How to Avoid Miami Traffic During Rush Hours

Who really likes leaving their house, getting in the car, hitting the open road and … getting stuck in traffic? No one, right? Well, when you’re on vacation in Miami you probably feel the same way. You don’t want to be stuck in rush hour traffic. And when you’re in Miami … well, the traffic can get pretty bad during rush hour. 

If you’re traveling through the Miami area, you should know that rush hour Miami is approximately 7am to 10am and approximately 4pm to 7pm. That means you’re going to do best if you can avoid traveling during those times, or at least avoid traveling on the most populous roads during those times. 

If you can’t avoid traveling during peak times … well, you’re not going to be totally out of luck. There are still some great tips and tricks you can use to keep yourself and anyone you’re traveling with from getting stopped behind hours of slow-moving people. 

The first step when you arrive in Miami is to make sure that you have your rental car ready. If you rent a luxury car in West Palm Beach you’re going to be all set. And now all you need to do is make sure that you know everything you can about traffic.

In general, there are going to be four things that you can do to cut down on the stress that goes along with rush hour traffic:

1. Avoid Rush Hour

2. Use the Right Apps

3. Avoid the Major Roads

4. Check the News

This one probably seems obvious, right? If you want to avoid Miami rush hour traffic then just don’t drive at rush hour. That’s why we’re going to start with it. If you can avoid it at all, the number one thing to do is to try not to drive during the peak times. 

If you’re on vacation you might be able to relax a little more in the morning and take a slower start to the day. And when you’re done with your activities (or relaxing at the beach) don’t be in such a rush to get back to the hotel. 

The peak hours correlate to when most people are heading to or from work or school. So if you don’t need to be in that rush, why would you want to be? You’re on vacation, so enjoy it.

Next up, there are a number of great apps that can help you get a handle on the traffic situation in real time. While a lot of people are using Google Maps or whatever other default map system is available on their vehicle or their phone, there are other apps that you might want to check out as well.

Waze is a popular one that not only gives you directions to get where you’re going, but actually tells you about road hazards, accidents, police, and just about anything else that a user might want to report. That means you’ll know what could slow you down along the way, and you can add in your own information as you go along too (if you have a passenger who can put it in for you). 

Google Maps is a classic for a reason. It has the detailed directions you need but also plenty of options for alternate routes and even which lanes you may want to use to get there faster.

Sygic is a unique one because it doesn’t just show you an app or give you voice directions. It actually projects the navigation onto your dashboard, which can make it even easier for you to follow. You’ll also get speed limits, parking space info and even real-time traffic updates.

TomTomGo is another classic. Do you remember driving with a TomTom? Well, this is an app version of the old-school GPS unit that you may have had yourself. It has a connected option that gives you things like lane guidance and real-time traffic, but there’s also an offline mode that you can use if you just need the directions. 

Another way to avoid a lot of the rush hour traffic is to avoid the major roads. If you absolutely have to travel on the Florida Turnpike, chances are you’re going to get caught in rush hour traffic during those times. But if you can take the back way … you may be able to head out of your hotel at 8am and get where you want to go fast without having to worry about it.

Taking the back way is a great option for getting to enjoy the scenery as well, because it’s likely going to take you along coastal roads rather than through the heart of downtown. Keep in mind that the overall route may seem longer, but when you factor in the traffic on the main road … it may not be as much longer as you think (if at all).

Finally, make sure that you’re checking the local news before you head out. This is going to give you information about things like traffic backups, accidents, road closures, and other things you can pre-plan for before you head out. 

Now, avoiding traffic and avoiding rush hour is definitely going to improve the start (and possibly the end) of your day, but once you get where you’re going it’s all about enjoying the day as it is. 

It all starts when you rent a Range Rover in Miami (yes, a luxury vehicle rental really is going to make a big difference) and it ends when you and your family have had the greatest vacation possible in the Miami area. With the help of RealCar.Miami you can absolutely have an amazing experience. All you need to do is figure out what kind of luxury car you want and go from there. You’ll be ready for another trip to Miami in no time at all.