If you start at one end of the Keys in Key Largo and drive all the way to Key West, it's 97.6 miles, which should take you. You can drive to the Florida Keys from mainland Florida in just over an hour. US-1 will take you from Miami to Everglades National Park and then to Key Largo. From here, US-1 continues through the Florida Keys to Key West.
The Florida Keys are one of the best places in the United States to take a road trip. In just 100 miles, jump from one cay to another, snorkel, dine at seafood restaurants, try lime pie, go shopping and enjoy endless views of the sparkling aquamarine waters. It's a beautiful trip with a lot to do. You could drive the 113-mile stretch in just over three hours, but why would you want to? Road trips, especially one as iconic as this one, are all about stops along the way.
So lower the hood and put on Jimmy Buffet. Here's our guide to the best the Florida Keys have to offer. The Florida Keys are an archipelago of 800 tropical islands that extends 120 miles off the coast of Florida. The Keys begin just south of Miami and continue to the uninhabited Dry Turtles, one of the most remote in the U.S.
UU. These vacation planning tips will help you make the most of your Miami to Key West road trip adventure, with quirky local spots, popular spots and beautiful Florida beaches. The Keys are one of the warmest and sunniest destinations in the U.S. The best time to visit the Florida Keys is between March and May, after the tourist season ends and when hotel rates are more reasonable.
It's best to avoid the peak hurricane season of August and September. The hottest months in the Florida Keys are July and August, with average high temperatures of 90 degrees. June, August and September are the months with the most rainfall. The best airports to start a road trip to the Florida Keys are Miami International Airport (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale (FLL), about 30 miles north.
How about a month? But seriously, I would recommend at least a week to see the best of the Keys. It's a great way to extend an inexpensive trip to Miami. You can save time on your Keys road trip by paying extra for your car rental and only making the one-way trip. If you have a little less time or a few more days, I'll include other options in the itinerary below.
There are no rest areas along the Miami to Key West road trip route, but there are plenty of restaurants and convenience stores that have restrooms available. If you stop at one of the state parks, you may have to pay a ticket. There is a visitor center run by the Chamber of Commerce in Key Largo and a visitor mall for Key West located on Big Pine Key. Use this summary to get an idea of the suggested number of nights for each destination, as well as the must-see sights.
Keep reading for the full details of each step of the itinerary, including more places of interest, restaurants, tours and recommended hotels and Airbnbs. Key Largo is the first stop on a road trip from Miami to Key West, and is famous for its first-class diving and snorkeling. Route 1 or Card Sound Bridge: Take the slightly longer Card Sound toll road if you want to stop at Alabama Jack's bar. Key Largo is also known for water sports such as kayaking, paddleboarding and fishing.
To the west, on the continent, is the Everglades National Park. Read on for the best things to do in Key Largo for your Miami to Key West road trip, as well as a variety of options for staying, including the family-favorite Baker's Cay resort. This family-owned fruit stand has existed since the 1950s and is located on the Florida mainland. It all started when Robert's father, a farmer, set a roadside table for him to sell cucumbers and a sign that said, “Robert is here.
Well, Robert is still here, and from those humble beginnings he has built a fruit mecca and a tourist destination. In addition to hundreds of exotic fruit varieties, there is an animal farm, children's play area, famous milkshakes (including lime, of course), and a band on the weekends. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is a must see as the first underwater state park in the U.S. Includes 70 square nautical miles of the Atlantic.
The famous statue of the “Christ of the Deep” is here, an 8-foot tall sculpture sunk 25 feet deep. You can also snorkel from the coast in John Pennekamp, canoe or kayak, or take a glass-bottom boat tour. The adjacent Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary extends 2,800 square nautical miles from Key Biscayne in the north to Dry Tortugas. Experienced divers can take a trip to the artificial reef of the sunken USS Spiegel Grove.
The Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary in Tavernier is a wildlife rehabilitation center and is home to more than a hundred resident birds that cannot be returned to nature. See rescued hawks, owls, vultures, pelicans, gulls, songbirds and more. Visitors can learn about the birds and ecosystems of the Florida Keys. Caribbean Club Classic and Tradition Key Largo Dive Bar with Incredible Sunset Views Pilot House Restaurant The favorite of locals overlooking a marina with fresh seafood and a tiki bar atmosphere Sundowner's Key Largo seafood restaurant with a glazed dining room and outdoor waterfront seating Check out a check out these top options in Key Largo Area for your first stop from Miami to Key West.
Are you looking for more space or a local stay? Take a look at these stays in the area. Islamorada is a town made up of 6 of the Middle Keys, and the midpoint between Miami and Key West. It is known as the “Sport Fishing Capital of the World”, thanks to its abundance of options for professional fishing charters with experienced captains. There are plenty of mid-range to luxury resort options in Islamorada, as well as shopping, dining, sights, and eco-friendly experiences.
The city of Marathon, in the Florida Keys, is made up of 13 islands and is known for its beaches, fishing and a reef barrier. Discover the best things to do in Marathon for your itinerary, including turtle conservation, diving and nature experiences. Sombrero Beach in Marathon is a quiet public beach perfect for swimming. There are bathrooms here, as well as picnic shelters with grills and plenty of space to rest on its long white sand beach.
