The drive from Miami to Key West on the Overseas Highway is one of the most iconic road trips in America — 113 miles, 42 bridges, and the feeling that you are driving off the edge of the continent.
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## The Drive That Changes How You Think About Roads
Most road trips are about the destination. The Miami to Key West drive is about the road itself.
US Route 1 south of Miami becomes the Overseas Highway — a 113-mile stretch of two-lane road that hops across 42 bridges connecting the Florida Keys to the tip of the continent. At its most dramatic, you are driving across open ocean with nothing but water on both sides and the next island visible in the distance. It is genuinely unlike any other drive in the United States.
We have done this drive multiple times now — once as a day trip from Miami, once as a dedicated Key West trip — and the experience is different every time depending on the light, the season, and how fast you go. Here is everything you need to know to do it right.
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## The Route: Miami to Key West
Total distance: 113 miles Driving time without stops: 3.5–4 hours Recommended time with stops: Full day or overnight
The drive starts in Miami (we usually leave from South Beach or Brickell) and heads south on US-1 through Homestead before hitting the first Keys bridge. The road is straightforward — there is only one way to go — but the experience changes dramatically as you move south.
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## 5 Stops Worth Making
1. Florida City / Robert Is Here (Mile Marker 305)
Before you hit the Keys, stop at Robert Is Here fruit stand in Florida City. It is a South Florida institution — fresh tropical fruit, milkshakes made with fruits you have never heard of, and a small petting zoo in the back. The mango milkshake is legitimately one of the best things you will eat on this trip. Open daily, cash preferred.
2. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo (Mile Marker 102)
Key Largo is the first major Key and home to the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. John Pennekamp State Park offers snorkel tours, glass-bottom boat tours, and kayak rentals. If you have time for only one water activity on the drive, this is it. Book in advance during peak season.
3. Islamorada (Mile Marker 80)
Islamorada calls itself the Sport Fishing Capital of the World and the claim is not exaggerated. The village is also home to some of the best restaurants on the Keys — Morada Bay Beach Cafe for sunset dining on the water, and Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar for a classic Keys experience. Stop for lunch and a cold beer.
4. Seven Mile Bridge (Mile Marker 47)
The Seven Mile Bridge is the most photographed stretch of the Overseas Highway and for good reason. The old bridge runs parallel to the new one and you can walk or bike across it. Pull over at the rest area on the Pigeon Key side and take the photo — you will want it.
5. Bahia Honda State Park (Mile Marker 37)
The best beach on the Keys. Bahia Honda has three separate beaches, clear water, and a historic bridge you can walk across for views of the surrounding islands. It is consistently rated one of the top beaches in Florida. If you are doing this as a day trip and need a swim, this is your spot.
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## Key West: Where the Road Ends
The drive ends at Mile 0 on Duval Street in Key West — the official southern terminus of US Route 1 and the starting point of everything we covered in our Key West 3-day itinerary. The Southernmost Point buoy is two blocks away and worth the short walk.
After 113 miles of driving, arriving in Key West feels earned. The town has a way of making you feel like you have reached the edge of the world, which in the continental United States, you essentially have.
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## Practical Tips
When to go: November through April for the best weather. Summer is hot, humid, and hurricane season runs June through November.
Gas: Fill up before leaving Miami and again in Key Largo or Islamorada. Gas prices increase as you go south.
Driving time: The speed limit is 45 mph through most of the Keys. Do not try to rush it — the drive is the experience.
Overnight option: If you are doing this as a multi-day trip, Islamorada or Marathon make good midpoint stops. Both have solid hotel options and excellent restaurants.
Return trip: Consider returning via the same route at sunset — the light on the water heading north is completely different from the morning drive south.
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Photos From This Trip
Real photos from Chris & Lori — click to enlarge
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Chris & Lori are the husband-and-wife team behind Bites & Borders — a travel and food blog built from real trips, real meals, and real opinions. Based in Virginia, they've explored the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and beyond.
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