Miami Beach to the Everglades: The Complete Drive
About 25 miles, two ways to go, and a lot of Miami in between. Here’s the whole drive from the sand to the sawgrass.
Most people picture the Everglades as far away. From South Beach, they’re about 25 miles west. The drive to our dock at Dade Corners takes about 45 minutes with normal traffic, and it runs through almost every side of Miami: the bay, the downtown skyline, Little Havana, the western suburbs and finally the edge of the River of Grass.
This series covers that drive stop by stop. Start here for the overview, then read the individual posts for the landmarks along the way.
The two routes west
The fast way: the Dolphin Expressway
Take the MacArthur Causeway off Miami Beach, continue onto I-395 through downtown, then follow SR 836 (the Dolphin Expressway) west past Miami International Airport. From the expressway’s western end at NW 137th Avenue, head south to SW 8th Street and then west to Krome Avenue. The expressway is an all-electronic toll road, so a SunPass or toll-by-plate billing is required. More on the expressway route.
The scenic way: Calle Ocho
SW 8th Street runs almost straight from Little Havana to the Everglades. Take it and you pass Domino Park, the Tower Theater, Versailles and miles of West Miami-Dade before the city stops at Krome Avenue. It has more traffic lights and takes longer, but you see much more. More on the Calle Ocho route.
Landmarks along the way
- The MacArthur Causeway: Star Island, the cruise ships at PortMiami and Watson Island.
- Downtown Miami: the skyline and the Freedom Tower.
- Little Havana: Domino Park, the Tower Theater and the Walk of Fame.
- Versailles: the cafecito stop on SW 8th Street.
- Tamiami Park and FIU: the western suburbs.
- Krome Avenue and Dade Corners: where the city ends.
Where you end up
Our airboats launch at 17696 SW 8 St, Miami, FL 33194, inside the Pilot Travel Center at Dade Corners. From there, tours head out into the Everglades and the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area, a huge stretch of sawgrass and open water managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Timing the drive
Allow about 45 minutes outside of rush hour and an hour or more on weekday mornings and late afternoons. The road that carries you the last few miles, the Tamiami Trail, has its own story too.
Skip the drive. We pick you up.
Every private airboat tour includes round-trip private transportation from your Miami Beach hotel or rental. Call with your address and group size to book.
