Fastest ~3.5h by car
| 🚗 Car | ~3.5–4h | Overseas Highway (US-1), 260km via Seven Mile Bridge |
| 🚌 Bus | ~4.5–5h | Greyhound/shuttle vans along US-1 |
| ✈️ Flight | <1h | Small airport via Miami/Fort Lauderdale, rarely faster |
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Miami to Key West is one of America's most scenic drives, running the length of the Florida Keys on a highway that hops from island to island across open ocean. There is no rail link — this is a road trip, whichever way you do it. Here is how to plan the journey.
No train — this is Overseas Highway territory
There has never been a passenger railway to Key West in the modern era. A railroad did once run this route — Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad, completed in 1912 — but it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1935 and never rebuilt; much of its right-of-way and several of its original bridges were repurposed for the highway that replaced it. Today, every option for reaching Key West from Miami is by road or air.
The classic way: driving the Overseas Highway
The drive is about 260 km and takes roughly 3.5–4 hours without stops, following US-1 — the Overseas Highway — down through Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon and across the famous Seven Mile Bridge to Key West. It is a single road for almost the entire route, mostly two lanes, so traffic can bunch up badly on weekends and holidays; midweek travel is noticeably smoother.
Nobody drives this route just to get somewhere — the road itself is the attraction, with turquoise water visible on both sides for long stretches. Most visitors break the journey with stops in Key Largo (diving and snorkelling) or Islamorada, turning a half-day drive into a full day or more.
The no-car way: Greyhound and shuttle vans
Long-distance coach services run from Miami to Key West along US-1, taking around 4.5–5 hours including stops, at fares well below car hire and fuel for a solo traveller. Private shuttle vans also operate this corridor, offering door-to-door or hotel pickups at a higher price than the bus but without the need to drive yourself. Both are reasonable options if you plan to stay in Key West itself and do not need a car once there.
The fast way: flying
Key West has its own small airport with limited connections, mostly via Miami or Fort Lauderdale on regional aircraft, plus seasonal routes from a few other US cities. Flight time from Miami is well under an hour, but by the time you add airport transfers and check-in on both ends, the total door-to-door time rarely beats a direct drive — flying mainly makes sense if you are connecting from further afield rather than starting in Miami itself.
Which should you choose?
For most travellers, driving yourself is the right call — the Overseas Highway is genuinely worth experiencing, and having a car lets you stop at the beaches, dive shops and roadside seafood stands along the way. Choose the bus or a shuttle van if you would rather not drive, are travelling solo, or plan to stay entirely within Key West's walkable centre. Flying makes most sense only if you are arriving from outside South Florida already. For nearby Florida routes, see Miami to Orlando.
Practical tips
- Fuel up before setting out — petrol stations thin out along the middle Keys, and prices rise the further south you go.
- Book accommodation in Key West well ahead during high season (winter through spring) and during major events such as Fantasy Fest.
- The Seven Mile Bridge has a dedicated pedestrian and cycling path on its older, adjacent span in places — a popular stop for photos rather than a full crossing on foot.
- Hurricane season (June–November) can disrupt Keys travel with little notice; check forecasts if travelling in that window.
Making the most of a stop along US-1
Key Largo, roughly an hour south of Miami, is the natural first stop for snorkelling and diving trips out to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, home to part of the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. Islamorada, a little further on, is known for sportfishing and a scattering of good seafood restaurants directly on the water. Marathon, roughly the halfway point, has the Turtle Hospital and a beach, and makes a sensible lunch or overnight stop if you want to break a one-day drive into two more relaxed days. Treating the drive as a series of short hops rather than a single dash keeps the journey enjoyable rather than a slog.
Traffic patterns and timing
US-1 through the Keys is a single road for most of its length, so any incident — a breakdown, a drawbridge opening, a crash — can back up traffic for miles with no way around it. Weekday mornings and midweek travel generally see the lightest traffic; Friday afternoons southbound and Sunday afternoons northbound are consistently the worst, as Miami-area residents make the same weekend trip. Starting early in the day, well before the bulk of weekend traffic builds, is one of the simplest ways to make the drive noticeably smoother.
Vehicle and comfort notes
A standard rental car is perfectly adequate for the Overseas Highway — no four-wheel drive or special vehicle is needed, and the road surface is well maintained throughout. Air conditioning is worth confirming works properly before setting off, since Florida heat and humidity, especially in summer, make a non-functioning system considerably more than a minor inconvenience. If travelling with a larger group, a full-size car or small SUV handles the narrow bridge lanes without issue, though very large RVs and trailers should check bridge and route restrictions in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a train from Miami to Key West?
No. A railroad once ran this route but was destroyed by a hurricane in 1935 and never rebuilt. The Overseas Highway (US-1) that replaced it is now the only land route.
How long does it take to drive from Miami to Key West?
About 260 km and 3.5–4 hours without stops, though most visitors take longer with breaks in Key Largo or Islamorada.
Can I get to Key West by bus?
Yes, coach services run the length of US-1 from Miami in around 4.5–5 hours, at fares below the cost of renting and fuelling a car.
Is it worth flying to Key West instead of driving?
Only really if you are connecting from outside South Florida. From Miami itself, the drive is part of the appeal and rarely slower door-to-door than flying.
Sources and further reading:
- Historical background on the Overseas Railroad and its replacement by US-1: general Florida transport history references.