You can drive to Key West in the Florida Keys using the Overseas Highway. The highway forms part of U.S. Highway 1 and stretches 113 miles from the Florida mainland through the Florida Keys to Key West. The two-lane highway links each of the Keys via a network of 42 bridges. Driving along the highway is incredibly scenic, although sometimes painstakingly slow. It can take anywhere between 3 and 5 hours to cover the entire length of the Overseas Highway. While the drive can be completed in a single day, there’s so much to see and do on the journey that we’d recommend making at least a few stops along the way.
Key West is situated at the far end of the Florida Keys off the south coast of Florida. The Florida Keys are a chain of tropical islands interconnected by a series of 42 bridges that link back to the mainland. The keys are split into the Upper Keys, Middle Keys, and Lower Keys, with Key West part of the Lower Keys.
It’s 126 miles by road along the Overseas Highway (U.S. Highway 1) from Key West to Florida City, the closest city to the Florida Keys. The sprawling city of Miami is 159 miles by road from Key West.
Despite its somewhat remote location at the far end of an island archipelago some 100 miles off the Florida coast, Key West is remarkably well connected. There are options to reach the island by boat, air, or car.
Car – The Florida Keys are connected with the US mainland by US-1. Known as the Overseas Highway, it runs the length of the keys and connects them via a series of 42 bridges. This scenic and spectacular drive covers a distance of 113 miles.
Air – Key West is home to Key West International Airport. Despite its name, it only currently services domestic flights, connecting the island with cities such as Chicago, Orlando, Miami, and New York.
Boat – Daily high-speed Catamarans connect Key West with Fort Myers Beach on the US mainland all year round. There’s also a seasonal service to Marco Island in Florida. Taking around 3.5 hours and costing $155 for a return ticket, it’s a quick and effective way to reach Key West.
Note that no boat services carry vehicles, so you must drive on US-1 if you want to bring your vehicle.
It’s 113 miles from the mainland to Key West. While the drive is spectacular and takes in some fantastic scenery, there are also some exceptional places to stop along the way. The following five attractions are some of the best on the way to Key West.
Turtle Hospital – Located in Marathon, a city covering 13 Florida Keys islands, this is a must-see attraction. The center is a permanent home for some turtles and a rehabilitation center for others. You’ll frequently see the five turtle species that are indigenous to the Florida Keys here. All visits are via a scheduled tour, which is highly recommended.
Dolphin Research Center – This dolphinarium is located on Grassy Key. Home to many dolphins and sea lions, it’s focused on providing unique experiences and excellent animal welfare. If you or your family have swimming with dolphins on your bucket list, this is the place to do it.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park – Located in Key Largo and covering 70 square nautical miles, this underwater park is a great place to stop. Whether snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, or paddle boarding, it’s a great place to see marine life and enjoy the warm waters.
Bahia Honda State Park – Located at Mile Marker 37 on the Overseas Highway, this national park is home to the best beaches in the Florida Keys. Entry costs just $8 per vehicle, making it a great, cost-effective option.
National Key Deer Refuge – Located on Big Pine Key and No Name Key, this national park is home to the endangered Key Deer. It’s another great budget option, as you can see these friendly small deers at no cost, making it an excellent short stop along the way.
The whole of Key West is pretty unique, but a few extra special attractions stand out from the crowd. The following five attractions are some of the most unique attractions in and around Key West:
Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum – A museum that will appeal to historians and treasure hunters alike, it was named after the prominent treasure hunter Mel Fisher. This fine museum is home to fascinating artifacts from shipwrecks from the 16th and 17th centuries.
The Dry Tortugas National Park – Located some 70 miles west of Key West, this national park is home to Fort Jefferson and the 7 Dry Tortugas islands. The unfinished fort dates back to 1847 and is the third largest in the U.S. The islands are home to abundant marine life, and it’s a great place to snorkel and dive. The islands are only accessible via a 2-hour boat ride or by seaplane.
Hemingway Home and Museum – The residence of the unique Ernest Hemingway during the 1930s, this museum is a great place to learn more about this twentieth-century icon. Entry to the museum includes a 30-minute guided tour that comes highly recommended.
Key West Lighthouse and Keepers Quarters – Dating back to 1848, this fascinating historic sight and museum is a great place to visit. The museum provides an excellent background to the development of the Florida Keys and the challenges of the annual hurricane season. There’s a great option to visit at sunset and enjoy the views with food and drink, which is a unique and memorable experience.
Smathers Beach – The biggest and the best of the public beaches in Key West. Around half a mile in length, a visit and a swim here is an unforgettable experience.
It’s difficult to list some of the best things to do in Key West without mentioning Duval Street. While the location isn’t especially unique on account of the vast number of visitors, some of the establishments are genuinely unique. Durty Harry’s and The Bull are two of the best and most unique.
The best time to visit Key West is between March and May. During this time, the weather is warm, and you avoid the peak tourist and wet seasons. The wet season typically runs from late May to September, while the winter tends to be the peak tourist season as people look to escape the cold. Hotel prices can increase significantly during peak season, and the Overseas Highway can become busy and congested.
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