key west day trip miami

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• Star Island Miami Boat Tour
• Everglades Tour

Key West Day Trip

• VIP Miami Yacht Rentals
• Miami City and boat combo tour 🚤 🚌
• VIP South Beach Golf Party Ride

Explore Florida’s most exotic island with our one-day key west day trip. After traveling down the scenic 7-mile bridge, you will get to enjoy 6 hours discovering island attractions at your own pace. We include complimentary pick-ups and drop off from Miami Beach hotels and select downtown Miami hotels. If you wish to stay in Key West overnight or add snorkeling to the package, we will be happy to accommodate your request!!

What’s included?

✅  Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off 🚌 ✅  A bus ride from Miami to Key West & back ✅  6 hours to explore key west as you wish ✅  Luggage storage on the bus

• Duration: Full Day
• Start Time: 7am
• End Time: 9pm

VIP Miami Tours

THE BEST Day Trips from Miami Beach to Key West

Day trips from miami beach to key west.

• Miami Beach to Miami
• Miami Beach to Key West
• Miami Beach to Florida City
• Miami Beach to Everglades National Park
• Miami Beach to Fort Lauderdale
• Miami Beach to Stock Island
• Miami Beach to Merritt Island
• Miami Beach to Key Largo
• Miami Beach to Key Biscayne
• Miami Beach to Big Pine Key
• Miami Beach to Bimini
• Miami Beach to Weston
• Miami Beach to Marathon
• Miami Beach to Palm Beach
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Key West Day Trip from Miami Beach with Activities

2. Miami to Key West Day Trip with Activity Options & Hotel Pick

3. Sun, Snorkel & Sip : Key West Day Trip from Miami

4. Miami: Key West day trip with optional boating activities

5. MIAMI Key West ultimate experience

6. Miami: Key West Day Trip with Snorkeling and Open Bar

7. Key West Tours from Miami: Dolphin Discovery, Snorkeling & More !

8. Key West: The Conch Republic Come Alive

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Key West Day Trip from Miami with Activities

Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi - All Day Pass (up to 12 hours!)

Everglades National Park Biologist Led Adventure: Cruise, Hike + Airboat

Fort Lauderdale to Key West Tour with Optional Add-ons

Everglades Day Safari from Ft Lauderdale

Half Day Everglades Tour with Airboat Ride & Bus from Miami Beach

Full-Day Key West Tour and Coral Reef Snorkeling with Open Bar

Full Day Everglades: Biologist Led WET walk + 2 boat trips + lunch small group

Private Sailing on the Miami Bay - Biscayne Bay

Ultimate Florida Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Bundle

Shared BIG GAME Sportfishing Up To Six People

Everglades Holiday Park Airboat Ride

Everglades Airboat Ride & Guided Hike

Key Largo Day Trip from Sunny Isles Beach

Peacock Bass Fishing Trips Near Key Largo

Ft Lauderdale to Key West with Optional Activities

Full-Day Hiking and Kayaking Tour in Everglades National Park

Taste of the Tropics Full-Day Tour in Homestead, Florida

Peacock Bass Fishing Trips near Boca Raton

Miami Inshore Fishing Charters on Biscayne Bay

Everglades Holiday Park Airboat Ride with Roundtrip Transfer

Miami to Key West Day Trip with Activity Options+Miami Airport

What travelers are saying.

Miami to Key West: An Easy Day trip to the Florida Keys

By: Author Sophie Nadeau

Posted on Last updated: 5th March 2024

Categories USA

Last Updated on 5th March 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

From how to visit to the best things to do en route on this classic American road trip, here’s your guide on how to take a day trip from Miami to Key West, as well as different route options and what to see once on the beautiful island!

If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, then a visit to the Florida Keys is an absolute must. The most famous of the islands, Key West , is the most Southerly point of mainland USA and once there you can expect to find plenty of palm trees, an azure blue sea, and lots of history, including Ernest Hemingway’s former home. All this is not to mention that Miami to Key West is one of the best road trips in the USA .

