road trip key largo to key west

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KEY LARGO to KEY WEST: 23 Amazing STOPS You Can’t Miss

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Key Largo to Key West is a classic Florida Keys road trip ! Within a 100-mile distance from Key Largo to Key West along the Florida Overseas Highway , you can go snorkeling, kayaking, try many local delicacies, stroll on endless beaches and soak in the views.

You can plan a Florida Keys road trip in several different ways. If your time is limited, then do a day trip from Miami to the Florida Keys. If you have more time, then spend 3 days or even 5 days in the Florida Keys, staying overnight in a couple of places, then driving and stopping along the way from Key Largo to Key West .

In this post, I covered all the best stops and things to do on a drive from Key Largo to Key West that will tick off all the major attractions in the Florida Keys.

What You Need to Know About the Florida Keys Overseas Highway

The Florida Keys Overseas Highway is about a 100-mile highway via US Route 1 (US 1) that runs from Key Largo to Key West. The drive without any stops takes roughly 2.5 hours depending on the traffic.

You will be going on 42 bridges that connect various small islands.

Intrepid’s Tip:

What you need to know is that there are no tolls on the Florida Overseas Highway. So, once you pass Florida City/Key West county line, you do not have to worry about paying for tolls!

The Florida Keys Overseas Highway / Key Largo to Key West

Key Largo to Key West

The drive along Florida Keys Overseas Highway is one of the most spectacular drives in the United States . The views are simply breathtaking. My recommendation is to take your time and make as many stops as possible to make a memorable trip!

Florida Keys Overseas Highway / Key Largo to Key West

What’s interesting about the Florida Keys Overseas Highway is that large parts of it were built on the former Overseas Railroad , which was heavily damaged and partially destroyed in the 1935 Labor Day hurricane .

The Florida East Coast Railway was financially unable to rebuild the destroyed sections, so the roadbed and remaining bridges were sold to the state of Florida for $640,000 . Since the 1950’s the Overseas Highway has been refurbished into a main coastal highway between the cities of Miami and Key West.

Historic Rail Bridge at Bahia Honda State Park in Florida Keys

Historic Rail Bridge at Bahia Honda State Park / Key Largo to Key West

A Quick Read:

The Florida Department of Transportation maintains mile marker signs along the Florida Keys Overseas Highway. Numbering commences at “0” in Key West and ends at Key Largo at “106.”

One of the most popular places to have your picture taken is in front of the US1 mile marker zero sign to commemorate visiting the southernmost point of the United States. The sign is located on the corner of Fleming Street and Whitehead Street in Key West.

How Much Time Do You Need for Key Largo to Key West Drive with Stops?

First of all, just to drive from Key Largo to Key West (no stops!), it will take you 2-3 hours. If you want to stop along the way, then, I am recommending that you reserve at least 2-3 days to make some stops and visit a few places and do some activities.

I usually fly in and rent my car in Miami. Although, sometimes, flying into Fort Lauderdale is less expensive. On top of that, it is only a 30-minute drive from Fort Lauderdale to Miami. So, make sure to check the prices for both airports.

What Is the Best Time to Visit Florida Keys?

Hands down, spring and fall are the best to plan and head to the Florida Keys. The temperatures are between 70-80 F, the water is awesome for snorkeling, and the rain is almost none. Winter is beautiful as well with temperatures at about 65-75 F and also not much rain.

With that being the case, my recommendation is to avoid going to the Florida Keys in the summer. First of all, it is hurricane season. Second, temperatures are in the high 90’s and humidity is unbearable, plus bugs are everywhere. Also, it rains a lot!

Where to Stay Between Key Largo and Key West: 7 Amazing Places to Stay in the Florida Keys

7 Amazing Places to Stay in the Florida Keys:

Atlantic Bay Resort – located in Tavernier . This beachfront resort is 2 miles from Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, 8 miles from the Theater of the Sea, and 10 miles from the Dolphin Cove Research Center. Tavernier city center is 6 minutes walk away. You can enjoy snorkeling near the hotel’s private beach and an outdoor pool. All guestrooms feature a small refrigerator, microwave, and cable television. Some suites at Atlantic Bay Resort also include a fully-equipped kitchen or kitchenette and views of the gulf or pool.

Anglers Reef Gateway – located in Islamorada , just a 4-minute walk from Windley Key. Anglers Reef Getaway provides beachfront accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool, a garden, and a private beach area.

Largo Resort – located in Key Largo , 1.6 miles from John Pennekamp State Park. Largo Resort has accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden, and a private beach area .

Grassy Flats Resort – located in Marathon , 5 miles from Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters. Grassy Flats Resort and Beach Club provides accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a bar, and a garden.

Playa Largo Ocean Residencies – located in Key Largo . The units come with a kitchen that includes a dishwasher, microwave, and a fridge.

Deer Run on the Atlantic – located in Big Pine Key , this adults-only bed and breakfast is eco-friendly, sustainable, and beachfront. Recycled water barrels and solar energy are used property-wide. A full organic, vegan breakfast is served daily. A mineral spring saltwater pool with a spa is on-site. Free bikes, kayaks, and snorkel gear are provided at Deer Run on the Atlantic.

Courtyard by Marriott Marathon the Florida Keys – you will be a 5-minute walk from the Turtle Hospital and a 16-minute drive from the Dolphin Research Center. A microwave, coffee machine, and small refrigerator are featured in each room at this Courtyard by Marriott. A flat-screen TV, desk, and private bathroom with a hairdryer are also included. A 24-hour front desk and a fitness center are available at the property. There is an on-site restaurant , The Bistro, as well.

Map of Key Largo to Key West with 23 Amazing Stops

Key Largo to Key West: 23 Amazing Stops You Can’t Miss

Key Largo to Key West: 23 Amazing Stops You Can't Miss

There are so many great places to stop and things to do along the drive from Key Largo to Key West , that you will definitely have a hard time deciding what to do. My recommendation is to go through my list and see what sounds the best and interests you the most.

However, I have to say, that if you are driving from Miami to the Florida Keys, then on the way to the Florida Keys, make sure to stop at South Florida’s landmark – Robert Is Here . It is a fruit stand that has grown into a complete tourist destination in South Florida, and it belongs to the Historic Redland Tropical Trail. The milkshakes that are made with fresh milk and fruit, are simply spectacular! If milk is not for you, then grab one of their smoothies , which contains just ice and fruit. Robert Is Here is located at 19200 SW 344th St, Homestead, FL 33034

Snorkel, Dive, or Kayak at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Go snorkeling, diving, or kayaking at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park ! It is one of the best stops from Key Largo to Key West.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the first undersea park in the United States. It encompasses approximately 70 nautical square miles. It was established to protect a portion of the only living coral reef in the continental United States.

There are many snorkeling tours , scuba diving tours , and glass-bottom boat tours at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park that you can choose from. Also, you can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards . So all in all, it all depends on what you are up to.

If you have never done snorkeling , I want to encourage you to try it. It is a lot of fun! My recommendation is to check out Half Day Snorkel Trip on Reefs in the Florida Keys . This snorkeling trip will take you out onto the water in a catamaran and you will journey to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park to explore the reefs and observe marine life. You will get snorkeling equipment and a snorkel vest.

Now, what you need to know is that snorkeling Christ of the Abyss is probably the most famous underwater attraction at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. It is also known as Christ of the Deep . It is a bronze statue of Christ mounted on a cement base in one of the grooves of a patch reef. The statue is in about 25 feet of water, but, while you are snorkeling you should be able to see the top of the statue.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park / Key Largo to Key West

Also, the area around the statue is pretty good for spotting some corals that are in relatively good condition and a variety of tropical fish. Be on the lookout for groupers, snappers, grunts, angelfish, nurse sharks, and moray eels.

Paddling at John Pennekamp is a very popular activity. So, rent a canoe, or a kayak, or go paddleboarding at John Pennekamp State Park and explore the many channels and mangrove creeks within the park. If you have never done kayaking or canoeing, then join a small group tour. Check out Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Adventure in Key Largo . This tour is fun and educational!

The winter months are the best time for wildlife viewing. You can spot osprey, herons, egrets, cormorants, and pelicans and below the surface look for stingrays, mangrove snappers the occasional manatee wading around.

The last thing you should look into is glass-bottom boat tours . Hands down, it is the most relaxing experience you can have observing the marine life and looking at the corals from a safety of a glass-bottom boat. My recommendation is to try Key Largo Glass Bottom Boat Adventure Tour.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Location: 102601 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037, mile marker 102.5
Hours: 7 days a week, 8 am till 7 pm

Have an Amazing Lunch or Dinner at The Fish House Restaurant and Fish Market

The food at The Fish House is amazing! If you are going to stop for lunch or dinne r between Key Largo to Key West, this is the place! Fresh fish is their commitment , brought daily from dock to table. The Fish House remains one of the only existing establishments that purchase from local commercial fishermen and fillets all fish on-premise.

What you need to order here is Today’s Catch prepared Matecumbe style . It is a house specialty! Matecumbe style is fish t opped with fresh tomatoes, shallots, fresh basil, capers, olive oil, and lemon juice, then baked.

This Fish House favorite has been featured on the Food Network with Bobby Flay and Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives!

Now, another one of my favorites is Shrimp & Scallops Key Lime . It is a house specialty and it is simply delicious. What you will get are large shrimp and scallops, sautéed with lime juice, white wine, garlic butter, mushrooms, scallions & a touch of hot sauce, served over rice.

The Fish House Restaurant and Fish Market / Key Largo to Key West

The Fish House Restaurant and Fish Market

Location: 102401 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037, mile marker 102.4
Hours: 7 days a week, 11:30 am to 10 pm

Try Hogfish at Sharkey's Sharkbite Grill

Sharkey’s Sharkbite Grill has been around since 2001 and it is a local favorite spot. The first floor has Sharkey’s Pub and Taphouse with 32 taps and a full liquor bar. The second floor offers a quiet family-style dining room serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can also dine on the patio and watch the boats go by as you are enjoying either a cold beer or some of their tasty food.

My recommendation is that you try the hogfish here. Hogfish is a Florida Keys delicacy and a local must-try fish. I would say that they are as rich as scallops, flakier than Mahi, and possibly sweeter than Grouper. It can have it cooked in several ways. Don’t be afraid to try it! If you decide to give it a try, then Sharkey’s Sharkbite Grill is the best place on the Florida Keys road trip!

If you are not up to it, they have plenty of other stuff to try and it is all good!

Sharkey’s Sharkbite Grill / Key Largo to Key West

Sharkey’s Sharkbite Grill

Location: 522 Caribbean Dr, Key Largo, FL 33037, just east of mile marker 99.7
Hours: 7 days a week, 7 am till 12 am

Enjoy the Best Key Lime Pie at Mrs. Mac's Kitchen

“Eat Well, Laugh Often, Live Long” is the motto at Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen , the longest-running restaurant in Key Largo.

My recommendation is that you try Konk chowder with conch in a tomato base, alligator tenders, or lobster bites. Another one of my favorites is Caribbean-style crab cakes loaded with real crabmeat, lightly seasoned, and served with honey mustard aioli.

Sandwiches are good too! You will love Fish-On-A-Bun and Superfishwich .

Finally, you need to try Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen award-winning chili , known as the best in the Florida Keys. it is full of flavor, a bit spicy, made fresh daily and you can add cheese and onions.

However, the star here is the famous key lime pie ! It is excellent! I would say, it is slightly tart, but not too tart, and super creamy. The crust is awesome! It is made with fresh beautifully flavored graham crackers. Hands down, the best key lime pie between Key Largo to Key West.

Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen / Key Largo to Key West

Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen is so popular that there are two locations in the Florida Keys. My recommendation is that you visit the original Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen at 99336 Overseas Highway. You will love the decor of license plates from all over the world!

Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen

Location: 99336 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037, mile marker 99.3

Hours: Monday-Saturday 7 am till 9:30 pm, closed on Sundays

Try Key Lime Muffins at Harriette's Restaurant

Another place that you should not miss is Harriette’s Restaurant . And, two things that you need to try are biscuits and key lime muffins ! Hands down, the biscuits are the flakiest and softest biscuits you will ever have, and key lime muffins are super moist and delicious!

Harriette’s Restaurant / Key Largo to Key West

Harriette’s Restaurant

Location: 95710 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037, mile marker 95.7

Hours: Open 7 days a week, 6 am to 3 pm

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Visit Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary

The Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center , also known as Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of native and migratory wild birds that have been harmed or displaced. It provides a humane shelter for those birds that cannot be released. Also, it educates the public towards the importance of coexistence with all wild bird species.

Stop by and visit the non-releasable wild birds ! Take a walk along the boardwalk, watch the sunset, see a pelican feeding.

Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary in Florida Keys

Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary / Key Largo to Key West

Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary

Location: 93600 Overseas Highway Tavernier, FL 33070, mile marker 93.6

Hours: Open 7 days a week, sunrise to sunset

Cost: Free (donations are very much needed and appreciated)

Try Delicious Key Lime Pie at Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory

What can I say, Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory is another place to sample some key lime pie . And, hands down, Blond Giraffe’s pies have the best crust of all the pies that I have tried between Key Largo to Key West. I think you will love the lime filling with the meringue topping.

Make sure to check out their beautiful garden and leave a lock !

Blond Giraffe Key Lime Factory in Florida Keys

Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory / Key Largo to Key West

Blond Giraffe Key Lime Factory garden in Florida Keys

Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory

Location: 92220 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier, FL 33070, mile marker 92.2

Hours: Open 7 days a week, 9 am to 8:30 pm

Have Dinner and Watch an Amazing Sunset at Marker 88 Restaurant

Marker 88 is a bay-front restaurant offering great beachside dining and amazing sunsets !

Marker 88 Restaurant / Key Largo to Key West

So, first of all, make a reservation and make sure to arrive before sunset. Sunsets are absolutely spectacular from Marker 88!

Sunset at Marker 88 Restaurant / Key Largo to Key West

Now, as far as food choices , my recommendation is to try coconut shrimp, onion-crusted Mahi Mahi, and key lime pie.

Marker 88 Restaurant

Location: 88000 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33070, marker 88

Hours: Hours vary, however, in general, they are open from 11 am to 9 pm

Stop at Rain Barrel Village

Ok, so you need to see and take some pictures with Betsy the Lobster. And, that is about it, in my opinion.

There are a couple of very nice stores that f eature items from local artists . But all in all, the rest of the stores are pretty much typical places with cheap souvenirs.

So, take your obligatory photo with Betsy and keep going!

Rain Barrel Village / Key Largo to Key West

Rain Barrel Village

Location: 86700 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, mile marker 86.7
Hours: Open daily, 9 am to 5 pm

Swim in Dolphin Lagoon at Theater of the Sea

Theater of the Sea offers dolphin, sea lion, and parrot shows, bottomless boat rides, and fish and reptile tours. In addition, they have some interactive programs where you can swim with dolphins, and sea lions, or swim the rays or sharks.

Probably the best offer is: Swim in the Dolphin Lagoon at Theater of the Sea . You get to snorkel in the lagoon surrounded by dolphins! What is nice is that if you book one of their interactive programs, then the general admission ticket is included in the price. So, check out everything that they offer and see what is best for everyone.

Theater of the Sea / Key Largo to Key West

Theater of the Sea

Location: 84721 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, mile marker 84.5
Hours: Open daily, 9:30 am to 5 pm
Cost: General Admission – Adults $44.95, Children 3-10 $29.95, Seniors $40.46; Animal Interactions Programs – Prices vary.

Explore The Florida Keys Diving Museum

The Florida Keys History of Diving Museum is a not-for-profit educational institution focused on the Story Of Man’s Quest to Explore Under the Sea . The majority of the Museum’s artifacts have been provided through the generous support of its founders, Drs. Joe and Sally Bauer, who hold one of the largest collections of historic diving equipment and research documents in the world.

Florida Keys Diving Museum / Key Largo to Key West

The Florida Keys History of Diving Museum

Location: 82990 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, mile marker 83
Hours: Open daily, 10 am to 5 pm
Cost: Adults $15, Children 6-11 $7

Have a Sunset Dinner at the Morada Bay Keys Beach Café & Bar

The Morada Bay Keys Beach Café & Bar is a bistro café situated on a beautiful palm-lined beach overlooking blue waters. It is an awesome spot to have some great food, chill, relax, and watch a sunset. The Café’s menu is a blend of the Caribbean and American cuisine made with the freshest in local seafood and produce.

The Morada Bay Keys Beach Café & Bar / Key Largo to Key West

My recommendation is to try Thai Key West Tacos made with shrimp crispy tempura battered, spiced sriracha aioli Thai basil cilantro pesto, toasted coconut flake. And, Morada Bay Margarita with jimador tequila, cointreau, sour mix grand marnier floater served in a 32oz mason jar.

The Morada Bay Keys Beach Café & Bar

Location: 81600 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, mile marker 81.6
Hours: Open daily, 11 am to 9 pm

Feed Tarpon at Robbie's

Robbie’s is a great experience at least once, while you are traveling from Key Largo to Key West. And, tarpon feeding is fun and worth the stop! Tarpons are large and come out of the water to grab the fish.

But beware, of the pelicans. They want the fish too and they bite! So, all in all, it is fun feeding the tarpon and fending off the pelicans.

Robbie’s of Islamorada / Key Largo to Key West

Feeding tarpon at Robbies in Florida Keys

Robbie’s of Islamorada

Location: 77522 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, mile marker 77.5
Hours: Open daily, 6:30 am to 9 pm
Cost: Admission to the dock is $2.50 per person (once per day). Each bucket of fish is $4.00 (5-8 fish per bucket).

Hike in Long Key State Park

Long Key State Park has one of my favorite hikes in the Florida Keys! It is called Golden Orb Trail and it swings an arc through the heart of Long Key and ends up at views of the Atlantic Ocean. Formerly a loop trail, it was chopped apart by damage caused by Hurricane Irma.

It is a 1.2-mile easy hike that will take you through a “tropical rockland hammock, traverse the desert-like tidal rock barren – where the “soil” underfoot is sun-bleached pieces of coral – and end up on a coastal berm, a hurricane-crafted sand ridge defining the island’s perimeter.” Source: Golden Orb Trail

Long Key State Park / Key Largo to Key West

Long Key State Park

Location: 67400 Overseas Highway, Long Key, FL 33001, mile marker 67.5
Hours: Open daily, 8 am till sunset
Cost: One person, $4.50; two or more people, $5.50 plus 50 cents per additional person

Book a Dolphin Encounter or Family Dolphin Splash at Dolphin Research Center

Dolphin Research Center is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 marine mammal education and research facility providing sanctuary and a forever home since 1984.

And, hands down, this place is awesome! And, I can say without any doubt that the animals are happy there, well taken care of, and respected! The heart of their mission is the welfare of every animal that is in their care. Whether they are born here or come from rescue/rehabilitation centers or other facilities, each receives the finest possible care and a safe, healthy, enriching home for life.

My recommendation is to book either a Dolphin Encounter or a Family Dolphin Splash . Both programs are great and you get an up-close and personal experience with several dolphins.

What I like about Dolphin Research is that they limit visitor numbers, so groups are always small !

Dolphin Research Center / Key Largo to Key West

Dolphin Research Center

Location: 58901 Overseas Highway | Grassy Key, FL 33050, mile marker 59
Hours: Open daily, 9 am to 4:30 pm
Cost: General Admission Adults $28, Military/Veterans $25, Children (4-12) $23. Interactive Programs – prices vary

Go Kayaking, Hiking, or Snorkeling in Curry Hammock State Park

Hands down, Curry Hammock State Park is one of the best places to stop and explore on your road trip from Key Largo to Key West. It is the largest undeveloped parcel of land between Key Largo and Big Pine Key! Kayaking , hiking , and snorkeling are my favorite things to do at Curry Hammock State Park. In addition, it is a perfect spot for a picnic or a stroll on the beach .

First of all, there are two kayak paddling adventures that you can check out:

The 1.5-mile path circumnavigates Little Crawl Key and takes approximately one hour. This sampler trail makes the most of its time, featuring a mangrove tunnel, deepwater lagoon, grassy flats, sandbars, and an open ocean.
The 5-mile path will require at least four hours, but this will take you along mangroves and out around another island. Most take this opportunity to do a little kayak fishing.

Kayaks and paddleboards are available for rent in two-hour increments:

$21.50 – paddleboards and double kayaks
$17.20 – Single kayaks

If you are visiting on a Friday, then sign-up for a ranger-led Mangroves Matter Kayak Tour ( every Friday at 10 am).

Now, do not miss a fabulous hike through the tropical hardwood hammock forest. You will be going on top of ancient fossilized coral that was once living underwater, so make sure to wear appropriate shoes. The coral rock now serves as a high ground for hardwood trees so they can keep their roots high and dry out of the saltwater. This rare habitat is an oasis for local and migrating wildlife. Be on the lookout for different birds!

The trailhead is located one mile south on U.S. 1 from the park’s main entrance. Before you head out, stop at the ranger station and pick up a map.

Curry Hammock State Park in Florida Keys

Curry Hammock State Park / Key Largo to Key West

Curry Hammock is a great place to learn to snorkel and practice your skills ! Curry Hammock’s shallow seagrass flat, where marine life is abundant. The seagrass serves as an excellent nursery for many of the marine species of the Florida Keys.

Curry Hammock State Park

Location: 56200 Overseas Highway, Marathon FL 33050, mile marker 56
Cost: One person, $4.50; two-plus people, $5.50

Visit Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters

Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters is a great stop if you are traveling from Key Largo to Key West with small kids. Basically, it comprises tanks and pools where you can observe the marine life, feed different animals, and snorkel in a small made-made lagoon.

They offer Big Shark Bay Encounter , where you get to feed adult Nurse Sharks (no getting into the water). Next, they have Stingray Cove Encounter , and you actually will get a wetsuit and get into one of the tanks and feed stingrays. Finally, check out Coral Reef Snorkel Encounter . You get to snorkel in a coral reef tank.

Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters

Cost: General Admission Adult $24.50, Children $17.50. Encounters are extra and prices vary.

Spend Time and Enjoy Beautiful Sombrero Beach

Sombrero Beach is a beautiful sandy beach and a great park with picnic pavilions, volleyball courts, restrooms, and showers. Make sure to stop at Sombrero Beach, spend some time, and enjoy this beautiful place.

Sombrero Beach / Key Largo to Key West

To top it off, Sombrero Beach is a turtle nesting beach ! From April through October it is not unusual to have Loggerhead Turtles (primarily) coming on to the beach at night to lay their eggs.

Sombrero Beach

Location: Sombrero Beach Rd, Marathon, FL 33050, mile marker 50
Hours: Open daily, 7 am till dusk

See Turtles Up-CLose at the Turtle Hospital

The Turtle Hospital (Hidden Harbor Marine Environmental Project, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation. They are a fully functioning veterinary hospital for sick and injured sea turtles. They rescue , rehab , and release sea turtles in the Florida Keys.

You can take a guided educational tour of the hospital facilities and the sea turtle rehabilitation area . The educational experience lasts approximately 90 minutes and provides a presentation on sea turtles as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the hospital facilities and rehabilitation area. At the end of each program, you can feed the permanent residents.

The Turtle Hospital / Key Largo to Key West

If you are planning on visiting The Turtle Hospital, then my recommendation is to make a reservation as soon as possible! To make a reservation, either call at (305)743-2552 or click here .

The Turtle Hospital

Location: 2396 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050, mile marker 48.5
Hours: Open daily, 9 am to 6 pm. Educational programs run every 30 min. The last one is at 4 pm.
Cost: Adults $30, Children (4-12) $15

Drive Over the Ocean on the Seven Mile Bridge

The Seven Mile Bridge is one of the most gorgeous and breathtaking drives between the Atlantic and the Gulf! There is nothing else like it!

The Seven Mile Bridge / Key Largo to Key West

The views along the way are awesome with the blue sky and aquamarine color open water in any direction and some islands here and there. It is a must scenic drive to do and most definitely a bucket list item .

Visit Bahia Honda State Park

Bahia Honda State Park is an absolutely beautiful park with views all around. The beach is awesome with turquoise waters. There are restrooms, dressing rooms, outdoor showers, and a snack shop. Plus, there is plenty of parking available.

Bahia Honda Ste Park / Key Largo to Key West

What is really neat is that there is a scenic trail that leads up to the Old Seven-Mile Bridge. The views from the top are breathtaking.

What is really neat is that there is a scenic trail that leads up to the Old Seven-Mile Bridge.

The Old Seven-Mile Bridge was a part of the Railroad That Went to Sea and it was a result of innovative engineering and years of toil from 1909 to 1912. It stayed open for 23 years until the devastating Labor Day Hurricane in 1935 that washed away miles of railroad.

The Old Seven Mile Bridge was too narrow and not ideal for cars, so in 1982, the new Seven Mile Bridge was opened.

The Old Seven-Mile Bridge / Key Largo to Key West

Bahia Honda State Park has a concession service that offers daily snorkeling tours to Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary . Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary features one of the most spectacular reefs in the Florida Keys with plentiful Elkhorn and massive Star coral.

There are two daily departures at 9:30 am and at 1:30 pm. Each trip provides 1.5 hours of snorkeling, plenty of time to explore this fabulous coral reef. An adult ticket costs $29.95 and a ticket for a child (under 18) is $24.95.

You can rent kayaks as well to explore the beautiful waters that surround Bahia Honda State Park. A single kayak costs $12 per hour or $36 for a half-day. Double kayak costs $18 per hour or $54 for a half-day.

Bahia Honda State Park

Location: 36850 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL 33043, mile marker 37
Hours: Open daily, 8 am till sundown.
Cost: $8 per vehicle (two to eight people). A 50-cent Monroe County surcharge will be added per person.

See Deer at the Big Pine National Key Deer Refuge

National Key Deer Refuge is spread over 25 islands and Key deer are found on these 25 islands. Your best bet to be able to see Key deer, is at Big Pine Key, which is part of the National Key Deer Refuge.

Map of National Key Deer in the Florida Keys. Image Credit: FWS

The Key deer is the smallest sub-species of the Virginia white-tailed deer found throughout most of North America.

Because the Key deer population is low and remains under threat of extinction from human interaction, the subspecies are federally listed as endangered . The current population is estimated at over 800.

Key deer can best be seen at dawn or dusk throughout Big Pine. Please help keep the Key deer wild by not feeding them!

Big Pine National Key Deer Refuge / Key Largo to Key West

The National Key Deer Refuge has a visitor center on Big Pine Key where you can pick up some maps and find out about the best and recent sightseeings of Key deer.

There are a couple of trails as well: the Jack Watson Wildlife Trail and the Fred Mannillo Wildlife Trail.

In addition, there is the Blue Hole . It is a short hike from the visitor center. The Blue Hole is an abandoned limestone quarry. The rock material removed was used to build many of the original roads on Big Pine Key. The freshwater, dependent on rainfall is layered over saltwater, which flows through the limestone. Wildlife here includes fish, turtles, birds, and alligators.

The Big Pine National Key Deer Refuge

Location: 30587 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL 33043, mile marker 30.3
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm

Stop at No Name Pub to Check out the Decor and Have a Beer (skip food)

No Name Pub is a small restaurant with a casual atmosphere and an interesting decor of many, many $1 bills pinned all over the roof and walls.

My recommendation is to check out the place, have a beer and move on.

No Name Pub / Key Largo to Key West

No Name Pub

Location: 30813 Watson Blvd, Big Pine Key, FL 33043
Hours: Monday – Sunday Saturday, 11 am to 10 pm

To Print the List of 23-Stops Between Key Largo to Key West

Click: HERE

What to Do in Key West? Check out These 22 Things to Do in Key West on Your First Visit

The ultimate key west bucket list.

Key Largo to Key West – Florida Keys road trip ends in Key West ! Now, for ideas to do in Key West, I have compiled an amazing list of things you can’t miss on your first visit to Key West ! Make sure to check it out!

Intrepid Scout’s Tip:

READ: 22 Things You Can’t Miss on First Visit to Key West, Florida

Intrepid Scout's 6 Favorite Stops Between Key Largo to Key West

So, this is a lot of stops and places to see, and things to do between Key Largo and Key West . What if you only have time to do a few things. Here are my favorite 6 stops between Key Largo and Key West:

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park – it is one of the best stops between Key Largo and Key West. You can snorkel, kayak, take a glass-bottom boat tour, or hike. It is a great spot and you can easily spend here 3-4 hours!
The Fish House Restaurant – there are a lot of choices for lunch or dinner between Key Largo to Key West. My go-to place is always The Fish House Restaurant. You will love all their creations, the food is fresh and delicious!
The Morada Bay Beach Cafe and Bar – another great place is The Morada Bay Beach Cafe and Bar. I love their food and drinks. However, it is an awesome spot to head to before sunset and have a great dinner on the beach watching a sunset (reservations recommended).
Feeding Tarpon at Robbie’s – you can’t miss it! It is just so much fun! So, buy a bucket of fish, fend off the pelicans, and feed tarpons.
Dolphin Research Center – make sure to visit and book one of their encounters. It is a great place where all animals are well taken care of and genuinely respected.
Sombrero Beach – the lovely sandy beach! Snorkel, kayak, or just chill on the beach.

In addition, I need to mention to you Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail that you might want to check out as well. The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT) is a 90-mile multi-use trail that runs parallel to Florida Keys Overseas Highway. This recreational pathway incorporates 23 of the historic Flagler Railroad bridges, offering a scenic venue for hiking, running, bicycling, or skating.

Now, It Is Your Turn, I Would Like to Hear Back from You!

Are you planning your trip to the Florida Keys? Let me know and drop me a quick comment right below!

Also, click on any of the images below to get inspired and to help you with the planning process for your trip to the Florida Keys!

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Key Largo to Key West: Florida’s Most Epic Road Trip Itinerary

If you’re thinking of visiting the Florida Keys , great choice! In my opinion, the best way to see and do everything is to drive from Key Largo to Key West on an epic road trip!! A lot of people visit the Keys and just go to Key West…

Don’t get me wrong, Key West is super fun, but it’s completely different from the rest of the Keys! Going to the Keys and just visiting Key West is like going to New York City and not leaving Times Square.. You’re just not getting the full experience!

The rest of the Florida Keys have such a charm about them, and you really need to experience all the different areas to appreciate it. The drive from Key Largo to Key West is only about 2 hours, so it’s totally doable in a long weekend. However, I recommend spending a week in the Keys to get the full experience!

In this itinerary, I go over exactly how to spend one week in the Keys, starting in the Upper Keys and making your way down to Key West, including things to do, where to stay, and more! So keep reading to plan your perfect road trip from Key Largo to Key West!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link or book through an affiliate program, I receive a small commission at no cost to you!

The Ultimate Key Largo To Key West Road Trip

Where to fly into.

For Florida locals, this trip obviously starts from wherever you live! However, if you’re not from Florida, you’re going to have to fly into one of the many Florida airports. You have a few options!

Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) often has cheap flights to other parts of the country and is only 1.5 hours (~75 miles) from Key Largo
Miami International Airport (MIA) is the closet airport to Key Largo (only 60 miles) and takes about an hour to get to Key Largo
Key West International Airport (EYW) is a much smaller airport and will likely be more expensive than FLL or MIA.

My recommendation: If you are able to book one way flights, I’d fly into Fort Lauderdale or Miami and then out of Key West (or the opposite) so you don’t have to drive up and down the length of the Keys twice!

