7 - 10 Day Florida Keys Itinerary: Miami, Key West & the National Parks . 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. For me, I chose to stay in Key Largo, which was great! . If you dont like something I recommended OR want to extend your time in Key West, be sure to check out my bonus ideas section below. The road, that follows a trail originally blazed in 1912 by Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railroad, stretches from Miami to Key West . As the name implies, this bridge spans 7 miles across the sea, and in some spots, its so long and straight you cant see the end of it. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Miami. Despite its stunning white sand, its not bursting at the seams with visitors. It has been said that Ed was 5 feet tall and a total of 100 lbs. Key Largo is the longest key at 30 miles. By Dalia Colon. Best (And Worst) Times To Drive To Key West From Miami Like I said before, the 165+ mile stretch between Miami to Key West is scenic and has tons to see! Chef Michaels is one of the best upscale restaurants in the Upper Keys. 8 Great Scenic Drives in South Florida Near Miami However, this doesnt mean there isnt anything to see on Duval Street while the sun is out. . Looking for the best way to get to Key West? Click here for the one I have! Reviews are mixed. I would recommend a few days in Key West, especially if you plan on doing a few boat excursions! How Long Does It Take To Drive From Miami To Key West? Miami to Key West Road Trip Itinerary | All the Best Stops! Perfect Miami to Key West drive for VIEWS + camping I price shopped and went based on reviews and decided to go with Coopertown Airboat Tours! Lucky for you, I have a wide selection of presets that you can choose from starting at only $3.49 per pack!! It is connected to Miami via the Overseas Highway. Key Largo is the perfect place to rest your head as it is laidback while offering an array of aquatic activities. If there was ever a trip worth taking your time and making a couple of pit stops, Miami to Key West is it. This place is full of kitsch, with the walls and ceilings covered in dollar bills. This deep sandy beach located on the southern shoreline of Key West is arguably the best beach on the island. Fine dining with unobstructed sunset views in Key Largo at the Playa Largo Resort & Spa. The Overseas Highway, the southernmost leg of U.S. Highway 1 and sometimes called, "The Highway That Goes to Sea," is a modern wonder. It is a fairly small area, so if you plan to just explore what is on the island, I do not think you would need more than two days. The journey is around 1hr 15 mins to Key Largo from Miami then another 4 hours along highway 1 to Key west. Top 17 Places to Stop on the drive from Miami to Key West. This is when it pays to be a passenger. Fort Myers is located 160 miles west of Miami, which is a drive of 2 hours and 30 minutes. Dolphins are regularly spotted in the water just offshore of Key West, and the snorkeling is good with clear waters. 16 Best Stops on the Miami to Key West Drive (2023) 1. Robbies Marina is the number one place to be for tourists traveling through the keys. Just like the Dolphin Research Center, the Turtle Hospital gives a home for injured and sick turtles as they nurture these endangered creatures back to health. East to west. There are bike rental companies all over the island and most hotels have free bikes available for you. I think it is a good idea to spend at least one night in between Miami and Key West to break up your drive. The keys are very narrow with everything being right off the highway (not a town that you get off the highway and can walk around). We suggest a 2-3 day road trip driving through the Florida Keys to hit most of the highlights with a few nights in Key West at the end. Click here to check out the property I stayed at that was right in the heart of Key Largo! , I would HIGHLY recommend stopping at least once on your Road trip from Miami to Key West! 9 Fun Stops during a Miami to Key West Road Trip- Choice Hotels Theres no shortage of great food in Key West. On my road trip, I was cursed with very bad weather most of my trip (which is extremely rare in the Florida Keys). Key West on a budget: Tips for Key West on the cheap - Florida Rambler Need a break? Click here for the best Everglades National Park tour Small group boat, kayak, and walking guided Eco Tour. . Set sail with Key Wests first electric catamaran for a truly memorable eco-friendly experience with local wildlife. Go off the beaten track and head to Bahia Honda State Park. Day 1: Explore Miami. The ferry journey to Key West takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete. Between those mile markers, there are plenty of amazing stop-offs with lots of fun and adventures. The Fish House is a beloved seafood joint with all the salty