How Long Does It Take To Drive From Miami To Key West?
Miami and the Florida Keys are two of the most popular tourist attractions in the country because they offer year-round sunlight and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.
The Keys are a group of coral islands that extend into the Gulf of Mexico and surround Florida Bay in the extreme southeast of the United States.
Traveling on Highway 1 from Miami to Key West takes three hours and fifty minutes. An alternative route that takes five hours and thirty minutes and offers amazing sights is driving to Marco Island and taking a ferry to Key West.
The nearest tropical island to the mainland United States is Key West, which is about halfway to Cuba. It’s a great place to get away from hectic Miami and relax in the water.
Time to drive from Miami to Key West
| Route | Main Road | Distance | Driving time |
| North to South | Highway 01 | 150 miles | 3 Hours 50 Minutes |
| East to West | Highway 41 (Inclu Ferry | 110 miles | 5 Hours 30 Minutes |
The most inhabited part of the Florida Keys island is Key West, about 150 miles southwest of Miami. Most visitors who drive from Miami to Key West choose to go the entire distance on Highway 1, which should only take about 4 hours.
We urge you to stop at least often on this route, which takes around 5 hours to the journey time because there are so many amazing islands to explore. For details on how Miami traffic could affect your trip time, keep reading.
As previously stated, you may also think about using a ferry for a portion of the trip. While you’ll still be facing Miami’s renowned traffic, you’ll avoid a good part of the typical delays along the way, and as the ferry moves south, you’ll be treated to amazing views across the Keys.
It takes about two hours to get to Marco Island, the starting point of our suggested ferry trip, from Miami. After that, it takes 3 hours 30 minutes by boat to go to Key West, so your entire trip will take 5 hours 30 minutes before you make any stops.
Driving across Florida from Miami to Key West
Driving from Miami to Key West is a very straightforward route; just follow Highway 1 (US-1) the all way. After leaving the Miami region, continue through the Southern Glades and you will soon be going across Blackwater Sound and Manatee Bay to arrive at Key Largo.
From here, Highway 1 leads you all the way to Key West, where the gorgeous Florida Keys islands are connected by a series of spectacular bridges.
You could face delays leaving Miami because it’s one of the most populated cities in the country. If there is no traffic, you may complete this drive in less than 4 hours, but if you’re traveling during rush hour, we suggest adding at least 1 hour to your travel time.
While there are many spots for rest along the way in the Florida Keys, we suggest stopping in Islamorada to break up the trip. Relax on Anne’s Beach’s lovely sands as you gaze out over the sparkling bay.
This stop is about 1 hour 30 minutes south of Miami in favorable traffic conditions; the next 80 miles will take you to Key West.
Your entire trip from Miami to Key West will take about 5 hours if you take an hour break for dinner or a walk by the sea.
If you’re not in a rush to get there, you can do this journey in about half a day and still have plenty of time to stop and take in the attractions you’ll travel through. If required, you can go there and back in a single day.
Driving from Miami to Marco Island
You’ll need to leave Miami driving west, taking up Highway 41 (US-41) on the outer edge of the city and following it to the southern tip of Florida to take the ferry to Key West.
The drive to Marco Island, which is located on Florida’s western coast and offers sights of the Gulf of Mexico, takes two hours. According to current schedules, if you’re taking the Key West Express, you’ll need to leave Miami early to board the ferry by 7:30 am.
This early in the morning, you shouldn’t have difficulty driving out of Miami traffic, but in any case, we usually advise planning on some extra time.
You may board on the ferry and relax back once you reached Marco Island. You must have a valid photo ID with you to board the ferry, so make sure you have it with you.
Since you would be allowing the ferry to manage anything from this point on, there is no need to budget for a further stop along this route. If you have time, you might want to have a light breakfast or an early coffee before boarding; but, if it seems too early, you can always purchase drinks from the onboard bar.
When you get to Key West, it won’t be an issue because you can’t bring your car with you on the Marco Island ferry. By renting a bike or scooter upon arrival, or by reserving a spot for your bike on the ferry, you may travel around with ease and bypass the difficulty of finding parking.
Things to know that can impact your driving time
As you may have noticed by now, when driving from Miami to Key West, traffic in Miami can significantly affect how long it takes to get there. Peak evening traffic occurs between 3 and 7:30 p.m., so try to avoid leaving the city during this period.
Because the Keys are such a popular weekend and holiday destination, you should also prepare for more traffic during these times.
Hurricane season stretches from June to November along the Florida coast, so scheduling in advance is not always feasible. If there’s any doubt about adverse conditions before you leave, check the local information and follow any warnings that are issued.
Hurricane season stretches from June to November along the Florida coast, so scheduling in advance is not always feasible. If there’s any doubt about adverse conditions before you leave, check the local information and follow any warnings that are issued.
Apart from traffic and hurricanes, the largest factor that will probably affect how long it takes you to drive is the want to stop out and take in the amazing views of the sparkling sea as you travel south through the Florida Keys!
Although the average speed limit on Florida’s highways is 65 mph, it drops by at least 10 mph when Highway 1 passes the Keys, reaching as low as 35 mph in some places.
We consider speed restrictions in our routes and time estimates, but furthermore, bad weather and traffic, road closures, development, and diversions may affect this. Before you leave, make sure to check the local advisories.
Tips to drive from Miami to Key West in the shortest possible time
Highway 1 is the only road leading from Miami to Key West, and as such, it gets extremely busy on weekends and holidays. If you want to escape traffic, you’ll need to rise early or arrive a day or two before of the major holiday break.
When traveling throughout the Keys during peak hours, especially if a special event occurs, you may run into traffic delays.
If you’re going to use the ferry, make sure you have a current sailing schedule in advance and leave more time to park before boarding. The ferry only runs once a day, so if you miss your boat, you could be delayed for a day or more
As we’ve previously mentioned, make sure to check the weather before you leave to prevent delays caused by bad weather.
It may take longer than you think to reach a gas station once you’re traveling across the islands, so be sure your tank is full before you cross into the Keys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth driving from Miami to Key West?
Yes, it is well worth the drive to Key West from Miami. The 113-mile drive along the scenic Overseas Highway is filled with memorable stops, iconic bridges, and stunning ocean views.
Is it better to drive or fly to Key West?
Driving to Key West offers a scenic adventure along the Overseas Highway while flying is faster but misses out on the journey’s beauty. If you have time, driving is more enjoyable; flying is quicker for shorter trips.
Can you do Miami to Key West in one day?
Yes, you can drive from Miami to Key West in one day. The drive takes around 3.5 to 4 hours each way, making it possible for a day trip, though you’ll have limited time to explore once there.
What is the best way to get from Miami to Key West?
The best way to get from Miami to Key West is by driving along the scenic Overseas Highway (U.S. Route 1), which takes about 3.5 to 4 hours. Alternatively, you can fly, which takes around an hour, but you’ll miss the stunning views along the drive.
How much is a taxi from Miami to Key West?
A taxi from Miami to Key West typically costs around $300 to $400, depending on the service and time of travel.
For more information on this, kindly visit http://floridakeys.net