The cats of Hemingway’s House

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When you imagine the sunny US state of Florida, you likely think of a sparkling sea, plenty of heat, and world-famous beaches. All this and more can be found in Key West, an island which is linked to the rest of the Florida Keys via a seven-mile bridge.

Some of the best things to do in Key West include a plethora of land and water-based activities, including boat trips, kayaking, and taking the trolley to explore the island via the hop on hop off bus. Other highlights are…

One of the best-kept secrets of Hemingway’s former home (the famous author lived on the island for fourteen years) is better-known now thanks to the rise of social media, though is just as adorably cute.

The Hemingway cats are unusual in that they’re polydactyl, meaning that they have six toes! Ernest received a kitten named Snow Whute in the 1930s (1935 to be precise!) and today almost all of the Hemingway Museum’s cats are descended from her.

Provided that you’re 21 or over, the hop on hop off trolley ticket also includes free entry to Papa’s Pilar Rum Distillery. Created in collaboration with the Hemingway family, you’ll learn all about producing rum on a forty-five-minute factory tour, while the last fifteen minutes is dedicated to rum samplings!

It’s well known that Ernest Hemingway lived in the Florida Keys during the 20th-century… But did you know that President Harry S Truman ran the USA from the island during 11 visits (totalling 175 days) during the 20th-century?

The ‘Little White House’ was originally constructed to serve as a first officer’s quarters, before being converted into a family dwelling during the early 20th-century. Today, the historic buildings are now a museum which you can visit for a fee.

Truth be told, for those who are unfamiliar with driving in North America, the easiest way to get to Key West from Miami is by bus. We booked this bus tour , which takes around 3-4 hours each way and allows for six hours plus of exploration time on the island. We were lucky with the traffic and so actually ended up enjoying six and a half hours in Key West.

The bus had air conditioning and was (mostly) as comfortable as a long bus ride can be! Once in Key West itself, you can easily pack in all the sights and main attractions within the space of half a day, provided you purchase a trolley ticket or the Conch mini road train pass and prioritise what you see ahead of time.

We personally went on a rum distillery tour (included in the price of the Trolley Ticket), saw Ernest Hemingway’s House, meandered through Mallory Square, and made it to the most Southerly Point of Mainland USA.

While the Trolley ticket covers more of the island and includes a hop-on-hop-off function, the Conch train is slightly cheaper. Book your Key West Trolley tickets in advance here or your Conch train tour tickets in advance here .

Miami to Key West Road Trip by car

Check this price comparison website to discover the best deals for car rentals!

Of course, if you’re looking for a self-guided itinerary and wish to stop at several of the other keys along the way, then you’ll likely want to rent a car. However, you should note that parking in both Miami and Key West is pretty expensive.

With this being said, embarking on a self-guided road trip of the Keys (check out our best road trip tips) will allow you to enjoy other islands at your own pace, rather than just having to spy them while passing by. Highlights and some of the best things to do between Miami and Key West include:

Though many people mistakenly believe that Key Biscayne (a small island just off the coast of South Beach Miami) is one of the Keys, this is simply not the case. Instead, the closest of the Florida Keys to Miami is that of Key Largo. Characterised by its glittering sea, Key Largo was even immortalised for all eternity by a song from the Beach Boys and a book feature by Hemingway.

The city of Marathon is actually set across thirteen islands (or ‘Keys’ as they’re known in Florida). You may well not know this, but Florida is home to one of the largest coral reefs in the world, third to only the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. Marathon is at the very heart of this reef system and is teeming with restaurants and fun outdoor activities for all ages!

Just as impressive as it sounds, the impossibly long Seven Mile Bridge is the longest of all the 42 bridges that interconnect the many islands which form the Florida Keys.

As you can imagine, there’s no better feeling than driving along this stunning stretch in a convertible, not to mention that this highway has been used as the backdrop in countless films and commercials!

For those with a little more time to spare, and who wish to travel at a slower pace, there’s plenty of delights to explore in Key West over the course of a long weekend. If you are in Miami before, be sure to check out our suggestions for how to spend 3 days in Miami .

Thanks to its rise to popularity as a result of several notable figures making their home on the island during the 20th-century (President Truman even created his own little White House, from which he ran the USA) , there are plenty of accommodation options on the island. Check the best Key West accommodation rates and prices here.

