terms on the vehicle page.
BEY's current Miami listings include 100 miles per rental day and publish the extra-mile rate on each vehicle page. Add the route to your other driving before deciding whether the allowance fits. Toll handling, parking, delivery timing and the final vehicle availability still need confirmation for your dates.
Check traffic and road notices on the day of the drive. Miami Beach access can change during major events, and weather can make exposed causeways unpleasant. A submitted rental inquiry does not confirm the car, so wait for the complete quote and availability confirmation before building the day around it.