A Guide to the Flagler Drive Waterfront Ride

If you’re riding in West Palm Beach and haven’t done the Flagler Drive waterfront stretch, put it on the list. It’s not a long route, but it’s one of the most enjoyable short rides in the area — scenic, accessible, and a good option any time of day you want to get out without dealing with a lot of traffic.

The Route

Flagler Drive runs north-south along the western shore of the Intracoastal Waterway through downtown West Palm Beach. The most rideable stretch is roughly from Southern Boulevard in the south up to 45th Street in the north — about 5 miles one way. The road has a dedicated bike lane for most of this stretch, and the views across the water to Palm Beach island are genuinely beautiful, especially in the morning light.

You can extend the ride by connecting south through the neighborhoods toward Dreher Park or north into Northwood and Riviera Beach. The terrain is completely flat, so it’s as easy or as long as you want to make it.

Best Times to Ride

Early morning is ideal — less traffic, cooler temperatures, and the light on the water is hard to beat. On weekends you’ll share the road with a lot of other cyclists, runners, and walkers, which keeps things lively. Avoid rush hour if you’re doing any of the sections closer to downtown — Flagler Drive gets busy during commute times.

Connecting to Other Routes

Flagler Drive connects naturally to the Blue Heron Bridge area to the north and the waterfront paths through downtown to the south. If you want a longer ride, head east across the bridge to Palm Beach and pick up the Lake Trail on the island side — a beautiful, mostly flat 6-mile loop around the north end of Palm Beach with very little car traffic.

Parking and Access

There’s parking along Flagler Drive and in the lots near Currie Park around 23rd Street, which makes a good start and end point with restrooms and water available.

For more local route ideas, check out our locals corner. And if you need a bike that’s set up for comfortable road riding, we’re right on Federal Highway — stop by.

— Matt