Miami to the Florida Keys

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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The drive down the Overseas Highway to Key West is one of America's classic road trips — a two-lane highway strung across more than forty bridges, with open ocean on both sides for long stretches. There is no train, but a direct bus and several tour operators make it possible even without a car.

The main way: driving US-1, the Overseas Highway

From downtown Miami to Key West is about 260 km (160 miles) along US-1, entirely on a single road once you clear the city — first through the Everglades-adjacent stretch to Florida City, then island-hopping via a chain of bridges, the most famous being the Seven Mile Bridge near Marathon. Driven without stops, the full run to Key West takes about 3.5–4 hours, but almost nobody drives it that way: the Keys are meant to be broken up.

Key Largo (about 1 hour from Miami), Islamorada (1.5 hours), Marathon (2.5 hours) and Big Pine Key are all worthwhile stops for snorkelling, diving, seafood and simply pulling over to look at the water. Traffic on US-1 can back up badly on weekends and holidays, since it is the only road in or out — build in extra time, especially on a Friday afternoon or Sunday evening.

The budget and car-free way: the Keys Shuttle

A dedicated shuttle bus service, commonly known as the Keys Shuttle, runs scheduled door-to-door and hotel-to-hotel services from Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports down to destinations throughout the Keys, including Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon and Key West. It's slower than driving — typically 4–5.5 hours depending on your stops — but removes the need for a car entirely if you're staying in one place, such as Key West, for your whole trip.

Greyhound and regional coach operators also serve the corridor with less frequent departures; check current schedules, as Keys-bound coach services have changed over the years.

Guided day tours from Miami

Several tour operators run long day trips from Miami to Key West, typically a ten-to-twelve-hour round trip with a few hours of free time in town before the drive back. These suit travellers who want to see Key West without renting a car or committing to an overnight stay, though the drive itself eats a large share of the day given the distance involved.

Should you fly instead?

Key West has its own small airport with limited flights from Miami and a handful of other US cities, but for most travellers coming from Miami, the drive is both cheaper and part of the point — the bridges and water views are the attraction, not an obstacle to get past. Flying only makes sense if you're short on time and starting your trip from further afield, connecting through Miami rather than beginning there.

Which should you choose?

If you have or can hire a car, driving is the way to do the Keys properly — you can stop at bridges, beaches and roadside seafood shacks at will, and it's the only way to see more than one island in a single trip. Choose the Keys Shuttle if you don't want to drive and are headed to a single base, most often Key West. A guided day tour suits a quick look at Key West without an overnight stay.

What to expect on the road

The Overseas Highway is a single carriageway for most of its length — often just one lane in each direction — so overtaking is limited and the pace is unhurried by necessity. Petrol stations, food and rest stops are spread out but not scarce; Key Largo, Islamorada and Marathon all have full services. The famous Seven Mile Bridge near Marathon runs directly beside the abandoned original Flagler-era railway bridge, a striking reminder that this route was a railway before it was a road — the Overseas Railroad, destroyed by a hurricane in 1935, was rebuilt as the highway you now drive.

Mile markers (small green signs counting down from 126 near Florida City to 0 in Key West) are how locals and businesses give directions throughout the Keys, and it's worth getting used to reading them — an address like "MM 82" tells you exactly how far you are from Key West at a glance, which is more useful than street names on a road with few of them.

Where to break the journey

If you have more than a day, spreading the drive over two or three makes a real difference to how much of the Keys you actually experience rather than just pass through. Key Largo is the closest full stop to Miami and a straightforward base for snorkelling and diving at nearby reefs. Islamorada, often called the sport-fishing capital of the world, has a strip of well-regarded seafood restaurants worth timing a lunch stop around. Marathon, roughly the midpoint, sits right at the start of the Seven Mile Bridge and has a turtle rescue centre that's a popular family stop. Key West itself rewards at least one overnight, since its character — live music on Duval Street, sunset crowds at Mallory Square, the Hemingway House — is better experienced without a same-day drive back hanging over the evening.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a train from Miami to the Florida Keys?

No, not any more. The original Overseas Railroad was destroyed by a hurricane in 1935 and rebuilt as the Overseas Highway (US-1), the road that still carries all traffic to the Keys today.

How long does it take to drive from Miami to Key West?

About 3.5–4 hours without stops, but most visitors take considerably longer, breaking the drive up with stops in Key Largo, Islamorada and Marathon along the way.

Can I get to the Florida Keys without a car?

Yes. The Keys Shuttle runs scheduled door-to-door services from Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports to destinations throughout the Keys, and guided day tours from Miami are also available.

What is the best time of year to drive to the Florida Keys?

Winter and early spring (December to April) are the most popular and driest months, though also the busiest and most expensive. Summer brings heat and a higher chance of tropical storms; hurricane season runs June to November.