Otherwise, choosing to stay overnight is a great way to experience the local nightlife and enjoy every activity at a much slower pace. Though you can see the main sights during a day excursion from Miami, there’s no denying that taking the time to enjoy a local beer or relax on the beach.

With this being said, it should be noted that though the sand has to be imported as there are no natural beaches thanks to the coral reef!, though relaxing on the beach is still never a bad idea! Not to mention that you can enjoy both cultural and sports-based activities should you select to stay longer than a mere six hours.

You should know before you go that the day is incredibly long and so you’ll want to get an early night the night before, though, of course, you can always sleep on the bus! Bus tours leave from Miami Beach at 7 am and so you’ll need to be at Lincoln Road Mall by at least 6:45 AM so as to check-in for your bus.

Next, thanks to Key West’s location 250 km south of Miami, the weather is much hotter than the Floridian city! As such, a cover-up, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreens is an absolute must.

Next, though you may not consider a bus or road train tour usually, the extreme heat and humidity mean that you’ll likely walk much slower than usual and so getting the trolley will ensure that you actually get to see everything!

You’ll also want to carry around plenty of water and ask to fill up your water bottle each time you have the chance to (i.e. after you’ve eaten a meal in a café etc). 

Finally, the best time to visit Key West is between March and May when the weather is at its best (i.e. it’s before all of the rain and the heat of August) and after the crowds of the winter, meaning that prices are generally lower.

Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.

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Your One Stop Shop For Travel Planning

A must read miami to key west road trip guide.

A Miami to Key West Road Trip is something that should be on EVERYONE’S bucket list. With over 600 keys strung together by overwater bridges, this marks one of the most scenic road trips in the world .

On my road trip, I was cursed with very bad weather most of my trip (which is extremely rare in the Florida Keys) . Even though I had an amazing trip and saw so much, I didn’t get to do everything on my itinerary. 

Which just means I have to go back for round two 😉

In this Key West Road Trip travel guide, I detail my 3 recommended sleeping spots, a few must-pack items, common questions, an extremely detailed road trip from Miami to Key West itinerary, and a little bonus section incase you want to swap anything out!

I hope you love this little piece of the world as much as I do!! Let’s dive in…

There’s a chance this free guide contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of these links I may make a small commission (at no extra cost to you) that goes towards little Rosie’s dog treats! Some of this trip was hosted by Florida Keys Tourism but as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Miami to Key West Road Trip Overview

Day 1: explore miami.

Day 2: Drive to Key Largo, Stopping in Everglades National Park

Day 3: Road Trip to Key West – One of the most Scenic Drives in the USA

Day 4: Key West Site Seeing + Catamaran Sunset Cruise

Day 5: Sand Bar Boat Tour + Farewell Dinner

3 Recommended Sleeping Stops

On your Florida Keys road trip, I would recommend stopping in three different spots to break up your drive. The spots I would recommend are Miami, somewhere in between Miami & Key West (like Key Largo ), and Key West! Plan to pack and re-pack your bag a few times, but I promise it will be worth it! 🙂

I would HIGHLY recommend stopping at least once on your Road trip from Miami to Key West! There is a ton to see on that 165 mile stretch, so you will want to have time to explore. Here are my recommendations…

In Miami, I stayed in the Downtown Area, specifically the Brickell neighborhood. This is where all the best food is, much closer to the airport / start of the keys, and tons of rooftop bars! Many people probably think to stay in Miami Beach area, which is still a great area! 

This was my thought process.. I knew I would be staying in beach front / water front areas and eating beach bar food for the remainder of this trip, so I decided to stay in the downtown area to get more of a variety! I did spend the day on Miami Beach, but I felt food and bars were better in the downtown Brickell area.

Click here to browse hotels in Brickell, Miami!

Key Largo or One of the Middle Keys

Like I said before, the 165+ mile stretch between Miami to Key West is scenic and has tons to see! I think it is a good idea to spend at least one night in between Miami and Key West to break up your drive. That way you can have more time to explore all the sites between Miami and Key West. 🙂

For me, I chose to stay in Key Largo, which was great! It is the first & biggest Key in the Florida Keys and is home to the first  underwater state park in the USA! 

