Miami Florida Keys Road Trip plus the Everglades
All distances and times are indicative and do not include stops.
Total miles round trip; 400
Total drive time round trip; 8 hours
How long do I need? This is one that is quite possible to do in a week without rushing, ten days if you want to take it really slow
A road trip from Miami through the Florida keys is a classic, taking in US Highway 1, the Overseas Highway. Driving down through the Keys is a fabulous experience. The glittering blue of the ocean from seven mile bridge, the lush green of the various islands and the many interesting places to stop make this one of the world’s great drives. Your trip takes in the wonders of art deco Miami, the beauty of The Everglades, the laid back vibe of island life on the Keys and the vibrant eclecticism of Key West.
Our preferred starting point is South Beach in Miami. Spend a couple of days here to enjoy life on the beach, the buzzing night life, the restaurants, cafes and shops and the stellar people watching. Then head out of town and pick up Highway 1 going south.
Your first stop is Key Largo, home to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Take a diving or snorkel trip, view the reef from a glass bottomed boast or rent a kayak or a canoe and paddle through the mangroves.
Carry on further south to cross the engineering marvel that is Seven Mile Bridge. There are amazing views of the Gulf of Mexico shining beneath.
If you fancy another beach stop you can’t beat Bahia Honda State Park. There are all manner of things to do here, whether you want to just flop on the beach, swim, snorkel, fish, kayak, take a boat trip, hike or go camping.
In Key West, you can take part in the sunset celebrations at Mallory Square, say hello to the cats at the Hemingway Home and Museum and get your picture taken at the Southernmost Point of the United States. Cuba is the next land and is only 90 miles away. You can shop in boutiques and markets and browse the many galleries to enjoy the art. You can listen to bands and generally party on Duval Street, and in my case consume an ill advised number of frozen cocktails. This latter part is not obligatory although it is a lot of fun.
Go independent…
To find the best deals on your flights and accommodation, we recommend 1Plus2Travel. They are a great search website and search all the online consolidators so you don’t have to!
Otherwise, we like Skyscanner for a good listing of all the operators running flights.
We recommend Holiday Autos or Easycar for car hire. Check out our car hire info for ways to save money. You may want to cover your excess and increase your liability cover with a policy like that from Worldwide Insure or Insurance4carhire.com.
In terms of where to stay, for Miami, see our full city guide for our pick of accommodation. Similarly, our guide to the Everglades has information on where to stay.
In the upper Keys, we like the Dove Creek Lodge in Key Largo. The rooms are spacious and airy. If you are traveling in a group of with a family you can get a 2 bedroom townhouse. The pool area is beautiful with hammocks and views of the sea.
In the mid Keys, there is one of my all time favourite hotels, the Tranquility Bay Beachfront Hotel and Resort in Marathon. This is a lovely hotel. The rooms are 2 or 3 bedroom townhouses with verandas. There is a private beach where you can take out a kayak, go on a snorkelling, diving or fishing trip or just sit and enjoy watching the ocean. The restaurant is good and there are two pools, the smaller of which is adults only which makes for a very peaceful spot. I also love the Crane Point Nature Center, just down the road.
Further down the Keys, we love Little Palm Island Resort & Spa on Little Torch Key. This is a beautiful resort and is the ultimate place to relax. You get your own beachfront suite with private veranda, no TV and no phone. Bliss. There are also no children so sadly for anyone traveling with a family, this one is off the list.
In Key West we recommend you stay in the Old Town. This is where all the action is and once here you can park your car and forget about it for the duration of your trip. We love the Santa Maria Suites. They are in a great location, just off Duval but far enough to be away from any noise. The suites are all massive with separate sitting areas and kitchens. The property has two lovely pools and each suite has it’s own balcony or patio. If you are traveling with kids or in a large group you can get 2 bedroom suites. Next on our list is the Ocean Key Resort . This is right by Mallory Square and you can get a fabulous view of all the goings on from the rooftop deck. All the rooms are large and all have balconies. The rooftop pool area is fantastic and you can sit and have a drink or something to eat at their seaside bar and grill which is on a short pier.
If you were after something after something a bit smaller and more boutique, your are better off in one of Keys Wests many inns and B&Bs. Be careful if you are traveling with a family. Many of these properties are adults only or permit only older children. One of our favourites is the Marquesa Hotel which is absolutely beautiful. The hotel was originally a conch house built in 1884. It is in a great location, right near all the action but very secluded and peaceful. It has two lovely pools and a continental breakfast is served poolside every morning. Only children over 14 are permitted to stay at the hotel. The
Artist House is another great pick. All the rooms are individually decorated and the gardens are beautiful. The hotel is in a good location and there is free Wi-Fi and a complimentary buffet breakfast. They only permit children over 5 so again, this may not work if you are travelling with a family. Finally check out the Almond Tree Inn. This hotel is family friendly, the rooms are spacious and very modern. The pool and gardens are lovely and there is complimentary Wi-Fi and buffet breakfast.
Book a package…
Sometimes you just don’t have the time or inclination to plan and book a trip independently, that’s when booking through a tour operator makes sense.
Kuoni will happily create a fly drive itinerary for you that includes a trip down the Florida Keys. They also feature the Ocean Key Resort and Spa in Key West and have a number of other hotel options.