The arrival of the Central do Brasil Railroad improved transport connections with São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, but road travel remained very difficult.

Under his slogan "to govern is to open roads", Washington Luís, Mayor of São Paulo (1914–1919), Governor of the State of São Paulo (1920–1924) and President of the Republic (1926–1930), encouraged the expansion of the urban highways network, largely following the pattern laid down during the colonial era.

In 1922 he opened the São Paulo-Rio Highway, following one of the traditional colonial era routes and passing through São Miguel Paulista, Itaim Paulista and Mogi das Cruzes en route to Jacareí.

Today the Avenida Marechal Tito is the main thoroughfare of São Miguel, lined by impressive buildings and serving all the town's most important facilities and attractions.

The Datafolha Institute conducted a survey in August 2008 to outline the profile of the inhabitants of São Miguel.