State Road 860 is a major commuter road passing by major shopping centers and industrial parks separated by suburban communities, and often serves as an alternate to the northern (east–west) segment of the often-congested Palmetto Expressway (SR 826) and the Golden Glades Interchange to the south.

East of that intersection, it enters Miami Gardens, with slightly older housing developments than west of SR 823.

SR 860 then enters North Miami Beach, passing through a small industrial area before intersecting with I-95, along with State Road 915.

Following the intersection, Miami Gardens Drive continues east into the residential areas of Aventura, traversing in a northeastern direction at a canal crossing and continuing east through condo developments and more housing before reaching its eastern terminus at US 1/SR 5.

Unlike most Florida State Roads in Miami-Dade County, SR 860 has actually become longer since the designation, as after the completion of I-75 in 1993, the SR 860 designation was extended 3.6 miles (5.8 km) westward to connect with the Interstate highway.