Road Trip Itinerary from Miami to Key West
- chrisdixon8
- Jan 11
- 12 min read
The journey from Miami to Key west could be done in a 45 minute flight, but if you have the time then this road trip (between 3 to 4 hours total driving time) is highly recommended - it's a fantastic way to see the sights and enjoy the activities of the Florida Keys along the way.
If it's your first time in the keys and you can spare the time, ideally allow 2 nights on the way down so you can stop off and make the most of it. It's one single highway (US-1 / Overseas Highway) all the way, so its an easy drive and you wont get lost!
This journey is packed with unique stops, delicious food, and cozy places to stay. This itinerary covers the best sights and experiences from Miami through Fort Lauderdale, Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon and Big Pine Key, ending in the tropical paradise of Key West.
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Starting point: Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood Beach or Miami
Usually flights land late in the afternoon or in the evening, so you might want to stop off in one of Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood Beach. If you're only doing the Keys and want to have some time at a proper beach then it maybe worth staying a couple of nights at one of these beach towns - while the Keys are beautiful and have plenty of snorkelling and boat trip activities, they don't have big stretches of beach like you find on the rest of the Florida coast.
Fort Lauderdale
About 30 miles North is Fort Lauderdale - OK its a slight diversion but worth it depending on what you're looking for - we like the downtown here for breweries and shopping, and the live music in dive bars along the beachfront.
Known as the “Venice of America,”
Fort Lauderdale offers beautiful canals and a lively waterfront. Stop at Las Olas Boulevard for boutique shopping, art galleries, and a wine tasting at Sixty Vines with nice accompanying sourdough pizza!
Fort Lauderdale also has a nice beach, 7 miles of shoreline with a beachside promenade.
For a drink, I like El Camino, a lively bar with a really good Happy Hour - I've had proper nice craft beers here for just 3 bucks. There's a ton of bars in the downtown area, including a Dueling Piano bar (Howl at the Moon). There's also a brewery quarter of the town - we like to start at the Sistrunk where they have street food trucks, and then have a walk around the other local breweries.
Then head to Fort Lauderdale Beach to visit the dive bars with live music, such as the legendary Elbo Room - they have live music every night but the highlights are the lively full bands they squeeze into a corner stage at weekends.
There's a lovely state park called Hugh Taylor Birch with plenty of walking and cycling trails and canal views - we've seen plenty of wildlife here including tortoises, birds, iguanas and raccoons.
On one of first visits to Fort Lauderdale, we did this Segway Tour, which was a really nice way to get to know the town. I'd also recommend a boat trip on the canals, or the Water Taxi
There is a nice botanical gardens with a small zoo/wildlife sanctuary attached, a short drive from either Ft Lauderdale or Hollywood, called Flamingo Gardens
Fort Lauderdale Restaurants
An absolute highlight on Fort Lauderdale Beach for a treat meal is the steakhouse Steak 954 in the W hotel. It is pricey, but the steak is always excellent; we usually share a ribeye and one is plenty for us both! Make sure to have the "yorkshire pudding" bread (which I think Americans call popover).
One of our favourite Lunch spots in Fort Lauderdale is Shooters Waterfront, which has a nice terrace on the intracoastal waterway, I think you can even get the water taxi to/from here. My favourite dish is the Lobster Cobb Salad.
Also on the Canals waterfront for a bit of a change there is an Asian restaurant we like called Casa Sensei
Hollywood Beach
Hollywood Beach is a bit quieter, with a nice boardwalk along the beach and more upmarket restaurants.
We've only stayed here once, we liked the Margaritaville at the time because it was right on the beach and they have live music in the restaurants and on a beachside outdoor stage.
They also have bikes to rent to explore the boardwalk, and you can get a water taxi from here to Fort Lauderdale.
Margaritaville does position itself as a resort hotel so its good for families with plenty to do, but that makes it popular, so it can be quite busy and expensive
Hollywood is very close to Fort Lauderdale, so you could see both if time allows.
Miami
Miami’s vibrant street art district and beaches are worth a quick visit if time allows. It's nice to do a walk along the iconic South Beach, and enjoy the art-deco architecture along the seafront, where you'll also find family-friendly restaurants, chains etc.
Other than the highlights above, we find Miami a bit too "big-city", however one meal worth calling in for if you're there in Stone Crab season (November to May) is Joe's Stone Crab - unfortunately Stone Crab is a really expensive delicacy, but its so good (meaty jiucy cab claws!), and this place is an institution - if you're feeling flush I'd recommend going once for a treat meal.
A diversion to the Everglades
A worthwhile diversion from the Miami region before you get to the keys is to go to the Everglades National Park, and do one of the iconic Airboat trips.
There are two kinds of airboat ride - a guided nature/wildlife trip or a "thrill ride". I would definitely recommend the nature / wildlife kind of airboat ride - last time we did River of Grass Everglades, and really enjoyed it - we were very lucky to see a lot of alligators including a big family with baby gators!