What I loved the most about the few days I spent in Key Largo was that even though the Florida Keys is a popular tourist destination, they have done a great job at keeping their small town charm! It doesn’t feel overly touristy or overran by large chains like Best Westerns, Marriots, and Hyatts (nothing against those, but it’s nice to stay in a local, boutique hotel!).

For specifics, I stayed at the Kona Kai Resort ! This small, boutique resort was right on the water, had an art gallery on site, pool / hot tub on the property, and each room was an individual cottage with tons of privacy! And on top of all that.. the staff was seriously the nicest people I have ever met. It’s rare when you go to a resort and they make you feel like they are welcoming you into their home. 

Click here to check out the property I stayed at that was right in the heart of Key Largo!

Be sure to follow me along on Instagram @MyPerfectItinerary @MyPerfectItinerary !

In Key West, there are TONS of options for hotels. Whether you want to stay in an Old Victorian style bed and breakfast, Airbnb, or luxury resort.. there is an option for everyone!

One thing I was surprised about in Key West was how easy it was to get around! There are bike rental companies all over the island and most hotels have free bikes available for you. There is also an abundance of Uber / Lyfts (which I was really shocked about)! For this reason, you can pretty much stay anywhere on Key West without an issue.

The hotel I chose to stay in was the brand new Captiana Key West ! It is an Opal property, which if you have never stayed at an Opal property before.. you can thank me later .

It was right on the water with it’s own private beach, the rooms were all HUGE with a couch area to hang out on, all of the balconies face the ocean, and they have so many nice details!

For example, they offer snacks and unlimited complimentary water bottles for their guests. It’s the little things, isn’t it ? 🙂

Click here to check out the hotel I stayed at!

Miami to Key West Road Trip Itinerary

Okay, now that you know where to stay to break up your road trip, let’s dive in! This itinerary is for 5 full days (not including travel days), but I will have a section at the bottom titled, “Bonus Ideas” if you plan on spending more time or want to swap something out! 🙂

If you want more details on everything Florida Keys, click here!

Miami was a city that completely surprised me, in a good way! I absolutely LOVED Miami and already want to go back to spend some more time exploring it. If you have the time to spare, I would consider extending your time in Miami and spending two days 🙂

If you are staying in the Brickell area of Miami like I recommended, catch an Uber / Lyft to Miami Beach for some site seeing during the day and then explore downtown Brickell at night! I would NOT recommend driving to the beach (even if you have a car) because the parking situation in Miami Beach is some of the worst I have ever seen. Save yourself the stress!!

Here are my top recommendations for a day in Miami:

• Get Cuban Coffee from any of the small Cuban stands around Miami!
• Eat the best Pizza EVER at MisterO1’s !
• Explore the shops, farmer’s markets, restaurants, and bars on Lincoln Road!
• Walk along the scenic Miami Beach Boardwalk, seeing all the uniquely shaped & colored Lifeguard Stands!
• Rent bikes to cruise along the bike path along the beach!
• Get delicious craft cocktails at the Betsy Hotel on Miami Beach!
• Have the most amazing sushi and Asian food at Komodo in downtown Miami!
• See downtown Miami from the best view possible at Sugar Rooftop Bar !

I dive into WAY more detail on my One Day in Miami Travel Guide ,  which includes a full walking tour of Miami Beach, restaurant recommendations, and tons of photos!

Instagram @MyPerfectItinerary

Day 2: Drive to Key Largo, Stopping at Everglades National Park

Day two is the first true day of your road trip! On the way from Miami to Key Largo, you will be passing right by one of the most unique and largest National Parks in the USA.. The Everglades !

I am not going to lie, I had completely false stereotypes about the Everglades. I assumed it would be miles of swamp land, it would smell, and be quite dangerous with all the Alligators.. but all of that is false!

The water in the everglades is actually a river that is very clean. There are tons of different species of fish, turtles, birds, manatees, snakes, panthers, and of course, Alligators! Only 30 minutes out of the way, you can do an airboat tour through the Everglades to see some gators & other amazing wildlife.