Road Trip Map

I’ve put together the below map with all of my favorite spots from Key Largo to Key West, including restaurants, bars, hotels, and more! You can easily export this map into your own Google Maps so you can reference it during your trip 🙂

Packing List for Key Largo to Key West Itinerary

Your packing list for your Key Largo to Key West road trip will be very similar year-round, as there’s no harsh winters in this part of the USA. There might be a cold front in the winter requiring a sweater or jeans, but for the most part, you can get away with shorts, tshirts, and flip flops year round.. what a life right?!

Aside from normal items like clothes, there are some essentials I recommend for your trip to the Keys, whether or not you’re visiting in the summer, the winter, or somewhere in between! Make sure to check out my guide on What to Wear in Key West for more details!

1. Sunscreen (and lots of it!) : I will scream this from the mountain tops until I am blue in the face! If you are going to be oustide, you need to wear sunscreen. I highly recommend Supergoop! It’s my favorite brand ever (not sponspored by them) but I will recommend them forever. Their matte screen and unseen suncreen are next level – you will forget you even have it on! So no excuses, wear your SPF and protect yourself from those harmful rays!

2. Snorkel Gear : If you have your own gear, I highly recommend bringing it on your trip if you’re planning to be in the ocean more than once (which you should be!). If you don’t have your own, it may or may not be worth buying it. For example, if you’re doing a snorkel tour on your trip, they will likely provide gear for you. But if you know you are going to use it often, buying your own snorkel and masks is a great investment!

3. GoPro : If you’re visiting the Florida Keys, you will likely be getting out on the water. With the different shades of blue, the tropical fish, and the gorgeous coral heads, there is so much to document under the water, and a GoPro is the perfect tool to capture it all! I also highly recommend this floating hand grip , which will make sure you don’t lose your GoPro even if you drop it underwater!

4. Polarized Sunglasses / Hat : To protect yourself while you’re in the sun and out on the water! Polarized glasses will also help cut the glare on the ocean so you can see the wildlife! I love this inexpensive two pack from amazon!

5. Water Shoes : Okay by water shoes, I mean shoes that can get wet! not those dorky tourist shoes…lol! I have these Reef sandals that are totally waterproof and are great for outdoor adventures like kayaking, taking on a snorkel boat, etc.

Days 1-3: Upper Keys

The Upper Keys are my personal favorite part of the Keys, the most notable being Key Largo, Tavernier, and Islamorada. In my opinion, this is where the best restaurants and activities are, and this area truly resembles that “Florida Keys” lifestyle. Key Largo to Islamorada is only 17 miles, so you can really stay anywhere in between the two and tackle the whole area in a few days!

Where to Stay in the Upper Keys

Below is a quick overview of my favorite hotels in the Upper Keys, which includes Key Largo and Islamorada. You can also read more in my guides: Best Hotels in Key Largo and Best Hotels in Islamorada !

Kona Kai Resort: A budget-friendly resort nestled into the bayside! Perfect for those looking to escape the crowds. There are only 13 bungalows on the property, plus a pool, gallery, and more! You can read my full review of this property here .

Islander Resort : Mid-tier resort that is truly a slice of paradise! With over 114 rooms and suites, it’s perfect for those looking for more amenities on site, like bicycles, beach games, a poolside bar, and more!

Postcard Inn : Very similar to Islander, Postcard Inn offers reasonable prices with lots of onsite activities, including the famous Tiki Bar, home of the rum runner! Also has a little ocean lagoon for kayaking, paddle boarding, etc.

The Caribbean Resort : I might be a little biased since I got married here, but in my opinion, this is the most beautiful resort in the Florida Keys. With 22 unique Caribbean-style homes, a gorgeous zero-entry pool, and marina and fishing pier, you will not regret staying here! Check out my full review of the property here .

Playa Largo: An Autograph Resort collection hotel, Playa Largo feels more like a “hotel” than the others, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t gorgeous. The property is incredible, with a luxurious pool, beach bar, and plenty of activities to keep you busy. I recommend checking out their Sol By the Sea restaurant where you can dine in the water!

Day 1: Check in + Beers at Local Brewery

This itinerary assumes Day 1 is mostly a travel day! After you check into your hotel in the afternoon, I recommend heading to Islamorada Brewing & Distillery for some incredible local vibes. Here you can get Florida-inspired beer, like the Sandbar Sunday, plus some yummy snacks from their food truck!

In the evening, head just down the road to Shrimp Shack for dinner. This place was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, so you won’t regret it!

P.S. If you are thinking of heading to the Florida Keys, don’t forget to check out my Ultimate Florida Keys Travel Guide to help plan your trip!

Day 2: Get Out on the Water + Sunset Dinner

Water adventures.

On your second day in the Upper Keys, it’s time to get out on the water and enjoy what the Florida Keys are famous for! If you’re scuba certified, there are some awesome dives in Key Largo and Islamorada, like Spiegel Grove (wreck dive) and Molasses Reef. If you’re not scuba certified, don’t worry, there’s still plenty to do!

My favorite spot in the Upper Keys is Alligator Reef Lighthouse . It’s about a 30-minute boat ride out to the lighthouse, and you will be greeted with the most magnificent shades of blue water!

Plus, as you snorkel around and through the lighthouse, you will see tons of wildlife like tropical fish, nurse sharks, octopus, and maybe even some dolphins.

This spot is truly incredible, and you can visit here on a snorkeling tour from one of the many companies in Islamorada. You can read more about snorkeling in Islamorada in my guide here !

Another great option is visiting John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park , the United States’ first undersea park! Covering 70 nautical square miles, there are lots of great snorkel spots within and near the park, but my favorite (and probably the most popular) is the Christ Statue! You can read more about visiting this iconic spot in my Key Largo Snorkeling Guide !

Whichever snorkeling trip you choose, I recommend going out first thing in the morning. You will have the best weather (and smallest waves) during this time, and hopefully beat the crowds!

If you are not a big snorkeler, another great thing to do in the Upper Keys is go fishing. Did you know Islamorada is actually the sports fishing capital of the world ? Throughout the year, you can fish for incredible game like mahi, wahoo, marlin, and more!

Afternoon in Paradise

After your day out on the water, head to the famous Tiki Bar in Islamorada at Postcard Inn for some lunch and drinks. If you drink alcohol, you have to try a rum runner (with a floater!) – it was invented here! In the afternoon, relax at your hotel pool, maybe take a nap in a hammock.. hey, you’re on vacation right?

For dinner, I recommend checking out one of the incredible restaurants on the bayside so you can watch the sunset. Below are my favorites, and you can read more about the Best Restaurants in Islamorada here!

Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar
Snook’s Bayside Restaurant
Square Grouper
Morada Bay Beach Cafe & Bar
Marker 88 Restaurant

Day 3: Kayaking, Robbie’s, and Shopping

On your last day in the Upper Keys, head over to Robbie’s of Islamorada . This spot is famous for its tarpon feeding experience, so if that interests you, definitely do it!

After, you’ll be renting kayaks from here and doing one of their incredible backcountry tours ! You’ll get to kayak through the mangroves on the bayside and see some incredible wildlife. If you’re looking for something a little more adrenal-pumping, you can also do a jet ski tour, or maybe even parasailing.

Once your tour ends, have lunch at Robbie’s – their food is delicious! If you’re looking for more adventure in the afternoon, another awesome thing to do is visit Dolphins Plus . This non-profit is a rehabilitation center for dolphins and also offer the chance to swim with them. It is much more ethical than Theater of the Sea, which I DO NOT recommend visiting.

There are also some great souvenir shops in the Upper Keys you can visit if you’re looking to do a little shopping. My favorites are Shell World and the Rain Barrel.

In the evening, grab some drinks and watch the sunset at your hotel. Or, if you are up for another adventure, you can go on a Key Largo sunset cruise !

If your hotel has a fishing dock, I highly recommend grabbing some poles and doing a little bottom fishing in the evenings! It’s always fun to see what you can catch with a little bit of shrimp or ballyhoo.

If you need more ideas for activities, make sure to check out my list of the Top 20 Things to Do in Islamorada !

Day 4: Middle Keys and Drive to Key West

It’s time to start Phase 2 of your Key Largo to Key West road trip and start making your way down towards Key West along the Overseas Highway. Don’t worry, you’ll be breaking up the drive with a stop or two in the Middle Keys! If you love animals, the Turtle Hospital in Marathon is absolutely worth a visit.

Another great stop is Bahia Honda State Park . It’s $8 per vehicle to enter, but it’s totally worth it to spend a few hours on the beach, snorkeling, and just relaxing! Plus, there is an old railway bridge and a spot to rent kayaks and paddle boards.

Bahia Honda State Park, Marathon, Florida Keys

Note: As you make your way from the Middle Keys to K ey West, you will drive over the famous Seven Mile Bridge, which has a pretty unique history you can read more about here .

Another cool thing to do on the drive is visit the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key!! Key deer are endangered, so the Florida Keys do a lot to protect them. They are the smallest deer species in North America and only live in the Florida Keys! You can see them in the wild driving along No Name and Big Pine Key – it’s pretty awesome!

In the afternoon, finish your drive from Key Largo to Key West and check into your hotel.

Days 5-7: Lower Keys (Key West)

Where to stay in key west.

As you can see on the map above, if you want to be walking distance to all the main sites, you’ll need to stay in Old Town, but expect to pay a pretty penny! This area is small, with limited parking, but the most gorgeous, Queen Anne style houses and picturesque streets. It’s fun to stay down here but definitely not necessary!

There are plenty of resorts at the top of Key West, and most have shuttles to Old Town for free. We stayed at the Doubletree Hilton and it was perfect! Here are a list of hotels I recommend checking out across the different parts of Key West:

Havana Cabana at Key West (Budget/Moderate)
The Perry Hotel and Marina (Moderate)
Hilton Garden Inn (Moderate)
The Southernmost House (Moderate/Luxury)
Ocean Key Resort (Moderate/Luxury)
Casa Marina Key West (Extreme Luxury)

P.S. You can read more about where to stay and things to do in my perfect 3 Day Key West Itinerary !

Day 5: Water Adventure OR Fort Jefferson + Sunset at Mallory Square

Welcome to Key West! On your first full day, I highly recommend getting out on the water (do you see a theme here?!) Key West has tons of fun adventure activities to choose from. If you snorkeled in the Upper Keys, I would probably skip snorkeling in Key West (you will probably be disappointed – The Upper Keys definitely have the best snorkeling!)

Jet skiing around the island is super fun, and there’s also parasailing, dolphin watching, fishing, and more! GetYourGuide has tons of options – just take your pick!

Fort Jefferson State Park

If you’re REALLY up for adventure, I highly recommend visiting Fort Jefferson State Park at the Dry Tortugas. To get here, you either need to take the 3-hour Yankee Freedom ferry, or you can book a seaplane, but the latter is very pricey!!

Both options book up pretty far in advance, so if you think you want to visit, I recommend looking at your options as soon as possible! You can read more about visiting here .

Fort Jefferson is one of the coolest places I’ve ever visited! It’s a former military installation approximately 60 miles west of Key West in the middle of the ocean! The fort was never finished, but it was used during the Civil War and even held prisoners.

The fort is cool to walk around, plus there are incredible beaches and clear water surrounding the fort that you can snorkel and swim in. You can even camp here if you’re into that!!

Mallory Square

After your morning of adventure, head out and explore Old Town Key West, hit the shops, etc. This area is very walkable and there’s lots to keep you busy! In the evening, head down to Mallory Square to take part in the famous Sunset Celebration .

Here you’ll find street vendors and performers, andddd everyone else in Key West!! Hah. Just kidding, but it is a very popular place to watch the sunset, so expect crowds, and get there early if you want an unobstructed view!

Before (or after) sunset, I highly recommend getting dinner at Hot Tin Roof at the Ocean Key Resort . It was absolutely fabulous, and right on the water!! After dinner, when the sun goes down (cue Kenny Chesney song), one of the most famous parts of Key West comes alive – Duval Street!

If you’re over 21, Duval Street is a fun thing to experience once in your life.. It’s basically a tropical, slightly more tame Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Fair warning: it gets rowdy!!!!

Day 6: Brunch, Bikes, & Beach

On your second day in Key West, head straight to Blue Heaven as soon as they open for the MOST incredible breakfast of your life. The waffles are absolutely to die for. Also, Key Lime Pie as big as your head!! If you did the famous “Duval Crawl” last night, they also have some yummy drinks to cure that hangover!

After brunch, I recommend renting bikes from Eaton Bikes and exploring Key West on two wheels! Key West is extremely bike friendly, and it’s a great way to see the town. Bike over to the famous Southernmost Point sign and get your touristy photo! Nearby, you’ll also find the Key West Lighthouse , which offers great views of the island, as well as Ernest Hemingway’s House , which is cool even if you’re not a literature lover!

Grab lunch at one of the many places along Duval, and then head over to Smathers Beach and relax in the afternoon. Did you know there aren’t many beaches in the Keys? Luckily, Smathers is one of the most beautiful ones! It’s also one of the best free things to do in Key West !

Southernmost Point Marker Key West, Florida

Another cool thing to do in Key West if the above isn’t your style (or if you have more time) is to take the ferry over to Sunset Key to grab lunch or dinner at the award winning Latitudes Resort . It’s a quick 7-minute ferry, but you have to have a reservation at the restaurant or hotel to get on. The restaurant is pretty incredible and definitely worth a visit!

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my blog post on my Top 25 EPIC Things to Do in Key West!

In the evening, I highly recommend booking a sunset booze cruise. There are lots of options on Viator, but most include bottomless rum punch, live music, and yummy appetizers! It’s the perfect way to spend your last evening in Key West – out on the water! You can read my review of the Best Sunset Cruises in Key West here!

Day 7: Fly Home!

Today is unfortunately the day you leave the beautiful Keys… 🙁 If you have some time before your flight on your last day, feel free to explore Key West a little more in the morning. However, if you have to make the drive back to Fort Lauderdale or Miami on your last day, you need to give yourself PLENTY of time to make it back.. I’m talking A LOT of time.

Traffic in the Keys can get really bad since there is one road in and one road out. An accident can mean hours of delays. Take my word for it.. if you have a morning flight out of Fort Lauderdale or Miami, I recommend leaving Key West the night before and getting a hotel room near the airport instead. If you have an afternoon/evening flight, make sure you give yourself lots of extra time, especially during Miami rush hour!

Final Thoughts

That wraps up my Key Largo to Key West Road Trip itinerary! I hope I’ve shown you how incredibly special the Florida Keys are.

Like I mentioned, there are different ways to tackle this itinerary depending on what flights you can snag.. Key Largo to Key West or vice versa, it doesn’t matter! But booking one way flights will minimize your drive times and allow you to spend more time in paradise!

If you need more help planning your trip, check out my Ultimate Florida Keys Travel Guide to help be even more prepared for your journey from Key Largo to Key West! And if you have to choose only one Key to visit, here is my Key Largo vs Key West comparison guide !

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!

Key Largo to Key West Road Trip Itinerary graphic

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Key Largo To Key West – 24 Amazing Stops Not To Be Missed!

by waynekask | Mar 31, 2024 | Blog , Key West | 0 comments

Last Updated on March 31, 2024

The drive from Key Largo to Key West is a bucket list road trip. It’s simply one of the most beautiful drives you’ll ever experience.

This Overseas Highway part of the journey connects Southern Florida to the Southernmost Point in the US.

The road is marked with Mile Markers that end at Mile Marker zero upon your arrival in Key West.

This highway spans 113 miles and takes roughly 2.5 hours without stops. But sometimes, the fun in travel is making stops along the way to a destination.

A drive to Key West takes you through a chain of 800 Keys connected with 42 bridges. The most famous bridge is the Seven Mile Bridge at Marathon.

Along the way, a chain of islands off Florida’s southern coast slices the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

You can drive directly from Key Largo to Key West in less than half a day.

But to experience this unique part of the world, think about spending a few nights on one or more Keys before arriving in Key West.

Key West To Key Largo- Stops To Make Along The Way

Our list curates 24 amazing stops between Key Largo and Key West.

With car keys in hand, let’s get ready to count down the Mile Markers from 106 down to zero.

1. Far Beach

Located within John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the serenity of Far Beach is a great place to relax for an afternoon or stay for overnight camping.

This popular Key Largo beach provides many recreational opportunities, including swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and wildlife watching.

The beach includes a wide shallow section, and the water is distinctly warm, making it a perfect place for youngsters to have fun in the water.

If you’re looking for a place to start your Key Largo to Key West adventure, this beach is just a few minutes north of Key Largo.

Kayaks at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

2. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park features the only true living coral reefs in U.S. continental waters.

With 70 nautical square miles of natural beauty, this park offers a variety of activities for a fun-filled day for the family.

This state park is a main attraction in Key Largo and bears the nickname “dive capital of the keys.”

If you’re up for snorkeling or a scuba dive, you can see the nine-foot-tall “Christ of the Abyss” statue in 25 feet of water off the Key Largo coast.

Originally a gift from Italy in the 1960s, the statue continues to attract underwater adventurers.

Book a half-day tour to explore reefs that are part of the third-largest living reef system on Earth.

3. Bayside Grille & Sunset Bar

Dine in an island atmosphere experience at Bayside Grille. The elevated restaurant offers panoramic views of the Florida Bay.

The menu features local seafood, “certified” Angus steaks, and specialty cocktails. Bayside Grille is open for lunch and dinner daily.

It’s an excellent place to experience the sunset while dining.

So along with your appetite, bring your camera as the restaurant boasts having the most-photographed sunset in Key Largo!

Harry Harris Beach and Park Lagoon Florida Keys

4. Harry Harris Beach and Park

At mile marker 92.5 Oceanside in Tavernier, spend a pleasant beach day at Harry Harris Beach and Park.

This popular spot offers several amenities, including picnic tables, grills, playgrounds, and a bike path.

Youngsters will enjoy wading in the tidal pool. Just pack your lunch and drinks before arrival, as there are no concessions at this location.

5. Captain Dave Perkins Fishing Charters

Add a day of fishing during your journey to Key West. Captain Dave Perkins offers guided fishing charters in the upper Florida Keys.

Half-day and full-day charters are offered in the Florida Keys and the Everglades.

Guided by Captain Dave’s knowledge of the area, you’ll experience fishing in some of the most productive waters in the world.

Fish for Mackerel, Pompano, Redfish, Sea Trout, Snapper, Snook, Tarpon, and even Sharks.

You’ll have access to the best gear and tackle during your excursion.

The fishing is primarily catch and release, though there are certain species you can keep for a meal.

As a host for summer fishing camps, Captain Dave Perkins has much experience fishing with children and offers kid-friendly days on the water.

You can also bring your dogs on their boats.

Founders Park village in Islamorada Florida

6. Founders Park

Located bayside at Mile Marker 87 in Islamorada is Founders Park, a 45-acre multi-recreational facility.

This destination includes a full list of water activities, including kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling.

The beach sections offer a barbecue area with picnic tables, a section of trees for shade, and some of the cleanest facilities you’ll find at any beach in Florida.

A one-acre fenced dog park is available for your furry best friends.

Recreational facilities include baseball, basketball, golf driving cage, pickleball, soccer, and volleyball.

Swimmers will enjoy the Olympic size swimming pool with four springboards for divers.

And the serenity of the beach is a great place for yoga.

Photo credit – Wikimedia

Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park Entrance / gate

7. Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park

Located at Mile Marker 84.9 near Islamorada, Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park is set on Key Largo limestone (fossilized coral).

From the early 1900s until the 1960s, the quarry produced decorative stone called Keystone.

Explore 8-foot-high quarry walls, observe cross-sections of ancient coral, and see historic quarry machinery.

Five self-guided trails provide 1.5 miles of pathways to explore the island’s natural beauty.

You can see over 40 native species of trees and plants. Picnic tables are available throughout the park.

The Alison Fahrer Environmental Education Center (Visitors Center) offers an educational exploration of the area’s old railroad, Florida Keys geology, and more.

On weekends, guided tours are offered in the park.

Theater of the sea Florida Front view/ entrance

8. Theater Of The Sea

Theater of the Sea is a top attraction in Islamorada. The world’s second-oldest marine mammal center offers marine exhibits and live animal shows.

Various animals make their home in the lagoons and tropical gardens.

You can see dolphins, fish, sea lions, turtles, sharks, stingrays, alligators, and many bird species.

Enjoy a bottomless boat ride, spend time on the lagoon-side beach, or participate in a fish and reptile tour.

Immersive experiences let visitors swim with dolphins trained for dorsal tows, kisses, and hugs.

Dolphin Stadium offers excellent views from any seat to see the talents of the wonderful animals cared for at Theater of the Sea.

This family-owned attraction has been serving up family fun since 1946. The popular shows have even attracted Presidents Eisenhower and Truman to visit.

Plan a day enjoying the wonders of the sea during your journey to Key West.

Parade of Nations Exhibit in History of Diving Museum – Photo (c) Wikimedia

9. History Of Diving Museum

About 90 minutes south of Miami near Mile Marker 83 in Islamorada, you’ll arrive at The History of Diving Museum.

This museum preserves artifacts, documents, photographs, and oral history about the history of diving.

Inside is a history spanning nearly 4,000 years of the quest to explore the depths of the sea.

Exhibits include breath-holding apparatus’, diving machines, helmets, and underwater suits.

You’ll see one of the largest collections related to diving history in the world.

It’s a unique location for anyone with a passion for man’s exploration of the underwater world.

View to Old Bahia Honda Bridge from Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail

10. Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail- Fishing Pier

If fishing excites you, you’ll want to visit the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.

The historic bridges of this trail have some of Florida’s most popular spots for fishing.

Cast your line from the fishing platforms along the trail to land your big catch.

Enjoy magnificent views of the Florida Keys and watch pelicans and osprey joining the fishing fun.

Bring your fishing pole and experience the thrill of fishing on The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.

A close-up view of the exposed mangrove trees at Long Key State Park Florida

11. Long Key State Park

The beautiful Long Key State Park affords numerous recreational opportunities.

Fill your day of adventure at the park with hiking, kayaking, birding, flats fishing, snorkeling, or picnicking. You can rent a kayak from the ranger station.

The park is a great place to view the abundant natural plant life in the Keys and has restrooms and several picnic tables.

After sustaining Hurricane Damage in recent years, the park is open again after January 1, 2023.

The park’s hike-in and tent-only campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are the only camping option in the park.

12. Keys Cable Park

Halfway to Key West on Grassy Key, you can experience a fun way to shred water via an overhead cable system.

The 7-acre lake at Keys Cable Park offers two cables to pull riders on wakeboards, waterskis, or kneeboards across the picturesque water of the Florida Keys.

This experience is a water-ski adventure, but you are pulled by a motorized cable versus following behind a boat.

A higher tow point makes for an easier ride than conventional water skiing. Staff is available for sports coaching in cable riding.

With Mangroves protecting the lake from wind, you’ll find perfect riding conditions here.

And the cable systems here are powered by the sun providing a green source of wakeboarding.

The speed of the ride is adjustable for various ability levels.

Bottle Nose Dolphin At Dolphin Research Center Florida – Photo (c) Wikimedia

Dolphin-Research-Center at Grassy Key, Florida

13. Dolphin Research Center

Visit a nonprofit education facility to learn about dolphins. You can spend an hour or a whole day up close with dolphins.

Educational presentations are offered in an air-conditioned theater.

Learn fun facts about dolphins in narrated sessions, observe current research, and see dolphins at play.

You can meet dolphins up close and participate in a dolphin encounter swim.

And there’s more than dolphins at this center. Say hello to exotic birds.

Observe sea lions in a natural outdoor setting. Staff is available to answer your questions about marine life at the center.

A blue kayak along the shore of Coco Plum Beach Florida

14. Coco Plum Beach

Sandy beaches are not abundant in the Keys, so Coco Plum Beach is particularly attractive as it offers lots of sand.

This beach is perfect for a romantic stroll and a place to enjoy solitude.

People come here to catch the sun’s rays, relax, read a book, or swim in the water.

This beach is also a sea turtle nesting area. And it’s also a dog-friendly beach.

So, if your dog is traveling with you. add this stop to your itinerary.

15. Key Colony Beach Golf

If golf is your game, stop at Par-3 Key Colony Beach Golf. It’s a quaint course in a beautiful setting on the Florida Keys.

The total par-27 course has a distance of 962 yards. The average hole is 108 yards.

Pack your 9-iron, wedge, and putter for a few hours of fun. And don’t forget your suntan lotion.

You might even run into the occasional iguana on these grounds.

16. Sunset Park Beach

Sunset Park Beach offers clean sand, paths for strolling through a meadow located next to the beach, and room for kids to play and build sandcastles.

The park offers a few tables and bathrooms. Take a walk to the end of the small pier and admire the beautiful view.

Take your shoes off, sit on a rock, and let your feet dangle in the water.

As the name suggests, the best time to visit is just before sunset. Look west to watch the sun disappear below the horizon.

There are plenty of benches to sit on and watch the setting sun.

17. Sombrero Beach

The lovely Sombrero Beach on Marathon Key is a gem. This mangrove-free beach offers soft sand and turquoise waters.

It’s a perfect place for sunbathing or getting in the water for an afternoon of snorkeling.

Parking is free next to this beach. The grounds offer picnic pavilions, restrooms, showers, a children’s playground, and volleyball courts.

Sombrero Beach offers total handicap accessibility. Dogs are permitted on leashes.

Sombrero Beach is a nesting turtle beach, so during the active nesting season, human activity is curtailed near nests.

This still leaves 90% of the beach available for visitors to enjoy.

18. Seven Mile Bridge

After Sombrero Beach, our next stop is after Seven Mile Bridge. At Mile Marker 47, you’ll experience a journey over the world’s largest segmental bridge.

This engineering marvel connects the Upper Keys to the Lower Keys.

Aerial view of Bahia Honda State Park Bay

19. Bahia Honda State Park

We’re in the Lower Keys section of the journey at this point. Crossing over 7-Mile Bridge, consider a stop at Bahia Honda State Park before rushing to Key West.

When outdoor enthusiasts look for the best beaches in the Florida Keys, Bahia Honda State Park is at the top of the list.

This beach lovers’ destination has two beaches and camping.

It’s another place on your Florida Keys road trip route that offers sunbathing, swimming, kayaking, biking, and bird-watching opportunities.

It’s also one of the best places to snorkel in the Florida Keys.

20. Smathers Beach

Smathers Beach is the largest beach in Key West. This famous beach runs along the southern shore of the island and begins at Mile Marker Zero – the beginning of A1A.

If you want to enjoy some beach time, this place is for you. The beautiful sandy beach offers plenty of palm trees.

There is access to restrooms and shower facilities. You’ll find snacks and beverages from vending trucks parked by the beach.

For fun in the sun, head to the volleyball court. You can rent a kayak, jet ski, or stand-up paddle board for adventure in the water.

There’s also a swim zone for snorkelers.

Birds at Higgs Memorial Beach Park with beach background

21. Higgs Memorial Beach Park

Higgs Memorial Beach Park is county-owned and located in Key West.

The lower Florida Keys property has nearly 16.5 acres of oceanfront.

Its park includes the 400-foot-long Reynolds Street Pier.

This beach features a wide sandy area and clear shallow water.

You can rent all the necessary items for your perfect beach day from the concessionaire, including beach chairs, umbrellas, paddleboards, and kayaks.

The amenities include two children’s playgrounds, covered picnic tables, barbecues, restrooms and showers, tennis and volleyball courts, a restaurant, and more.

Free self-guided tours of the beautiful two-acre botanical garden area at Fort West Martello are offered by the Key West Garden Club.

You can see a Civil War Era Fort and the Fort West Martello home listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Also featured here is the African Refugee Memorial and burial site.

The park is pet-friendly, offering a large dog park with separate runs for small and large dogs.

Photo credit – Historic Tours of America

22. Old Town Trolley Tours Key West

Once you’re in Key West, the best way to get familiar with the area is to hop aboard the Old Town Trolley Tour.

Knowledgeable tour guides provide live narration during your tour.

The hop-on hop-off feature lets you ride all day long so you can explore the stops along the route at your own pace.

The company offers a mobile-device-ready interactive map to provide helpful information for your Key West exploration.

You can discover the entire town riding aboard the Old Town Trolley. There’s no stress of worrying about where to park your car.

Frequent pickups are offered at every stop, and you never have to walk too far before returning to the trolley again.

This tour is a wonderful way to explore the tropical paradise of Key West.

Highlights of this tour:

Discover more than 100 points of interest
Learn about the history of Key West from your friendly guide
Hop on and off at 12 convenient stops around the island

Book the Key West Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour

23. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Florida’s State Parks culminate with the park system’s southernmost location in Key West.

Step into history at the Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, a designated National Historic Landmark.

The fort hails from the mid-1800s as a defense fortress for the nation’s southeastern coast.

Guided tours are offered daily. This beautiful Civil War-era relic displays brick archways built by old-world craftsmen who brought castle-building skills to the United States.

You can see one of the country’s largest collections of Civil War armaments at this site.

At the park’s south end, you’ll find a popular beach that attracts swimmers, snorkelers, and fishing enthusiasts.

A short nature trail offers a pathway for a leisurely stroll.

24. Mallory Square

When you get about as far as you can go on your trip to Key West, you’ll reach Mile Marker 0, the southern end of the United States.

When you’re here, don’t miss Mallory Square. Located at the island’s northwest corner, the famous square offers breathtaking views and an atmosphere that makes time pass without notice.

This place is action-packed and a great spot to see the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.

Most evenings, the square becomes a festive spot filled with performers, street vendors, and plenty of food and drinks.

You can sample everything from Cuban food to conch fritters, a cold libation, and more.

If you want a souvenir from your trip, you’ll find an abundant selection in the numerous gift shops – but have cash available for payment.

There are plenty of artisan crafts unique to the area, including woven baskets, paintings, mouth-blown glass, and photography.

Mallory Square is a great place to end the day and celebrate the completion of your journey from Key Largo.

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Key West Boat Tours

When you arrive at Key West, it’s the end of the road for your vehicle.

However, you can still continue traveling by taking one of the many boat tours available in Key West.

Here are a few 5-star rated boat tours to book in Key West:

Photo credit – Key West Extreme Adventures

Feeding Sharks in a Shark and Wildlife tour in Key West

Shark And Wildlife Viewing Adventure in Key West

This tour is rated 5 Stars on Viator with over 1365 reviews!

Tour length- 2 Hours

Get close to marine wildlife on this Key West boat tour. You’ll travel on board a 34-foot catamaran to see dolphins, stingrays, turtles, and birds.

When the pilot drops bait into the water, watch as sharks come right up to the boat for their feast.

Bring your camera to capture the moment.

Book the Shark And Wildlife Viewing Adventure In Key West

Photo credit – Floridays

sunset sail in key west with bevearges included by floridays

Sunset Sail In Key West With Beverages Included

This tour is rated 5 Stars on Viator with over 485 reviews!

Tour length- 1 hour and 30 minutes

Set sail into the waters of Key West to catch a view of the magnificent sunset while enjoying drinks.

This intimate small group experience provides a relaxed way to enjoy the end of the day on a memorable sunset cruise.

