Senior Transportation in Miami, FL: Rides With a Caregiver

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Miami, FL: the local picture

18%

of households have no vehicle (9.8% in Miami-Dade County)

0.8 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Miami)

73,327

residents 65 or older (16% of Miami)

38%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Miami-Dade County)

About 34,799 Miami households, 18%, have no vehicle (9.8% in Miami-Dade County). The Census figure covers all ages, but older adults who stop driving are a large part of it.

Hospitals with an emergency department near Miami: Jackson Health System in Miami (0.8 mi); Miami Va Medical Center in Miami (1.7 mi); Coral Gables Hospital in Coral Gables (3.9 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

38% of residents 65 and older report a disability. If walking is hard, look for a caregiver who is comfortable with walkers and car transfers, not only a driver.

Miami compared with Miami-Dade County and Florida

Census figure	Miami	Miami-Dade County	Florida
Households with no vehicle	18%	9.8%	6.0%
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	32%	31%
Residents 65 or older	16%	17%	21%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	22%	25%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	32%	21%	12%
Residents 85 or older	2.5%	2.4%	2.6%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$27,416	$41,151	—

Older residents in towns around Miami

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Brownsville, FL	3.8 mi	2,986	17%
Miami Beach, FL	4.5 mi	15,414	23%
Gladeview, FL	4.9 mi	1,796	19%
West Miami, FL	5.6 mi	1,240	4.0%
Miami Springs, FL	5.9 mi	2,547	5.9%
West Little River, FL	5.9 mi	6,253	12%

Hospitals near Miami

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Jackson Health System	Miami, FL	0.8 mi	1 of 5	(305) 585-1111
Miami Va Medical Center	Miami, FL	1.7 mi	4 of 5	(305) 324-4455
Coral Gables Hospital	Coral Gables, FL	3.9 mi	3 of 5	(305) 445-8461
North Shore Medical Center	Miami, FL	5.3 mi	1 of 5	(305) 835-6000

Straight-line miles from the center of Miami. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a caregiver who drives can help with

Rides to doctor, dental and therapy appointments
Waiting during the appointment and taking notes
Grocery shopping, pharmacy and errands
Trips to church, the senior center and family

Cost

What senior transportation costs in Miami

At the Florida median aide wage of $16.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,408 a month in wages, which is 62% of the $2,285 monthly median income of Miami households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, under Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution.

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see How to get paid to take care of a family member in Florida: SMMC LTC and the PDO.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver who drives

Giving up driving is a common reason older adults start to miss appointments and see fewer people. Before a caregiver drives, agree whose car is used, check that the auto insurance covers it, and agree a mileage rate in writing. The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center and the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) can point you to free and low-cost ride programs.

Questions worth asking: May I see your license and proof of auto insurance? Will you drive your car or ours? How do you help someone with a walker in and out of the car? More in our senior transportation guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Senior Transportation in Miami: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Miami?

Jackson Health System in Miami, about 0.8 mi in a straight line from the center of Miami (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (305) 585-1111. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Miami?

At the Florida median aide wage of $16.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,408 a month in wages, which is 62% of the $2,285 monthly median income of Miami households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, under Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution.

Does Medicare pay for rides to appointments?

Original Medicare covers emergency ambulance trips, not routine rides. Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation for eligible members, and some Medicare Advantage plans include rides (Medicare.gov).

More near Miami

More senior care near Miami

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Miami

More for Miami families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Senior Transportation and Escorted Rides in Miami, FL