From April to October, loggerhead turtles nest here, so you may see some small areas cordoned off to protect eggs. The hiking trail at the southwestern end of the island leads to the top of the old Bahía Honda Bridge and has spectacular views of the island and the waters below. Located on the south shore of Key West, Smathers Beach is the longest and quietest beach on the island, with nearly a mile of soft white sand and palm trees. It's a public beach, with chair rentals and food trucks available.
This simple yet iconic monument is located on the southernmost tip of the U.S. Nearly 70 miles west of Key West is the remote Dry Turtle National Park. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park is home to historic Fort Jefferson, crystal blue waters, coral and marine life, and a wide variety of birds. Get my detailed guide for a day trip to Dry Turtles or camp here.
Are you planning a trip to Key West? Be sure to include a visit to Dried Turtles, one of the least visited U. National parks for pristine beaches, spectacular snorkeling and even camping. Key West has a wealth of lodging options for all travelers, from budget and luxury stays to clothing-optional resorts. There are also Airbnb rental homes in the traditional conch shell architecture of Key West.
Old Town is the best place to stay for first-time travelers and because of its proximity to sights, restaurants and nightlife. All of the resorts below offer parking; although most hotels in the Historic District add an additional fee for this, as space is limited. Don't miss my guide to the best Old Town Key West rentals and Airbnbs, from budget options to luxury stays for a group. Booking Resources%26 Tips for Your Trip.
Get an all-in-one streaming, digital and print subscription with Nat Geo Premium with Disney+ Enjoy everything the Florida Keys have to offer on this epic road trip. Colourful waterfront houses line the coast in the Keys. Convenient boardwalks traverse the eternal mangroves of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, Florida. Drive south across the Tavernier Creek Bridge (Mile Marker 9) and you're officially in Islamorada.
Widely known to anglers as the “sport fishing capital of the world,” the village of Islamorada is comprised of Plantation Key, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, and the Indian Key and Lignumvitae Key State Parks. Stop at Rain Barrel Artisan Village (Mile Marker 86) to explore the jumble of shops in the back and take an Instagram photo of the 30-foot tall Florida lobster in the front. In the Morada Way Arts and Cultural District (Mile Marker 81,, browse art galleries and sip iguana bait or other craft beer at Florida Keys Brewing Company). Try a slice of lime green and not gold pie at the cozy Midway Cafe and Coffee Bar (Mile Marker 80,.
At Robbie's Marina (Mile Marker 77), choose your favorite way to play in a boat, canoe, jet ski, kayak or SUP to play in the water. Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida, first opened its doors in 1986 and works to rehabilitate injured turtles, educate the public, assist in research to help sea turtles, and support environmental legislation that promotes clean and safe waters and beaches. Located approximately one hour south of Key Largo and one hour north of Key West, the 10-mile long Marathon island chain is approximately the midpoint of the Florida Keys. On the journey from Islamorada south to the city of Marathon (Mile Marker 59), stop at Long Key State Park (Mile Marker 67) for bird watching, hiking and diving.
To get out on the water, rent a boat or kayak from All Aboard Boat Rentals (turn left at Mile Marker 54,. Get up close views of sharks, rays and other local marine species; take a guided tour by a marine biologist (included with admission) and even snorkel in a 200,000 gallon saltwater tank (additional fee) at Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters (Mile Marker 5), scheduled to reopen for mid-December. Schedule a 90-minute behind-the-scenes tour of Turtle Hospital (Mile Marker 48) to help support the center's sea turtle rehabilitation efforts. Everglades National Park is the largest tropical desert in the United States.
Mallory Square in Key West, Florida, is the community's social and commercial center. A great stop for lunch is the Fish House for a Florida Keys staple with conch shell fritters, Florida fish and lobster tacos, and stone crab. Leaving Miami, the quickest route to the Keys involves traveling a few miles on the Florida Turnpike and then turning to US 1 at the end of the highway near Florida City. The Florida Keys are an archipelago of 800 islands that extend in an arc from the southernmost tip of Florida.
The Florida Keys are technically part of Florida, but the joke is that you should never tell a resident of the Keys that. There are 11 state parks in the Florida Keys and a unique way to explore them is to walk the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail. The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT) is a bicycle and pedestrian trail that is more than 90 miles long and crosses the Florida Keys. If you're flying to the state of Florida, Miami International Airport is the closest airport to the Florida Keys.
This park has two beaches, Calusa Beach on Florida Bay and Loggerhead Beach on the Atlantic side, and they are generally considered to be some of the best beaches in the Florida Keys. To make it as easy as possible for your drivers bound for the Florida Keys, here's a quick Florida Keys driving guide on the type of times it can take, as you drive to and from paradise. From Mainland Florida and Miami International Airport, you can get to the Florida Keys by driving along U.S. Highway 1.
In the early 20th century, Florida magnate Henry Flagler envisioned an overseas railroad linking mainland Florida to Key West. Driving to the Florida Keys is easy from the state of Florida, which can be accessed by car from anywhere in the contiguous United States. . .
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