Book the Sunset Sail In Key West With Beverages Included

Photo credit – Danger Charters

Half-Day Cruise From Key West With Kayaking And Snorkeling

This tour is rated 5 Stars on Viator with over 1080 reviews!

Tour length- 4 hours and 30 minutes

Enjoy a half-day of fun in the sun on this combination sailing, kayaking, and snorkeling adventure.

Cruises are available in the morning and afternoon. You’ll kayak through mangrove-canopied canals.

Then put on the snorkel and get in the water to see nearly 600 different marine species above a coral reef.

And while on the boat, enjoy snacks and drinks on a perfect Key West day.

Book the Half-Day Cruise From Key West With Kayaking And Snorkeling

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time do you need for key largo to key west drive with stops.

Depending on traffic, the 113-mile drive from Key Largo to Key West has a direct travel time of roughly 2.5 hours.

But with so many amazing stops available, you’ll have a fuller experience with one or more overnight stays during your journey.

Your best bets for a place to spend the night between Key Largo and Key West include Islamorada, Marathon, and the Lower Keys.

Yes, you can make the journey in half a day. But scheduling several days for this trip will provide enough time to fully experience the natural beauty and best stops between Key Largo and Key West.

Route To Take – How To Get From Key West To Key Largo?

By car, the route from Key Largo is a direct journey on US-1 South.

A trip by car is your best bet as you’ll have the most flexibility to plan an itinerary with stops along the way of your choosing.

Are There Tolls On The Route?

Florida has many toll roads. The good news is that once you enter the Florida Overseas Highway, your main pathway between Key Largo and Key West, there are no tolls .

If you spend more time in Florida, you may want to explore getting a SunPass.

Without this pass, you’ll be billed by the TOLL-BY-PLATE system, which adds an extra $25 fee on top of the toll.

Note that along the route to Key West, there is an old alternate toll road (905A Card Sound Road) for which you would need cash to cross a toll bridge.

You can complete the journey from Key Largo to Key West without paying toll fees.

Is There A Shuttle From Key Largo To Key West?

There is a bus service between Key Largo and Key West and a private shuttle option.

However, you’ll only want to consider this mode of transport if your main interest is to get directly to Key West without experiencing the many attractions en route from Key Largo.

If bus tickets are of interest to you, here are a few options:

Flixbus USA offers bus travel twice daily bus routes between these two locations.
Greyhound Bus Service operates between Miami, Key Largo, and Key West.
Private Shuttle: Florida Keys Express Shuttle

You may be interested in these related posts:

Best Sunset Cruises In Key Largo: Highest Rated Tours

Key Largo Snorkeling Tours: 9 Highest Rated In 2023!

Key West Jetski Rentals: 5 Best Tours In 2023!

Key West Kayaking Tours: 7 Highest Rated In 2023

Key West Snorkeling Tours: 12 Best Tours In 2023

Always On The Shore contains affiliate links and if you make a purchase, we make a small commission at no cost to you.

For more information, please read the disclaimer page .

Booking a last-minute trip to Key Largo or Key West?

If so, we have you covered. Here are some top recommended tours and experiences!

Top Tours in Key Largo

Snorkel Trip On Reefs In Florida Keys (Half-Day Snorkeling Tour From Key Largo)

Key Largo Snorkeling Tour (With Gear, Snacks and Drinks!)

Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Adventure ( Explore Key Largo’s Wildlife And Ecosystem)

Top Tours in Key West

Key West Sunset Sail (With Full Bar, Live Music, and Hors D’oeuvres)

Key West Reef Snorkeling Excursion (Half-Day Snorkeling Tour In Key West Florida)

Key West Mangrove Kayak Eco Tour ( Kayak Tour Of Key West Mangroves)

Top Hotels In Key Largo

Atlantic Bay Resort – (High-Rated Beach Front Resort)

Seafarer Key Largo Resort And Beach – (Budget Hotel Nearby Beach)

Top Hotels In Key West

Douglas House – (Top-Rated Hotel Perfect For Couples!)

The Capitana Key West – (Top-Rated Luxury Hotel In Key West)

Looking To Get Around In Key Largo or Key West?

Check out rental car rates here! 🚗

Travel resources.

Book Your Next Trip! For Accommodations and short-term rentals, I recommend Booking.com as they are the best in the business when it comes to rates and places to stay.

To Book Activities- For activities, I suggest booking with Viator , they have thousands of 5-star activities to choose from!

Looking To Start Your Own Travel Blog Or Take Yours To The Next Level?

Check Out This Free Workshop! – I personally joined Scale Your Travel Blog in 2021 and my website has grown exponentially.

The Best Florida Keys Road Trip From Key Largo To Key West

Florida Keys Road Trip | Things to Do in the Keys | Road Trip | Dock

It's not every day you can drive to an island, much less an entire chain. Grab your car, your sunglasses and a road trip buddy, and take a driving tour of the islands of the Florida Keys. Here's the can't-miss stops along the way.

Florida Keys Through Instagram Photos | How to Dress (or Undress) for Fantasy Fest

Florida Keys Road Trip | Things to Do in the Keys | Road Trip | Snorkeling

Perfect Key Largo to Key West drive for VIEWS + camping 🌴🐠 Florida Keys road trip stops 🌴🐠 Florida travel blog

So you want to do an epic Florida Keys road trip by driving from Key Largo to Key West !

How long is the drive from Key Largo to Key West?

Driving directly, it might take around 2.5 hours of driving time from Key Largo to Key West.

map of Key Largo to Key West drive. florida keys road trip map. florida travel blog

So it’s obviously doable to drive from Key Largo to Key West in one day.

But, should you make it a day trip to Key West from Key Largo?!

Making it a Key Largo day trip to Key West means that you’ll likely have at least 5 hours of driving time.

So then, should you stop over along the way… or even stop overnight in Key West?!

You can take a look at the list below to see if you think you will be happy with a day trip from Key Largo, or if you want an extra day (or more!) to explore the Florida Keys between Key Largo and Key West!

Of course, there are many different ways you can do this drive depending on your time and interests!

Key Largo to Key West drive: best stops between key largo and key west. florida keys road trip. florida travel blog

Below will show some ideas of stops you can make as you make the drive from Key Largo to Key West… that includes some of the prettiest stops in the Florida Keys that I made!

Florida state parks between Key Largo and Key West

There are a few Florida state parks between Key Largo and Key West.

The Florida Park Service says that you can see the “real Florida” when you go to state parks.

In general, Florida state parks have an entry fee.

This ranges from around $3 to $8 per car for the state parks on the list below.

If you plan on making this the year of visiting many Florida state parks, then there is also an annual Florida state park pass that you can buy when you arrive at any Florida state park that is staffed.

Even with the Florida state park pass, you may or may not be charged an extra 50 cents for the county tourism fee for any of the state parks in the Florida Keys.

Florida state parks also have picnic tables so they can also make for a perfect stop for a picnic.

So stop by a Publix grocery store for prepared food or picnic food and eat your meal outdoors with views!

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You can find a Publix in Key Largo and Key West, as well as in Islamorada and Marathon which you will pass along the way.

Also, there are state parks in the Florida Keys that are located between Key Largo and Key West that offer kayaking, including kayak rentals.

So if kayaking in the Florida Keys interests you, be sure to look further into that!

Florida Keys state park camping between Key Largo and Key West

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There are state parks in the Florida Keys that are located between Key Largo and Key West that offer camping.

This includes tent camping and RV camping… and car camping, van camping, etc!

Finding open campsite availability at state park campgrounds in the Florida Keys is known to be (very) difficult.

State park campgrounds in the Florida Keys are often fully booked 11 months in advance when campsites open up for booking!

But don’t worry, not all hope is lost if you aren’t capable of planning that far in advance. (And even if you were, it’s also known to be difficult. Reports indicate campsites can get snatched up within the first 5 minutes… or less!)

If your Key Largo to Key West road trip is just a few months, weeks, or even days away, cancellations do happen. You just have to get lucky and search for campgrounds immediately after someone cancels.

Your “luck” will increase the more you search, and the closer you are to your travel date.

Searching over and over (and over 😜) does really work. I spent 2 weeks camping in the Florida Keys in Florida state parks!

In case you are not able to find availability and/or you just want to get something booked, a good back-up campground near the Florida Keys can be Long Pine Key campground in Everglades National Park . This is just outside Homestead FL. I camped there for one night and the campground was practically empty when campgrounds in the Florida Keys were full.

I have found camping availability open up weeks away, days away, and even the day before. There was one day that I was looking for a campsite for the next night and ALL state park campgrounds in the Florida Keys had availability!!! (Decisions! Which to stay at?!)

So, while it’s not something to depend on, it’s something you can look for.

1 night stays will generally be easier to find than multi-night stays.

You will find the greatest difficulty in finding open campgrounds for Saturday nights.

More below for ideas on places to stop driving from Key Largo to Key West!

Key West snorkeling tour to North America's only living coral reef
Jet ski tour of Key West's backcountry
Key West dolphin watching tour + reef snorkeling

What are the prettiest views to be seen on a Florida Keys drive from Key Largo to Key West?

key largo to key west road. florida keys road. overseas highway. florida keys road trip travel blog

The speed limit on the main road through the Florida Keys (the Overseas Highway) is mostly 55mph, but it’s possible that could be reduced to driving at 45mph even with the higher speed limit.

The vast majority of the Overseas Highway has no passing lane, so you can only go as fast as the car in front of you… which is sometimes 45mph in a 55 mph zone.

florida keys road trip map. map of Key Largo to Key West drive. florida travel blog

1. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is one of the most popular state parks in the Florida Keys.

And yes, there is coral reef at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park!

This state park in the Florida Keys is considered mostly to be an underwater park.

This means that in order to see the coral reef that John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is known for, you need to take a boat ride out to the reef!

This means that a John Pennekamp tour includes an epic boat ride in the Florida Keys to see amazing water color!

You can see the underwater life by getting in the water or by staying dry.

You have the option to take a snorkeling tour or a glass bottom boat tour .

Key Largo to Key West drive: Key Largo to john pennekamp coral reef state park. snorkeling between key largo and key west. florida keys road trip travel blog

And yes, both are worth it so you can get that boat ride in the Florida Keys and take a ride out on the ocean!

If you will be driving to Key West though, you will pass by one of the best snorkeling spots in the Florida Keys, so you may want to wait until you start driving south to do a snorkeling tour! That’s coming up later on the list!

And then, if you are interested in seeing a small shipwreck, you can do snorkeling from shore at John Pennekamp State Park… and then maybe you will see some underwater life while you are at it!

See more about planning your drive from Key Largo to Key West: Snorkeling in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Camping between key largo and key west:.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park campground (tent camping, RV camping)
How to make John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park camping reservations

2. Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park, Windley Key

For a look at fossilized coral reef, you can make a stop at Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological Park.

You can take a walk to see the ancient coral reef in its original location.

Windley Key Fossil Reef State Park has a state park entry fee. This is around $2.50 per person. See current fees.

If you will be staying in Key Largo, then Windley Key is an easy going spot you can visit as a trip from Key Largo.

3. Lazy Days restaurant, Islamorada FL

Key Largo to Key West drive: key largo to lazy days, islamorada restaurant. waterfront restaurant between key largo and key west. florida keys road trip travel blog

Lazy Days can be a stop for food with a waterfront view!

If you will be staying in Key Largo, then Lazy Days in Islamorada is a waterfront restaurant you can go to as a trip from Key Largo.

4. Long Key State Park, Long Key

Key Largo to Key West drive: Key Largo to long key state park. florida keys travel blog

Long Key State Park can be a perfect picnic stop!

There are picnic tables that are right along the water so you can eat with views!

Or just sit and enjoy the views from Long Key!

There are kayak rentals at Long Key State Park.

Long Key State Park has a state park entry fee. This is around $5 per person. See current fees.

Long Key State Park campground (currently walk-in tent camping only)
Curry Hammock State Park campground (tent camping, RV camping)
How to make Florida state park camping reservations

5. Sombrero Beach, Marathon FL

Key Largo to Key West drive: key largo to marathon. key largo to sombrero beach. best beaches between key largo and key west. florida keys travel blog

Sombrero Beach is the best beach in Marathon FL, and it’s also known as one of the best beaches in the Florida Keys.

6. Seven Mile Bridge, Overseas Highway

Basically your entire drive in the Florida Keys along the main road is the road called Overseas Highway.

But it’s Seven Mile Bridge that will really have you understanding why it’s the Overseas Highway! (Although you will be driving “overseas” on many smaller bridges up until this point!)

This isn’t necessarily a stop to make on your drive from Key Largo to Key West, but it’s an icon of a Florida Keys drive!

If you are still not sure about driving all the way to Key West and you’re wondering how far south you should drive otherwise… your answer is a drive across the Seven Mile Bridge!

If you’ll be getting to the Seven Mile Bridge around sunset time, then Seven Mile Bridge can make for an epic Florida Keys sunset too!

You can find parking areas on either side of the bridge.

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7. Bahia Honda State Park

Best Florida Keys road trip stops. Key Largo to Key West drive: key largo to bahia honda state park. florida state parks between key largo and key west. florida keys road trip travel blog

So you now know that you need to drive as far as Seven Mile Bridge.

And since you have made it to Seven Mile Bridge, you can make Bahia Honda State Park your turnaround point if you decide you don’t want to go all the way to Key West!

It will be just a few minutes further.

Bahia Honda State Park is one of the most popular state parks in the Florida Keys.

This is where you will find another icon of the Florida Keys, the Old Bahia Honda railway bridge. You can actually see the old bridge if you do continue your drive without stopping at Bahia Honda State Park.

You’ll see it as you continue your drive to Key West.

But if you do stop at Bahia Honda State Park, you can get a classic view of the old bridge.

And you can also get amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean!

There are also beaches in Bahia Honda State Park for swimming.

Best Florida Keys road trip stops. Key Largo to Key West drive: key largo to bahia honda state park. best beaches between key largo and key west. florida keys travel blog

You can also try snorkeling in Bahia Honda State Park for a chance to see some underwater life.

Emphasis on CHANCE!

The fish are wild and they do what they want when they want!

That said, I did have some fun snorkeling experiences in Bahia Honda State Park!

It’s considered one of the best beach snorkeling spots in the Florida Keys .

Best Florida Keys road trip stops. Key Largo to Key West drive: key largo to bahia honda state park. best shore snorkeling between key largo and key west. florida keys travel blog

Bahia Honda State Park also has picnic tables so it can make for perfect stop for a picnic with views!

Key Largo to Key West drive: key largo to bahia honda state park. picnic areas between key largo and key west. Best Florida Keys road trip stops. Best Key Largo to Key West road trip stops. florida keys road trip travel blog

There are kayak rentals at Bahia Honda State Park.

If you will be at Bahia Honda State Park for sunset, then this can also make for a sunset spot in the Florida Keys.

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Bahia Honda State Park has a state park entry fee. This is around $8 per car. See current fees.

Bahia Honda State Park has 3 campgrounds.

Buttonwood Campground and the newly opened back up Sandspur Campground (previously closed due to hurricane damage) are for tent camping and RV camping.

Bayside Campground is for tent camping only.

All campgrounds have waterfront campsites… although not all campsites are waterfront!

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There are also waterfront cabins in Bahia Honda State Park. (Again, good luck getting a reservation!)

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See more about planning your drive from Key Largo to Key West:

Things to do in Bahia Honda State Park
Best Bahia Honda State Park snorkeling
Bahia Honda State Park campgrounds (tent camping, RV camping)
How to make Bahia Honda State Park camping reservations

8. Looe Key reef

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Looe Key is more than just a simple stop as it’s all about snorkeling at the Looe Key reef!

And, it requires a boat ride to get out to Looe Key! (Which is not actually an island, but just a location of the reef!)

Looe Key is considered among the best snorkeling in the Florida Keys.

This means that Looe Key can make for the best snorkeling between Key Largo and Key West!

So if you are going to do just one snorkeling tour in the Florida Keys, you likely won’t be disappointed if you make it a Looe Key snorkeling tour !

Here are the top ways to get a Looe Key snorkeling tour:

Bahia Honda State Park Looe Key snorkeling tour
Captain Hook’s, Big Pine Key
Looe Key Reef Resort, Ramrod Key

So if you’re staying in Key Largo and depending on your plans, you may opt to make it a separate day trip to Looe Key from Key Largo, instead of something to do on your way to Key West.

It might take about 1.5 hours to drive one way from Key Largo to do a Looe Key snorkeling tour.

Key Largo or Looe Key for snorkeling tour?

I did a Key Largo snorkeling tour from John Pennekamp State Park , and I also did a Looe Key snorkeling tour from Bahia Honda State Park .

On both of the snorkeling tours, it was a boat ride out to a reef.

If you will in fact be heading further down south in the Florida Keys to Key West, then you may want to see about choosing the Looe Key snorkeling tour.

I thought my experience of the Looe Key snorkeling was amazing!

Personally, I thought my Key Largo snorkeling tour was okay.

And I need to add the disclaimer, your experience may vary, and you may see more than I did while snorkeling in Key Largo!

When you sign up for a Key Largo snorkeling tour, you might go to any number of snorkeling spots along the coral reef. You might go to a better spot.

Apparently, the snorkeling spot that I ended up at as part of my Key Largo snorkeling tour seems like it’s a spot when snorkeling conditions at the best snorkeling spots near Key Largo are no good.

So it seems like I snorkeled at more of a second-tier snorkeling spot.

And well, I must say I did end my Key Largo snorkeling tour feeling a little disappointed that I didn’t see more underwater life.

This isn’t to say that I didn’t seen anything or that it’s not worth it if the coral reef destination of your Key Largo snorkeling tour is just an “okay” snorkeling spot.

I did see some underwater marine life.

And if Key Largo is your only chance at reef snorkeling in the Florida Keys, then I would say it’s very possible that you’ll be happy with what you see and that a Key Largo snorkeling tour can be worth it.

I wouldn’t say it was a wasted trip at all.

Plus, a Key Largo snorkeling tour comes with an amazing boat ride in the Florida Keys out to the reef!

The Key Largo snorkeling tour was the first snorkeling I did in the Florida Keys, and I wasn’t sure if it was just that my expectations were too high.

Well, it turns out, I did later go to other snorkeling spots in the Florida Keys where I did have happy snorkeling experiences… like at Looe Key!

So again, it really depends on snorkeling conditions, but it seems like if you have the option, Looe Key really is where you’ll have a higher chance of better snorkeling in the Florida Keys.

I saw a shark 5 times in Looe Key! I didn’t see any sharks snorkeling near Key Largo.

No matter which snorkeling tour you choose, it’s important to know that sometimes snorkeling tours get cancelled.

It could be for reasons like visibility and snorkeling conditions, or it could be for other reasons.

Snorkeling tours can also sell out.

So it could be best to plan ahead to avoid disappointment.

Looe Key snorkeling

9. Blue Hole, Big Pine Key

If you don’t mind making a 30 minute detour for a chance to see alligators in the Florida Keys, then you can head to Blue Hole on Big Pine Key.

And, emphasis on CHANCE!

Alligators are wild so they do what they want when they want!

That said, there are alligators that like to hang out at Blue Hole, so it can be one of your best chances to see alligators in the Florida Keys.

I actually went out to Blue Hole 3 times… because I didn’t see alligators the first 2 times!

But finally I did see an alligator at Blue Hole!

10. Key West

And you’ve made it to Key West!!!

There are many different ways to see Key West.

To get you started, you can make Smathers Beach your first destination in Key West.

Smathers Beach is one of the best beaches in Key West, and it will give you the tropical vibes you’ve imagined!

Key Largo to Key West drive: Key Largo to smathers beach. florida keys road trip travel blog

You’ll also pass by mile marker 1 with a drive along the coast on your way!

Key Largo to Key West drive: Key Largo to mile marker 1. florida keys road trip travel blog

Right in front of Smathers Beach is paid parking for $5 per hour. ($2.50 if you think you’ll be in and out in 30 minutes!)

Or if you don’t mind walking an extra 5 to 10 minutes, then further east (or “north”) you can find free parking. This is in the area of the mile marker 1.

Just be mindful of the parking signs!

If you don’t see any “no parking” or “paid parking” signs, you can probably feel safe about parking there!

And then, you can continue the drive to mile marker 0!

Key Largo to Key West drive: Key Largo to mile marker 0. florida keys road trip travel blog

You will also probably want to at least drive by the southernmost point of the continental United States .

Key Largo to Key West drive: key largo to southernmost point of continental usa. florida keys road trip travel blog

If you want to park and take pictures here, then expect to wait in a line to take a picture with one of Key West’s most famous icons.

The Southernmost Point is a very touristy spot so you can expect crowds here in Key West.

Key Largo to Key West drive: key largo to southernmost point of continental usa. key west crowded. florida keys road trip travel blog

Once again, there’s paid parking directly around the southernmost point. And once again, the paid parking near the southernmost point is $5 per hour.

Or if you don’t mind walking an extra 10 minutes, you might be able to find free parking if you’re lucky and/or it’s not too busy of a day!

To get you started on where you look for free parking, you can look on South Street beyond Duval Street in the direction that’s further away from the southernmost point.

And then if you want to park and leave your car behind, you can get on the free Duval Loop bus to further explore Key West!

Or, you can get back in the car to drive to one of the best snorkeling spots in Key West !

Then, once you’ve spent all the time that you want in Key West, you can start making your way back up north to Key Largo!

Florida Keys road trip: Key West to Key Largo drive: Florida A1A north. best florida keys drive. florida keys travel blog

Key Largo to Miami

And then if you’re headed to Miami after Key Largo, where to go if you want to make a quick stop with epic views?!

Make a stop at South Pointe Park of Miami Beach !

Key Largo to Key West to Key Largo to Miami drive. florida keys road trip travel blog

And then if you’re headed further north, you can make a stop north of Orlando at one of the Ocala National Forest springs in Central Florida!

HAPPY DRIVING IN THE FLORIDA KEYS FROM KEY LARGO TO KEY WEST!

A Brunette Travels

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Ultimate Road Trip from Key Largo to Key West

Last updated on August 30th, 2023 at 04:06 pm

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Chris and I have been to Key West several times and like many people, we thought this was the Keys. It wasn’t until moving down to Florida that we decided to make the drive down. We knew we wanted to take our time and enjoy the drive. Chris kept telling me, the journey is the destination. Here you will find a guide of 15 places to visit to make this the ultimate road trip from Key Largo to Key West.

The first town of the Florida Keys and the first to be reached by the Overseas Highway. Because the islands are narrow, all of the stops, except for Key West are located at their specific mile marker.

1. Caribbean Club

This is a must stop for fans of the movie Key Largo. Waterfront views, great drinks and movie memorabilia only add to the charm of this club that was used during the filming of the movie. Depending on your timing, this is an excellent place to watch a beautiful Keys sunset.

Location- Mile marker 104.1

2. African Queen

Humphrey Bogart fans will delight in having another piece of movie history to visit. Imagine being transported back to 1951 when the movie was filmed as you step aboard this iconic vessel. Next, you will sit back and relax on a 90 minute cruise down the Port Lago Canals. Cruises depart from the Marina del Mar. Check the website for booking information.

Location- 527 Caribbean Drive

The sport fishing capital of the world. Islamorada also encompasses 6 of the Florida Keys. It also has several stops on our road trip from Key Largo to Key West. The laid back vibe and great restaurants and bars makes this our favorite place to stay.

3. The Blonde Giraffe

The search for the best Key Lime pie ends here. Trust me, if you like this creamy, tart dessert, you need to visit the Blonde Giraffe . As you gaze over the perfectly cut pieces of pie, you will have the difficult task of choosing one. We chose Key Lime with whipped cream and chocolate Key Lime. After making our selections, we wandered out to the beautiful garden behind the shop. Enjoy your pie and reflect on the satisfaction of finding the best Key Lime pie.

Location- Mile marker 92.2

4. History of Diving Museum

Diving is one of the most popular activities in the Keys, so it’s no wonder the History of Diving Museum is located in Islamorada. You will discover the world’s largest collection of diving equipment and memorabilia that spans more than 30 countries. Additionally, you will learn about the museum’s founders, Drs. Joe and Sally Bauer. The museum features special exhibits and presentations so make sure to visit their website for an up to date schedule.

Location- Mile marker 83

5. Rain Barrel Village

Two words used to describe the Keys are funky and artsy. Rain Barrel Village embodies both of those. Here you will find an eclectic assortment of craft, art and souvenirs. But, don’t be deceived by the building, there is a sprawling area in the back with a variety of unique shops. Rain Barrel Village is easy to spot–just look for Betsy, the 30′ tall lobster standing at the entrance. She happens to be the 2nd most photographed spot in the Keys.

Location- Mile marker 86.7

6. Islamorada Brewing

Craft beer lovers, rejoice! There are 2 choices for local breweries in Islamorada. As you enter Islamorada Brewing Company, you order at the bar and then proceed to the outdoor beer garden to enjoy beer. Having trouble deciding which beer to try? Get a flight! This is the perfect way to sample their beer. Not a beer fan? Fortunately, Islamorada offers cocktail flights. If all of this drinking is making you hungry, order from the food truck located in their beer garden to satisfy your food cravings. Lastly, be sure to check their website for the live music schedule.

Location- Mile marker 82

7. Morada Bay

The Beach Cafe at Morada Bay embodies everything about the Keys lifestyle. It is Laid back, yet beautiful and tropical vibe creates a vacation vibe from the moment you enter. We had dinner here our first night and are glad we did. Arriving in time for a pre-dinner drink while enjoying a beautiful sunset was the perfect start to our visit. We opted for the fish tacos, and they were wonderful. A word of caution-the pepper on top is HOT!

Location- Mile marker 81.6

8. Florida Keys Brewing Company

The second brewery you will come to, the Florida Keys Brewing Co. is the Upper Keys first microbrewery. Additionally, it is located across the street from Morada Bay. Considering its location, it is a perfect stop either before or after dinner. Similar to Islamorada Brewing Company, you can choose your favorite pint or flight and head out to the beer garden. For those wanting food, there is a food truck located out front 7 days a week. Lastly, make sure to check out their website for live music and events.

9. Robbie’s of Islamorada

Long considered a “must visit” in the Keys, Robbie’s offers a little bit of everything. Whether you ae wanting to rent a boat, take a jet ski tour, relax on a sunset cruise or feed one of the 100’s of massive Tarpons, it is all available at Robbie’s. Because of this, you will want to add it to your list of places to visit. Not feeling brave enough to risk your arm with the Tarpons? No problem! You can still experience it by watching others. Either way, it is a site to behold. Robbie’s website has a detailed menu of the activities available.

Location- Mile marker 77.5

Marathon is a city that spreads over 7 Keys. It is also the area where Loggerhead turtles nest, thus one of the reasons the turtle hospital is located here.

10. Turtle Hospital

Everyone has their own list of what is a “must see.” For us, the turtle hospital is high on that list. Because this is a working hospital, you must go on one of their guided tours. Our tour lasted 90 minutes and was informative and fun. Of course, the best part is getting to visit all of their sea turtles. You will get an up-close view of these beautiful creatures. Just remember to keep your hands back as touching them isn’t allowed. Reservations can be made online . We made ours the same day, but the tours can fill up.

Location- Mile marker 48.5

If you enjoy sea turtles and their habitat, you might be interested in this .

11. 7 Mile Bridge

Beginning in Marathon, the 7 Mile Bridge will connect you to the Lower Keys. Interestingly, the drive isn’t just about the bridge you are driving across, but the structures that came before it. At the same time you are enjoying the water, sea birds, boats and swaying palms, you can also get a view of the old bridge. What originally was a railroad bridge that was completed in 1912 and destroyed by a Labor Day hurricane in 1935. You can see parts of the bridge that still stands today. If you are so inclined, read about the history of the 7 Mile Bridge. You will be amazed at the tenacity it took to make it happen and the sheer engineering genius. You will also be saddened by its untimely demise.

The most well known of the Keys. It is known more its coral reefs, diving and snorkeling than beach vacations. It is also the only Key that has a cruise port, thus the cruise crowds follow.

12. Ernest Hemingway House

Every old home has a story and Hemingway’s has a novel. Even if you aren’t familiar with his literary works, the Hemingway House is worth visiting. Your tour guide will spill some of the details of Hemmingway’s tumultuous life. As an added bonus, 90% of the furniture and artifacts are original, down to the flooring, which was imported from France. You can almost hear his typewriter snapping each key when you visit his office. If after visiting you get the urge to read one of his novels, you can purchase one at the bookstore located on the property. Chris bought The Sun Also Rises–one of Hemingway’s books he hasn’t read. Lastly, if you are a cat lover, you will surely feel a connection to Ernest. He loved cats and had several over the years. There are still cats on the property today. In fact, there were 57 when we visited.

Location- 907 Whitehead Street

13. Truman Little White House

For those who enjoy history, The Truman Little White House is a fun and informative visit. Even if you don’t consider yourself a history buff, it’s worth going by the grounds. A ticket is not required to walk the grounds, visit the gift shop or see the presidential limousine. Until visiting, I had no idea that official duties were conducted in Key West or the number of politicians and entrepreneurs who visited here. At the very least, it is worth a quick visit for the historic architecture and grounds.

Location- 111 Front Street

14. Southernmost Point

It almost seems unthinkable to visit Key West and not visit the southernmost point. In fact, it is the most photographed spot in the Keys. Quite honestly, there isn’t much to see other than the iconic red, black and yellow buoy with the “90 miles to Cuba” famously written across it. Still, it’s a great place to see when you are in Key West and you don’t want to miss out on that photo do you?

Location- 1400 Whitehead Street

15. Mallory Square

Last, but certainly not least, Mallory Square. This is the perfect ending for your road trip from Key Largo to Key West. Just like the southernmost point, it’s hard to imagine going to Key West and not watching a sunset from Mallory Square. The area comes alive as the sun starts to set as crowds of people slowly arrive to watch the colorful display. What is a more perfect way to end your day than casually strolling and admiring the local craft vendors, grabbing something to eat from one of the food trucks and choosing the perfect spot to watch the clear blue sky turn stunning shades of pink, purple and orange? I don’t think there is one.

Location- 420 Wall Street

I hope you enjoy this list for the ultimate road trip from Key Largo to Key West as much as Chris and I did. I also encourage you to look for other sites you think look like fun. There is so much to see and do in the Keys. I would love to hear about what your favorites are.

If you are planning a Florida Keys roadtrip and are looking for hotel options, try here for available resorts.

About Author

Hi, I'm Rachel and I love to travel. I'm a wife and mother who has always loved to travel. My husband and I are empty nesters and dedicating more time to travel. Join me as we dream and plan the next vacation.

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Key Largo to Key West road trip

Post last modified: April 29, 2024

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Driving from Key Largo to Key West is a bucket list experience. The Overseas Highway , taking you from key to key all the way down to Key West, is one of the truly great American roads. Also capturing all the highlights along the way, this ultimate Key Largo to Key West road trip itinerary ensures that you make the most of the splendid occasion.

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Route from Key Largo to Key West

Start: Key Largo
Finish: Key West
Total distance: 97 mi / 156 km
Total driving time: 2 h

1. Key Largo

The 33-mile (53 km) Key Largo welcomes you to the Florida Keys. It’s the largest island in the archipelago, and it gives you plenty of reasons to linger around.

