Can You Drive To The Florida Keys from the Mainland United States?
The Florida Keys are a stretch of 800 islands that form the southernmost part of Florida. These geographical wonders sweep right around the southern coastline of mainland Florida and, while they're still part of the state, actually appear to be separate on a map.
From the mainland United States you can drive into the Florida Keys in about an hour. From the city of Miami, the US-1 (Overseas Highway) takes you south along the Florida Keys to Key West, the southernmost part of the state.
If this sounds like a road trip you'd enjoy, read on to discover how to complete the trip smoothly. There's nothing to worry about with this trip. Simply clue yourself up with the below information, start your car, and enjoy the stunning landscapes en route.
Where are the Florida Keys?
The Florida Keys is the southernmost part of the state of Florida. It stretches from the edge of Miami in the north through to Key West in the south. It's broken down into three key areas.
The Upper Keys, which includes locations like Key Largo, is where you'll start your drive along the Florida Keys. Key Largo enjoys a tropical climate and remarkably not an inch of frost has ever been recorded there.
Continuing to travel south, you'll then enter the Middle Keys which is home to Marathon - a quaint city with less than 10,000 inhabitants.
The Lower Keys is further south and ends at Key West. Here you can expect to find notable locations like St. Paul's Episcopal Church and a monument to the southernmost point in not just Florida but the whole United States.
Can you drive to the Florida Keys from the mainland US?
It's easy to get to the Florida Keys from the mainland United States. It's all accessible either on land or by passing over water using bridges. You can get to Florida by car from any state, and from there you can access the Florida Keys using the US-1 road network and Overseas Highway.
Most of the islands in the Florida Keys are connected by 42 bridges. These bridges and the roads between them form a 125-mile-long route running the length of the Florida Keys.
Fortunately for adventurers, they can be accessed by a car or RV (motorhome). These islands make up a remarkable and unique stretch of beautiful beaches, clear blue seas, and friendly locals.
How long does it take to drive to the Florida Keys?
How long it'll take you to make the journey to the Florida Keys depends on which city in the state you're departing from. Florida is the twenty-second largest state in the US, and so there can be big differences in travel distance and time.
The handy table below presents what you can expect from major cities:
| Starting city | Distance | Driving Time |
|---|---|---|
| Miami | 70 miles | 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Orlando | 290 miles | 4 hours 40 minutes |
| Tampa | 330 miles | 4 hours 50 minutes |
| Jacksonville | 410 miles | 6 hours |
| Atlanta | 720 miles | 10 hours 50 minutes |
| New Orleans | 920miles | 13 hours 20 minutes |
Driving to the Florida Keys from the mainland US
From mainland Florida, you'll reach the entry point to the Florida Keys along the US-1 highway. Exiting Miami, take the US-1 to the Florida Turnpike before taking Exit 4 - Homestead/Key West.
You may be nervous about the traffic on US-1, and so can instead take the quieter FL-997 and Card Sound Road to FL-905 in Key Largo - the most northern part of the Florida Keys that you can access by car. Miami to Key Largo will take you just 24 miles in a car.
Once you've entered Key Largo, take the Overseas Highway which will be the road you follow right through from north to south. The journey down the Florida Keys is just over 100 miles in total and you can expect to be traveling on it for up to four hours. This may sound like a lot of time, but with so much to see - you'll be grateful it's slow-moving.
What is the best way to get to the Florida Keys?
Driving is by far the simplest method of transport into and through the Florida Keys, but there are other ways to get there depending on your starting point and preferences. The table below illustrates some different options and the price you can expect to pay.
| Route | Mode | Travel time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami to Key West | Driving | 3 hours | $100 |
| Marco Island to Key West | Passenger ferry | 3 hours 30 minutes | $185 |
| Fort Myers to Key West | Passenger ferry | 3 hours 30 minutes | $185 |
*Calculated at the time of writing for 1 adult, round trip. Gas price estimates will always be approximate.
The ferry option is great for those hoping to add some variety to their road trip and have the freedom of leaving the car behind to explore Key West on foot. No worries if you are wary of not having your car with you, Key West is a very walkable island.
Our tips for driving to the Florida Keys
If you're planning to fly into the Florida Keys and hire a car, you'll need to instead land at Miami International Airport. It's the closest one to the Florida Keys. If you want to save money, you could instead opt for Fort Lauderdale Airport, which is cheaper and only 30 minutes away from the city of Miami.
Traffic jams can disrupt an otherwise pleasant and relaxed experience, and so avoid traveling during rush hour periods and take quieter roads where you can. It'll slow you down, but hey - the thrill is in the journey rather than the destination, right?
Road-trippers should note that parking is a challenge in Key West. The best practice is to park out of town and catch a ride in. Because of its geographically obscure location, gas prices are higher in the southernmost parts of the Florida Keys - which is something to factor into your plans.
Conclusion: can you drive from the mainland US to Florida Keys?
From the US state of Florida, you can enter the Florida Keys - a gorgeous collection of islands that constitute the farthest-south parts of the whole country. The journey from mainland Florida to the Florida Keys is just over an hour and is simple to complete.
While there are some things to be aware of - such as difficulty parking and occasionally busy roads - these won't be challenging enough to detract from your enjoyment of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.