Most of the boat tours are just north of the town of Homestead , which there will be several tours to choose from. I price shopped and went based on reviews and decided to go with Coopertown Airboat Tours ! They are one of the first companies to ever start offering airboat tours through the Everglades, the tour guides were entertaining & educating, was the lowest priced, had thousands of 5* reviews, and we saw TONS of Alligators! 

TIP: I would plan to leave your hotel in Miami pretty early and get to the Everglades no later than 10am! That way you can spend about an hour at the Everglades and still get a good amount of the day to spend in Key Largo!

After exploring the Everglades, head onto Key Largo! The drive from Coopertown Airboat Tours to Key Largo is a little over an hour, so if you take my advice to by at the Everglades by 10am, you should arrive in Key Largo around 12pm – 12:30pm! 🙂

Grab yourself some lunch at The Fish House (which was featured on Drivers, Dive in’s and Dives, Food Network, and many other news stations!) and then head to the first ever underwater state park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park !

At this state park, you can go to one of the few white sand beaches in the area (Canon Beach), kayak through mangroves , or go on snorkeling boat tours !

After you’ve done plenty of adventuring, it’s time to reward yourself with comfort food, good drinks, and the best atmosphere in the Keys at the Florida Keys Brewery ! When Joseph and I went to the Florida Keys Brewery, a famous country band (LoCash, heard of them?!) was there performing a free concert! Local’s said this happens ALL the time!

This brewery had amazing beer and the cutest beer garden in the back! Even on a Tuesday night when we went the place was packed, which always means the food & drinks are good!

Like how this photo was edited?! It was edited in ONE CLICK using my preset pack !

Day 3: Key Largo –> Key West, One of the most scenic drives in the world!

The drive from Key Largo to Key West is going to be where you will want to take your time and explore all the beautiful scenery! 

Something that I wish I would have known is that the highway gets pretty backed up and the speed limit is quite slow. 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).  For this reason, people are constantly turning on and off the main highway, causing everyone to drive pretty slow.

I don’t think this is a big deal if you are aware, but just keep in mind that you can’t be in a rush for your Key West Road Trip!

There are endless things to do on this 100 mile stretch between Key Largo and Key West, and here are some of my must-see recommendations:

• Stop at Robbie’s Marina to explore the shops, eat at their yummy restaurant on the water, and feed the tarpons!
• Wander through the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters where they have tons of touch tanks, lagoons filled with tarpons, shark tank, and a snorkeling excursion where you can get in a tank with Sting Rays & Fish!
• Have a drink or some food at Sunset Grille and Raw Bar , which overlooks the famous 7 mile bridge!
• Drive across the longest bridge in the Keys, 7 mile bridge !
• Visit Bahia Honda State Park to hang out at the beach. This area is known to have the best beaches in the Keys, especially Calusa Beach.

You can definitely see all of these things in one day, at a comfortable pace. I would not try to cram too much more into this day than this, or else you will feel pretty rushed! Plus, you will want to make sure you get to Key West in time for sunset (trust me on this one!!).

Overall, I would plan to take your time, have a few spots that are “must-see stops,” but try not to over plan! The best part of this Florida Keys road trip is the drive and exploring whatever looks inviting to you. 🙂

Once you arrive in Key West, check into your hotel and head to Mallory Square for their nightly Sunset Celebration! Every night you can expect crowds to form in Mallory Square to witness the best sunset in the keys. 

For dinner, head to Half Shell Raw Bar which had the BEST stone crab I’ve ever had! This restaurant sits right on the water and is only a 15 minute walk from Mallory Square.

This restaurant has been around since 1972, which just shows how good their food is! They are situated right on a dock and bring in all their fresh catch daily. The food was DELICIOUS!