Highlights:

Overseas Highway – Enter the breathtaking highway that will take you all the way to Key West.
John Pennekamp – Dive, snorkel or take a glass-bottom boat tour around lively coral reefs.
African Queen – Cruise tranquil canals aboard the African Queen, the steamboat made famous via the namesake 1951 movie, starring Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart.

More info: Best Key Largo resorts

Overseas Highway sign in Key Largo, Florida, USA

2. Islamorada

Driving distance: 17 mi / 27 km
Driving time: 0.5 h

Water activities abound in Islamorada, known as the sport-fishing capital of the world.

Indian Key – Paddle the short distance over to the island once seat of Dade County but nowadays uninhabited.
Robbie’s – Feed hungry tarpons, sit down for a meal and browse the souvenir shop at a Florida Keys institution.
Alligator Reef – Book a diving or snorkeling trip to the iconic offshore home to not only colourful fish but also a shipwreck and a lighthouse.

More info: Things to do in Islamorada & Islamorada lodging

Clear waters, white sand and swaying palm trees in Islamorada, Florida

3. Marathon

Driving distance: 30 mi / 48 km

Before you know it, you have arrived at the Florida Keys’ heart, halfway between Key Largo and Key West.

Sombrero Beach – Cool off at one of the Florida Key’s most beautiful sand beaches.
Florida Keys Turtle Hospital – Learn and support the rehabilitation of Florida Keys turtles.
Crane Point – Blend human history with a lovely 1.5-mile (2.4 km) hike through hardwood hammock and mangrove forest.

Aerial view of iconic Seven Mile Bridge spanning the clear blue waters of the Florida Keys

4. Lower Keys

Driving distance: 21 mi / 34 km

Now the Key Largo to Key West road trip is getting really deep into the Florida Keys. The Lower Keys is the area of the Keys after the Seven Mile Bridge, which includes every key from Bahia Honda Key and Big Pine Key until Key West.

Unwind on Bahia Honda Beach

Spending time in Florida Keys is as much about unwinding as it is about seeing things.

Sombrero Beach, situated higher up in the Florida Keys, is always mentioned as one of the best beaches in the region. Another renowned beach not to miss on the Key Largo to Key West road trip is located in the Lower Keys, Bahia Honda Beach.

In Bahia Honda State Park you find a picturesque beach for perfect days in the sun. The beach, overlooking the historic Bahia Honda Rail Bridge, has crystal-clear water and lots of shoreline to explore. Its shallow water makes it a great stop for families.

Unload all your beach gear, and preferably a tasty picnic, for this one.

Gaze at the tiny Key deer

Big Pine Key is the place of the National Key Deer Refuge . It has been established to protect Florida Keys wildlife, most famously the Key deer.

The Key deer is the tiniest member of the North American white-tailed deer family. So you might be surprised about how small it really is.

Covering 9,000 acres, the refuge is also home to the Lower Key marsh rabbit and the silver rice rat.

This is a fun place to visit for anyone who likes nature and animals.

Impress co-travelers: Bucks (males) reach 30 inches (76 cm) at the shoulders and weigh around 80 pounds (36 kg). Does (females) are even smaller, reaching 26 inches (66 cm) at shoulders and weighing 65 pounds (29 kg). That’s certainly tiny, isn’t it?

Bahia Honda State Park in Florida Keys, overlooking the historic Bahia Honda Rail Bridge

5. Key West

Driving distance: 29 mi / 47 km

After a spectacular road trip from Key Largo to Key West, you’re finally there. In Key West not only does the Overseas Highway end but also the continental United States.

Let’s make the most of our time in this unique city.

Enter the Hemingway Home

If just one thing to do is mandatory in Key West, it’s probably the Ernest Hemingway Home . Here, on Whitehead Street and surrounded by Key West tranquility, the celebrated American writer and Nobel Prize winner spent a majority of the 1930s.

As you tour Hemingway’s former home and workplace, dotted with descendants of the writer’s own cats, the many colorful stories fascinate you. From the wives, he was married four times, to the of the time cutting-edge swimming pool, there’s so much to indulge in.

Have a good time on Duval

Key West locals with a sense of humor, which includes most of them, say Duval Street is the longest street in the world. After all, it runs from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean.

But distances aren’t long in the island city Key West. Duval Street is, in fact, just a little over one mile long. However, lined by one quirky attraction after another, one mile is more than enough.

Check out Duval’s many cute souvenir shops, enjoy a slice of key lime pie or sit down at Sloppy Joe’s, once Hemingway’s favorite bar, for one of the most iconic nightlife experiences in America.

Mallory Square, known for its nightly sunset celebration, is located at the northern end of Duval Street. At Duval’s southern conclusion, the family-friendly Butterfly Garden shows that Duval is a street for all ages.

Where to stay in Key West

After a scenic Key Largo to Key West road trip, it’s nice to not have to rely on your car for a while. From Key West hotels in Old Town you have most attractions and things to do within walking distance.

Almond Tree Inn – Excellent Key West lodging near Duval Street.
Blue Marlin Motel – A more inexpensive motel.

Statue depicting railroad tycoon Henry Flagler sitting on bench outside Flagler Station in Key West

Summary of Key Largo to Key West drive

That was such a sweet ride, wasn’t it? From north to south, here you have all the best Key Largo to Key West stops one more time.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
African Queen
Indian Key Historic State Park
Robbie’s
Sombrero Beach
Florida Keys Turtle Hospital
Bahia Honda Beach
National Key Deer Refuge
Ernest Hemingway Home
Duval Street

Road trip from Key Largo to Key West FAQ

This ultimate Key Largo to Key West road trip is 97 miles (156 km) long. Driving it takes roughly 2 hours, not including any stops along the way. If you start at the southern tip of Florida’s mainland, where the Overseas Highway technically begins, the drive is 113 miles (182 km).

The main stops included on the ultimate Key Largo to Key West road trip are Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Lower Keys and Key West.

Because the Key Largo to Key West road trip is such a short drive, you can easily take it in just a day, or even an afternoon. However, that’s not how the Overseas Highway best is experienced. To make the most of the drive, we strongly recommend spending at least a few days on the way down to Key West.

More Florida Keys guides

Best places to stay in Key West
What to do in Key West
Ultimate Florida Keys guide

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Your Guide to a Florida Keys Road Trip: Key Largo to Key West

Posted: March 12, 2024 | Last updated: March 13, 2024

Your road trip guide to the Florida Keys

One of the best state road trips in America has to be the sun-kissed drive from Key Largo to Key West in the Florida Keys. This road, known as the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, takes you through a 125-mile island chain that begins just south of Miami. It hopscotches over 42 bridges and five islands, and has turquoise waters stretching in every direction into the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and Gulf of Mexico.

So if you're looking for the perfect Atlantic Coast road trip or cheap beach vacation , look no further than this road trip guide from Key Largo to Key West. And if you'd rather travel from Key West to Key Largo, rest easy—the route works either way. There are shuttles that run from Key Largo to Key West, but keep in mind, you'd be missing out on all the fun in between.

By the way, once you embark on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, you'll notice that many sites along the way use mile markers (MM) in their address. We use those mile marker points in this story to help you navigate the drive.

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<p><strong>Mile marker:</strong> 108–90</p> <p>The first of the Florida Keys you'll hit after driving about an hour south from Miami en route from Key Largo to Key West is, well, Key Largo. Often referred to as the Dive Capital of the World, Key Largo includes one must-see stop: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (MM 102.5), the first underwater preserve in the United States.</p> <p>Experienced and novice snorkelers and SCUBA divers will be enthralled by the teeming marine life that lives just below the water's surface, like parrot fish, barracudas and sea turtles. More experienced divers enjoy exploring the USS Spiegel Grove, one of the largest ships ever intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef where pretty fish can thrive.</p> <p>Back on dry land, travelers can wander nearly six miles of trails at Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, home to more than 80 species of plants and animals. You can also peruse the work of local artists at myriad galleries.</p> <p><strong>Best beach:</strong> Cannon Beach, found within John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, has shallow waters that are perfect for wading. You may even spot cannons and anchors on the beach that remain from a 1715 Spanish shipwreck.</p> <p><strong>Where to eat: </strong>Dig into the catch of the day at The Fish House, Key Largo Conch House or Snook's Bayside Restaurant & Grand Tiki Bar, some of the best <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/traditional-restaurant/">traditional restaurants</a> in the area. If you'd rather turf than surf, check out Jimmy Johnson's Big Chill.</p> <p><strong>Where to stay:</strong> If you can't get enough of the underwater world, stay at <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34344-d218568-Reviews-Jules_Undersea_Lodge-Key_Largo_Florida_Keys_Florida.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jules' Undersea Lodge</a>, the world's first underwater hotel. If you'd rather keep dry, try the adults-only <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34344-d13980722-Reviews-Bungalows_Key_Largo-Key_Largo_Florida_Keys_Florida.html" rel="noopener">Bungalows Key Largo</a>.</p> <p class="listicle-page__cta-button-shop"><a class="shop-btn" href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34344-d218568-Reviews-Jules_Undersea_Lodge-Key_Largo_Florida_Keys_Florida.html">Book Now</a></p>

Mile marker: 108–90

The first of the Florida Keys you'll hit after driving about an hour south from Miami en route from Key Largo to Key West is, well, Key Largo. Often referred to as the Dive Capital of the World, Key Largo includes one must-see stop: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (MM 102.5), the first underwater preserve in the United States.

Experienced and novice snorkelers and SCUBA divers will be enthralled by the teeming marine life that lives just below the water's surface, like parrot fish, barracudas and sea turtles. More experienced divers enjoy exploring the USS Spiegel Grove, one of the largest ships ever intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef where pretty fish can thrive.

Back on dry land, travelers can wander nearly six miles of trails at Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, home to more than 80 species of plants and animals. You can also peruse the work of local artists at myriad galleries.

Best beach: Cannon Beach, found within John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, has shallow waters that are perfect for wading. You may even spot cannons and anchors on the beach that remain from a 1715 Spanish shipwreck.

Where to eat: Dig into the catch of the day at The Fish House, Key Largo Conch House or Snook's Bayside Restaurant & Grand Tiki Bar, some of the best traditional restaurants in the area. If you'd rather turf than surf, check out Jimmy Johnson's Big Chill.

Where to stay: If you can't get enough of the underwater world, stay at Jules' Undersea Lodge , the world's first underwater hotel. If you'd rather keep dry, try the adults-only Bungalows Key Largo .

<p><strong>Mile marker:</strong> 90–63</p> <p>Next up en route from Key Largo to Key West is the fisherman's paradise known as Islamorada. Considered the Sport Fishing Capital of the World, it's where backcountry sport fishing and saltwater fly-fishing got their start. Countless seasoned boat captains are ready for hire to take you out to catch the wahoo, marlin, mahi-mahi and tuna that swim in these waters.</p> <p>There's an even quirkier way to interact with fish here: hand-feeding the tarpon off the docks of Robbie's Marina (MM 77.5). Since 1976, countless Keys visitors have stopped to feed them, and more than 100 kinds of fish gather at the docks for their daily snacks. Feeding the fishies there is so popular, it's been named the No. 1 activity in all the Florida Keys.</p> <p>Islamorada is also a terrific spot to kitesurf, stand-up paddleboard, <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/best-hiking-trails/" rel="noopener noreferrer">go for a hike</a> or take a bicycle ride. Stop by the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary, where injured or displaced birdies now make their homes. Or visit the History of Diving Museum, which boasts one of the world's largest collections of diving helmets.</p> <p><strong>Best beach:</strong> Anne's Beach is popular with families (and dogs) because of its shallow waters and lack of waves. Take a walk along the boardwalk or enjoy a picnic at one of the covered tables.</p> <p><strong>Where to eat:</strong> For a quintessential casual Florida Keys meal, go to the Hungry Tarpon. If you want more elegant fare, make reservations at Chef Michael's for creatively inspired local dishes.</p> <p><strong>Where to stay:</strong> When it's time to lay your head for the night, check in to one of the new oceanfront suites at <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34346-d84610-Reviews-Cheeca_Lodge_Spa-Islamorada_Florida_Keys_Florida.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cheeca Lodge & Spa</a>, or your own cottage at <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34346-d113464-Reviews-The_Moorings_Village-Islamorada_Florida_Keys_Florida.html" rel="noopener">The Moorings Village & Spa</a>.</p> <p class="listicle-page__cta-button-shop"><a class="shop-btn" href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34346-d84610-Reviews-Cheeca_Lodge_Spa-Islamorada_Florida_Keys_Florida.html">Book Now</a></p>

Mile marker: 90–63

Next up en route from Key Largo to Key West is the fisherman's paradise known as Islamorada. Considered the Sport Fishing Capital of the World, it's where backcountry sport fishing and saltwater fly-fishing got their start. Countless seasoned boat captains are ready for hire to take you out to catch the wahoo, marlin, mahi-mahi and tuna that swim in these waters.

There's an even quirkier way to interact with fish here: hand-feeding the tarpon off the docks of Robbie's Marina (MM 77.5). Since 1976, countless Keys visitors have stopped to feed them, and more than 100 kinds of fish gather at the docks for their daily snacks. Feeding the fishies there is so popular, it's been named the No. 1 activity in all the Florida Keys.

Islamorada is also a terrific spot to kitesurf, stand-up paddleboard, go for a hike or take a bicycle ride. Stop by the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary, where injured or displaced birdies now make their homes. Or visit the History of Diving Museum, which boasts one of the world's largest collections of diving helmets.

Best beach: Anne's Beach is popular with families (and dogs) because of its shallow waters and lack of waves. Take a walk along the boardwalk or enjoy a picnic at one of the covered tables.

Where to eat: For a quintessential casual Florida Keys meal, go to the Hungry Tarpon. If you want more elegant fare, make reservations at Chef Michael's for creatively inspired local dishes.

Where to stay: When it's time to lay your head for the night, check in to one of the new oceanfront suites at Cheeca Lodge & Spa , or your own cottage at The Moorings Village & Spa .

<p><strong>Mile marker:</strong> 63–40</p> <p>Marathon is the island chain's top boating destination—and for good reason. The area boasts nearly 2,400 boat slips and plenty of facilities to accommodate sailors passing through. But you don't need your own boat to enjoy Marathon and its waters.</p> <p>For a truly different experience, hop on over to Cruisin' Tikis and have a floating tiki bar adventure. Sunset, mangrove and harbor cruises are all available, as is a swim-stop cruise for a chance to jump into the water.</p> <p>While you're here, you should also visit Pigeon Key, an island that is accessible by boat, trolley or walking the 2.2-mile Old Seven Mile Bridge. It has a museum to explore, either on a guided tour or on your own. The Bridge is open for walking, running, bicycling, rollerblading and, of course, watching the killer sunrises and sunsets.</p> <p><strong>Best beach: </strong>Sombrero Beach is one of the prettiest beaches in the Florida Keys—not to mention one of the <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/best-florida-beaches/">best beaches in Florida</a>. And it's not just popular with humans; sea turtles nest here between April and October.</p> <p><strong>Where to eat: </strong>For any meal, stop by Castaway, which has been serving guests for more than 70 years. Or make a night of it at Hide Away Café, which has an extensive wine list.</p> <p><strong>Where to stay:</strong> The <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34347-d6784786-Reviews-Faro_Blanco_Resort_Yacht_Club-Marathon_Florida_Keys_Florida.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club</a> is set on the waterfront and gives you a taste of marina life. <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g11962583-d113469-Reviews-Lime_Tree_Bay_Resort-Layton_Long_Key_Florida_Keys_Florida.html" rel="noopener">Lime Tree Bay Resort</a> on Long Key has spacious townhomes for rent.</p> <p class="listicle-page__cta-button-shop"><a class="shop-btn" href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34347-d6784786-Reviews-Faro_Blanco_Resort_Yacht_Club-Marathon_Florida_Keys_Florida.html">Book Now</a></p>

Mile marker: 63–40

Marathon is the island chain's top boating destination—and for good reason. The area boasts nearly 2,400 boat slips and plenty of facilities to accommodate sailors passing through. But you don't need your own boat to enjoy Marathon and its waters.

For a truly different experience, hop on over to Cruisin' Tikis and have a floating tiki bar adventure. Sunset, mangrove and harbor cruises are all available, as is a swim-stop cruise for a chance to jump into the water.

While you're here, you should also visit Pigeon Key, an island that is accessible by boat, trolley or walking the 2.2-mile Old Seven Mile Bridge. It has a museum to explore, either on a guided tour or on your own. The Bridge is open for walking, running, bicycling, rollerblading and, of course, watching the killer sunrises and sunsets.

Best beach: Sombrero Beach is one of the prettiest beaches in the Florida Keys—not to mention one of the best beaches in Florida . And it's not just popular with humans; sea turtles nest here between April and October.

Where to eat: For any meal, stop by Castaway, which has been serving guests for more than 70 years. Or make a night of it at Hide Away Café, which has an extensive wine list.

Where to stay: The Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club is set on the waterfront and gives you a taste of marina life. Lime Tree Bay Resort on Long Key has spacious townhomes for rent.

The Lower Keys

Mile marker: 40–4

After crossing the Old Seven Mile Bridge out of Marathon, you'll find yourself in the Lower Keys, where natural habitats and wildlife refuges thrive. It's no wonder this part of the Florida Keys is known as the Natural Keys. You might even want to consider taking an electric vehicle on this road trip so you don't disturb the animals.

Your best chance to spot a native Key deer, a subspecies of the Virginia white-tailed deer that somehow made its way south, may be in the National Key Deer Refuge, comprised of 9,200 acres stretching from Bahia Honda Key to Sugarloaf Key on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. More than 20 endangered and threatened plant and animal species can be found within the refuge. Take a quiet walk at dusk or dawn for your best chance to glimpse a Key deer, or join a ranger-led tour to learn more about the area.

Aside from all the eco-friendly fun, Stock Island is well worth a stop. Their maritime history goes back generations, and the marina is filled with shrimping and fishing boats. Artists have been flocking to Stock Island, too, and share their works in galleries dotted across the small island.

Best beach: The shallow, clear water and white sand at Calusa Beach make it a locals' favorite. The beach is a perfect spot for snorkeling too.

Where to eat: In addition to the freshest of seafood, Big Pine Rooster serves up ribs and a special-recipe meatloaf. Or sip like the locals at No Name Pub, located on Big Pine Key.

Where to stay: Consider the waterfront Sugarloaf Lodge , stay in an Airstream at Big Pine Key Resort or pop a tent on one of the reserved campsites at Bahia Honda State Park.

<p><strong>Mile marker:</strong> 4–0</p> <p>You've made it to the end! Closer to Cuba than Miami, Key West is known for its nightly sunset celebrations, party atmosphere and laissez-faire vibe, but it's really so much more.</p> <p>If you're a writer or bookworm, you'll certainly want to make plans to visit the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, where you should keep an eye out for the famous six-toed cats. Then wander through Key West's Bahama Village, a 12-block area of historic homes and restaurants.</p> <p>Consider a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park, about 70 miles west of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico, where you'll find some <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/states-hidden-gems/">hidden gems</a>. The island, accessible by boat or seaplane, is popular for snorkeling and feeling like you're on your own private island, not to mention touring the Civil War–era fort.</p> <p><strong>Best beach: </strong>Fort Zachary Taylor Beach—or Fort Zach, as locals call it—predates the Civil War and boasts the island's very best sandy stretch.</p> <p><strong>Where to eat: </strong>No visit to Key West is complete without a meal at Blue Heaven, where you can dine with wandering roosters for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Or snag a spot on the tiny balcony at Santiago's Bodega for tapas and flowing wine.</p> <p><strong>Where to stay:</strong> The boutique <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34345-d227346-Reviews-The_Gardens_Hotel-Key_West_Florida_Keys_Florida.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gardens Hotel</a>, the adults-only Kimpton Hotels <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34345-d296023-Reviews-Kimpton_Ridley_House-Key_West_Florida_Keys_Florida.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ridley House</a> or the new <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34345-d21408966-Reviews-The_Capitana_Key_West-Key_West_Florida_Keys_Florida.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Capitana Key West</a>, to name a few. Wherever you stay, you're sure to find your place in Key West, and it's likely you'll follow so many others' lead and start planning your return visit before you even leave.</p> <p class="listicle-page__cta-button-shop"><a class="shop-btn" href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34345-d227346-Reviews-The_Gardens_Hotel-Key_West_Florida_Keys_Florida.html">Book Now</a></p>

Mile marker: 4–0

You've made it to the end! Closer to Cuba than Miami, Key West is known for its nightly sunset celebrations, party atmosphere and laissez-faire vibe, but it's really so much more.

If you're a writer or bookworm, you'll certainly want to make plans to visit the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, where you should keep an eye out for the famous six-toed cats. Then wander through Key West's Bahama Village, a 12-block area of historic homes and restaurants.

Consider a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park, about 70 miles west of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico, where you'll find some hidden gems . The island, accessible by boat or seaplane, is popular for snorkeling and feeling like you're on your own private island, not to mention touring the Civil War–era fort.

Best beach: Fort Zachary Taylor Beach—or Fort Zach, as locals call it—predates the Civil War and boasts the island's very best sandy stretch.

Where to eat: No visit to Key West is complete without a meal at Blue Heaven, where you can dine with wandering roosters for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Or snag a spot on the tiny balcony at Santiago's Bodega for tapas and flowing wine.

Where to stay: The boutique Gardens Hotel , the adults-only Kimpton Hotels Ridley House or the new Capitana Key West , to name a few. Wherever you stay, you're sure to find your place in Key West, and it's likely you'll follow so many others' lead and start planning your return visit before you even leave.

<p>Road-tripping from Key Largo to Key West, it's easy to appreciate all the natural beauty. That said, the Keys aren't just a terrific destination for <a href="https://www.rd.com/article/what-is-ecotourism/">eco-travelers,</a> but artists and history buffs too.</p> <p>It's easy for artists to find inspiration throughout the Florida Keys. Fortunately for road-trippers, there are many spots to stop and admire their work. One of the largest artists' communities in the Florida Keys is Stock Island in the Lower Keys, just about three miles from the commercial area of Key West. What was once a shrimping boat marina is now a blend of fishermen and painters, sculptors and other artisans who have created an energetic and supportive community.</p> <p>For history buffs, in addition to Pigeon Key in Marathon and the Civil War–era Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park, other must-stops in Key West include the Audubon House & Tropical Gardens, Harry S. Truman Little White House and the Southernmost Point in the continental United States.</p>

Art and history in the Florida Keys

Road-tripping from Key Largo to Key West, it's easy to appreciate all the natural beauty. That said, the Keys aren't just a terrific destination for eco-travelers, but artists and history buffs too.

It's easy for artists to find inspiration throughout the Florida Keys. Fortunately for road-trippers, there are many spots to stop and admire their work. One of the largest artists' communities in the Florida Keys is Stock Island in the Lower Keys, just about three miles from the commercial area of Key West. What was once a shrimping boat marina is now a blend of fishermen and painters, sculptors and other artisans who have created an energetic and supportive community.

For history buffs, in addition to Pigeon Key in Marathon and the Civil War–era Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park, other must-stops in Key West include the Audubon House & Tropical Gardens, Harry S. Truman Little White House and the Southernmost Point in the continental United States.

<p>Now that you're inspired to hit the road, it's time to start planning. After <a href="https://www.rd.com/article/road-trip-cost/" rel="noopener noreferrer">budgeting for a road trip</a>, your next step is to decide whether you will travel south from Key Largo to Key West, or north from Key West to Key Largo. Or maybe you'll opt for a roundtrip.</p> <p>If you're starting off in Key Largo, it's important to note that the Florida Keys Overseas Highway begins at the Miami-Dade/Monroe County line. So if you're flying to Florida, Miami International Airport (MIA) is the way to go. If you begin in Key West, the airport (EYW) is on the island.</p> <p>If you're already driving one of the <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/best-road-trip-cars/" rel="noopener noreferrer">best road trip cars</a> to get to Florida, you're all set. But if you need a loaner, choose one of the <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/best-cars-to-rent-for-a-road-trip/" rel="noopener noreferrer">best cars to rent for a road trip</a>. Consider packing these <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/road-trip-essentials/" rel="noopener noreferrer">road trip essentials</a> and download some of the <a href="https://www.rd.com/article/best-podcasts-for-road-trips/" rel="noopener noreferrer">best podcasts for road trips</a> to make the miles fly by.</p>

Planning your Florida Keys road trip

Now that you're inspired to hit the road, it's time to start planning. After budgeting for a road trip , your next step is to decide whether you will travel south from Key Largo to Key West, or north from Key West to Key Largo. Or maybe you'll opt for a roundtrip.

If you're starting off in Key Largo, it's important to note that the Florida Keys Overseas Highway begins at the Miami-Dade/Monroe County line. So if you're flying to Florida, Miami International Airport (MIA) is the way to go. If you begin in Key West, the airport (EYW) is on the island.

If you're already driving one of the best road trip cars to get to Florida, you're all set. But if you need a loaner, choose one of the best cars to rent for a road trip . Consider packing these road trip essentials and download some of the best podcasts for road trips to make the miles fly by.

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The Ultimate Road Trip Guide to Key West

Embarking on a road trip along the breathtaking Overseas Highway is a dream come true for many travelers. Connecting mainland Florida to the idyllic Florida Keys, this iconic stretch of road offers stunning vistas, turquoise waters, and a sense of adventure like no other. In this blog post, we invite you to join us on a Florida Keys adventure, as we traverse the Overseas Highway and explore the hidden gems that await along the route. Buckle up, roll down the windows, and get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty of this unforgettable journey.

Big pine key and the lower keys.

As your journey begins, start with a delicious Cuban coffee stop at a local café to energize your trip. We recommend checking out 1. La Colada Gourmet “THE HOUSE OF CUBAN COFFEE” (1518 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135) for an authentic experience.

Make a detour to explore the fascinating 2. Coral Castle (28655 S Dixie Hwy, Homestead, FL), an extraordinary feat of engineering and craftsmanship. Don’t forget, it’s a dog-friendly destination.

Next, indulge in fresh fruits and refreshing shakes at 3. Robert Is Here (19200 SW 344th St, Homestead, FL), a beloved fruit stand that’s been serving locals and visitors for decades.

Take a scenic drive through the southern portion of the 4. Everglades National Park , marveling at the unique ecosystem and wildlife that call this vast wilderness home.

Starting in the Keys, Key Largo welcomes you with its vibrant marine life and inviting beaches. Stop by John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park , where you can snorkel, dive, or take a glass-bottom boat tour to discover the colorful underwater world. Don’t miss the chance to savor delicious seafood at local waterfront restaurants, such as the iconic Sundowners (103900 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037), Key Largo Fisheries Backyard Café (1313 Ocean Bay Dr Suite A, Key Largo, FL 33037) or Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen (99336 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL), a local favorite known for its famous Key Lime Freeze and dog-friendly outdoor seating.

Next, make a pit stop at Betsey the Lobster (Mile Marker 102.7, Key Largo, FL) to pick up quirky souvenirs and delightful magnets to commemorate your journey.

Heading south, you’ll reach Islamorada, known as the “Sportfishing Capital of the World.” Take a break and cast a line for some unforgettable fishing experiences. Visit Theater of the Sea (84721 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036) to swim with dolphins or explore the History of Diving Museum (82990 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036) to delve into the fascinating world of underwater exploration. Fuel up with a visit to the quirky and dog-friendly Robbie’s Marina (77522 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036), where you can hand-feed tarpon and enjoy waterfront dining at the Hungry Tarpon. If you have time, pay homage to the resilient spirit of the Florida Keys at the Hurricane Memorial (Mile Marker 81.6, Islamorada, FL), a poignant reminder of the region’s history and resilience.

Learn about the conservation efforts to protect sea turtles at the Turtle Hospital (2396 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL), where you can witness these incredible creatures up close. Reservations are highly recommended! Next, take a leisurely stroll on the Little Duck Key Pedestrian Bridge, marveling at the breathtaking views of the turquoise waters and surrounding mangroves.

And before heading back on your journey, savor a mouthwatering Lobster Reuben sandwich at Keys Fisheries (3390 Gulfview Ave, Marathon, FL), while enjoying panoramic views of the marina.

As you venture further, the serene and secluded paradise of Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys unfolds before you. Explore the fascinating wildlife and spot adorable and unique Key deer at the National Key Deer Refuge . These deer are the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer and can be found no where else but the Florida Keys. For an unforgettable experience, head to Bahia Honda Bridge and discover the remnants of the old Seven Mile Bridge (36850 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL). Here you’ll get to experience panoramic views of the surrounding turquoise waters. If you haven’t refueled yet, take a pitstop at the dog-friendly No Name Pub (30813 Watson Blvd, Big Pine Key, FL 33043). This beloved local establishment known for its delicious pizza and rustic charm.

Your journey culminates in the vibrant and eclectic city of Key West, the southernmost point of the continental United States. Immerse yourself in the rich history and lively atmosphere of Duval Street, lined with shops, bars, and vibrant street performances. Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum (Whitehead St & South St, Key West, FL). Here, you can meet the descendants of the author’s famous polydactyl cats. Don’t forget to catch the famous sunset celebration at Mallory Square, accompanied by street performers and breathtaking views. For a dog-friendly dining experience, check out Sandy’s Cafe (located at 1026 White St.). This cafe serves delicious food in a cozy atmosphere. For more dog friendly restaurants in Key West, check out our blog post, _________.

The Florida Keys’ Overseas Highway offers an unforgettable road trip experience. Get ready to have an adventure filled with natural beauty, water adventures, and charming towns along the way. From Key Largo to Key West, each destination has its own unique attractions and flavors to discover. So, grab your sense of adventure, hit the road, and embark on a journey through paradise. The Overseas Highway awaits. Get ready to be mesmerized with its stunning vistas and the promise of an extraordinary Florida Keys adventure.

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Learn how to easily plan your dream trip to Florida!

fort zachary taylor photo on a florida keys road trip

The Ultimate Florida Keys Road Trip Itinerary (Best Stops!)

June 10, 2022 // by Florida Trippers

If you are looking for a guide to the ultimate Florida Keys road trip itinerary, we have you covered with all the best places to stop!

We have put together an epic itinerary for a road trip to Key West from Miami . Trust us when we say we have picked out the best stops along the way! We have you covered with activities, things to do, as well as hotel and tour suggestions!

Planning your trip to Key West last minute?

Make sure to book ahead! Hotels and tours often sell out the closer you get to your trip. Here are our top picks for Key West!

Top Experiences And Tours In Key West:

Dolphin Watching And Snorkeling Eco Tour (Top pick!)
Schooner Sunset Sail (2 hours)
Reef Snorkel From Key West (Includes breakfast and mimosas)
Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour (Great way to see the city)

Top Places To Stay In Key West:

Margaritaville Beach House Key West (Modern mid-range)
Blue Marlin Motel (Affordable in downtown)
Hampton Inn Key West (Waterfront with pool)
Wicker Guesthouse (Great location!)

You can make the trip your own by choosing stops that best fit your personal interests. Or if you want a personalized trip experience checkout our e-book for amazing personalized touches on the best stops! Take as little or as much time as you have. You can do a quick day trip if you don’t mind a quick-paced trip, a weekend get-a-way, or spend a week leisurely visiting all the stops linked below!

