You're standing in the humidity of a Miami afternoon, looking at a map and wondering if you can make that dinner reservation in Miramar without losing your mind. South Florida distance is a bit of a lie. On paper, it looks like a breeze. In reality? It's a gamble.
If you’re asking how far is Miramar Florida from Miami Florida, the literal, "as the crow flies" answer is about 17 to 20 miles. But nobody in Broward or Miami-Dade County travels like a crow. We travel via the I-95 parking lot or the Palmetto Expressway.
Usually, the drive takes about 30 to 45 minutes. That’s the sweet spot. However, if you’re trying to move between these two cities during the 5:00 PM rush, you might as well pack a snack and a podcast because that 20-mile stretch can easily balloon into an hour and fifteen minutes of brake lights and frustration.
💡 You might also like: Who was King Tutankhamun: The Real Story Behind the Golden Mask
The Different Routes and Why They Matter
Most people just plug the destination into Waze and hope for the best. But understanding the geography helps. Miramar sits in southwestern Broward County. Miami—specifically the downtown core—is the heart of Miami-Dade.
The most direct shot is taking I-95 North from Miami. It’s a straight line. It’s also the most volatile road in the state. You’ve got the Express Lanes, which can cost you a small fortune during peak hours, but they do shave off significant time if there isn't a wreck.
Then there’s the Florida's Turnpike. If you’re coming from the western side of Miami, like Doral or near FIU, the Turnpike is your best friend. It drops you right into the heart of Miramar near the Red Road exit. It’s smoother. It’s also a toll road. Honestly, if you don't have a SunPass, don't even bother trying to navigate this region. The "toll-by-plate" invoices will haunt your mailbox for months.
Another option is the Palmetto Expressway (SR 826). Use this if you're coming from the airport area. It's notorious for being congested, but it connects directly to I-75, which skirts the western edge of Miramar.
Distance vs. Time: The South Florida Paradox
Distance is a static number. Time is a fluid concept here.
👉 See also: Large Map of Georgia Counties: Why This State Has a Massive 159
If you leave at 3:00 AM, you can zip from the FTX Arena (now Kaseya Center) to Miramar Regional Park in about 22 minutes. You’ll be flying. But at 8:30 AM, when everyone from Miramar is commuting into Miami for work, that southbound trip is brutal. Conversely, the northbound trip in the evening is where the real "how far is Miramar Florida from Miami Florida" question gets complicated.
It's not just the miles. It's the events. Is there a Heat game? Is there a concert at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens? Miramar is basically the neighbor to Miami Gardens. If the Dolphins are playing, the traffic spillover onto the Turnpike and University Drive will turn a 20-minute drive into a slog.
Public Transit Realities
Can you take a train? Kinda.
The Brightline is the fancy new toy in Florida transit, but it doesn't stop in Miramar. It goes from Miami to Aventura, then Fort Lauderdale. Miramar is tucked further west.
Tri-Rail is the more "blue-collar" commuter option. You could take it from the Miami Airport station up to the Golden Glades or Hollywood station. From there, you’d still need an Uber or a bus to get into Miramar. It’s not a "door-to-door" experience. For most people, a car is the only logical way to handle the distance.
Why People Make the Trip
Miramar has become a massive hub for people who work in Miami but want a different vibe. It’s suburban. It’s planned. You’ve got huge corporate parks where companies like Spirit Airlines have set up shop.
People head down to Miami for the nightlife, the beaches, and the culture. They head back to Miramar for the space and the quieter neighborhoods. The proximity is close enough that you can live in one and play in the other, provided you understand the rhythm of the roads.
Navigating the Neighborhoods
When people ask about the distance to Miami, they often mean "South Beach" or "Wynwood."
- Miramar to Wynwood: About 21 miles. Usually a 35-minute drive via I-95.
- Miramar to South Beach: This is the tricky one. It's about 25 miles, but getting across the McArthur or Julia Tuttle Causeway adds a whole other layer of traffic. Budget an hour.
- Miramar to Miami International Airport (MIA): Roughly 20 miles. Taking the Turnpike to the 836 (Dolphin Expressway) is usually the fastest route.
The "Red Road" (NW 57th Ave) is a local secret. It runs all the way from Miramar down into Opa-locka and eventually towards Hialeah. If the highways are totally trashed due to an accident, taking surface roads like Red Road or University Drive can be a lifesaver, even if you’re hitting traffic lights every half mile.
Weather and the Drive
Don't forget the rain.
A tropical downpour in South Florida changes the physics of the commute. Visibility drops to zero. People put their hazard lights on (which you shouldn't do, by the way, it's actually illegal in Florida to drive with hazards on unless you're stopped). A 20-mile trip in a thunderstorm will take an hour. Period.
Actionable Tips for the Drive
If you’re planning to move between these two cities, here is how you actually survive it.
First, get the SunPass. Don't think about it. Just do it. The Express Lanes on I-95 and the Turnpike will save you cumulative hours of your life.
Second, timing is everything. If you can shift your schedule to leave Miami by 3:00 PM or after 7:00 PM, you'll find the drive to Miramar is actually quite pleasant. It’s that 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM window that breaks people.
Third, use a real-time mapping app even if you know the way. Accidents on the Golden Glades Interchange—where I-95, the Turnpike, and the Palmetto all collide in a giant concrete knot—happen daily. You need an app to tell you to bail onto 441 or some other side street before you get trapped in the bottleneck.
The distance between Miramar and Miami is short enough for a daily commute but long enough that it requires a strategy. Treat it like a tactical mission, keep your gas tank at least a quarter full, and you'll be fine.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
Download the Florida 511 app for real-time camera feeds of the highways. Check the Hard Rock Stadium schedule before you leave; if there's a major event, avoid the Turnpike and stay on I-95 or use 441 to bypass the stadium traffic entirely. If you're looking for the fastest route right now, check the I-95 Express toll pricing; if it’s over $10, it usually means there's a significant wreck ahead and you should consider an alternate route.