If you’re not exhausted from the day, you can end your night bar hopping along Duval Street ! This street is filled with live music shows, bars of every shape and size, and easily the most lively area of Key West. There are over 43 bars on Duval Street, but here are some of my recommendations:

• Smallest Bar in Key West (literally so small!!)
• Sloppy Joes (open since 1933)
• Mangoes (really good cocktails!!)
• Flying Monkeys (colorful patio with frozen cocktails)

Day 4: Explore Key West

I’ve written a full Key West Itinerary listing everything you can do in Key West, but I will give you a quick run through here…

Key West is definitely where all the action is in the keys and you will want to make sure you give yourself at least a full day to explore all the sites! Are you ready to be the ultimate tourist?! 😉

Here are my top recommendations for visiting Key West:

• Explore the “Southernmost Point” where you can see the Southernmost Point sign , Southernmost hotel, Southernmost bar… you get the point don’t ya?! 😉
• Take your touristy photo at Mile Marker 0 !
• Visit all the shops and museums in Mallory Square
• Get Cuban Coffee at Cuban Coffee Queen
• Spend the day at the most beautiful beach, Smathers Beach !
• Parasailing in Paradise – here is a great tour !
• Eat the best Key Lime Pie from Blue Heaven !

After you’ve played tourist all day, it’s time to unwind and see a famous Key West Sunset from another perspective… a sunset Catamaran Cruise!

There are several catamaran cruises in Key West, but the most popular one (that I feel is more of a fun, party vibe) is Fury Key West ! They provide bottomless wine, beer, margaritas, food & have a live band on board!

Even though we had a really bad weather day (link sprinkling and no sunset), we still had SO much fun! We luckily got paired on board with, what Joseph and I think, were professional dancers. They were putting on a show during the cruise and putting everyone else to shame, ha! 🙂

Day 5: Sand Bar Boat Tour

On the last day of your Miami to Key West road trip, it’s time to end with a BANG! This is something that I plan on coming back to Key West to do because we ended up having a REALLY rainy day on our last day. All the local’s said it hasn’t rained like that day in over a year … so, just bad luck I guess? 🙂

Anyways, many local’s told us about their favorite activity in Key West which is taking a boat out to the sand bars! You can rent boats or go with a tour company, but their are many different sand bars a short boat ride away. 

I would recommend packing some drinks and sandwiches and spending the day on your own little slice of paradise! Here is a fun private tour that takes you out to sand bars!

For dinner, it’s time to head to Joseph & I’s favorite restaurant on Key West, LL’s Test Kitchen ! Like I mentioned before, it’s easy to get sick of “beach bar food” after a week of eating it for Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner. LL’s test kitchen has amazing, high quality food! 

We opted in for the Pasta Carbonara and it was seriously to die for! And on top of that, the view from their wrap around deck is 10/10!!

TIP: Try to go at sunset to get the best view possible! 🙂

Okay, that’s a wrap! I hope you found this Miami to Key West Road Trip super useful and have the best time EVER! If you don’t like something I recommended OR want to extend your time in Key West, be sure to check out my bonus ideas section below. 🙂

Bonus Ideas for your Road Trip From Miami to Key West

Hey, no hard feelings if you didn’t like something I recommended! I know everyone travels differently, so here are a few ideas for swapping things out. OR if you just want to extend and spend some more time in Key West or Miami, you can add these to your itinerary!

• Snap your photo at the Art Murals in Wynwood District
• Little Havana Food Tour
• Rent a private boat for the day (great option for groups!)
• Get Cabana Rentals and relax on Miami Beach
• Speed Boat Tour

Middle Keys

• Visit the Turtle Hospital in Marathon
• Rent Jet Skis for the day 
• Go on a snorkeling tour in Key Largo
• Spend the day at the most popular sand bar in the keys off the coast of Islamorada! On weekends, it’s a huge party out there! Here’s a private tour that take you there 🙂

Key West 

• Day trip to Dry Tortuga National Park – I would LOVE to see this if I ever go back!
• Do a tiki boat cruise ! A tiki bar on a boat, looks like so much fun!!
• Explore all the beaches on Key West
• Do a guided bike tour of all the sites
• Hemmingway Home & Museum

What to Pack for a Miami to Key West Road Trip

I never want to bore you with a long packing list, especially when you came here to read an itinerary! BUT, I always like to recommend a few must-have’s for this specific trip…

1. Reef Safe Sun Block!!

If you plan on snorkeling in the Florida Keys, they have the only living coral reef in North America. AKA we need to protect it at all costs! Do your part by buying reef safe sunscreen, which my favorite is Sunbum ! You can snag it right off Amazon or you can buy it at most stores. 