To adventuring outdoors at state parks, to going offshore to visit Dry Tortugas national park, to snorkeling the only living US coral reef, to fun stops for families and adults like where you can spot the Key Deer or feed tarpon, to visiting Key West and all the best beaches along the way, trust us this itinerary for the best road trip to the Florida Keys that is action-packed!

Before you plan your trip, make sure to check out The Best Times To Visit The Keys where we break down each month and talk all things weather!

a girl in red swim suit sitting on a White Sea plane in the ocean

How long does the Florida Keys road trip take?

If you were to drive non-stop from Miami to Key West on your Florida Keys road trip the 165 miles journey would take you just over 3 hours. Meaning you can decide the perfect amount of time to spend on your Florida Keys drive from Miami!

woman standing at smathers beach in key west on a key west road trip

How long should you take on your Florida Keys itinerary?

You could make it a day trip, a weekend trip, or a week-long trip! The choice is yours! We have put together a list of the best places to stop on a drive from Miami to Key West. Stop at one, or stop at all, meaning you can put together your very own trip curated to your own interests and travel style.

OR take the guesswork out of your itinerary, and purchase our ebook that helps you plan your own trip, with unique itineraries and bonuses! You can purchase it here: https://floridatrippers.com/florida-keys-itinerary-planning-ebook/

woman standing at the end of key west road trip at route 0

Best time of year to road trip the Florida Keys

Anytime! The average temperature year-round ranges from 73 to 83 degrees for the Florida Keys! And the sunshine state has an average of 270 sunny days a year, meaning there is no wrong time to plan a trip!

There are plenty of festivals throughout the year or head to the southernmost points of the US for the holidays! Just remember that hurricane season does run from June to November, meaning you might have to be a little flexible on your plans if a hurricane or tropical storm is headed towards the Florida Keys or Miami!

cars driving along US 1 from Miami to the Florida Keys

Best stops on your Florida Keys road trip itinerary:

Downtown miami.

The first of our epic places to stop on a drive from Miami to Key West is Downtown Miami . If you flew into MIA airport, this will be the perfect spot to explore, grab a bite to eat, visit a museum such as the Frost Museum of Science or Perez Art Museum or take a relaxing stroll along the water before heading south on your drive.

In this energy-filled town, you are sure to find plenty to explore, and perhaps take in an NBA or MLB game. If you are on a romantic getaway we have you covered with the best date nights in Miami as Miami is a city that comes alive after dark!

Downtown Miami at night is the first stop on a Florida Keys road trip and a great place to explore after dark

Biscayne Bay National Park

Who doesn’t love free Florida keys road trip stops? Biscayne Bay National Park is one of the best National parks in Florida , and it’s free to enter! On your second stop, we take you away from the busy city to explore nature. Visitors will be transported to the turquoise waters and colorful coral reefs found in this national park. Over 95% of this national park is covered by water!

The activities here range from guided eco-adventures, fishing, and boating to paddling, snorkeling, and scuba diving the shipwrecks just offshore to just relaxing! While exploring, you can always take a boat cruise through the docks and sail over Biscayne Bay.

an arial view of Biscayne Bay national park with the water and shoreline as well as tree areas

The Everglades, are the second National Park on this itinerary for the Florida Keys! We have a list of all the best things to do in the Everglades for those wanting to spend more time here! At over two million acres to explore, the Everglades provide countless activities and ways to explore this very unique ecosystem.

If you are up for an adventure, an airboat ride is a perfect way to see areas of the Everglades only seen by water. But there are plenty of biking and hiking trails ( or take a ranger-led tour) if you prefer to stay on land. Keep your eyes sharp the Everglades is a habitat for endangered and rare species like the manatee, American crocodile, and the Florida panther.

An alligator in the foreground and an airboat in the background in the Everglades

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

John Pennekamp is one of the most magical of the Florida state parks and is located in the Key Largo at MM 102.5. This is a scuba divers’ dream destination for those driving in the Florida Keys and looking for a place to stop! It is actually the first undersea state park in the entire US!! It protects the only living reef in the United States, and as such is an underwater lovers’ paradise.

While here you can explore the over 70 nautical miles of beautiful coral reefs, hike along the pine trees, or snorkel along the mangroves and shoreline. We highly recommend this as one of the stops along with your Florida Keys Road Trip from Miami!! You can also book a glass bottom boat ride to see the tropical fish and the reef without having to get wet!

a girl in red swimsuit snorkling at the coral reef at John Pennekamp State park

Key Largo is a great place to stop for the first day when road tripping the Florida Keys. There is so much to do here in Key Largo! Known as the “Dive Capital of the World,” you will find beautiful beaches with pristine waters. While it does in fact boast those things, there’s a whole island of adventure waiting for you at MM 102.

There are plenty of beaches to explore, an offshore shipwreck and coral reef, explore water sports like jet skiing, paddle boarding, kayaking or charter a boat for some fishing! Plus, there are tons of amazing restaurants to enjoy fresh seafood on your visit.

photo of woman standing in palm trees at one of the best islands in the florida keys

Windley Key Fossil Reef State Park

Windley Key Fossil Reef State Park is one of our favorite places to visit in the Florida Keys! Windley Key State Park is a historic site that doubles as a geological area that is formed by fossilized Key Largo Limestone. The entrance fee is $2.50 a person is a perfect way to spend a full day or even just a few hours it makes for an inexpensive stop on a Florida Keys road trip! It is located at MM 85.5.

It is important to note that the park is closed Tuesday and Wednesday, but open Thursday through Monday. You can take one of the five self-guided tours throughout the quarry that Henry Flagler used to build his railroad or experience it at your own pace on a self-guided tour.

This is one of the best and most iconic stops on the famous Florida Overseas Highway!

a girl holding a Windley Key fossil reef geological state park

Islamorada is located about 1.5 hours ( 79 miles) south of Miami at MM 88 and makes our list of the best small beach towns in Florida. The best part is that Islamorada is almost the halfway point between Miami and Key West!

There are six islands that make up Islamorada and are connected via US1. Known as the sports fishing capital of the world, there are also tons of amazing restaurants, gorgeous national parks, and tons of activities.

Make sure to check out some of the Best Islamorada Restaurants for your trip!

You can check out our full list of things to do in Islamorada here! From visiting the Theater of the sea to swimming with dolphins to a fishing charter, history of the diving museum, state, and national parks, and more!

Peak season is in December through May and the best part is you are surrounded by Gulf on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other! This is truly home to some of the best snorkeling in the Florida Keys!

Visit Robbie’s Waterfront to feed the tarpon

Robbie’s is probably one of the most well-known stops on your Key West road trip. Located at MM 77 to you can spend a few hours here enjoying lunch and then feed the school of over 100 massive tarpons for $2.50 per person. Kids and adults alive love to partake in feeding the fish and watching the seagulls try and catch the fish here. Fish buckets are $4.50.

The restaurant is open from 6:30 am for a sunrise breakfast until 9 pm for after dinner cocktails. Robbies also has a party boat fishing charter that leaves twice a day and includes everything you need for a fun day on the ocean. As well as sunset catamaran charters.

Go feeding tarpon a t Robies in Islamorada

Dolphin Research Center

The Dolphin Research Center is located at MM 59 ( about 2 hours south of Miami), and has been providing sanctuaries to dolphins since 1984. The center’s mission is to promote education and communication between marine mammals and humans.

Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, admission is $28 for adults and $23 for children. Admission includes observing the dolphins and sea lions in training sessions and interacting with each other.

In addition to the educational experiences offered, you can book a dolphin encounter where you can get up close and personal with dolphins in the water. Or even paint with a dolphin experience or a VIP trainer for the day.

a dolphin swimming in the ocean at the dolphin research center

The Turtle Hospital

The Turtle Hospital is located at MM 48.5 in Marathon, Florida. Since 1986, the mission at the Turtle hospital has been to rehabilitate turtles and educate the public about turtles. Open daily from 9 am to 6 pm tours run every 30 minutes.

If you love Marathon, make sure to check out some of our other favorite things to do in the Middle Keys!

Admission is $30 for adults and $15 for children. This is one of the educational Florida Keys road trip ideas. Over the 90-minute educational experience, you will watch a presentation on sea turtles, get a behind-the-scenes look at the hospital facilities and rehabilitation area, and finally the chance to feed the turtles.

Reservations can be made online!

Don’t forget to check out some of the best restaurants in Marathon Key!

a turtle being fed broccoli by hand at the sea turtle hospital in marathon florida

Drive or walk the 7 Mile Bridge

When driving the Florida Keys the 7 Mile Bridge is located at MM 42 in Marathon. This is the bridge that connects the middle keys with the lower keys. For those who want to continue their road trip, you will have no choice but to drive over the new 7-Mile Bridge that was finished in 1982. IT is the longest bridge in the state of Florida.

But for those who want to get out stretch their legs, and smell the salty ocean breeze why not walk the old bridge or a portion of it? This bridge is important historically as it made a land route from Miami to Key West.

Bahia Honda State Park

Bahia Honda State Park is one of our favorite places to stop on the way to Key West. Located at MM 37, about 30 miles north of Key West. We have put together an entire post on all the tips for visiting Bahia Honda . It was Henry Flagler who spent $30 million to build a railroad to Key West in the early 1900s that turned Bahia Honda State Park into a tropical paradise.

Make sure to check out some of our other favorite things to do in the Lower Keys in addition to Bahia Honda!

Bahia Honda State Park costs $8 per car to enter and is the place to stop if you love palm-lined beaches, clear water, and just activities like snorkeling, camping, and swimming at one of the three beaches from sunrise to sunset!

Although make sure to arrive early on weekends and holidays because it can reach capacity.

This is truly one of the Best Beaches In The Florida Keys and you must check it out!

a girl in red swimsuit standing in the turquoise water with a bridge in background

National Key Deer Refuge

For those looking to get up close to the Key Deer only found in the lower keys, the National Key Deer Refuge is the place for you! What makes the key deer unique is that there are only about 800 left that can only be found on Big Pine Key . This small dog-like deer is only 2 ½ feet tall and weighs just 90 pounds.

This is a free activity to spend an hour or so, visiting the visitors center and learning all about the key deer. Established in 1957, at MM 30.5 it aims to protect species of animals such as the key deer and 20 other endangered species and plants.

Please note it is against the law to feed, touch, or hunt the key deer.

a key deer is a small dog like deer walking along the high grass

Dry Tortugas National Park

The Dry Tortugas National Park is the only stop on this Florida Keys road trip guide that is only accessible by private or chartered boat tour , chartered seaplane tour, or the Yankee Freedom Ferry .

If you want to add this stop to your Florida Keys road trip we highly recommend booking your dates as early as possible! The Dry Tortugas are a group of seven small islands 80 miles off the coast of Key West. Located in the Gulf of Mexico its iconic red brick Fort Jefferson transports visitors back in time. You will be in awe of how beautiful the water is, and how remote this national park truly is!

For those into camping and stargazing , this is your place! Just remember you must pack everything in and out with you! Check out our guide to avoid the big mistakes plus tips when visiting Dry Tortugas National Park !

a girl in red swimsuit standing on top fo the red brick Fort Jefferson with the turquoise water in the background

Key West is as far south as you can drive on this Florida Keys itinerary! At MM 0, you will find the southernmost point of the continental US! There are so many things to do here in Key West! Don’t let the party atmosphere scare you away from visiting. There are historical sights like Ernest Hemingway or Truman winter home, beaches, amazing restaurants , and plenty of activities to enjoy after the sun sets.

We have an entire post dedicated to the best tours in Key West from those craving adventure to laid-back food and walking tours!

a couple standing infront of the southernmost sign at Key West

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is one of the hidden gems on this Florida keys driving itinerary. You will be mesmerized by the gorgeous blue water inviting you in for a swim or snorkel. Plus, the beach area is super instagrammable!

It is also the southernmost state park in the continental US and has our vote as one of the best Florida Keys state parks! The cost to enter per car is $6.50 and is open from 8 am-5 pm daily.

Built in the 1840s, as a series of forts to protect the southern coast after the conflict of the War of 1812 and used during the Civil War and Spanish American War, it was named after US President Zachary Taylor.

Aerial view of Fort Zachary Taylor State Park with the beach in the foreground and the four stone walls of the fort in the background, surrounded by foliage.

Smathers Beach

The last stop on your Florida Keys driving guide is Smathers beach ! This gorgeous white sand beach is the best beach to go for those looking for real sand, as most beaches in Key West are pebble or rock. The imported white sand is the perfect place to relax and swim or snorkel in the water. All of the usual facilities are present here like parking and showers.

The last stop on our Florida Keys road trip is the perfect place to relax and unwind before your drive back to Miami!

a girl in white swimsuit standing under a palm tree on swathers white sand beach

Where to stay on your Florida Keys road trip itinerary

Key west marriott beachside.

For those looking to stay in Key West, we highly recommend staying at Key West Marriott Beachside , like we did on our last trip to the area! But have also put together a list of the best luxury hotels in Key West.

The resort is located on the oceanfront with a large pool as the centerpiece of the resort. At the hotel’s marina, you can rent jet skis, kayaks, and paddleboards.

Plus, there is a complimentary hotel shuttle downtown multiple times daily meaning you don’t have to bother with trying to find parking. This is truly one of the Best Places To Stay In Key West!

Many of the balconies are oceanfront allowing you to relax and enjoy a sunset or ocean breeze from your town room!

Check Rates: Booking.com

We give Bakers Cay resort in Key Largo a 10/10! Located just over an hour from Miami, this could be the perfect spot to spend your first night on your Florida Keys road trip! This cool and unique hotel features gorgeously appointed rooms with ocean views!

There are tons of activities that the resort provides including snorkel, boat, and dive tours! The property also features two large pools and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

Make sure to check out our list of the Best Resorts In The Florida Keys ! There are some really epic resorts featured for couples, families, and more.

Check Rates: Booking.co m

man and woman kissing at bakers cay in the florida keys

Cheeca Lodge and Spa

Cheeca Lodge and Spa is located in Islamorada, one of the cutest small towns in Florida! It is located 15 minutes from the local airport or just a 1.5-hour drive south of Miami. A stay here means relaxing in a lush tropical paradise surrounded by the turquoise waters of the ocean. This is truly one of the best luxury hotels in Florida!

The property features a golf course, restaurants, pools, sea kayaks and bicycles for guests to use, Camp Cheeca for children, and an ocean-front bar! The rooms here are luxurious with all the amenities one could want and balconies to enjoy the ocean view or golf and lagoon views.

Check Rates: booking.com

the Cheeca Lodge from the wooden dock to the hotel

Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club

Marathon is just over 2 hours (114 miles) from Miami making it the perfect place to stop for the night on your Florida Keys vacation itinerary. Don’t let the resort and yacht club scare you the property is reasonably priced averaging $230 a night!

The resort is on the water and features modern rooms, with a gorgeous pool and onsite restaurant. It is easy to spot by its historic lighthouse right on the bay.

driving from miami to key west on 7 mile bridge

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44 Islands and 42 Bridges: A Florida Keys Road Trip

It’s only 113 miles from Key Largo to Key West, but take it slow and savor the subtropical, sometimes kitschy, flavor, of these fragile isles.

A street performer entertains his audience on Mallory Square in Key West, Fla. Credit... Scott McIntyre for The New York Times

Supported by

By Elaine Glusac

Dec. 17, 2018

Seagulls and squadrons of brown pelicans flew alongside my rented Hyundai as I drove across the astonishing seven-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 1 that runs across Moser Sound, just south of Marathon, in the Florida Keys. The proximity of birds and water blurred the distinctions between sea and sky, drive and flight.

The string of coral islands that arc from the Florida peninsula south toward Havana has a long history of attracting pirates, profiteers and seekers of a Caribbean lifestyle within the United States. Henry Flagler, an early developer of the Florida Keys, inadvertently gave the country one of its most scenic roadways when his Overseas Railway, running from mainland Florida down to Key West, was destroyed in a 1935 hurricane. That land route eventually became the Overseas Highway, or U.S. 1, vaulting across channels, and linking 44 islands, via 42 bridges.

I first drove the route with my sister in the early 1990s with a beer-filled cooler, tanning ambitions and the kind of dropout, sunbaked attitude that still drives the party crowd to the Keys, particularly Key West. The distractions along the way haven’t changed much. Local police and sheriff’s vehicles are still parked on the sides of the highway, jittery reminders that speed limits are strictly enforced. Cyclists share narrow shoulders over the 113-mile route from Key Largo to Key West. Manatee-shaped mailboxes, fishing marinas and seafood shacks proliferate. But most distracting are the views themselves, with the sparkling Atlantic to the left and the aquamarine Gulf of Mexico to the right as the road skips across scores of breezy, swim-inviting straits.

Gulf of Mexico

Upper Matecumbe Key

detail below

Atlantic Ocean

1. Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park

2. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

3. Fish House

4. Bungalows Key Largo

5. Playa Largo Resort & Spa

6. Robbie’s

7. Indian Key Historic State Park

8. Alligator Tree Lighthouse

9. Curry Hammock State Park

10. Dolphin Research Center

11. Bahia Honda State Park

12. Big Pine Kayak Adventures

13. National Key Deer Refuge

14. Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar

Over the course of repeated trips, I’ve come to appreciate the nature and wildlife of the Keys, home to endangered Key deer, mangrove forests and the only living barrier reef off the continental United States.

Hurricane Irma, which struck in September 2017 with Category-4 fury, threatened the delicate balance by which so many humans and animals exist amid the mangroves and bays. In November — 14 months and much cleanup later — I drove the route to assess the scars as well as the renewal, from recently opened (or about to open) resorts to a new coterie of mermaids.

Below is a guide to this classic coastal road trip. You could drive it in a single afternoon, but you won’t want to. Three languid days is more like it.

From the rental car center at Miami International Airport, it’s just over an hour’s drive on mostly suburban highways to the Everglades bogs that edge Key Largo, the northernmost Key and the first to introduce visitors to both the natural attractions of the islands and Keys kitsch. At Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park , I stretched my legs in a native hardwood forest alongside bird-watchers who could identify a palm warbler just by its call, before hitting the bustling Fish House restaurant trimmed in strings of tiki- and flamingo-shaped lights.

Its proximity to Miami has made 18-mile-long Key Largo — a place where thick foliage obscures the water from the T-shirt and shell shops — attractive to developers eager to lure those who may not want to drive any farther down the highway.

“South Florida traffic is our bread and butter year-round,” said Herbert Spiegel, a consultant for the new Bungalows Key Largo , as he guided a tour of one of the island’s newest resorts, with its fleet of electric boats, a Himalayan salt room in the spa, four restaurants and bars, and an adults-only policy. “Florida is all about kids,” he added. “This is something different.” (And it doesn’t come cheap: all-inclusive rates at the resort, which opens this month, start at $1,300 per night, per couple).

Like the nearby Playa Largo Resort & Spa , the 135-cottage resort replaces a former R.V. campground, a trend that is nudging Key Largo upscale. But as the first stop nearest to the reef, it still attracts divers and ocean lovers across the economic spectrum to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park , where snorkeling tours explore the vibrant corals and the tropical fish they support in 70-square-miles of protected waters.

The everyday — in the form of schools, grocery stores and one very large Starbucks — mingled with signs for bird sanctuaries and state parks over the next 20 tropical miles from Key Largo to Islamorada. Spread across six lush islands, the community has an old-money heritage and a reputation as the sport fishing capital of the Keys, both of which came together in the bonefishing tournament that the late President George H.W. Bush ran for a decade from Cheeca Lodge & Spa , a vintage property with roots that go back to 1946. It’s no wonder the recent Netflix series “Bloodline,” a dark story built around a prominent Keys family, was based in affluent Islamorada.

Keys History &

Discovery Center

Lodge & Spa

Pierre’s

Morada Bay Beach Cafe

Midway Cafe & Coffee Bar

Pines and Palms Resort

The fictional Rayburn House inn from that series is the actual Blue Charlotte villa at the Moorings Village , where 18 rental cottages, some dating back to the mid-1930s, occupy a former coconut plantation. The hurricane denuded the property and killed its signature palm tree that bowed over the water.

“Not a blade of grass was left,” said Debbie Pribyl, the general manager of the Moorings, where the cottages have all been reroofed and the landscaping replanted. On this November day, three fashion photography crews were using the beach as a backdrop. “We got more sand than we started with.”

That ocean-side beach is private, but the two restaurants that the resort runs on the Gulf side aren’t. The casual Morada Bay Beach Cafe and the more refined Pierre’s draw nightly sunset crowds to tables set in the sand near speakers disguised to look like coral rocks emitting samba music as twilight paddleboarders stroke by.

Modest roadside inns, including the newly rebuilt Pines & Palms Resort with apartment-like rooms, eclectic restaurants like Midway Café and an arts district with a brewery and galleries contribute to Islamorada’s bohemian character. A new self-guided tour available via a free cellphone app from the history museum Florida Keys History & Discovery Center introduces hurricanes, pirates and island pioneers, winding up back at Cheeca Lodge where many of these original “Conchs” were buried.

To delve deepest into Keys history, Brad Bertelli, the curator of the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center told me, travelers have to leave the road at Islamorada, and become waterborne.

He and I launched rental kayaks from Robbie’s marina in Islamorada, a popular stop for feeding tarpon the size of teenagers, and headed for the offshore Indian Key Historic State Park . The 11-acre, mangrove-fringed island, with a shady tamarind grove and spiky sisal plants bordering the paths, holds the remains of a 19th-century wrecking village devoted to salvaging goods from ships that ran aground on the reef.

I n the 1830s, Indian Key was the seat of Dade County, site of a bowling alley and an inn promising “one of the most favorable situations in the United States for persons who are suffering from pulmonary, dyspeptic and numerous chronic diseases, and obliged to seek refuge from the chill blasts of a northern winter,” according to a sign posted on the site. Prominent Keys travelers, including the ornithologist John James Audubon, passed through.

“Wreckers were thought of as the pirates of the day,” said Mr. Bertelli, looking the part with a bandana tied around his head. “Like used car salesmen, there were some bad apples.”

Today, the ghost of its town square is a large field surrounded by rock foundations of storehouses, cisterns and homes, eventually abandoned after the Second Seminole War in 1842. A three-story observation tower offers views to distant Alligator Lighthouse, marking the reef where the wreckers plied their trade , and, in the opposite direction, Lower Matacumbe Key, the source of fresh water, which allowed the island to flourish.

Middle Keys

Another 30 miles south, past innumerable cormorants perching on power lines, and you enter another world. Lobster traps line the street to Keys Fisheries in Marathon, a commercial marina harboring fishing boats and pleasure sailboats, and a dockside restaurant where baby nurse sharks school in the shallows, waiting for scraps. The restaurant is an apt introduction to the working heartland of the Keys. Here, locals and those just passing through put in orders for lobster Reubens under superhero pseudonyms and wait to hear, “Captain Marvel, your order is ready.”

Commerce mingles with conservation in Marathon, home to two nonprofit marine attractions, the Dolphin Research Center and the Turtle Hospital . Both fund their operations largely through visitor tours.

Keys Fisheries

AquaVentures

Beach Resort

Housed in a former motel painted sea green, the Turtle Hospital treats animals that are rehabilitating after swallowing so much plastic they can’t submerge, or have tumors growing around their eyes, a condition linked to water quality. Visitors see the operating room, the research lab and tanks filled with turtles ranging from hatchlings to 300-pound adults.

“It’s a very exciting time to be in sea turtle medicine,” said Bette Zirkelbach, the energetic manager of the Turtle Hospital on a tour, as she described a pioneering study in the lab on blood turtle types.

Nature-based tourism isn’t new to the Keys — snorkeling, diving and bird-watching are popular throughout the islands and, as I drove, a radio news broadcast urged listeners to use the “I Spy a Manatee” mobile app to both identify the animals’ locations and encourage safe boating around the slow-moving creatures. But getting travelers out of motorized fishing boats and into kayaks is relatively new on Marathon, where Miranda Murphy and Steve Tomek run three-year-old AquaVentures , which offers guided kayak tours in the tangled mangrove channels at Curry Hammock State Park.

As a naturalist, Ms. Murphy treats the waterways like living aquariums, pointing out schools of baby snapper and using a net to pull up starfish and jellyfish that illustrate the role of mangroves as nurseries of the sea. “It’s like a touch tank in the wild,” she said.

In March, AquaVentures will move its base of operations to the new 24-acre Isla Bella Beach Resort . Kayak tours of the mangrove tunnels in nearby Boot Key will take off from a canal at the resort where, on my visit, six manatees spent hours in the warm shallows.

Bahia Honda

Seven Mile Bridge is the largest span in the Keys, and so exhilarating to cross that I returned another day to experience the drive in the blush light of dawn. It separates the Middle from the Lower Keys, and more commercial islands from some less developed ones, beginning with Bahia Honda Key, home to Bahia Honda State Park .

Beheaded palm trees and white sand beaches shorn of their shady sea grape trees testify to Bahia Honda’s location near the eye of Irma. This fall, one of its beaches reopened and snorkelers were trolling the shallows, but its popular Sandspur Beach, once lined with sea grapes decorated by visitors in seashells and driftwood, remains closed. Still, from the top of the old Bahia Honda Bridge, part of the original railway, there are hypnotic views across a 30-foot-deep channel that represented one of the most challenging to track-builders, sometimes limited by the tides to two 45-minute shifts a day.

Big Pine Key

Six miles west, much of Big Pine Key and neighboring No Name Key comprise the National Key Deer Refuge established in 1957 to protect the dwarf Key deer, an endangered subspecies of the North American white-tailed deer that grows just three feet tall. At the refuge visitors’ center, in a strip mall where a pair of free-ranging roosters foraged the parking lot, volunteers told tales of deer showing up beside a Winn Dixie grocery store dumpster, and extolled the resilience of the herd, which is now estimated to have between 500 and 800 deer. Many of the mangrove areas that edge their habitat remain barren after Irma.

Here, I met Bill Keogh, the easygoing owner of Big Pine Kayak Adventures , who guides paddling trips from Big Pine Key to the “backcountry,” a largely protected region of undeveloped mangrove islands. He still sees baby stingrays, snappers and sharks and, post-storm, a preponderance of lobsters on mangrove island fragments dispersed by the hurricane . “It’s the same biomass out there,” he said, “but it’s concentrated in new real estate.”

Leaving him at sunset, I crossed a bridge to No Name Key to look for deer, which I found not only there — collie-sized critters galloping across the sandy road — but, on my return to the highway, where I stopped to watch an elfin stag, doe and fawn grazing a town lawn.

Stock Island

After 25 quiet miles crossing calm bays with views to distant patches of mangrove isles, I reached the outskirts of the city of Key West on Stock Island, a traditionally blue-collar refuge for shrimpers, commercial fishermen and tourism industry employees. With its mobile homes and canals moored with houseboats, it retains a grittiness that its more manicured neighbor, the island of Key West, has largely lost. But it, too, is experiencing development, now mingling marinas, newly paved streets and bushy bougainvillea with a pair of new resorts including the Perry Hotel Key West .

With art installations made of propellers, the 100-room hotel facing a recreational marina nods to the shrimp-trawling boats across the channel. Its main restaurant, Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar, has become a dining destination for upscale versions of local seafood, such as black grouper with cornbread gnudi and crawfish-thyme butter, recommended by my Russian waitress who said she came to the Keys on vacation and has stayed seven years.

“The islands got me,” she laughed.

The next day, the Perry’s free 15-minute shuttle dropped me in teeming downtown, tourist-thronged Key West, the end of U.S. 1 and home to harbor-front bars and souvenir shops with a prevalence of mermaid ornaments, statues and paintings. In this setting, the Captain’s Mermaid boutique owned by Kristiann Mills, a native Conch who identifies as a mermaid, is a tranquil, if glittery, refuge. She explained that many of her mermaid “pod” teach “mermaiding,” or swimming in a long tailfin , and that she is launching the first Key West Mermaid Festival , July 5 to 7, to draw attention to conservation.

“We’re a little angry the ocean’s being polluted and we’re coming on land to tell you about it,” said Ms. Mills, with the warm smile and flowing hair you might expect of a mermaid.

Home of the Conch Republic, which tried to secede from the union in 1982, Key West has long attracted nonconformists, artists and especially writers, from Ernest Hemingway — whose former house-turned-museum is famously filled with descendants of his six-toed cat Snow White — to Judy Blume, who co-founded Books & Books @ the Studios of Key West , a bookstore within a nonprofit gallery just blocks from the bar-lined Duval Street.

“Duval is a tiny Bourbon Street,” said Shannon McRae, the general manager of Key West Food Tours , over a Hemingway daiquiri off Duval on her company’s new Craft Cocktail Crawl. The three-hour tour visits dives as well as chic lounges. “We want to surprise you and let you drink like a local.”

Key West, a village of tidy bungalows and Victorian captain’s homes, offers much more than bars, of course, and it isn’t hard to escape the rowdies on neighborhood walks or in attractions like the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory , a calming sanctuary of blue morphos, pointed leafwings and dusky swallowtails.

Books & Books

@ The Studios

of Key West

Captain’s

Mermaid Boutique

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

Key West Butterfly &

Nature Conservatory

Southernmost Point

of the Continental U.S.

Around the corner, selfie-takers lined up at an oversize buoy marking the Southernmost Point of the continental United States, painted with an arrow indicating “90 miles to Cuba.” Many came from cruise ships to get their Instagram shot. Cruise traffic is growing on Key West, where 405 calls are expected in 2019 versus 307 in 2016.

Many ships sail out before sunset, which is a shame as sundown cues a carnivalesque celebration nightly at seafront Mallory Square that’s both a tribute to nature and a showcase for quirky characters who make their living in Key West. At one end of the seafront strip, I watched a ringmaster run house cats through hoops like circus felines ; on the other end a contortionist quipped, in the outsider’s humor so common to the Keys, “I call this an economic recovery. It’s an illusion.”

Elaine Glusac is a frequent contributor to the Travel section.

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How to Take the Ultimate Florida Keys Road Trip

The best beach bars, hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on a drive down Florida’s Overseas Highway from Key Largo to Key West.

A drive down Florida's Overseas Highway from Key Largo to Key West offers the perfect blend of eccentric bohemia and chic joie de vivre . As the mile markers decrease, Old Florida charm sharpens into focus. Strip malls hawking beach sundries and snorkeling tours along the upper reaches of U.S. 1 give way to dazzling turquoise flashes as the road becomes more bridge than highway. The route south is festooned with the Keys' ubiquitous kitsch — a giant, spiny lobster presides over a local arts village, lipsticked manatees clutch mailboxes, and hand painted mermaids tempt passersby with the promise of sunset cocktails.

You could drive the 113-mile stretch in a little over three hours, but why would you want to? Road trips , especially one as iconic as this, are all about the stops along the way. So put the top down and cue Jimmy Buffet. Here's our guide to the best the Florida Keys has to offer.

Ease yourself into the Keys' laidback vibe just south of Homestead with a detour onto Card Sound Road. A stop into Alabama Jack's is a must, especially if you're a first-timer. The scrappy, waterside seafood shack has been the Keys' unofficial welcome wagon since 1947 and serves some of the best conch fritters around. Live music and the line of Harleys outside add to the honky-tonk scene.

With your internal clock synced to island time, cruise over Card Sound Bridge and into Key Largo where you'll find John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park at mile marker 102.5. Explore the park's prolific marine life and a portion of the 360-mile Florida Reef Tract — North America's only living coral barrier reef — on a guided snorkeling tour . Or rent kayaks and head out for a paddle through miles of mangrove-lined wilderness trails.