Fort Lauderdale to Key Largo: Gateway to the Keys
From any of Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood Beach, head south to US-1 for about 60 miles to Key Largo, the first of the Florida Keys. This stretch introduces you to the iconic Overseas Highway, with ocean views on both sides.
Key Largo is famous for its underwater adventures. Visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first underwater park in the U.S., where you can snorkel or take a glass-bottom boat tour to see vibrant coral reefs and marine life.
Our favourite boat trip in Key Largo is Captain Sterling's - it's a quiet glide through beautiful scenic Mangroves int the edge of Everglades National Park, with a good chance of seeing Dolphins, Manatees and plenty of the local bird species.
Manatee on Capt Sterling's boat tour, Key Largo sunset, and Bayside Grille
Both Key Largo and Islamorada are famous for wonderful sunsets - the bars with a view of sunset can get quite busy, so make sure you get somewhere with a sunset view about an hour beforehand to guarantee a good spot. They'll usually have a band or guitarist at sundowner time.
For a sunset cocktail and casual dinner you can't beat the Bayside Grille for the sunset view.
There's a lot of options for hotels, we've tried the Sunset Cove and the Holiday Inn Key Largo and enjoyed them both.
The Sunset Cove Beach Resort is not really luxury but we found it nice and clean and a really good location (next door to our favourite sunset bar in Key Largo). It's got it's own cute little beach, and there's kayak rentals nearby. We think this maybe a good option for families as they have some units which are like cottages with mini kitchens.
The Holiday Inn is more of a traditional hotel, but does have the advantage of a swimming pool. Both these options should be around £220/night including taxes on the weekends and hopefully a bit less midweek - it's worth trying their own websites and shopping around on Trivago as prices can vary wildly.
Key Largo to Islamorada: Nature, Sunsets and Island Charm
The drive from Key Largo to Islamorada is about 20 miles, but it’s packed with things to see. Islamorada is known as the “Village of Islands” and offers a mix of nature, sunsets, fun and outdoor activities.
As you make your way away from Key Largo, you'll pass the Wild Bird Sanctuary - this is nice for a really quick stop to have a look at the birds, and if you walk to the end of the path around the back you get to little secluded cove where lots of shorebirds like to hang out:
For the kids, it's worth allowing a few hours to stop at the Theater of the Sea, a marine mammal park where you can swim with dolphins or sea lions. For diving fans, visit the History of Diving Museum to learn about the Keys’ underwater heritage.
Lunch at Morada Bay Beach Café is a good option. This beachfront spot serves fresh seafood with stunning sunset views. For a sunset drink and casual food, we love the sunset view at Lorelei
For a small town, Islamorada has some really good nightlife.
The two breweries in the Islamorada town are fantastic, especially Florida Keys Brewing Co. pictured here, which has really cool decor, and a lovely beer garden where they often have live music. Islamorada Brewing Company also has a nice beer garden, so while Id recommend spending longer in Florida Keys Brewing Co for the live music, its fun to try them both
Another hidden gem is Hog Heaven (pictures below), a dive bar which has live music most nights in a beer garden over the water. The food is mainly basic American BBQ fare but not bad if you're ready for a big BBQ feast whilst watching a band.
Consider staying at Casa Morada, a resort with lush gardens, a pool by the sea, and excellent amenities - its beautiful but quite expensive.
For a more budget-friendly option, we like Sunset Inn -
it's quite basic motel-like, but its clean, comfortable, great location and walking distance to sunset spots and breweries.
A fun thing to do here is go out on a floating tiki bar at sunset - BYOB, very nice serene way to see sunset out on the water with a beer, whilst also watching for dolphins and birds
One of our favourite things to do throughout the keys is go on a boat trip, which usually rewards you with sightings of Dolphins, Manatees, Iguanas, Ospreys, Pelicans and any more bird species.
In Islamorada a good portion of the tours depart from Robbies Marina, which is also quite a fun place to hang out while you wait - they have activities at the dock such as Tarpon feeding, boat tours to suit all tastes (glass-bottom boats, snorkel/diving trips, thrill rides), craft and souvenir shops as well as bars and restaurants.
Pelicans and giant Tarpon share the spoils at Robbie's Marina
A Manatee chillling out at Robbie's Marina
Islamorada to Marathon and Big Pine Key: Nature, Beaches and Wildlife
Between Marathon and Big Pine Key you'll find Bahia Honda State Park which has nice beaches, walking trails and snorkel and kayak rentals. Snorkelling is reputed to be really good here in warm water, there's also a lot of birdlife to keep an eye out for.
If you're hungry for some casual food with a nice gulfside view, Porky's is right on the water: https://porkysbaysidebbq.com/
Keep an eye out for the 7-mile bridge - very cool views as you drive over, and just before the bridge is another beach cafe with seaside views called Sunset Grill
Just before the 7mile bridge on Marathon is the Turtle rescue centre, which kids will love.
