Miami to Key West road trip
≈ 270 km driving in total · ~4 h · ideal in 6 days · 5 stops
One road, forty-two bridges, and the Atlantic on one side with the Gulf on the other. The Overseas Highway is less a drive than a slow, sunlit exhale — ending at the buoy marking the end of the American road.
Photo: Unsplash
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The route at a glance
- Miami — 1 night
- Key Largo — 1 night
- Islamorada — 1 night
- Marathon — stop en route
- Key West — 2 nights
The stops
- 1
Miami
Cuban coffee in Little Havana, a Deco walk on Ocean Drive, then south past Homestead onto the Overseas Highway.
- 2
Key Largo
Snorkel or glass-bottom-boat John Pennekamp's reef — the first undersea park in the US.
- 3
Islamorada
Sportfishing capital with the Keys' best beach bars — feed the absurdly large tarpon at Robbie's dock.
- 4
Marathon
The Turtle Hospital tour, lunch at a dockside shack, then the Seven Mile Bridge with the windows down.
- 5
Key West
Sunset ritual at Mallory Square, Hemingway's six-toed cats, and key lime pie for breakfast because nobody's checking.
Good to know
US-1 is two lanes most of the way — leave Miami before 9 am or crawl. The Seven Mile Bridge is the postcard leg; Bahia Honda state park just after it has the best beach in the Keys. Key West parking is scarce and metered — many hotels charge extra for it. Hurricane season peaks August–October; high season and high prices run December–April.
Just after the distance and drive time? Miami to Key West by car answers that one directly — ≈ 270 km, ~3.5 h without the detours.
Miami to Key West road trip — FAQ
- How long does the Miami to Key West road trip take?
- 6 days is comfortable — about 4 hours behind the wheel across 5 stops, ≈ 270 km of driving in total.
- How far is Key West from Miami?
- Miami to Key West is ≈ 270 km (168 miles) driving direct. This itinerary covers ≈ 270 km because it runs via Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon.
- What are the best stops between Miami and Key West?
- Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon — each one is on the route below. Open the trip on the map to add, drop or reorder them.
- Where should you stay on the Miami to Key West road trip?
- The itinerary sleeps in Miami, Key Largo, Islamorada, Key West. Open it on the map to see places to stay along the route and what the nights will cost.
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