Miami to Key West is the southern finale of the Atlantic Coast Highway. You will leave the mainland, merge onto U.S. 1, and follow the Overseas Highway through Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key, and Key West. Plan on roughly 160 miles total from Miami to Key West, with about 113 miles of that drive running through the Florida Keys.
Plan on 2 days so there is time for reef boat trips, short trails, and bridge pull-offs. For the complete route context, see the complete Atlantic Coast Highway road trip overview.
What to Expect on the Miami to Key West Drive
This route stays low and close to the water, with frequent speed limit changes and busy town centers separated by quieter miles between keys. The road stays flat. From Key Largo to Key West, the Overseas Highway is an All-American Road and crosses 42 bridges. Late fall through early spring is a comfortable window for camping, and summer brings higher humidity, heavier rain, and more stormy afternoons.
Quick Stats for the Miami to Key West Drive
| Trip Detail | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Total Distance | About 160 miles (Miami to Key West) |
| Estimated Drive Time | About 3.5 to 4 hours without stops |
| State | Florida |
| Primary Route | U.S. 1, also called the Overseas Highway in the Keys |
| Recommended Duration | 2 days |
| Cell Service | Good in towns, spotty on some bridges and inside parks |
| Fuel Stops | Homestead or Florida City, Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key, Key West |
Miami to Key West Road Trip Day by Day
Day 1: Miami to Marathon via Overseas Highway
Mileage: about 116 miles, drive time: around 2.5 hours without stops.
Miami to Key Largo is about 66 miles, and Key Largo to Marathon is about 50 miles. Reach Florida City on Florida’s Turnpike or U.S. 1, then follow U.S. 1 south, and expect slowdowns in town centers.
For a morning break, pick one: a reef day at John Pennekamp, a shaded walk at Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, or a quick stop in Islamorada for tarpon feeding at Robbie’s. Detour: Everglades National Park’s Homestead entrance adds roughly 20 miles and 30 to 45 minutes round-trip from Florida City. Overnight: Marathon, with camping at Curry Hammock or another Marathon-area campground, then grab dinner and set up for an early start.
Food and fuel: resupply on the mainland, then plan a second stop in Key Largo or Marathon. If you are booking a snorkel tour, try to arrive in Key Largo by late morning so you can catch an early afternoon departure.
Day 2: Marathon to Key West with bridge stops
Mileage: about 48 miles, drive time: about 1 to 1.5 hours without stops.
Top off fuel in Marathon, then head south with the expectation that there are long stretches without easy turnarounds. The day goes best when you treat the drive like a series of short hops, not one push to the finish.
Start with the Old Seven Mile Bridge, a flat, 2.2-mile walk or bike that links Marathon to Pigeon Key. Then swing through Bahia Honda State Park for beach time and the old bridge view, and keep your eyes up on Big Pine Key, Key deer cross the road. Overnight: Key West area, with Boyd’s as a close-to-town option.
Food and fuel: Marathon and Big Pine Key are your easy resupply points before you reach Key West. Plan a simple lunch stop before you hit Old Town, and you will spend less time circling for parking.
Campgrounds to Consider from Miami to Key West
Buttonwood Campground, Bahia Honda State Park sits on Big Pine Key and averages 4.5 stars on The Dyrt. Campers mention waterfront sites and reliable hookups, and the beaches and old bridge overlook are nearby. Check updates at Bahia Honda State Park.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campground in Key Largo averages 4.5 stars on The Dyrt. Reviews often mention tight sites, plus easy marina access and nearby groceries before you head deeper into the Keys.
Curry Hammock State Park Campground near Marathon averages 4.5 stars on The Dyrt. Campers mention clean facilities, plus paddling access and a straightforward Day 2 start with the lower Keys bridges just south of town.
Encore Sunshine Key is a private resort on Ohio Key with a 4.5-star average on The Dyrt. Reviews mention full hookups and a marina setup, and the location keeps Bahia Honda and Key West within easy reach.
Boyd’s Key West Campground averages 4.5 stars on The Dyrt and stays close to Old Town. Expect compact sites and higher rates, then use the short drive time to spend more hours on foot in Key West.
Long Pine Key Campground, Everglades National Park is rated 4.5-stars on The Dyrt and is located near Homestead. Campers mention bigger, spread-out sites and a quieter first night before you commit to the Overseas Highway.
Top Things to Do Between Miami and Key West
Natural Highlights
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park opens 8 a.m. to sunset, and its concession runs 2.5-hour snorkel trips. Confirm fees and hours on the official John Pennekamp hours and fees page. On Big Pine Key, the National Key Deer Refuge Blue Hole platform is a short, paved walk for wildlife viewing.
Cultural and Historic Stops
Pigeon Key connects directly to the Keys railroad era, and it pairs well with time on the Old Seven Mile Bridge. In Key West, the Hemingway Home is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with guided tours starting every 15 minutes.
Outdoor Recreation
The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail runs in segments alongside U.S. 1 and works well for a car-free bike ride between stops. For paddling, Curry Hammock and Bahia Honda both have launch areas that let you get on the water without a long shuttle.
Unique Stops
Robbie’s tarpon dock in Islamorada stays open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. In Key West, Mallory Square’s nightly sunset gathering typically starts about two hours before sunset and winds down shortly after.
Travel Tips for the Miami to Key West Segment
Once you leave the mainland, plan around the fact that U.S. 1 is the main route, and congestion or an incident can ripple for hours. Save offline maps, coverage can fade on bridges and in parks. Fuel varies, so topping off in Marathon helps.
Drive slowly on Big Pine Key and nearby keys, Key deer cross the road, especially early and late in the day. Florida State Parks reservations often book far ahead, so Dyrt Alerts can help you catch a cancellation. The Dyrt PRO keeps maps and campground info available offline.
More Atlantic Coast Highway Segments and Resources
This Miami to Key West drive is one segment of the larger Atlantic Coast Highway. To connect it with the rest of the route, return to the Atlantic Coast Highway road trip overview or the full Atlantic Coast Highway road trip itinerary, then browse the other segment articles. For low-impact habits that matter in fragile coastal environments, review the Leave No Trace 7 Principles.
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