Next is Big Pine Key, a quieter island known for its natural beauty and wildlife. The National Key Deer Refuge is the highlight here, home to the tiny and endangered Key deer. Drive slowly and keep an eye out for these gentle creatures. You only have to take a short detour onto some side roads on Big Pine Key and you'll find the deer around the footpaths in the bush.
Also on Big Pine Key, explore the Blue Hole, a freshwater pond surrounded by tropical foliage, perfect for a short hike and birdwatching.
Whilst here it's worth popping into No Name Pub, a quirky spot famous for its seafood and laid-back vibe.
Big Pine Key to Key West: The Final Stretch
The last leg to Key West is about 30 miles and brings you to the southernmost point of the continental U.S. Key West is a lively island with a rich history and plenty to explore.
One of our favourite things to do here is to gather at Mallory Square for Sunset (be sure to get there early to find a spot - it is popular!) to enjoy an accompanying IPA or cocktail - there's always a band playing as the sun goes down and a good atmosphere.
Another fun thing to do if your family are up for a bit more adventure is the Key West Shark Boat Tour, we did this with Key West Extreme Adventures a few years ago and it was a lot of fun to see the sharks up close
If (like Kel!) you enjoy a bit of craft shopping, then Key West is a Mecca for it - there are hundreds of souvenir, clothing and craft shops to wander around all within easy walking distance around the Duval Street area.
Fortunately there are also plenty of bars and brewpubs for those who prefer a pub crawl - and most of them have live music most of the time. Some of our favourites are the iconic Sloppy Joe's, the Green Parrot, Hank's Hair of the Dog Saloon, Hog's Breath Saloon, Willie T's and The Bull. Key West also has a famous cocktail called the Rum Runner - beware they are very strong! - the best one is at the Rum Bar
For families it's also nice to visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum to see where the famous writer lived and worked, and where weird six-toed cats still roam.
We've never tried the Aquarium but its apparently quite popular albeit a fairly small one: Key West Aquarium
Also around Mallory Square, you will find lots of boat tours and charters catering to every kind of water-based activity from snorkelling and diving tours to Jet Ski tours and rentals.
Fury Key West are the biggest operator in town, and their sunset sail is our favourite (which is also the charter we have booked for our wedding day, so maybe save that treat for then! They do have a ton of other options, including watersports). There is also a mini-catamaran (CraigCat) self-drive guided tour, which we've done in other parts of Florida and is a lot of fun, the backcountry one here looks good.
It's possible to get a ferry to a national park called Dry Tortugas, we've never tried this as its a 2.5hr ferry ride each way, but the beach and fort look interesting if you have plenty of time.
Key Lime pie is a Key West must-try, you can get a good one at Blue Heaven which offers Caribbean-inspired dishes in a colourful, open-air setting.
We did a particularly lovely food tour here with Key West Food Tours, which was a great way to get to know the town whilst also sampling some lovely food, and is also where we discovered the delightfully punchy Rum Runner.
A trip to Key West wouldn't be complete without stopping at DJ's Clam Shack for a Lobster Roll. This place is famous for meaty stuffed lobster rolls and never disappoints. Lobster rolls aren't cheap but they are lovely!
Our favourite restaurants for a posher treat here are Cafe Marquesa for a fine dining treat or Bagatelle for a fancy brunch (I particularly love the firecracker sweet and spicy bacon here!).
For hotels in Key West, we really like the B&B Simonton Court for it's central location, pools and nice hospitality. If you prefer a small beach at the hotel, you can stay at the Southernmost Beach Resort for a blend of comfort and beach access, or the Gardens Hotel is also centrally located and has lovely grounds albeit for a really expensive price
Places to stay on the route
Town | Standard hotel | Luxury hotel |
Miami Beach | ||
Fort Lauderdale Beach | ||
Hollywood Beach | ||
Key Largo | ||
Islamorada | ||
Key West |
Activities on the route
Nearest Town | Activity |
Miami / Fort Lauderdale | |
Fort Lauderdale | Segway Tour |
Key Largo | Captain Sterling's Mangroves nature boat tour |
Key Largo | |
Key Largo | |
Islamorada | |
Islamorada | |
Marathon | |
Marathon/Big Pine Key | |
Big Pine Key | |
Big Pine Key | |
Key West | |
Key West | |
Key West | |
Key West | |
Key West | |
Key West |
A lot of the bars and seafront casual eateries serve similar American fare, so if you feel you need a bit of a change, here are some fancier upscale restaurants to consider on the route:
Restaurants
Nearest Town | Restaurant |
Miami | |
Key Largo | |
Islamorada | |
Islamorada | |
Islamorada | |
Key West | |
Key West | |
Key West |
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