If you plan on being at the beach or doing any snorkeling tours, you will want the perfect camera to capture those memories! Go Pro is completely waterproof, durable, and is perfect for action shots! Click here for the one I have!

3. A Cute Sun Hat

This one from ASOS is my FAVORITE! Literally so cute and is super durable for travel!! It’s not too big but also covers your face perfectly, highly recommend.

4. One Click Presets

DUH, of course you need a good set of presets so you can quickly edit on the go! Lucky for you, I have a wide selection of presets that you can choose from starting at only $3.49 per pack!! Click here to check them out 🙂

5. Cute Swim Suits

My favorite swim brands are Skatie for high quality suits, ASOS for cute but hit / miss quality, Show Po ,  and literally a sucker for most Instagram ads haha!! 🙂

Common Q & A’s

Is it worth driving from Miami to Key West?

YES, ABSOLUTELY YES! The drive from Miami to Key West is absolutely breathtaking and is one of the best road trips in the world! I do think you should drive from Miami to Key West, but then FLY out of Key West to go home! The small propeller planes that fly you above the keys let you see a completely different perspective 🙂

How long is the drive from Miami to Key West?

The drive time is roughly 3.5 hours if you drove straight through, but as you can tell from this itinerary.. there is much to see along this 165 mile stretch! Plus, there is sometimes traffic along the main highway, so depending on what time of year / day of the week / time of day… it might take you much longer!

Can you see Cuba from Key West?

Unfortunately, no! With Cuba being 90 miles from Key West, that is simply too far to spot. Even if you go up to the Key West Lighthouse, you will still be lucky if you see past 40 miles!

Do I need a car in Key West?

NO! I was shocked by how many UBers / Lyfts were available in Key West. I am not kidding when I say there was a maximum 2 minute wait for a car at any area of Key West. This is a great budget travel hack because you can return your rental car when you arrive in Key West instead of when you fly out. This can save you a few days worth of car rental payments!

Are beaches free in Key West?

Most beaches are free in Key West as long as they are not a state or National park. The most popular beach in Key West, Smathers Beach, is completely free other than the small parking fees for street parking. 

How many days should I spend in Key West?

I would recommend a few days in Key West, especially if you plan on doing a few boat excursions! 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. If you plan to do a boat tour out to sand bars, catamaran snorkel cruises, or other excursions, I would say three to four days!

What is the best time to go to Key West?

Florida is sunny and warm year round, but it will depend on what type of trip you want to do! If you want to do snorkel cruises and relax at the beach, you will want to go late spring / early fall. If you want perfect weather with no humidity and no rain, I would recommend the early spring / late fall & winter months. Summer is warm but VERY humid, so beware!

Okay, that wraps up my overly-detailed Miami to Key West Road trip guide! In this guide, you learned a perfect road trip itinerary, my recommended 3 stopping points, common questions about the Florida Keys, a few must-pack items, and a list of bonus ideas to swap out anything on the itinerary!

Traveling to Florida? Here are some guides I think you’ll love:

• 7 Days in Clearwater Beach
• Best Day Trips from Clearwater Beach
• Miami itinerary
• Key West Itinerary

Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂

Like this guide pin it here.

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[…] I stayed in the downtown Brickell area because I was doing a Miami to Key West Road Trip. I knew I was going to be on the beach for an entire week eating beach bar food, so I wanted […]

[…] actually did a full Miami to Key West Road Trip, but I have to admit.. the highlight of that week long trip was definitely Key West! The adorable […]

Did you rent a car for your entire trip or only to go from Miami to Key West?

Yes!! We saved a little money and returned the car when we got to Key West. It was super easy to get around without a car once you’re there, but you definitely need one to explore all the sites between Miami and Key West 🙂

this is super useful! I’m hoping to do this drive one day!

Have so much fun!

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Reader's Digest

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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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 .

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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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