Key Largo is at the epicenter of sustainability efforts in the Florida Keys, especially when it comes to reef health. At the Coral Restoration Foundation , researchers are rearing and planting corals in undersea nurseries. For a unique experience, snorkelers and divers looking to add an eco-tourism stint to their travels can assist scientists with outplanting and reef monitoring at active restorations sites.

After a day of sea and sun, check into the breezy Baker's Cay Resort , a lush retreat tucked into a secluded setting with gorgeous Florida Strait views. The resort partners with local environmental organizations to create eco-friendly guest programming. It was also the first resort in the Keys to join Reef Relief's " Skip the Straw " campaign.

You could easily spend a few days hopping around the string of tiny islands that make up Islamorada and while you do, The Moorings Village is the perfect place to call home.

Built on a former coconut plantation, the resort is home to eight private cottages nestled amidst tropical landscaping just steps from the Atlantic. Eight-hundred palm trees dot the property, and there's no shortage of hammocks for lounging beneath the verdant fronds.

Grab a paddleboard and head out for an ocean jaunt, watch the world go by from the cool shade of your porch, or while away a few hours by the gorgeous pool. If you can tear yourself away, single-speed beach cruisers are available for a pedal around town. Check out the galleries around the corner in the Morada Bay Arts and Cultural District — every third Thursday is the district's evening art walk — or pop into the beer garden at the Florida Keys Brewing Company for a hyper-local tasting flight.

Robbie's Marina , one of the Florida Keys' most iconic landmarks, sits on the tip of Lower Matecumbe Key, about five miles south at mile marker 77.5. The epitome of the archipelago's barefoot affability, Robbie's is a waterside shantytown of sorts that includes an outdoor marketplace, a marine sports outpost, and the Hungry Tarpon restaurant, named for the school of enormous silver fish that have been circling the docks for decades. Seven bucks will get you a bucket of bait and admission to the dock, and feeding the leaping, thrashing creatures provides a memorable diversion.

Afterwards, head out for an eco-tour through Islamorada's pristine waters with Captain Sam Zeher or just chill dockside with one of Robbie's Trailer Trash Bloody Marys, complete with a beef-jerky straw.

When the dinner hour beckons, shake the sand from your toes and head to Pierre's , an elegant plantation-style house with a wide verandah overlooking Florida Bay. A few miles north at Marker 88 , the chef serves the kind of super-fresh seafood one would expect to find in the sportfishing capital of the world. Tuck into cracked coconut-crusted shrimp and fresh Florida lobster on the outdoor patio with a glass of fruity Chardonnay — for a relaxed joint, Marker 88 has an excellent wine list. At either spot, the famous Keys sunset is guaranteed to put on a memorable show.

Even before Hemingway's old man took to the sea, the Keys were a saltwater angler's paradise, legendary for big game like sailfish, wahoo, and blue marlin. Though pulling a trophy fish from the ocean can be a thrill, sometimes the best part of casting a line is eating your catch later.

One of the best ways to do so is on a hook-and-cook adventure at Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key, a pocket-sized island about 20 miles south of Islamorada. When it comes to relaxation, the resort offers a stunning adults-only enclave called Oasis Cay.

Get out onto the water with lifelong conch (i.e., Florida Keys native) Captain Dave Perry , who has been fishing the Keys for decades and runs charters out of the Hawks Cay Marina with Captain Justin Brunk. In addition to blue water hunting, the two specialize in fishing the reef for snapper and grouper, fish that can later be blackened, grilled, or fried for a hyper-local meal at Angler and Ale , the resort's dockside restaurant.

Connecting Marathon to the Lower Keys, the Seven-Mile Bridge is a highlight of any Keys road trip and driving it feels like being immersed in an ocean-themed movie. But before you do, take a ferry out to picturesque Pigeon Key for a dose of Keys history.

In the early 1900s, Florida tycoon Henry Flagler envisioned an Overseas Railroad linking mainland Florida to Key West. The project was nicknamed Flagler's Folly — no one believed his ambitious plan would come to fruition — yet, despite naysayers, the rail line was finished in 1912 complete with the engineering marvel that became the Seven-Mile Bridge. During the railroad's construction, more than 400 workers lived on Pigeon Key, which is now listed on the National Historic Register. Tours of the tiny island leave three times daily from the Pigeon Key Visitor's Center and offer a deep dive into the story of the railroad, its ill-fated demise, and the scenic highway travelers drive today.

The Lower Keys

Take a detour for some beach bliss at Bahia Honda State Park , a 524-acre swath of nature tucked between the Atlantic and the Gulf. Don't forget to drop by Sandspur Beach, long considered one of the best in the Keys.

On Big Pine Key, stop into the new Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Nature Center, which features exhibits spotlighting the Keys' four wildlife refuges including the nearby National Key Deer Refuge . Established in 1957, the refuge protects approximately 9,200 acres of land on Big Pine and No Name Keys that serves as habitat for endangered Key Deer. Stick to the speed limit around here — the diminutive creatures have been known to dart into the road, especially at dawn and dusk.

About 30 minutes south, you'll find authentic, Old Keys spirit on the docks of Geiger Key Marina at The Fish Camp . Founded by local restaurateurs Michelle and Bobby Mongelli, also behind the well-loved Hogfish Bar and Grill on nearby Stock Island, this open-air tiki bar and seafood joint claims to be on "the back side of paradise," which certainly feels accurate when you're sitting waterside with a plate of succulent Key West pink shrimp and a cold beer. The Sunday afternoon barbecue is legendary.

Head out to explore the labyrinth of waterways around Stock Island on a guided kayak tour with Lazy Dog Adventures . Trips leave from a tiny inlet on Cow Key Channel and wind through the mangrove tunnels and saltwater creeks hugging the edge of the Atlantic. The vibrant ecosystem provides a habitat for manatees, sea stars, tropical fish, and all kinds of shorebirds — many of which you'll encounter while paddling through the Keys' backcountry wilderness.

Key West exudes the same anything-goes bonhomie it did back in the day of rumrunners and speakeasies — only now it's infused with a shot of modern flair. Colorful conch cottages line the streets of Old Town, swank cocktail salons mingle with celebrated watering holes on Duval, and feral fowl give new meaning to free-range as they strut along the sidewalks crowing with carefree abandon. It also has an eclectic mix of top-rated hotels to suit every traveler.

Find respite from the downtown bacchanalia at the Parrot Key Hotel and Villas . The entire property breathes Old Key West charm. Walkways edged with white-picket fences wind through tropical gardens past hidden swimming pools and quaint, two-story clapboard bungalows. Bright-blue Adirondack chairs sit on covered porches, hammocks swing beneath shady palms, and ceiling fans spin lazily overhead at The Grove, the resort's new open-air restaurant. Parrot Key's complimentary shuttle delivers guests throughout the day to either a private beach club at Smathers Beach or to the heart of Old Town. For a DIY adventure, a fleet of single-speed beach cruisers invites exploration.

At four miles long and two miles wide, Key West is made for biking. Pedal through dappled sunlight along Whitehead Street to the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum . Inside, passionate docents supply a glimpse into the profound yet tragic genius of one of the Lost Generation's most colorful characters. Pay further tribute to Papa at the Hemingway Rum Company , which produces the award-winning Papa's Pilar, named for the author's beloved fishing boat. The company's flagship headquarters, housed in a former tobacco warehouse, is part distillery, part tasting room, and part museum. Find a spot at the bar and sample delicious, dark and blonde Solera-blended rums amidst all variety of Hemingway-themed ephemera.

When the sun starts to set, climb aboard Danger Charters ' elegant, three-masted schooner for a wine-tasting sail that offers a polished alternative to the nightly circus — think fire juggling acrobats and hoop-jumping cats — at Mallory Square. Or take a quick jaunt on the private ferry to Sunset Key for a gastronomical adventure overlooking the Gulf of Mexico at Latitudes , the signature restaurant at Sunset Key Cottages . There, you'll dine on yellowtail, grouper, or cobia by the light of tiki torches with your toes in the sand. Innovative cocktails, crisp white tablecloths, and dreamy island views round out a memorable evening.

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Perfect 5 Day Florida Keys Road Trip Itinerary (Miami to Key West Drive)

View of the 7 mile bridge in the Florida Keys

Are you looking for the perfect Florida Keys road trip itinerary? We got you! We enjoyed an epic 5 days driving from Miami to Key West (and back) passing through destinations like Key Largo and Marathon on this leisurely Florida Keys drive.

The Florida Keys is without a doubt one of the best paradise and road trip destinations in the United States, the epitome of the “American Dream vacation,” with its azure waters, breezy tropical sunsets, colorful buildings, and plenty of places to have a cold drink on a hot Florida day.

We have put together a suggested itinerary on how to spend your Florida Keys road trip and Miami to Key West drive based on our own experiences to help you plan an incredible vacation. You can easily adjust some of the activities on this itinerary to customize it for yourself if you’re interested in different options as we picked our highlighted activities and Florida Keys road trip stops based on our own experiences!

We wanted to highlight some of the best natural activities to do including businesses and organizations that have efforts in protecting and helping their community and environment. You can read more about the sustainable Florida Keys activities in our other guide.

Your Florida Keys road trip itinerary starts and ends at the Miami International Airport (MIA) since this is the best airport to fly into to enjoy the best stops on the Miami to Key West drive. Although, since we don’t spend any time in Miami, you can technically refer to this as a Key Largo to Key West drive since Key Largo is just 60 miles from Miami and the beginning of your journey.

Use this guide to help you plan your Florida Keys road trip and picture yourself cruising down a long and winding coastal road with the sun shining bright overhead, casting sparkling reflections on the crystal clear waters below.

As you make your way through the Florida Keys down to Key West on a road trip, you’ll encounter an endless array of breathtaking views and exciting experiences that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and inspired.

From exploring the charming seaside towns like Islamorada and Key West featured on this Florida Keys itinerary to embarking on thrilling water sports adventures like snorkeling and jet skiing, there’s no shortage of excitement to be found along this beautiful stretch of scenic highway.

You may even catch a glimpse of some incredible wildlife, from majestic manatees lounging in shallow bays to playful dolphins leaping out of the waves and sea turtles who call these warm waters home.

And let’s not forget about food! The Florida Keys are home to some truly amazing cuisine, from fresh seafood caught right off the coast to mouthwatering key lime pie!

So whether you’re seeking adventure or looking for some much-needed R&R, a road trip through the Florida Keys has something for everyone. Get ready to soak up all that this stunning destination has to offer – your next unforgettable adventure awaits!

Things to know before visiting the florida keys, day 1: miami to key largo, day 2: around key largo and islamorada, day 3: drive to key west with stops along the way, day 4: key west activities, day 5: key west to marathon.

Megan walking through palm trees at Isla Bella Beach Resort in Marathon in the Florida Keys

Before embarking on your Florida Keys road trip and Miami to Key West drive here are a few things to know before you go to help you plan a great trip.

Highlights on this Florida Keys road trip itinerary from Key Largo to Key West include:
Snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (the first protected underwater preserve in the US)
Driving on the Seven Mile Bridge
Get close to birds of the Florida Keys at Florida Keys Wild Bird Center
Feed Tarpon Fish and get on the water at Robbie’s of Islamorada
Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum + its collection of polydactyl cats in Key West
Sampling the flavors of the Florida Keys on a food tour in Key West
Visit the Southernmost Point of the Continental US!
Visiting historic landmarks and nightlife in Key West
Visit Sea Turtles at a rescue and rehabilitation center
Relaxing on beaches next to some of the most beautiful water in the US!

Renting a Car For Your Florida Keys Drive

Cars driving on the overseas highway in the Florida Keys road trip

We recommend preparing for your rental car in advance for Miami International Airport (MIA). Getting to the car rental places at the airport is easy.

Once you collect your baggage you follow the signs to the MIA Mover that takes you to where the car rentals are.

We recommend booking your car rental in advance with Expedia.

Before purchasing car insurance be sure to check with your credit card company to see if it already included in your perks. If you do have rental car insurance coverage with your credit card, be sure to check to see if you need to have a letter from the credit card company proving your insurance so you don’t end up getting pressured into buying the insurance you don’t need on the spot.

Some rental car companies require this letter proving coverage from your credit card company which is easy to get with a phone call but you need to come prepared.

Florida Keys Road Trip Mile Markers

On your drive to Key West you’ll be driving along what is known as the Overseas Highway , a 113-mile route that takes you from Key Largo to Key West. Much of the Overseas Highway was actually built on a former railroad and has seen the wrath and damage of hurricanes over the years. By the 1950s this had become the popular route to drive from Miami to Key West and embark on a Florida Keys road trip!

Another interesting fact, once you start your Florida Keys road trip itinerary and drive from Miami to Key West you will notice that there’s alot of talk about Mile Markers . These Mile Markers indicate the location or address in reference to the number of miles north of Key West’s Mile 0.

As the address numbers get smaller, this indicates the further south you’re going closer to Mile Marker 0.

For example, the first stop on our itinerary is Kona Kai Resort Gallery & Botanic Gardens. Their address is 97802 Overseas Hwy. Their street number indicates they are 97.8 miles away from Key West.

Once you get to Key West you can take your photo with the famous Mile Marker 0. These Mile Markers can also indicate how far of a drive it is between your planned stops.

With Google Maps now you don’t need to calculate the Mile Markers yourself but it’s a fun little tidbit of knowledge to know on your drive from Miami to Key West.

Reef Safe Sunscreen

Megan relaxing in a hammock at Kona Kai in Key Largo

The Florida Keys can be hot and the sun is strong down here! This goes without saying, but you need to come prepared with sunscreen. If during your Florida Keys road trip, you plan on getting in the water we urge you to use reef safe sunscreen. Did you know that most sunscreens are filled with chemicals that are toxic and harmful to the environment?

Two harmful chemicals often found in sunscreen are oxybenzone and octinoxate that contribute to coral bleaching. Other harmful chemicals include petrolatum and titanium dioxide.

Shockingly, finding reef safe sunscreen along your Florida Keys road trip isn’t so easy and may require multiple stops, so we urge you to come prepared with your own. We have picked out a few you can purchase online in advance to prepare for your trip below.

Many reef safe sunscreens require a bit more time to ‘apply’ as there is often zinc in the sunscreen, and some even leave a faint white appearance after applying to your skin. We found Thinksport to be one of the easier reef safe sunscreens to apply. Also, if you apply a small amount at a time it’s much easier to apply!

When’s the best time to visit the Florida Keys

The best time to visit the Florida Keys is in the winter months, this is the most popular time because the weather is the most comfortable and people are escaping their cold weather homes to visit one of the best warm winter vacations in the USA .

The spring months are a good time to visit the Florida Keys before the temperatures get too hot and humid and there are way fewer crowds and lower room rates than in the popular winter months.

Hurricane season is between June and November so its a gamble to travel during this time.

Be sure to also check out our guide for the best places to stay in the Florida Keys to help you plan your trip!

Back to the Top

Key Largo from above taken along our Florida Keys road trip

On your first day on the Miami to Key West drive, we are recommending you stop at Key Largo to explore the northern Keys extensively. We have recommended where to stay as well as some great activities to enjoy.

We recommend spending some time in Miami before your trip, even if it’s just an afternoon. We recommend checking out the colorful Miami neighborhood of Wynwood if you only have time for one stop!

Kona Kai Resort Gallery and Botanic Gardens

Address: 97802 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo

(~ 63 miles or 1 hour 15 minutes drive from MIA to Key Largo)

Our first stop on our Florida Keys road trip itinerary is a place for rest and relaxation in paradise. There’s nothing more taxing on the body than flying and we like to take it easy on days that involve flights because they suck so much of our energy out of us.

Start your Florida Keys itinerary at Kona Kai Resort Gallery and Botanical Gardens in Key Largo made up of individual cottages on the waterfront. We are recommending using this resort as your base for the next two nights as we explore our days 1 & 2 Florida Keys itinerary attractions.

This boutique property not only has individual charming, beachy cottages for its guests located in a botanic garden but also a gorgeous waterfront location perfect for catching a sunset.

You will find little lizards and iguanas running around the botanic garden as you make your way to the beach on the walkway. The small botanic gardens here are actually one of only two frost-free tropical botanic gardens in the continental US!

With your stay, you get free access to kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and paddle boats . There’s also a pool and hot tub for swimming. Along the water, you can find a dock for sunbathing, sunset watching, and hammocks under the swaying palm trees to relax.

Each of the cottages at Kona Kai Resort Gallery and Botanical Gardens comes with a fully equipped kitchen, so if you do like to cook on vacation you have this option but there are plenty of incredible seafood restaurants nearby.

We recommend spending the first afternoon after flying and driving relaxing by the waterside here with your drink of choice before kicking off the rest of your Florida Keys road trip. Book Now on Booking.com

Dinner at Sundowners

Address: 103900 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo

One of the most popular spots in Key Largo for dinner and sunset is Sundowners restaurant. The restaurant has a full bar and a menu full of local fish dishes located right on the water in the Florida Bay.

This is only a 15-minute drive from Kona Kai Resort, so we ate dinner here before sunset and made it back to Kona Kai’s quiet dock for a more romantic sunset!

Moorings Village in Islamorada from above

On day 2 of our Florida Keys road trip we recommend continuing to explore the northern Keys including Key Largo and Islamorada before continuing the road trip to Key West.

Snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Underwater Christ of the Abyss at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park snorkeling tour

Address: 102601 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo

One of our favorite highlights and first stop on our Florida Keys road trip itinerary involves some of the best snorkeling in the Florida Keys! The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the first underwater preserve in the United States protecting the Florida Keys barrier reef, the only reef system in the continental US.

John Pennekamp State Park includes mangroves you can walk through, seagrass beds, beaches to hang out on, and the underwater barrier coral reef system you can witness by snorkeling.

Visitors can enjoy walking through the mangroves on a trail, hanging out on the beaches, snorkeling, scuba dive, and kayak. This is a protected area with wildlife, so you will definitely see iguanas basking in the sun, fish, and perhaps even crocodiles just by hanging out around the coastline near the visitor’s center.

We highly recommend reserving a snorkeling tour in advance for one of their multiple snorkeling tours throughout the day. The snorkeling here is very popular and during peak season you will definitely need a reservation.

We went on a snorkeling tour to the Key Largo dry rocks where you can snorkel among the coral reef with tropical fish and visit the Christ of the Deep underwater statue, a 4,000 lb bronze statue placed underwater in 1961.

You can snorkel right up to the statue as the hands reaching above his head are just a few feet below the surface of the water. However, we highly recommend not touching the statue as there is fire coral all over the statue which you will be sorely sorry if you touch.

You can spend a bit of extra time exploring the rest of the park before or after your snorkeling trip before heading off to the next suggestions on our Florida Keys itinerary.

Bring Your Own Reef Safe Sunscreen

Remember at the beginning of this Florida Keys road trip guide where I mention reef safe sunscreen? Shockingly, the visitor center didn’t sell reef safe sunscreen on our visit so you will need to come prepared yourself and plan in advance.

We have picked out a few you can purchase online in advance to prepare for your trip. You can see our suggestions earlier in this guide for the Florida Keys road trip itinerary.

Lunch at Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen

Address: 99336 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo (the second location is just further south by maybe 2 minutes)

A local restaurant everyone loves and worth a stop on your Florida Keys road trip itinerary is Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen. This kitschy joint has two locations just down the road from one another, we recommend trying to stop at the original location at 99336 Overseas Highway unless they are too full and you’re starving.

The original location is much smaller and has the old-school charm to it that made it a local favorite. Inside you will find license plates covering the floor to ceiling on the walls donated by guests who visit. This just goes to show how popular of a place this is that people plan to visit with their own license plate to decorate the restaurant!

The menu offers everything from seafood to comfort food and the Florida Keys’s signature dessert, key lime pie!

This restaurant gained so much popularity they were forced to open a second location down the street. This building itself was made for Instagram painted in pastel pinks and other fun colors. This location is much larger and better for bigger groups or if the line or wait is too long at the original.

We highly recommend saving room for dessert and getting a slice of their key lime pie!

Beer Tasting at Florida Keys Brewing Company

Florida Keys Brewing Company tap selection in Islamorada Florida

Address: 81611 Old Hwy, Islamorada

We love our beer and couldn’t do a perfect Florida Keys itinerary without stopping at least one of the breweries in the area. The Florida Keys Brewing Company is the first brewery in the north Keys and is a perfect place to stop for a cold refreshing beer on a hot day and our first stop on your drive to Key West in Islamorada!

They have a gorgeous tropical beer garden with fans outside that’s a great place to hang out in the early evenings or inside their colorful tasting room where there is a huge selection of their beer to try on tap.

We recommend trying a flight of beer so you can sample a few different of their specialty beers. They have quite an assortment and many infuse some tropical ingredients that are unique to the Florida Keys.

Something we love about this brewery is they often have a limited edition beer on tap that goes towards a local cause. During our visit they had a Double Hibiscus Kolsch made with local honey. Part of their sales go towards the nonprofit organization the Mote Marine Laboratory who is working on the Florida Keys disease outbreak known as the Coral Tissue Loss Disease that has coral mortality rates of 80% putting their reefs at risk of extinction.

We love that they are using their beer and the love of beer to help support local causes. It’s not often you get to drink for a cause!

Sunset and Dinner at Morada Bay Beach Cafe

Dining at Morada Bay Beach Cafe in the Florida Keys

Address: 81600 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada

Our last stop for the day on our Florida Keys road trip is at Morada Bay Beach Cafe . This is the perfect place to unwind after a fun day in the Florida sun and have a delicious meal right along the water under a canopy of palm trees swaying in the tropical wind.

This restaurant and hotel has a gorgeous location right on the water and is the perfect place for a sunset. Dine with your toes in the sand or if it’s too hot you can sit in the indoor area with a waterfront view.

The atmosphere here is inviting and a fun place to enjoy a gorgeous slow sunset over dinner. They have a great variety of fresh seafood dishes. Stick around and enjoy a drink on the sand too.

This location was also used as a filming location for the television series, Bloodline .

Aerial view of the overseas highway on our florida keys road trip

After spending a few great days in the northern Florida Keys we recommend making a few stops on your drive to Key West on your Florida Keys road trip itinerary including lunch that doubles as a place for some great water activities before arriving to Key West.

Along your drive from Key Largo to Key West on the Overseas Highway you will cross the famous Seven Mile Bridge that’s completely surrounded by water. The famous Seven Mile Bridge is one of the longest bridges in the world, spanning seven miles across open water from Marathon to Little Duck Key.

The original bridge which you can see running parallel to it was the most famous because of its narrow lanes passing over a large body of water. It was a dangerous road that required alot of attention when crossing it and has a 2.2-mile section that is now only open to pedestrians and cyclists.

The modern bridge is much safer for vehicular traffic and is absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime experience to drive along a road like this where you’re surrounded by gorgeous blue water below.

Florida Keys Wild Bird Center

Address: 92080 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier

Continue your Miami to Key West drive on the Overseas Highway stopping at the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center . This is a family-friendly activity where you get to see and experience all kinds of wild bird species while your visit helps fund this wild bird rehabilitation facility to help release injured birds back into the wild.

There are two different facilities here, the Mission Wild Bird Hospital where they accept injured birds and rehabilitate them for release, and the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary where the injured birds who couldn’t fully recover and thrive in the wild have their new permanent loving forever home.

The Mission Wild Bird Hospital is for staff only but there is an education center and gift shop here. We highly recommend visiting The Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary to see all kinds of wild bird species that now call this a forever home. The birds you find here are ones that were injured and couldn’t fully rehabilitate and thrive in the wild on their own.

You can learn a bit about each of the birds here including their name and the backstory of how they ended up here.

There is no set admission for visiting the Wild Bird Sanctuary, but they do recommend a $10 donation per person, or what you can give. This facility and program is a completely nonprofit organization and they keep helping birds from donations from visitors.

We personally fell in love with Booby. He is a masked booby bird who had a bold personality during our visit. It turns out he is a little local celebrity because a few years back the Florida Keys Brewing Company had a limited edition beer named after him and a portion of the proceeds come back to help fund the Wild Bird Center.

What’s great about visiting stops like this along your Florida Keys road trip is that just by visiting you are helping the cause and rehabilitation for animals by paying a small fee.

There are all kinds of interesting birds who are here that you’d probably have a very slim chance seeing in the wild, we highly recommend this stop on your Miami to Key West drive.

Lunch and Outdoor Activities at Robbie’s of Islamorada

Robbies of Islamorada legend of Scarface

Address: 77522 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada

Our next stop on our Florida Keys road trip itinerary includes another local favorite spot! Robbie’s of Islamorada not only has a great restaurant to eat at but they have all kinds of water activities to enjoy as well as an outdoor shopping market full of fun finds and local souvenirs.

Depending on your arrival time we recommend getting lunch first at the Hungry Tarpon restaurant. This waterfront restaurant and bar is in a prime location on Lower Matecumbe Key. We recommend the fish tacos!

While you’re eating you can’t help but notice the people gathering on the dock feeding the tarpon fish. Grab a bucket of small fish and feed the giant tarpon right in the water outside the restaurant! Don’t worry, you won’t be feeding and befriending fish that they serve at the restaurant. No one eats tarpon fish because they are too bony.

The whole backstory and legend of the tarpon fish feeding tradition here goes back decades. The owner of Robbie’s saw an injured tarpon fish where its jaw had been sliced open from a hook. He and his friend stitched him up and took care of him in a tank until he was able to be released back into the water. They called him Scarface because of the big gash in his jaw.

When they released Scarface he didn’t just go away and live on his own, he left and came back with a ton of his friends and now they still feed them. Or that’s at least what they claim the legend to be.

If you still have more time for fun in the sun here you can always check out parasailing, jet ski rentals, kayak or stand-up paddleboard rentals, or just shop around before finishing the drive from Key Largo to Key West.

Drive and Settle in to Key West

Continue your Florida Keys road trip by making your final stop at Key West. Depending on what time you arrive we recommend checking in to your hotel first.

We stayed at the Perry Hotel Key West . This location is a bit outside of where all the action is in Key West, but the hotel property is gorgeous and located right on the water. They have Vespa scooters for rent, a free shuttle that goes to downtown Key West, or since you have a car on your Florida Keys road trip then you have the option to drive yourself.

Book on Expedia.com | Check out rates on Hotels.com

If you prefer to stay closer to town and walking distance to everything we recommend trying one of the gorgeous properties available. Southernmost Beach Resort is a beautiful 4-star hotel located near the southernmost point of the continental US marker!

Dinner at First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery

Address: 301 Whitehead St, Key West

After completing your Key Largo to Key West drive and are continuing on your Florida Keys itinerary, we recommend getting settled into your hotel then heading out to enjoy dinner at this historic location/great restaurant and brewery!

First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery is located in the building where the first PanAm international ticket was sold and the birthplace of Pan American World Airways in 1927.

You can see traces of aviation history here if you look closely as well as artifacts around the restaurant deor. They have their own beers on draft here and a delicious menu of seasonal dishes.

We loved the canopy garden seating in the evening too as it had a tropical atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re really on vacation.

A Florida Keys itinerary wouldn’t be complete without spending at least an entire day enjoying all the incredible things to do and see in Key West . We are going to list some of our favorite activities to enjoy on Key West to pick and choose what you’d like to see.

All of these attractions we mention in this guide are within walking distance from one another. If you find yourself tired of walking you can always use the free Duval loop shuttle to get you close to all the locations you’d want to visit.

The Hemingway Home and Museum

a cat in the bathroom at the Hemingway Home in Key West

Address: 907 Whitehead St, Key West

Easily one of my favorite stops on our entire Florida Keys road trip was the Hemingway Home and Museum . Did you know that Ernest Hemingway spent 10 years of his life here in Key West? His old home is now a museum open to the public, but it’s not just the prolific author’s home that attracts visitors.

The Hemingway Home is famous for having its collection of polydactyl cats who live here to this day. During Hemingway’s years in the house, he started with one cat with extra toes and in its peak had between 50-60 cats on the property.

To keep the tradition alive, the museum keeps that many polydactyl cats on the property where they live their lives like the royalty they are at one of the most famous and nicest houses in Key West.

The cats are as much of the history of this house as Hemingway himself. I could have spent all day here!

There are 30-minute guided tours often, but you don’t need to join one to enjoy the property. The admission is $14 for adults and $6 for kids, be sure to bring cash as they do not take credit cards.

Forgot cash? There are ATMs near the Hemingway House & Museum at 724 Duval Street and another at 1075 Duval Street.

If you’re a huge Hemingway fan, check out this Hemingway’s Life and Local Food Walking Tour which takes you to various landmarks that were important to Hemingway in Key West while eating local specialties along the way!

Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

Flamingo in the butterfly conservatory in Key West

Address: 1316 Duval St, Key West

Another great stop in Key West is the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory . What looks like a house on the outside is actually a butterfly conservancy and tropical garden with little critters from birds to butterflies.

Walk through the tranquil tropical gardens while witnessing some of the most beautiful tropical creatures who are inside.

There are also two rescued flamingos who call this conservatory home that are a treat to see up close in person!

General admission tickets are $15 with lower rates for seniors, military, and kids, children under 3 get in for free. Keep in mind the last admission is at 4:30 PM so plan your visit to this awesome Florida Keys attraction accordingly.

Southernmost Cultural Food & Walking Tour

If you’ve followed our blog long enough you know how we feel about food tours. We LOVE THEM! This is one of the best ways to try a bunch of different local dishes/restaurants and learn the history of where you’re visiting.

The Key West Food Tours journey is 3 hours long stopping at some of their favorite local spots to eat from Cuban cuisine to a great rum bar with a history dating all the way back to the prohibition.

This is a great way to spend lunch during your Florida Keys itinerary stop in Key West, be sure to secure a reservation in advance. They also offer cocktail tours if that’s more up your alley!

Southernmost Point of the Continental US

Address: 1400 Whitehead St, Key West

A road trip to Key West wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Southernmost Point in the Continental USA! This is one of the most popular photo spots in Key West at the Southernmost Point Buoy.

You’ll surely see a line here waiting to get a photo unless you come early in the morning. This spot signifies the southernmost point in the continental United States, but if you are a person who really likes to focus on technicalities, the actual southernmost point is located a few blocks over on private property and is inaccessible to visitors.

Walk down Duval Street

Easily the most iconic street in Key West is Duval Street. This is where you will find tons of bars and shopping in what feels like the Bourbon Street of Key West.

This commercialized street connects the Southernmost Point to Mallory Square with plenty of places to stop along the way if you want to drink, dine, or shop.

A few highlights on Duval Street include:

Grabbing a drink at bars like Hog’s Breath Saloon or Green Parrot Bar
Explore the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
Join a Key West haunted pub crawl tour through Duval Street
Ride the famous Conch Train which takes you through historic stops like Duval Street while learning about the history of Key West and its attractions!
Embark on the Ghosts of Key West walking tour on Duval Street and learn the haunting history of Key West and see Robert the Doll!

Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square

The shell warehouse at mallory square market in key west

This waterfront square is another great stop in Key West on your Florida Keys road trip. There are outdoor and indoor shops, museums, and waterfront outdoor entertainers who gather here. This scene gets lively in the evenings, especially during peak season and is a fun place to gather.

