Click here for maps of Miami and the surrounding area. 

Although Miami is quite congested, it is laid out in a grid pattern, making it relatively easy to find your way around. Most of Dade County (which includes Miami) is divided into four sections: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest. Knowing this part of the address is very important because it tells you the part of town you are looking for (or which part you are in).

Flagler Street (running east-west) divides the city into north and south, while Miami Avenue (running north-south) is the east-west divider. Avenues, Places, and Courts run north-south, while Streets and Terraces run east-west.

The communities of Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, Opa-locka, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, and Hialeah have their own unique street names and numbering systems.

Helpful directional signs splashed with an orange sunburst on a blue background start at the airport and guide visitors to Miami area hot spots as well as to Key West, Orlando, and other tourist areas. If you’re coming in from the airport, watch for the "Exit to City" signs. SR 836 (Dolphin Expressway) East to I-95 South will bring you downtown. To get to Miami Beach from the airport, take SR 112 (a short expressway) to I-95 and I-195.

Seven causeways link Miami and Miami Beach. The two that are easily reached by expressways from I-95 are I-195 (Julia Tuttle Causeway) and I-395 (MacArthur Causeway).

In Miami Beach, A1A (Collins Avenue) is the major thoroughfare. It extends to the Art Deco District in South Beach.

Click here for maps of Miami and the surrounding area.