Road Trip Itinerary from Miami to Key West
- chrisdixon8
- Jan 11
- 7 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
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.
Starting point: Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood Beach
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.
Miami
Miami’s vibrant street art 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 in Miami and feeling flush I'd recommend going once for a treat meal.
To see detailed notes on Miami including hotels and things to do, please see our Miami page
Fort Lauderdale
About 30 miles North is Fort Lauderdale (OK its a slight diversion but maybe 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!
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.
Fort Lauderdale also has a nice beach, 7 miles of shoreline with a beachside promenade.
To see detailed notes on Fort Lauderdale including hotels and things to do, please see our Fort Lauderdale page
Hollywood Beach is a bit quieter, with a nice boardwalk along the beach and more upmarket restaurants. Its very close to Fort Lauderdale, so you could see both if time allows.
To see detailed notes on Hollywood including hotels and things to do, please see our Hollywood page
Hotels:
Town | Standard hotel | Luxury hotel |
Miami Beach | South Beach Hotel | |
Fort Lauderdale Beach | Holiday Inn Express | Hilton Beach House |
Hollywood Beach | Margaritaville |
Activites and excursions
On way to the keys, slight detour to Everglades for airboat ride - River of Grass semi private - alligator family
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.
For a detailed look at Key Largo, including our recommendations on hotels, bars, restaurants and things to do, please see the Key Largo page
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: Art, History, 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 art, history, and outdoor activities.
For a detailed look at Islamorada, including our recommendations on hotels, bars, restaurants and things to do, please see the Islamorada page
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:
Stop at the Theater of the Sea, a marine mammal park where you can swim with dolphins or sea lions. For a cultural stop, visit the History of Diving Museum to learn about the Keys’ underwater heritage.
Lunch at Morada Bay Beach Café is a must. This beachfront spot serves fresh seafood with stunning sunset views. For a casual drink, check out Green Turtle Inn, a historic bar with a friendly atmosphere and great cocktails.
Consider staying at Casa Morada, a resort with lush gardens, a pool by the sea, and excellent amenities - its beautiful but 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
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 an 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 nice cafe with seaside views - Kiki's Sandbar and Grille it doesnt look much on Google but the views are lovely
Next, 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.
Explore the Blue Hole, a freshwater pond surrounded by tropical foliage, perfect for a short hike and birdwatching.
For a meal, try No Name Pub, a quirky spot famous for its seafood and laid-back vibe. It’s a great place to mingle with locals and enjoy fresh fish sandwiches.
Big Pine Key to Key West: The Final Stretch to Paradise
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.
Start with a visit to the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum to see where the famous writer lived and worked. Walk down Duval Street for shopping, bars, and street performers.
For lunch, Blue Heaven offers Caribbean-inspired dishes in a colorful, open-air setting. Don’t miss their famous Key Lime pie.
In the evening, enjoy a sunset cocktail at Mallory Square, where street performers gather nightly to celebrate the sunset. For dinner, Latitudes on Sunset Key offers upscale dining with ocean views, perfect for a special night out.
Stay at the Southernmost Beach Resort for a blend of comfort and beach access, or try the Heron House for a charming boutique hotel experience.
What to do next? You could fly up to Tampa and start a road trip from there (maybe the Gulf Coast or through Central Florida over to the Atlantic Coast), or head back up the Florida Keys and do the stops you missed on the way down, then drive up the Gulf Coast from there. This itinerary has ideas for the drive from Key West to Tampa Bay / St Petersburg via the Everglades and Marco Island
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