Along the water from two hours before sunset until sunset is known as the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square. This is when all the performers come out and where many gather to enjoy the sunset together. It’s actually an official thing here!

And while you’re here, if you’re interested in shipwrecks and the treasures on old ships, check out the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum which is located right here too, this museum is filled with treasures found from shipwrecks off the Florida Keys and Key West!

Truman Little White House

There are many famous historic homes in Key West, you’ll notice this as you’re walking around and see a plaque for many different houses explaining who lived there and why it’s a historic landmark. One of the most famous, besides the Hemingway Home is the Truman Little White House .

This was the winter home for Truman during his presidency. Truman wasn’t the only US president who used this house though, Taft, Kennedy, Eisenhower, Carter, and Clinton all used this home during their presidency as well used as a facility and a vacation home.

There is a museum inside if you wish to learn more, if not this is just a fun stop while wandering Front Street, one of the most gorgeous streets to walk down filled with historic homes and lush greenery.

The Key West road trip section is now complete, now that we spent time doing all the spectacular activities offered here we recommend spending your last days making your way back up to Miami for your departure and complete your Florida Keys road trip itinerary with more fun stops along the way.

We stopped in Marathon which is an hour north of Key West and another beautiful place to stop on your Florida Keys itinerary.

You can spend the morning in Key West and head towards Marathon around lunch time. This would also depend on what time your appointment is at the Turtle Hospital. If you’ve had enough of Key West we recommend scheduling in some extra downtime relaxing at the resort we recommend staying at in Marathon.

Breakfast at Blue Heaven

Megan outside of Blue Heaven in Key West

Address: 729 Thomas St, Key West

Don’t leave Key West just yet, you need to try one of the most famous brunch spots in the Florida Keys. Blue Heaven is located on the best foodie street in Key West, Petronia Street (and the corner of Thomas Street) and is a crowd favorite.

This place is steeped with island history from being a place where Hemingway himself attended the boxing matches, being a brothel, to a cock fighting location. While this place is far from that today, you can still see traces of its history if you look closely, it is said you can see the peep holes in the building for those who used to come for the brothels.

This jungle garden hang out spot gives you the chance to eat with the sand beneath your toes without being on the beach. They have a full bar and serve up some tasty Floridan-Caribbean dishes for brunch including lobster benedict and shrimp grits!

Turtle Hospital

Address: 2396 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

The Turtle Hospital is one of the best stops and most popular stops on a Florida Keys road trip. This turtle hospital treats injured endangered sea turtles who are brought to the facility. This is where they are rehabilitated and released back in the wild or if not, they are looked after the rest of their lives here.

The Turtle Hospital does require a reservation to join a 90-minute guided tour teaching you about the endangered species you’ll witness in the Turtle Hospital, see the facility where they are treated, and see the open tanks of water where the sea turtles are living until they are healthy again to be released back in the water.

Your admission goes to funding this nonprofit facility and if you wish to donate more you can. We recommend calling a few days in advance or in peak season maybe even a few weeks in advance to make sure you can grab a spot on the tour.

Call the Marathon Turtle Hospital to reserve your spot on a tour (305) 743-2552

Lunch at Castaway Waterfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar

lionfish sashimi with gorgeous presentation at Castaway waterfront restaurant and sushi bar

Address: 1406 Ocean View Ave, Marathon

Our next stop on our Florida Keys road trip itinerary for a meal is a restaurant that is doing something great for the local marine environment at Castaway Waterfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar . During recent years, non-native lionfish have been threatening the marine environment off the Florida Keys.

The lionfish is native to Indo-Pacific waters and it’s a mystery how they found themselves here in the Florida Keys. They are an invasive species that are capable of causing the extinction of native plants and animals. The spines on the lionfish are venomous and can sting. This makes them have very few predators. In addition, they have a very rapid reproductive rate and they eat alot.

The lionfish were quickly wiping out young populations of fish which were damaging to the entire biodiversity of the area. Local fishermen are doing what they can to hunt the lionfish and serve it on menus because its actually a quite delicious fish to consume.

However, that is also difficult because the only way you can really hunt lionfish is by spearfishing in deeper waters making it a hard fish to hunt in large quantities.

Castaway’s owner John fishes himself for lionfish that are served in the restaurant as sushi rolls. This is not only a great way to try lionfish but to help the local biodiversity in the waters here in the Florida Keys.

They offer dozens of beer on tap, an extensive sushi menu, and a regular seafood menu to choose from. This is a great stop for slow lunch right on the water and we recommend trying the lionfish while you’re here!

Relax at Isla Bella Beach Resort

Lounging at Isla Bella Beach Resort in Marathon in the Florida Keys on our Florida Keys road trip

Our final stop on our Florida Keys Road trip itinerary is the perfect place to unwind and reminisce on all the good times you had on your vacation. The incredible waterfront Isla Bella Beach Resort is the perfect place to do it.

Their waterfront villas are gorgeous and comfortable, a great way to pamper yourself before the end of your trip. There are several pools on the property as well as beachside cabanas you can hang out and relax in.

The views here are incredible and relaxing. There’s also a beachside bar with slightly overpriced drinks, but you’re paying for the location here! And an Italian restaurant on site.

If you don’t want to stick around for dinner they do offer bicycles you can borrow from the property to explore anything nearby.

Book Now on Booking.com | Compare Prices on Expedia.com | Check out rates on Hotels.com

The Florida Keys are known as a chain of islands off the southern tip of Florida famous for its scenic drive to Key West across many bridges and oceanside highways, crystal clear blue water, marine life, water sports, and famous food like key lime pie. The Florida Keys are a very popular warm winter vacation spot in the United States.

An ideal amount of time for a Florida Keys road trip would be a minimum of 5 days and even better with a full 7 days so you can add in more stops and outdoor excursions to your trip.

The best time to visit the Florida Keys is in the winter months from December through February after hurricane season has passed in November, this is the most popular time because the weather is the most comfortable. The spring months of March and May are also great time to visit the Florida Keys as there are fewer crowds and you can find better deals on hotels.

Hurricane season in the Florida Keys is typically June through November.

The drive from Miami to Key West is 159 miles (256 kilometers) and takes approximately 4 hours to drive nonstop over the Overseas Highway.

The Overseas Highway is 113-miles long and starts in Key Largo and ends in Key West, it takes 2.5-3 hours to drive the entire Florida Keys on the Overseas Highway.

We hope you enjoyed our guide to the perfect 5 day Florida Keys road trip and Miami to Key West drive guide. If you found it helpful consider bookmarking for later or sharing on Pinterest below.

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Key West to Key Largo drive

Key west to key largo road trip planner.

Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Key West to Key Largo. If you're planning a road trip to Key Largo, you can research locations to stop along the way. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Traveling with a dog or cat? Find pet-friendly stops . Camping along the way? Search for RV campgrounds . Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.

10:00 am start in Key West drive for about 22 minutes

10:22 am eat at Baby's Coffee stay for about 1 hour and leave at 11:22 am drive for about 22 minutes

11:44 am Little Torch Key stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:44 pm drive for about 17 minutes

1:01 pm Bahia Honda State Park stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:01 pm drive for about 26 minutes

2:27 pm Marathon stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:27 pm drive for about 15 minutes

3:42 pm Grassy Key stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:42 pm drive for about 19 minutes

5:01 pm Long Key stay for about 1 hour and leave at 6:01 pm drive for about 23 minutes

6:24 pm Islamorada stay for about 1 hour and leave at 7:24 pm drive for about 25 minutes

7:48 pm arrive in Key Largo stay at John Pennekamp Coral Reef Sta

driving ≈ 3 hours

Where should I stop along the way?

Baby's Coffee Little Torch Key Bahia Honda State Park (4 mentions) Marathon (7 answers) Grassy Key Long Key Islamorada (5 answers)

Where's the best place to stay in Key Largo?

Are you going straight to a hotel, or looking for a vacation rental or Airbnb?

The best resource on neighborhoods, areas, and hotels is the Trippy page on where to stay in Key Largo .

If you're looking for a quick answer, you can check out John Pennekamp Coral Reef Sta , which was mentioned 2 times on Trippy.

Want to research more popular hotels in Key Largo? Click the blue button below.

What are some things to do in Key Largo?

This section could be endless, so rather than trying to suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it open-ended.

Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions because there's an entire community of travelers talking to each other and sharing tips and advice. Trippy is where you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, trip dates & more!

For example, here are some questions people have asked about Key Largo. Click on any question to see answers from the community!

Click the button below to explore more questions and answers related to Key Largo.

Do I really have to go back home?

Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation who wants the trip to end? It's okay, you can start planning your next trip!

Want to plan the trip back? Get the reverse directions for a Key Largo to Key West drive , or go to the main page to plan a new road trip .

Looking for ideas for more destinations within driving distance of Key West? Try searching for places within 2 hours of Key West .

You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from Key West to Key Largo . Or get a full Key West to Key Largo flight plan .

Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world.

And if you know Key West well, please help your fellow travelers and answer their questions about Key West!

More info on this route:

road conditions

places to eat

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cities along the way

flattest route

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YOUR KEY WEST EXPERTS!

Ultimate Road Trip from Miami to Key West (Guide to the Best Stops in the Florida Keys)

key west road trip camera in side mirror

Driving down, or up, the Overseas Highway should be on everyone’s bucket list. If you fly into Miami or Fort Lauderdale, then you will truly enjoy your Key West road trip. Flying into Key West directly? No worries, you can either rent a car or check out Up the Keys , which can take you on a private tour of the lower keys. When you step out of Key West and explore the rest of the Keys you gain a new perspective and truly appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of these islands.

A bit of back story, our first trip to the Keys, we drove down. Loved every minute of it, except most of the trip was after sunset… so, plan accordingly. Make sure you can at least see most of the Keys during the day, to truly appreciate the beauty and maybe plan sunset in Marathon, at the Seven Mile Bridge. We love to stop at Sunset Grille and have a bite to eat and stretch on our way down. If we are lucky enough to time it for sunset… well all the better.

Did you know the Florida Keys Overseas Highway is 113 miles long? It joins the mainland of Florida to Key West. Once you get to Key Largo, it’s about 100 miles to Key West, which if traffic is light, should take you about 2 ½ hours. But, this is a two-lane highway and if there is any traffic, then plan to be driving longer. During busy weekends and lobster season, travel times up and down the Keys can easily double. Watch the traffic conditions on your GPS or peek at the road cams to check on traffic .

Key west Road Trip old overseas highway bridge

Honestly, most of us are in a hurry to get to Key West, we don’t plan to stop very much and truly take in all of what the Keys offers. Or for that sake, what the drive offers. But, let me tell you what you are missing, and maybe, just maybe, you will plan your next trip to take advantage of these amazing places.

Heading down from South Florida, you can plan a stop at the Everglades National Park. It’s the perfect place to see the natural beauty of Flordia. You can easily plan a day trip if you staying in Key Largo.

Below are affiliate links to book your sunset sail. I will earn a commission if you use these links to book your trip and I truly appreciate your support!

Everglades National Park

This park is a 1.5 million-acre wetland preserve. Noted as a grassy, slow-moving river, the Everglades is made up of coastal mangroves, sawgrass marshes, and pine flat woods. It’s home to hundreds of animal species including the endangered leatherback turtle, Florida panther, and West Indian manatee. It’s the third-largest park in the lower 48. I had seen pictures of the Everglades as a kid and they, in no way, did they show off how really cool this area of Flordia is. We explored the area a bit, but, have plans to head back and really explore and take advantage of all the outdoor activities. Stay tuned…. But, in the meantime…

What can you do here? So many options… but to list a few:

Bird watching
Kayaking and Canoeing
Ranger-leg programs
Slough Slogging
Wildlife viewing

You can hit up the Everglades National Park website to plan your trip, and here is a link to the best hotels in the area.

As we drive on down the road, I always say we are heading home once I see the blue cement dividers… if you have driven the Overseas Highway, you will know exactly what I mean, but honestly, you cant’ miss them. Thus our road trip begins with our first stop, Key Largo. But, first, if you are heading down early in the day, take Card Sound Bridge and stop at Alabama Jacks for lunch. Great food, live music, but watch the time… the place closes at 7 pm.

From this point forward, everything will be noted by mile marker numbers. It’s the way the Keys gives directions. Plus, once you get used to the system, it’s easier to figure out where you are in the Keys. Key Largo is at mile marker (MM) 100. Which means… 100 miles until Key West. But, still a whole lot of driving in store.

What to do in Key Largo… well, let’s break this down. Key Largo is the self-proclaimed Dive Capital of the World, so snorkeling and diving would be a must here. If you are planning to spend a day or two here, plan to head out on the water.

Snorkel John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and see Christ of the Abyss. So, true confession time, I can’t swim. So I don’t snorkel or dive, but the hubby loves to snorkel. I usually sit top side and enjoy the water and sun. So, if you are like me, there is still stuff to do here.

This is one of the most famous scuba diving sites in the world. Divers come from all around the world to see the Christ statue. Because of this, there is a high number of scuba divers and snorkelers. There is an abundance of sea life to see here too. You will see what the Florida Keys are known for such as grouper, snapper, grunts, angelfish, nurse sharks, moray eels.

This is the first undersea park in the United States. Established in 1963 it is adjacent to the Florida Keys National Marnie Sanctuary and they cover approximately 178 nautical square miles of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove swamps. This area protects the only living coral reef in the continental United States. The park is open daily 8am until sunset. There is a park entrance fee and reservations are recommended during peak season.

In the park, you can camp, fish, swim, and picnic. Plus tours to snorkel, scuba, and explore on a glass bottom boat are available. Don’t forget to check out the kayaks and paddleboards too

Cruise aboard the African Queen . Honestly, we had been traveling down the Keys for several years and didn’t even know about this. The actual African Queen boat from the movie, with Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn… right in Key Largo. How did I find out? A friend of mine was planning a trip and made sure to include a stop in Key Largo to ride the African Queen. The boat has been there since 1982 and in 2012 she celebrated her centennial year. This is a really cool thing to do while visiting the Keys, cruise a piece of history.

Key Lime Pie Factory – Ok, don’t we come to the Keys to eat Key Lime pie? Or is that just me? There are many, many places to stop to enjoy a slice, but add this to your list. The co-owner uses a recipe passed down from her grandmother. Stock up on everything Key Lime from the shop. This probably will tide you over until you hit the next stop for pie.

Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center . Open daily from sunrise to sunset, the Center’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and release native and migratory wild birds that have been harmed or displaced. Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. Explore the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary and visit with non-releasable wild birds, take a walk along the boardwalk and watch sunset.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary – As soon as you step foot into any of the waters around the Flordia Keys, you will have entered the National Marine Sanctuary. This Sanctuary protects 2,900 nautical miles of water surrounding the Keys. There are more than 6,000 species of marine life to see as well as shipwrecks and other treasures.

Best Places to Eat?

We, probably like you, have a routine when we drive down. Hobo’s (MM 101) is one of my favorite places to stop for lunch or dinner. It’s a great place to stop and stretch your legs and enjoy a meal. Other places? Key Largo Conch House , The Buzzard’s Roost , Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen to name a few.

Looking for an amazing waterfront tiki bar with live music? Check out Gilbert’s Resort (MM 107). They have a marina and you can rent jet skis, kayaks, and paddleboards. Want to stay the night? They offer rooms that offer waterfront views just steps away from the Tiki bar and all of the action.

Islamorada is from MM 90 to 72. It encompasses 6 of the Florida Keys known for their coral reefs.

Old Road Gallery – This is a hidden gem in the Keys. You can wander the property and explore the winding paths and check out the Sculpture Garden.

Founders Park – This 45 acre park offers a swimming pool, splash pad, sports facilities, playgrounds, and ocean access. The park hours are sunrise to sunset and there is a small admission fee. On the beach, you can enjoy a picnic under a Tiki hut. Want to stop and stretch your legs? Head out on the fitness or walking trails. Does your fur baby need a chance to run a bit? They have a one acre fenced dog park. This is a fun stop, or if staying in Islamorada great place to spend the day.

Rain Barrel Village – If you have driven by and seen Betsy the Lobster (who is larger than life) then you know right where this place is. This artisan village has places to shop and talk with the artists. Plus you can stroll through the tropical gardens or grab a bite to eat. But… don’t forget to get your picture taken with Betsy!

Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park . You are probably noticing a theme… lots of state parks to visit in the Keys. But, each offers a different perspective of this amazing place. Windley Key Fossil Reef was a former quarry used by Henry Flagler to help build the Overseas Railroad. After the railroad was completed the quarry produced exquisite pieces of decorative stone called Keystone. Today you can walk through the quarry on this island. Check out the self guided trails and enjoy a picnic.

Theater of the Sea . Everyone wants to swim with dolphins and at the Theater of the Seas… you can do that. Here you will see dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, fish, sharks, stingrays, alligators, and birds. They are open 365 days a year and feel free to bring your well-behaved dog on a leash to enjoy the property. They have a restaurant on site as well as a private lagoon side beach.

Key west road trip Islamorada brewing company beer taps

Islamorada Brewery and Distillery. One of my favorites stops is here. I have never had a bad beer here… and I think you won’t either. My go to is usually the coconut key lime Ale. It ranks as a 4.25 on my Untapped scale. Grab some beers to stash in your cooler for your final destination. I always suggest several options… again, the beer is really that good. In the same building is their distillery. They have vodka (gluten free), dark barrel-aged spiced rum, and gin. Don’t forget to grab some swag with there! Our home bar has several of the small tasting glasses.

Lobster Trap Art Gift Shop and Gallery . Here you can buy unique frames and art from local artists. A Florida Keys art print really should be shown off in a lobster trap picture frame… don’t you think?

Keys History and Discovery Center . This two story building is a great place to learn all about the history of the Florida Keys. They have rotating exhibits so be sure to stop by because you will usually see something you didn’t the time before.

History of Diving Museum . If you are into diving, then this is a must see place. Even if you don’t dive (remember I can’t swim?) this is a cool place to visit. Interactive exhibits, On the third Wednesday of every month they have a free program covering special topics. Want to dig deeper into the history of diving? They have the Bauer Diving History Research Library. It houses the largest collection of historic and rare literature about diving history.

Hurricane Monument. This is a monument to “The Great Hurricane”. That was the category 5 one that hit September 2, 1935. Many, many lost their lives and the Overseas Railroad was torn up and never rebuilt. Hurricane Irma (2017) was the third strongest Atlantic hurricane behind the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane and Hurricane Dorian (2019)

Florida Keys Brewing Company. If you enjoy beer and art… then this is your stop. Located in Morada Way Arts and Cultural District you will be able to wander in and out of amazing galleries and enjoy a great beer in the beer garden. The Florida Keys Brewing Company is the Upper Keys’ first microbrewery. Around the corner and down the block are the galleries. We didn’t even know the galleries were down the street until we went to find an artist the hubby follows on Instagram. Then we saw the magic of this place. Art and beer. Great place to spend an afternoon for sure!

Morada Bay . Funny story… we found this place by accident. But, what a wonderful accident. This place serves amazing food and you can eat on white sand sitting at tables and chairs painted in rich tropical colors. Add this to your list!

Robbie’s Marina of Islamorada . Voted the number one place in the Keys that every tourist should visit. This is where you can feed the tarpon. Imagine hand feeding massive tarpon! There is a small fee to do this… just a word of caution… watch out for the pelicans, they will try to steal your tarpon food! Want to simply watch others do this, that’s fine too. They have an amazing restaurant on site as well as the perfect place to enjoy a signature cocktail. They recommend the Trailer Trash Bloody Mary.

Lignumvitae Key Botanica State Park. This State Park is located on 280 acre Lignumvitae Key and can only be reached by private boat or boat tour. Here you can experience island living 1930’s style. You can take a self guided tour of the historic William J. Matheson house and hardwood hammock.

Indian Key Historic State Park – In 1836 Indian Key became the first county seat for Dade County. Today the island has an uninhabited ghost town. This is only accessible by boat. Here you can swim, hike, and kayak (rentals available from Robbie’s or Backcountry Cowboys)

Alligator Reef Lighthouse. Located 4 nautical miles east of Indian Key. It was established in 1873 and automated in 1963. You can usually see it as you drive the highway. Great place to head to by boat to snorkel.

Anne’s Beach. This is a rare find in the Florida Keys. It has a natural sandy beach and … it’s free. The park has two parking lots and restroom facilities. There is a boardwalk that winds through the mangroves as well. Perfect place for a picnic.

Key West Road Trip pink Cadillac at Islamorada

My favorite stop to eat? Lorelei’s. The views are amazing and they have outside seating and live music. The Square Grouper is also an eatery place to check out.

Other places of note are the Green Turtle Inn , Islamorada Shrimp Shack , MEAT Eatery, and Taproom . These we highlighted on the Food Network’s Diners Drive-ins and Dives.

Key West Road trip beer at square grouper

Maraton is set on 13 islands, known for their beaches and barrier reef. Marathon covers mm 60 to mm 47. It’s located about 1 hour from Key West and Key Largo, which makes it the Heart of the Florida Keys.

Don’t have a car and staying in Key West? No problem take a guided tour with Up the Keys . They will take you to see all that Marathon and the Lower Keys offers. Consider the Tiki Bar tour… so many cool places to check out and fun drinks to try.

Dolphin Research Center . I love this place. It’s a rescue, research facility that lets you see the dolphins up close. Plan to spend time here. You can meet the dolphins, and even book a time to swim with them. Take time to learn the Center’s history they don’t have “shows” but let the dolphins play and show off for the crowds as they would in the wild.

Curry Hammock State Park . So, what is a hammock? It’s a stand of trees, usually hardwoods that form an ecological island in a contrasting ecosystem… in other words, it’s a group of trees that are all by themselves in an area. There are many in Florida and very cool to see. This State Park is 1,000 acres and the largest uninhabited parcel of land between Key Largo and Big Pine Key. It has large areas of Rockland hammocks and a mangrove swamp. Great place to kayak and paddleboard.

Crane Point Museum & Nature Center . With your price of admission, you can get a free fish pedicure… interested?

Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters . This was voted the best place to take the kids 5 years in a row. Plan a day trip and enjoy the touch tanks, feed the animals, and even feed the sharks. Snorkel or dive the coral reef and experience the aquarium environment or check out the other encounters they offer. They also have a great grill on site that serves beer and wine

EAA Air Museum. This place is small but nice. Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated.

Sombrero Beach . A lovely sandy beach on the Atlantic Ocean. It is a turtle nesting beach too so during nesting season some areas of the beach may be restricted.

Turtle Hospital . The mission is the rescue, rehabilitate, research, and release sea turtles. You can visit the hospital and see current patients, Go on the guided tour to learn more about them, and meet the turtles. Reservations are recommended.

Pigeon Key . Pack a picnic, bring your snorkel gear or your beach chair and a book. This is a secluded island paradise. Take one of the daily tours and learn the history of this island. The ferry service runs three times a day. From the ferry, you will get great views of the Old Seven Mile Bridge. The visitors center is located at MM 47.5 and this is where you catch the ferry.

Oceanfront Park. This is a free public park. It is dog friendly park. Great place to picnic, fish, or launch a kayak.

Thunderbolt Wreck Dive Site. This is Marathon’s most popular dive site.

Shady Palm Art Gallery. The Gallery has items made by over 50 local artists. If you are looking for a unique gift or something beautiful to bring home… this is the stop.

Seven Mile Bridge. No trip on the Overseas Highway is complete without a drive over the Seven Mile Bridge. Finished in 1982, it is the longest in the Florida Keys. As you cross the bridge, the Old Seven Mile Bridge can be seen. Of, course we all remember seeing it in the movie “True Lies”. Plan to stop at Sunset Grille for a view of the bridge and an amazing Tiki experience.

Fred the Tree – Be sure to look for Fred on the Old Seven Mile Bridge. He has a fan following on Facebook if you want to stay in touch!

Big Pine Key

Big Pine Key is at MM 34. This place is home to the Key Deer, the Blue Hole, and No Name Pub.

Bahia Honda State Park . I love this park. Walk up and see the Old Bridge or plan a picnic or spend the day playing in the water. Here you can see wildlife and birds. If you are staying in Key West, this is a great day excursion. We always plan to be there for sunset. The view of the sun setting in the water with the bridge in view is amazing. The park has Calusa Beach on one side and Sandspur Beach on the other. At the top of you can see where the Gulf and the Atlantic meet. Pretty cool for sure.

National Key Deer Refuge . You must plan a stop to see the Key Deer. We have driven around the Refuge, but honestly, the best way to see them is with Up the Keys . They take you on all of the back roads and get you very close to the deer. You will learn the story, which is amazing, about how the Refuge was created. Plus, you can stop at Bahia Honda, and the Blue Hole all in the comfort of an air conditioned van.

Blue Hole. Blue Hole is a freshwater lake on Big Pine Key. It is an abandoned rock quarry and the perfect geological environment to create this wonder. The water is clear and you will see all kinds of fish, turtles, and a few alligators, who love the shade of the deck overlooking the lake.

Summerland Key Old Bridge Key West Road Trip

Best place for a drink? Check out No Name Pub.

Our last stop? Key West

At the end of the road, MM0. A place that offers unique experiences to all who come. Tour museums, experience the Key West sunset from the water, tip a few pints on Duval Street, and of course get your picture taken with the Southernmost Point Buoy. Want to know the 25 top things to do in Key West? Check out our video and link to what we say is the top things .

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Miami to Key West Road Trip Itinerary | All the Best Stops!

By: Author Adam

Posted on Last updated: 12 March, 2024

Miami to Key West Road Trip Itinerary | All the Best Stops!

This thin strand of pavement skipping along bridges through the Florida Keys is one of the best road trips in the country. If you are thinking about making the drive from Miami to Key West, this Key West drive guide is for you.

The distance from Miami to Key West is a 165 Mile drive and should take you just 3 hours and 20 minutes if you drive to Key West straight without any stops – but then you’d miss one of the greatest American road trips.

We suggest a 2-3 day road trip driving through the Florida Keys to hit most of the best road trip stops, with a few nights to end your Key West drive.

We love this drive and have personally done this drive eight times, and heading back again this year! We always start our drive to Key West in Miami, but you can easily reverse the below guide if you drive northbound from Key West to Miami.

In this Key West road trip guide, we are going to share some of our favorite things to do in the Florida Keys and the best stops in the Florida Keys along the Overseas Highway!

Best Stops on a Miami to Key West Drive
Our Favorite Places to Stay in the Florida Keys
Where to Eat on a Key West Road Trip
Things to do in Key West & Where to Eat
Miami to Key West FAQ

Using the Mile Markers on the Overseas Highway

The first thing to understand is that most of the attractions on a Miami to Key West road trip are referenced by what Mile Marker they are located near.

At Mile Marker 118, you are officially in the Florida Keys! From here, you are just over 100 miles from Key West, with lots of fun adventures ahead of you.

At the southwestern end of Key West lies the end of the road at Mile Marker 0. Between those mile markers, there are plenty of amazing stop-offs with lots of fun and adventures.

On your drive to Key West, you’ll pass through hundreds of small islands, which are called Keys, that make up the Florida Keys. The Keys are all connected by Highway 1 or “The Overseas Highway.”

Top 20 Best Places to Stop on the Drive from Miami to Key West

Every good road trip needs a destination, but many times, the things to see along the way are what really make the trip, and the drive from Miami to Key West is no different.

The Overseas Highway is full of fun and sometimes quirky stops to break up the drive on the way down to Key West. This great American road trip is full of gorgeous beaches, Florida State Parks, tasty restaurants & breweries, and more.

Here’s a collection of some of our favorite stops that are organized from north to south, as you’d find them on the drive down to Key West, labeled by the nearest mile marker on HWY 1.

If you are driving from Key West to Miami, you’ll start at the bottom and work your way up to Miami.

Miami skyline at night from Mandarin Oriental Miami

Many people choose to start their Miami to Key West drive by flying into this vibrant city and renting a car in Miami – but don’t just land and leave Miami.

There are a lot of great sights, beaches, and, of course, amazing restaurants in Miami. If you are starting your Florida Keys drive in Miami, do yourself a favor and spend at least a night one night in Miami.

If you do spend a day or two in Miami, here are some of our favorite things to do in Miami to help plan your ultimate Miami itinerary. If you get a rainy day, check out some of the click here for a list of Miami museums.

We really like to stay at this Miami hotel, the Iberostar Berkeley Shore Hotel . It is in a great location right on Miami Beach, with a nice pool, a beach area with chairs & umbrellas (a big selling point for us), parking, and more.

Another good place to stay in Miami, and where we recently stayed, is this hotel Uma House by Yurbban South Beach . It is located in South Beach, but not right on the beach.

The hotel is new, has a great location, and is an easy walk to South Beach and restaurants. It is a super cute smaller hotel that has room options with separate bedrooms, which are great for families traveling with kids in Miami.

Cypress trees in the calm swap of the Everglades National Park during a Miami to Key West Road Trip

2. Everglades National Park

On your way down to the Florida Keys on Highway 1, a turn-off just south of Florida City will take you into a portion of the Everglades National Park.

In this guide, we will focus more on the Florida Keys portion of the road trip, but if you have more time, Everglades National Park is definitely worth a stop.

Most of the Florida Everglades airboat tour companies don’t leave from Key Largo. Click here for more information on Florida Everglades tours .

Click here for the best Everglades National Park tour – Small group boat, kayak, and walking guided Eco Tour.

3. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park – (Mile Marker 102.5)

This Florida State Park was the first underwater park in the United States and covers about 70 square nautical miles. At John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, there are mangrove swamps to kayak and hammocks to lounge in, but the main draw to the park is what lies beneath the surface.

Under the waves, you’ll find beautiful coral reefs, plenty of sea life, and even an underwater sculpture. In addition to the natural wonders, the visitor center also has a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium filled with some of the same sea life you’ll find in the state park.

If you have time, this is our favorite snorkel trip in the Florida Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. A glass bottom boat tour is a must, book this really good, and super cheap boat tour .

Before or after visiting the state park, stop at Alabama Jacks, our favorite tiki bar in Key Largo. If you are looking for another nearby state park, just a few minutes’ drive away is Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, which is at mile marker 106.

Where to Stay Between Miami and Key West

Most people rush their drive down to Key West, which is deserving of your time, but there are lots of things to see in the Northern and Middle Keys, too.

We suggest staying at least a night or two in the Northern or Middle Keys and, if you have time on your road trip, both.

Iberostar Berkeley Shore Hotel – Miami
Kona Kai Resort – Key Largo
Cheeca Lodge – Isla Morada
Southernmost Beach Resort – Key West

4. Spiegel Grove Ship Wreck (about 6 miles offshore from Mile Marker 102)

This massive Navy ship sits about 6 miles from the shore of Key Largo and is one of the top dive sites in the Florida Keys.

In 2002, it was intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef and home for marine life. At the time of the sinking, the 512 ft ship was the largest ship ever to be intentionally sunk for use as an artificial reef for scuba diving. It is a must for divers visiting the Florida Keys.

5. Cruise on the Africa Queen (Mile Marker 100)

Movie buffs will surely want to pull over to take a scenic ride through the canals of Key Largo aboard the ship from the movie, The African Queen .

Featured in the 1951 movie starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, this boat was built in 1912 and worked in East Africa building railroads before it became a star.

