DRIVING FROM MIAMI TO KEY WEST? HERE'S WHERE YOU SHOULD STOP

Picture this: You’ve got your car packed and you’re ready to hit the road from Miami to Key West. You're just a few hours away from this glorious little island town where it’s always 5 o’clock, everyone is laid back, and there’s music coming from every corner.

There’s only one way to drive through the Keys, and that’s straight down US-1 aka Overseas Highway. This two-lane road’s speed limit tops out at 45 mph most of the way and is a nice reminder that you’re now on island time. Over the next three and a half hours, you’ll drive over 44 bridges and see roughly 42 different islands. Here are the best places to stop and explore on your road trip from Miami to Key West.

Tip

Along the way, you’ll see small green and white signs with numbers on the side of the road. These mile markers count down, ending at MM 0 in Key West. It’s an easy way to know how far you are from your destination, but also most addresses along this long drag note what mile marker they are at, making it super easy to find what you’re looking for.

Start with Something Sweet

As you head south and out of Miami, you must stop at Robert Is Here. It’s a roadside fruit stand that has become a popular spot for milkshakes and smoothies made with fresh fruits in thousands of combinations. Sure, there’s probably going to be a line, but once your order is placed, feel free to stroll through the shop where you’ll find local jams, jellies, fruit, and more, perfect for gifts to take home to family and friends or as snacks for your hotel room.

Explore the First Undersea Park in the U.S.

If you’re looking to jump right into activities, consider stopping at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo (the first of the Keys you’ll drive through on this trip). Located at mile marker 102.5, it’s the first undersea park in the country and it covers approximately 70 nautical square miles. It’s a magical spot for diving and snorkeling.

Grab a Bite in Islamorada

Naturally, you’re going to get hungry along the way and Islamorada makes for a perfect lunchtime stopping point as it’s located just about in the middle of your adventure. As the second largest island in the Florida Keys, Islamorada has a ton of delicious restaurants you can pop into to enjoy the waterfront views and fresh seafood. Check out Hungry Tarpon at Robbie’s (and make sure to feed the tarpon), Morada Bay for an amazing blackened fish sandwich, Wahoo’s Seafood Bar & Grill where the mahi tacos never fail, or Marker 88 for delicious ahi tuna nachos.

Pull Over for Animal Adventures and Markets

Now that you’ve got fuel in you to continue your trip, you can easily drive straight to Key West. If you’re looking for other places to stop along the way, Rain Barrel Village (at mile marker 86.7) is an artsy open-air market that makes for great shopping. You can stop at Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key (at mile marker 59) too. Here you can hang out with dolphins, sea lions, and manatees. Down the road in Marathon, there’s the Turtle Hospital (at mile marker 48.5) where sick and injured sea turtles of all types are treated and housed until they recover and can be released.

Stretch Your Legs at Bahia Honda State Park

After you’ve crossed Seven Mile Bridge, the longest of the Keys bridges, Bahia Honda State Park (at mile marker 37) is a great place to get a little fresh air. It’s an ideal spot to swim, snorkel, or just walk the shore. Plus you can get a peek at a historic relic—an iron-framed bridge that was once part of the Overseas Railroad, which still stands over Bahia Honda Channel.

Celebrate Your Arrival

Check in and Relax

Now you’ve finally made it to Key West. Upon arrival, you’ll want to check into your hotel—consider Kimpton Key West, Ocean Key Resort & Spa, Southernmost Beach Resort, or Marquesa Hotel. Once you’re checked in, leave those car keys behind. One of the joys of Key West is everything you want to do is walkable. For those who want to get around a little faster, you’ll quickly notice the preferred mode of transportation in the Conch Republic is a scooter or golf cart, and you can rent them all over the island.

Head to Happy Hour

When it’s time for happy hour (which is always in this town), make your way to Duval and grab a drink and some snacks. Popular spots include Sloppy Joe’s, Rick’s, Smokin’ Tuna Saloon, Captain Tony’s Saloon, but you really can’t go wrong anywhere. Afterward, head to Mallory Square for the legendary Sunset Celebration, which occurs every day for two hours before the sun sets. It’s a huge celebration that takes place on Wall Street, a pedestrian-only street where you’ll find vendors, street performers, and live music as everyone hangs out and watches the sunset in one of the most stunning locations in the country.

Fill up the Tank

When it comes to dinner, you’re going to find a ton of fresh seafood nearly everywhere you go. Conch fritters and Key West pink shrimp are among some of the most popular dishes, and you’ll find them on every menu made in a variety of different ways. Hot spots for dinner include Little Pearl, Eaton Street Seafood Market, El Siboney, Blue Heaven, and The Lobster Shack. If you’re looking for a little late-night dessert action, check out Better Than Sex. Reservations are highly recommended, as this dessert destination is in high demand — the menu is full of over-the-top decadent desserts and chocolatey cocktails that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Don't Miss the Pie

Before you start your journey home, it’s imperative that you make your way to Kermit’s Key West for some of his famous Key lime pie. This beloved shop offers Key lime pie in several forms, including frozen slices of pie covered in chocolate—on a stick, candies, jellies, cookies, and of course, traditional. Frozen pies are available making them perfect for taking home and enjoying as a souvenir after your trip.

Finish the Trip with Brunch

As you wrap up your Key West adventures, check out Bagatelle or Blue Heaven for one final brunch before hitting the road. If you’re looking for one last chance to soak in the Florida Keys on your way home, stop into Sundowners in Key Largo for a delicious meal on the water. If you time it just right, you might catch the sunset.

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2024-07-26T21:17:15Z dg43tfdfdgfd