Florida kitsch you could hope for. Begin your adventure in Miami. In this guide, we are going to focus more on the Florida Keys portion of the road trip, but if you have more time, this is definitely worth a stop. Day 3: Key Largo > Key West, One of the most scenic drives in the world! Keep reading to see all of the best stops between Miami and Key West. There are two signs, one on each side of the road one for the end of the road and one for the beginning. This thin strand of pavement skipping along bridges through the Florida Keys is one of the best road trips in the country. This pretty insane collection of outdoor sculptures and structures were all allegedly carved in the 20s by a heartbroken Latvian fellow named Ed. Check out the amazing restaurants the city has to offer, visit the culturally rich Little Havana, and spend a day soaking in the art scene at the PAMM (Perez Art Museum Miami) or at the Wynwood Murals. And for a real quirky treat, order the chocodile which is a 9-inch long chocolate crocodile made of either white or dark chocolate. I never want to bore you with a long packing list, especially when you came here to read an itinerary! It was first completed in 1912 but hasthankfullybeen updated since. Itll put you in the Keys mood for sure. Try another? Today you wont find Hemmingway, but you will find a big open, lively bar with live music and food. Pro tip: its cash-only! Here's avery worthy member of Homesteads legendary repertoire of Mexican food. Miami to Key West drive in 4 epic days! - Blogger at Large From here, you are just over 100 miles from Key West, with lots of fun adventures ahead of you. This pub with no name is worth the short detour off of the Overseas Highway near the key that shares the No Name name. On the overseas coastal bridge, it takes around a four hours drive from Miami to Key West. In just 100 miles, hop from key to key, go snorkeling, dine at seafood restaurants, try key lime pie, go shopping, and enjoy endless views of brilliant aquamarine water. Robert's is a delightfulthrowback Florida fruit stand where you can buy fresh-as-it-gets produce as well as other local products and treats. 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. Once you reach Key West, youll have enough things to do to fill a few days and then some. Key Largo; Islamorada We luckily got paired on board with, what Joseph and I think, were professional dancers. Another place we recently stayed was this hotel Uma House by Yurbban South Beach. Miami To Key West Drive: 25 Amazing Stops in Florida Keys - Dotted Globe Best time to visit: September to observe bird migration season and avoid the winter crowds. The distance to Key West is about 125 miles (201 km). Theres a chance this free guide contains affiliate links. I hope you found this Miami to Key West Road Trip super useful and have the best time EVER! Atlanta to Key West drive - plan a road trip If you want perfect weather with no humidity and no rain, I would recommend the early spring / late fall & winter months. At the southwestern end of Key West lies the end of the road at Mile Marker 0. For the next 30 miles, you'll make your way through several smaller Keys, until you arrive at the Southernmost city in the U.S.A. Key West. Location: 77522 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036. Luckily, your drive is lined with some of the best attractions in Miami, some of the best tacos in Miami and much, much more. There are so many things to do in Key West that you would be remiss if you didn't budget some time to stay at least overnight and sample a few. Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. Consider yourself an amateur ornithologist? 30 things to do from Miami to Key West Inka Piegsa Quischotte. Here youll also find a walking bridge that was once a railway it spans this stretch too. Coral Castle is, as the name suggests, a castle made from coral stones. Tip: look for cheaper deals on flights into other Florida airports than Miami. One-way car rental Miami to Key West - Car rental LAX It will give you the lay of the land and include five drinks, and youll probably make a few friends to join you out later that night. The Miami to Key West drive is 164.4 mi via US-1 S and takes 3 hr 30 min without traffic. Its an excellent place for a special dinner or just to celebrate being in the Keys! You can snag it right off Amazon or you can buy it at most stores. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. You arent likely to find one of them in the wild so visiting the National Key Deer Refuge in Big Pine Key is your chance to catch a rare glimpse. A: Yes, The road from Miami to Key West is a popular drive with tourists and is very safe. You dont have to go very far between stops on a road trip from Miami to Key West to find fun places to grab a drink. If you have the time and desire you can drive.