6. Mile 88 Beach & MM88 Tiki Bar (Mile Marker 88)

Soak in the tiki vibes at Plantation Key’s Mile Marker 88 Beach and Bar. With an unobstructed view to the west, this is also a great spot for sunset and a few sundowners.

If you want to hit some of the best Florida Keys bars , make sure to pull off at Mile Marker 88!

A statue of a giant lobster along Highway 1 the overseas highway to Key West at Rain Barrel

7. Rain Barrel Artisan’s Village & Lobster Statue (Mile Marker 86)

This road trip stop in the Florida Keys is easy to spot, with a statue of a giant lobster named Betsy sitting out front.

Many people stop for a selfie with the lobster and then realize there is a fun artist village here as well.

8. Islamorada Sandbar Island Party (Near Mile Marker 84)

The sandbar located right offshore from Islamorada is the perfect place to spend an afternoon in the Florida Keys!

You’ll find boats parked here just about every day, but on Sundays – this is the place to be.

On the weekends’ hundreds of boats gather for an informal party in the crystal clear waist-deep water! You can charter a boat of the day and enjoy this unique local party.

Join this Waverunner tour, which visits the famous Islamorada Sandbar, mangrove tunnels, go under Whale Harbor Bridge, and more!

Another great option if you are traveling with a group and looking to go on a fun tiki boat. You can rent this Tiki boat for a private 3 hours Islamorada Sandbar Tour .

9. History of Diving Museum (Mile Marker 83)

Whether you are a diving enthusiast or not, the history of Diving Museum should be a part of anyone’s Key West road trip itinerary.

Inside, there is a fascinating collection of diving equipment dating back hundreds of years – and YES, you can even put on an old-school diving helmet!

10. Islamorada Beer Company (Mile Marker 82)

You can’t miss the bright yellow building that make up Islamorada Beer Company and their adjoining distillery. Pull up a seat at the bar and grab a flight of tasty beers from the long list of brews.

Their IPAs were pretty solid, and it was fun to try some of the beers that included regional ingredients and local flare.

Best bars in Islamorada

11. cheeca lodge & spa (near mile marker 82).

After a long day of driving, nothing works out the kinks like a good massage. Here at Cheeca Lodge , they have one of the best spas in the Florida Keys.

Indulge in a massage on your way to Key West and make time to have lunch at the Atlantic Edge restaurant on the property, with great views of the sea.

12. Florida Keys Brewing Company (Mile Marker 81.5)

You don’t have to go very far between stops on a road trip from Miami to Key West to find fun places to grab a drink.

Also, one in Islamorada is the Florida Keys Brewing Company, which is one of the top breweries in the area. Their bottle cap tiled beer garden and taproom are surely worth pulling over for in your voyage down the Keys.

13. Feed the Tarpon at Robbie’s Restaurant (Mile Marker 77) – One of the Best Stops

One of our favorite stops on our Florida Keys road trip was Robbie’s Restaurant. Where else in the world can you have a 5-foot-long fish jump out of the water to grab a fish from your hand?

Robbie’s is famous for its terrapin feeding, which started after trying to nurse an injured fish back to health. You can buy a bucket of “fish food” to feed the terrapin, but just be careful. These fish are always hungry!

They also make some great food. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We have eaten all three meals here. This is a must-visit stop for us every time we drive to Key West. The food is really good value for the price.

14. Dolphin Research Center (Mile Marker 59)

The Dolphin Research Center provides a forever home for animals that have been recused and rehabilitated but can’t be released back into the wild.

The research center was established in 1984 by Jayne & Armando Rodriguez as a non-profit to provide a habitat for dolphins and educational experiences for visitors.

15. Turtle Hospital (Mile Marker 48.5)

The Turtle Hospital started helping everyone’s favorite sea creatures back in 1986. Since then, they have rehabbed and released more than 1,500 turtles back into the water surrounding the Florida Keys.

On your road trip in the Keys, you can stop in and see the turtles that are currently being treated on one of their 90-minute tours that start on the hour from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

16. Seven Mile Bridge (Mile Marker 47-40)

One of the most impressive bridges you’ll ever drive across is located on the west end of Marathon in the Middle Keys.

As the name implies, this bridge spans seven miles across the sea, and in some spots, it’s so long and straight you can’t see the end of it.

Here, you’ll also find a walking bridge that was once a railway – it spans this stretch, too. However, in 2019, it’s under construction and not open the entire length.

For some really good views of the Seven Mile Bridge, head to Sunset Grille & Raw Bar in Marathon. This is one of the best restaurants in Marathon and our favorite place to watch the sunset in Marathon.

Aerial photo of the beach at Bahia Honda State Park Key West

17. Bahia Honda State Park (Mile Marker 37)

When putting together your Key West drive map, make sure to save an hour or part of the day to explore Bahia Honda State Park. This state park is one of the best state parks in the Florida Keys.

Bahia Honda State Park has some of the best beaches in the Florida Keys. The entire state park is over 500 acres and offers great snorkeling opportunities.

Head to the concession stand for snacks, kayak rentals, and information on their snorkeling tour to Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. Bahia Honda State Park is less than half an hour’s drive from Marathon.

If you’re driving from Miami to Key West in an RV or campervan, there are three campgrounds at Bahia Honda State Park with a total of 80 campsites.

There are even three cabin rentals at Bahia Honda State Park, but your car must be able to go under the Bahia Honda Bridge with a max height of 6 feet 8 inches.

Reservations for camping at Bahia Honda State Park and cabins are in high demand. Reservations can be made 11 months in advance.

18. No Name Pub (Near Mile Marker 30)

This pub with no name is worth the short detour off of the Overseas Highway near the key that shares the “No Name” name. This place is full of kitsch, with the walls and ceilings covered in dollar bills.

It’s one of those old-time places that they just don’t make anymore. If this sounds like your kind of place, be sure to build it into your road trip itinerary for a drink or a bite to eat.

Renting a Car in Florida

Some people drive their own car from their hometown all the way to Key Wet. Some people rent a car in Miami and drive from Miami to Key West. Some people rent a car in Key West and drive to Miami.

We have taken several Florida road trips driving from Wisconsin down to Key West. We also rented a car in Miami and then started our Key West drive from there, and then flew home from Key West. There is no right or wrong way.

We use this car rental company when renting a car in Florida. They have the best prices, free cancelation, and no hidden costs.

We have found that it is best to fly into Miami, rent a car in Miami , drive from Miami to Key West, and fly home from Key West.

If time is not a problem, it is cheaper to return the rental car to Miami, and flights from Miami are almost always cheaper than flying out of Key West airport.

Where to Eat in the Upper & Middle Keys

Sol by the sea.

Fine dining with unobstructed sunset views in Key Largo at the Playa Largo Resort & Spa. It’s an excellent place for a special dinner or to celebrate being in the Keys! Many of the dishes here take hints of Caribbean Influences.

Mrs. Mac’s

An upper keys icon serving up classic dishes with an easy-going flare that made the Keys what they are. This place is a must for breakfast or brunch before continuing your Key West Road Trip.

It is one of the best restaurants in Key Largo for sure.

Atlantic’s Edge

Located at the Cheeca Lodge, Atlantic’s Edge is the perfect place for lunch or dinner with fantastic ocean views. We highly suggest the fresh fish tacos and salad if you are looking for a lighter lunch.

Chef Michaels

Chef Michaels is one of the best upscale restaurants in the Upper Keys. If you can get a reservation, we highly recommend it. They are known for their fresh seafood and steaks at Chef Michales.

Hungry Tarpon Restaurant

The Hungry Tarpon Restaurant is located at the famous Robbies of Islamorada for feeding the tarpon. It’s a great place to grab a bite to eat or drink before or after feeding the tarpon.

We stopped in for breakfast. Portions are large, the food is tasty, and it’s a great value.

The Lower Keys

As you make your way further south, the Keys become less populated and more natural until you get to the final few islands, like Key West.

While there may not be as many pull-offs with signposts, there are still many natural places to explore in this more rugged and wild stretch of the Florida Keys.

Keep your eye out for nice beaches like Bahia Honda and many places to put a kayak in the water.

Best Things to Do in Key West on a Road Trip

Once you reach Key West, you’ll have enough things to do to fill a few days and then some.

We compiled a Key West itinerary and compiled a shortlist of our favorite things to do in Key West to help you make the most of your next road trip.

Sunset Sail in Key West

One of the best things to do after a journey down the Florida Keys is to sit back and let someone else do the driving or sailing rather aborad a sunset catamaran cruise.

We sailed on this sunset sail with a full bar and live music with Sebago Watersports , and we highly recommend them. Sit back, enjoy a nice cold beverage, and watch sun set over the Gulf of Mexico.

Explore Duval Street at Night (and Day)

Duval Street is to Key West, as Bourbon Street is to New Orleans. While only slightly tamer (certain festivals excluded), Duval Street has a reputation for great Key West nightlife .

Just about any night of the year, you can find great live music, fun, and entertainment. The weekends are when the real parties are, while regional visitors are also coming down to partake in the parties.

If it is your first time in Key West, we suggest joining this Key West Pub Crawl . It will give you the lay of the land and include five drinks, and you’ll probably make a few friends to join you out later that night.

However, this doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to see on Duval Street while the sun is out. This historic street is home to a number of great art galleries, shops, and attractions – plus, you’re on vacation, and the bars are open during the day too!

Related Article: Things to do in Key Largo

Kayaking with Lazy Dog

We went on this Key West Mangrove Kaying tour with Lazy Dog . In our opinion, it was one of our favorite tours in Key West.

Grab a paddle and head out into the mangroves kayaking. You can rent kayaks here or take a guided kayak tour, which will bring you to the beautiful backwaters of Key West.

On one of their tours, you’ll paddle through mangrove creeks with blueish-green water, at some points only a few inches deep.

You’ll have a chance to spot all sorts of wildlife above and below the surface. Nurse sharks, jellyfish, and sea birds are frequently seen while kayaking in the lower keys. As a bonus, on some tours, you can even bring your dog!

Hemingway House

The world-renowned author Ernest Hemingway called Key West home for most of the 1930s. During his time in the Keys, his most successful books were published.

While in Key West, you can visit the home he shared with his wife of the time, Pauline. The Hemingways no longer live here, but descendants of Hemmingway’s 6-toed cats can still be found in the house and garden.

You can join this Hemingway Food and Walking tour . It starts outside the Hemingway House (it does not go inside the house, so you’ll have to do that on your own).

The tour follows in Hemingway’s footsteps, giving you a glimpse of his life and the history of Key West.

Stop in for a Drink at Sloppy Joe’s

A Key West trip would not be complete without a stop at Sloppy Joe’s! It is always busy, but the service is good and efficient.

It was made famous by one of Key West’s most memorable residents, Ernest Hemmingway, who frequented the bar and allegedly had a hand in naming the place.

Today, you won’t find Hemmingway, but you will find a big, open, lively bar with live music and food.

However, if you visit in July, you might see Hemmingway or at least a really good doppelganger at the annual Hemmingway Lookalike contest held at Sloppy Joe’s.

If you join the Hemingway Food and Walking tour , you will visit Sloppy Joe’s, as it is an important stop.

They are also super child friendly. On our second Key West trip, our son was one, and on our last trip to Key West, we had a three-year-old and one-year-old!

Another Key West travel tip – Sloppy Joe’s serves really good virgin drinks! I was pregnant on our first Key West road trip, and it was a nice, tasty surprise to see on their menu.

Key Lime Pie at Kermit’s

While every storefront from Mile Marker 118 to the furthest piers in Key West all claim to have the best Key Lime Pie , Kermit’s is the real deal.

Don’t miss this Key West institution on your Key West road trip! For a mid-day snack, be sure to grab a chocolate-dipped frozen slice of Key Lime pie on a stick. YES – it’s as good as it sounds.

Smathers Beach

This deep sandy beach located on the southern shoreline of Key West is arguably the best beach on the island .

Despite its stunning white sand, it’s not bursting at the seams with visitors. During most times of the year, you’ll have no problem finding a spot to lay your beach towel.

Southernmost Point Marker

This painted concrete buoy is a popular photo spot that marks the piece of land furthest south in the Continental United States. From here, it’s said only to be a short 90 miles to Cuba.

Snapping a selfie at the Southernmost Point Marker is a must on a Florida Keys road trip. A little Key West travel tip – go early!

The line to get your photo gets super long. If you go before 9 a.m., there are very few tourists waiting. This way, you can take a few photos.

Dolphin Watch and Snorkel with Honest Eco on their Electric Boat

Set sail with Key West’s first electric catamaran for a truly memorable eco-friendly experience with local wildlife.

Dolphins are regularly spotted in the water just offshore of Key West, and the snorkeling is good with clear waters.

This is the exact boat trip we took with Honest Eco. Check rates here .

Mile Marker Zero

This spot here ceremoniously marks the end of your Miami to Key West drive. This is the end of the road – Mile Marker Zero.

There are two signs, one on each side of the road – one for the end of the road and one for the beginning.

We suggest joining this guided bicycle tour of Old Town Key West , as it visits several of the stops on this list and more, including Mile Marker Zero.

Romantic Dinner at Latitudes on Sunset Key

Finish off any good road trip in style with dinner at Latitudes, voted one of the most romantic dinner spots in the country.

If you want a table at Latitudes for sunset, you need to make reservations as soon as you start planning your road trip.

Dinner tables are booked months in advance. If you have less time, you can also dine here for lunch, but you won’t get the full effect without the sunset, but still some great food.

Scallops at Matt's Stock Island Kitchen restaurant in Key West

Where to Eat in Key West

There’s no shortage of great food in Key West. We were really surprised at all the good food we had while visiting – we didn’t have a plate that we weren’t impressed with.

In a city full of top-notch restaurants, it can be hard to pick where to go. Make sure to indulge in some fresh fish too. Here are some of our favorite places with the best seafood in Key West.

Here’s a list of some of our favorite restaurants in Key West and standout meals from our recent trip to Key West. Make sure to check out our complete best restaurants in Key West article.

Cafe Marquesa

Our favorite meal in Key West was at Cafe Marquesa. We enjoyed everything we had. Their menu often changes as everything is fresh. We highly recommend the shrimp & grits appetizer and beignets as a dessert.

The restaurant is one of Zagat’s highest-rated restaurants in Key West. The chef, Graham Dailey, has been on Iron Chef and trained under Anthony Bourdain. If you are putting together a Key West map with foodie destinations, Cafe Marquesa should be on it.

Matt’s Stock Island

If you love brunch, you have to go to Matt’s Stock Island for their Sunday brunch. Every Sunday from 10:30 am – 2 pm includes three buffets (including a raw bar), unlimited small plates, and bottomless Bloody Marys & Mimosas.

We dined for dinner one evening as we weren’t in town on a Sunday morning. We started our meal with the crab beignets and scallops & bacon, and each got today’s catch blackened. Make sure to save room for dessert too. The Tahitian Vanilla Ice Cream Sammich is where it’s at!

Kermit Key Lime Pie shop

In addition to the pies, Kermit’s is a local’s favorite lunch spot. On the menu are nice wraps and awesome fries for reasonable prices.

Of course, save room for pie because leaving without trying a slice of Key Lime Pie would be a sin!

Latitudes at Sunset Key

If you only have one splurge meal, it should probably be Latitudes out on Sunset Key, and it should be dinner at sunset. If you are looking for one of the best waterfront restaurants in Key West this is it!

As the name of the island suggests, the sunsets here are pretty amazing and make for a special night. Make your reservations well in advance.

Cuban Coffee Queen

Start your day off right with a cup of classic Cuban coffee. This tasty little shop has two locations, one downtown and another by the waterfront.

In addition to coffee, the Cuban Coffee Queen serves up smoothies, Cuban-inspired sandwiches, breakfast favorites, and even desserts. Don’t miss the giant Key West postcard painted on the side of their waterfront location.

If you are looking for a more filling meal, make sure to check out our best Cuban food in Key West article . There are tons of great Cuban restaurants in Key West.

Miami to Key West Road Trip FAQs

Q: what is the distance from miami, and how long does it take to drive from miami to key west, florida.

A: There are 165 miles between Miami and Key West, and if you drove it straight, the Key West drive time would take a little over 3 hours.

However, with all the coolest stops between Miami and Key West, you should really plan on 2-3 days for a proper Key West road trip.

This will give you enough time to stop and visit some state parks, Key Largo, Islamorada, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the Everglades, Bahia State Park, and many more Key West drive highlights to experience the Florida Keys truly.

Q: How is the drive from Miami to Key West? Is it Worth it?

A: YES, it is one of the most scenic drives! Stop thinking about a Miami to Key West road trip and start planning. Keep reading to see all of the best stops between Miami and Key West along the route.

Q: Is it safe to drive from Miami to Key West?

A: Yes, the road from Miami to Key West is a popular drive with tourists and is very safe. You will mainly drive on the Overseas Highway (US Route 1), which goes from Key Largo to Key West.

Drive safely, take your time, and get ready for an epic road trip!

Depending on where in Miami you start your journey, it can take one hour to two hours to drive to Key Largo. Once in Key Largo, you will get on the Overseas Highway.

This part of the Key West drive is a straight shot. There is only one road to Key West. You literally can’t get lost.

Q:) How many bridges are the drive to Key West?

There are 42 bridges along the drive to Key West.

The most famous bridge in the Florida Keys is the Seven Mile Bridge, which is located just outside of Marathon. Seven Mile Bridge is seven miles long and connects Knight’s Key to Little Duck Key.

Q:) How many Keys are in the Florida Keys?

A:) There are over 800 keys that make up the Florida Keys that stretch over 180 miles. The longest key is Key Largo.

Q:) Driving Miami to Key West – When is the Best Time?

A:) There honestly isn’t a bad time. Driving to Key West during the weekdays, you’ll have fewer cars on the road and traffic.

If you are starting in Miami, make sure to check the traffic in Miami. We have always found leaving Miami early in the morning was better.

Once you are out of Miami and by Homestead/Florida City, traffic isn’t an issue. If you leave Miami before 8 a.m., there is a Starbucks in Florida City that you will be driving right by if you need some caffeine. It is about an hour’s drive from Miami to Florida City.

Q:) When is Hurricane Season in Key West and the Florida Keys?

A:) Technically, the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 and ends November 30 every year.

Typically, hurricanes in Key West and the Florida Keys are more common from mid-August until mid-October. Remember, Florida is the hurricane capital of the United States.

The Miami to Key West drive is one of the coolest Florida road trips.

Key west drive overview.

We hope our ultimate driving guide to Key West Florida has inspired you to take a Florida road trip. A Florida trip is always a great idea. We always have a great time in Southern Florida!

The beaches in Florida are a good portion of why we keep coming back time and time again.

If you have any Key West questions for us leave a comment below! If you have any Key West travel tips to share with us let us know!

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Panama City Beach is the perfect beach vacation. With its gorgeous beaches, diving, state parks, and more things to do in Panama City Beach.

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Don’t Forget to Pin Me for later!

View of the seven mile bridge from above in the Florida Keys during a road trip

Thursday 2nd of March 2023

Years ago I drove thru the Keys stopping in different spots and was on cloud 9 all day. It was one of the best days on earth so far for me and I am 63 now. You feel so free!!!

Hannah Lukaszewicz

Friday 24th of March 2023

The Keys def are cloud 9! You should come to do the drive again!!

Wednesday 11th of January 2023

Do you have a suggestion as to where to stay in Key West?

Friday 5th of January 2024

Right in Key West, we stayed at the Southern Most Resort and it was a great location. We walked most places and if needed took a cheap Uber.

Saturday 26th of November 2022

Thank you for this article. Trying some of these locations on our road trip to key west and can not wait!

Tuesday 1st of November 2022

Great article! I am planing a Miami to Keys roundtrip drive in March, I love many of the idea written here.

Friday 18th of March 2022

This information was fantastic! I have made my list and we are going on our trip soon. This was all so perfect. Now making the hotel reservations and cant wait for the food! I have stars by some of the places that I for sure dont want to miss. Thanks for the valuable info.

IMAGES

Mini-roadtrippin'
Florida Scenic Highway: Keys Highway, from Miami to Key West
The Ultimate Road Trip From Key Largo to Islamorada, Florida
Key Largo to Key West: 30 Florida Keys Road Trip Stops to Make in 2021
The Ultimate Florida Road Trip: Part 2
Florida Keys Road Trip: 13 Awesome Things To Do Between Key Largo and Key West

VIDEO

KEY LARGO TO KEY WEST 100 MILES
Key West Florida Keys Vacation Travel Guide
Road Trip : Key West ➡️ New York
Key Largo
KEY LARGO TO HAULOVER INLET ON SEADOO 120 MILES
Key Largo to Key West, Florida, Heron House Court, 412 Frances Street, 3 August 2016, Florida Keys

COMMENTS

Best Excursions in Key West
Best Key West Travel of 2024. Free Cancellation & Full Refund Available. Best Things to Do in 2024 in Key West. Free Cancellation & Full Refund Available.
KEY LARGO to KEY WEST: 23 Amazing STOPS You Can't Miss
Key Largo to Key West is a classic Florida Keys road trip!Within a 100-mile distance from Key Largo to Key West along the Florida Overseas Highway, you can go snorkeling, kayaking, try many local delicacies, stroll on endless beaches and soak in the views.. You can plan a Florida Keys road trip in several different ways. If your time is limited, then do a day trip from Miami to the Florida Keys.
Ultimate Key West to Key Largo Road Trip Guide (2024)
Car rentals to/from Key West are much pricier than arriving and departing in Miami, but are still reasonable starting as low as about ~$50/day during off-peak season (May-September), or $55-$70 during peak (winter). This rate will increase by about $10-$25/day if you want to drop off at a different location, such as Miami.
Key Largo to Key West: Florida's Most Epic Road Trip Itinerary
The Ultimate Key Largo To Key West Road Trip. Table of Contents. Where to Fly Into. Road Trip Map. Packing List for Key Largo to Key West Itinerary. Days 1-3: Upper Keys. Day 4: Middle Keys and Drive to Key West. Days 5-7: Lower Keys (Key West) Final Thoughts.
Key Largo To Key West: Best Florida Keys Road Trip Stops
The Key Largo To Key West road trip stops in this post go from north to south (Key Largo to Key West) but you can easily reverse the order if you're starting from Key West instead. The Florida Keys have so much to offer and I recommend spending 1-2 nights at each main island (Key Largo, Islamorada, and Marathon) if you have the time. ...
Key Largo To Key West: 30 MUST Visit Stops (2024)
The Florida Keys are made up of hundreds of islands called "keys.". The distance from Key Largo to Key West is under 100 miles, and without stops, you can expect the drive to take you about 2.5 hours; however, there's no fun in that! This post goes into the best Florida Keys stops you should make!
Florida Keys Bucket List: 25 Awesome Things in the Florida Keys
Quick Facts about the Florida Keys Overseas Highway. Florida Keys Road Trip. Best Things to Do in the Florida Keys. #1 Go Snorkeling or Diving in Key Largo. #2 Caribbean Club. #3 Have a drink at Sharkey's Sharkbite Grill. #4 Mrs. Mac's Kitchen. #5 Harriette's Restaurant. #6 Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary.
Key Largo To Key West
The drive from Key Largo to Key West is a bucket list road trip. It's simply one of the most beautiful drives you'll ever experience. This Overseas Highway part of the journey connects Southern Florida to the Southernmost Point in the US. The road is marked with Mile Markers that end at Mile Marker zero upon your arrival in Key West.
The Best Florida Keys Road Trip From Key Largo To Key West
Kick off your road trip with a stop at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo for a guided snorkeling or diving excursion in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Mile marker 102.5. | Thinkstock For dinner, head to Lazy Days Restaurant on the oceanside of Islamorada for the day's fresh catch and a cold draft beer. Mile marker 79.9. | Reagan Johnson After dinner, check in ...
From Key Largo To Key West: The Ultimate Florida Keys Road Trip
Why the Drive from Key Largo to Key West is a Must-Do. The 113-mile stretch of US-1 that connects Key Largo to Key West, known as the Overseas Highway, is one of the most scenic drives in the country. The road passes over 42 bridges, including the famous Seven Mile Bridge, and offers breathtaking views of the ocean and the Florida Keys ...
Perfect Key Largo to Key West drive for VIEWS + camping
So you want to do an epic Florida Keys road trip by driving from Key Largo to Key West! How long is the drive from Key Largo to Key West? Driving directly, it might take around 2.5 hours of driving time from Key Largo to Key West. Explore the map. So it's obviously doable to drive from Key Largo to Key West in one day.
Ultimate Road Trip from Key Largo to Key West
Last, but certainly not least, Mallory Square. This is the perfect ending for your road trip from Key Largo to Key West. Just like the southernmost point, it's hard to imagine going to Key West and not watching a sunset from Mallory Square. The area comes alive as the sun starts to set as crowds of people slowly arrive to watch the colorful ...
Key Largo to Key West road trip
From Key Largo to Key West on the Overseas Highway. 2. Islamorada. Driving distance: 17 mi / 27 km. Driving time: 0.5 h. After a first taste of Florida Keys in Key Largo, the road trip from Key Largo to Key West continues further down in the Keys. It's time to explore the fun things to do in Islamorada.
Your Guide to a Florida Keys Road Trip: Key Largo to Key West
One of the best state road trips in America has to be the sun-kissed drive from Key Largo to Key West in the Florida Keys. This road, known as the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, takes you through ...
The Ultimate Road Trip Guide to Key West
By maptoparadise June 26, 2023. Embarking on a road trip along the breathtaking Overseas Highway is a dream come true for many travelers. Connecting mainland Florida to the idyllic Florida Keys, this iconic stretch of road offers stunning vistas, turquoise waters, and a sense of adventure like no other. In this blog post, we invite you to join ...
Key Largo to Key West drive
10:00 am start in Key Largo. drive for about 17 minutes. 10:17 am Plantation Key. stay for about 1 hour. and leave at 11:17 am. drive for about 31 minutes. 11:48 am Long Key. stay for about 1 hour.
The Ultimate Florida Keys Road Trip Itinerary (Best Stops!)
Windley Key State Park is a historic site that doubles as a geological area that is formed by fossilized Key Largo Limestone. The entrance fee is $2.50 a person is a perfect way to spend a full day or even just a few hours it makes for an inexpensive stop on a Florida Keys road trip! It is located at MM 85.5.
44 Islands and 42 Bridges: A Florida Keys Road Trip
That land route eventually became the Overseas Highway, or U.S. 1, vaulting across channels, and linking 44 islands, via 42 bridges. A fisherman near U.S. 1 in the Florida Keys. Scott McIntyre for ...
How to Take the Ultimate Florida Keys Road Trip
A drive down Florida's Overseas Highway from Key Largo to Key West offers the perfect blend of eccentric bohemia and chic joie de vivre.As the mile markers decrease, Old Florida charm sharpens ...
Perfect 5 Day Florida Keys Road Trip Itinerary (Miami to Key West Drive
Kona Kai Resort Gallery and Botanic Gardens. Address: 97802 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo. (~ 63 miles or 1 hour 15 minutes drive from MIA to Key Largo) Our first stop on our Florida Keys road trip itinerary is a place for rest and relaxation in paradise.
Key West to Key Largo drive
drive for about 23 minutes. 6:24 pm Islamorada. stay for about 1 hour. and leave at 7:24 pm. drive for about 25 minutes. 7:48 pm arrive in Key Largo. stay at John Pennekamp Coral Reef Sta. driving ≈ 3 hours. Recommended videos.
7
Day 4: Florida Keys road trip to Key West. Today, road trip along the Florida Keys to Key West. If you are starting the day in Homestead, it is about a 3-hour drive (130 miles) without stops. From Key Largo, you are looking at a 100-mile drive that takes about 2 hours without stops. The to-do list in the Florida Keys is long.
Ultimate Road Trip from Miami to Key West (Guide to the Best Stops in
Key Largo is at mile marker (MM) 100. Which means… 100 miles until Key West. But, still a whole lot of driving in store. What to do in Key Largo… well, let's break this down. Key Largo is the self-proclaimed Dive Capital of the World, so snorkeling and diving would be a must here.
Miami To Key West Road Trip Itinerary
However, with all the coolest stops between Miami and Key West, you should really plan on 2-3 days for a proper Key West road trip. This will give you enough time to stop and visit some state parks, Key Largo, Islamorada, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the Everglades, Bahia State Park, and many more Key West drive highlights to ...

KEY LARGO to KEY WEST: 23 Amazing STOPS You Can’t Miss

What You Need to Know About the Florida Keys Overseas Highway

How Much Time Do You Need for Key Largo to Key West Drive with Stops?

What Is the Best Time to Visit Florida Keys?

Where to Stay Between Key Largo and Key West: 7 Amazing Places to Stay in the Florida Keys

Map of Key Largo to Key West with 23 Amazing Stops

Key Largo to Key West: 23 Amazing Stops You Can't Miss

Snorkel, Dive, or Kayak at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Have an Amazing Lunch or Dinner at The Fish House Restaurant and Fish Market

Try Hogfish at Sharkey's Sharkbite Grill

Enjoy the Best Key Lime Pie at Mrs. Mac's Kitchen

Try Key Lime Muffins at Harriette's Restaurant

Don't Have Time To Read This Post Now?

Visit Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary

Try Delicious Key Lime Pie at Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory

Have Dinner and Watch an Amazing Sunset at Marker 88 Restaurant

Stop at Rain Barrel Village

Swim in Dolphin Lagoon at Theater of the Sea

Explore The Florida Keys Diving Museum

Have a Sunset Dinner at the Morada Bay Keys Beach Café & Bar

Feed Tarpon at Robbie's

Hike in Long Key State Park

Book a Dolphin Encounter or Family Dolphin Splash at Dolphin Research Center

Go Kayaking, Hiking, or Snorkeling in Curry Hammock State Park

Visit Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters

Spend Time and Enjoy Beautiful Sombrero Beach

See Turtles Up-CLose at the Turtle Hospital

Drive Over the Ocean on the Seven Mile Bridge

Visit Bahia Honda State Park

See Deer at the Big Pine National Key Deer Refuge

Stop at No Name Pub to Check out the Decor and Have a Beer (skip food)

What to Do in Key West? Check out These 22 Things to Do in Key West on Your First Visit

Intrepid Scout's 6 Favorite Stops Between Key Largo to Key West

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Key Largo to Key West: Florida’s Most Epic Road Trip Itinerary

The Ultimate Key Largo To Key West Road Trip

Road Trip Map

Packing List for Key Largo to Key West Itinerary

Days 1-3: Upper Keys

Where to Stay in the Upper Keys

Day 1: Check in + Beers at Local Brewery

Day 2: Get Out on the Water + Sunset Dinner

Afternoon in Paradise

Day 3: Kayaking, Robbie’s, and Shopping

Day 4: Middle Keys and Drive to Key West

Days 5-7: Lower Keys (Key West)

Day 5: Water Adventure OR Fort Jefferson + Sunset at Mallory Square

Fort Jefferson State Park

Mallory Square

Day 6: Brunch, Bikes, & Beach

Day 7: Fly Home!

Final Thoughts

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1. Far Beach

2. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

3. Bayside Grille & Sunset Bar

4. Harry Harris Beach and Park

5. Captain Dave Perkins Fishing Charters

6. Founders Park

7. Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park

8. Theater Of The Sea

9. History Of Diving Museum

10. Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail- Fishing Pier