You're standing in Fort Lauderdale, looking at the map, and thinking about that classic drive down to the end of the world—or at least the end of U.S. 1. Everyone asks the same thing: how far is Key West Florida from Fort Lauderdale Florida?
Honestly, the answer depends on whether you're asking a GPS or a local who knows that "Florida time" is a very real thing.
On paper, you're looking at about 189 miles. If you hopped in a car and drove with the single-minded focus of a getaway driver, you could probably make it in about 3 hours and 45 minutes. But let's be real—you aren't doing that. Between the 42 bridges, the sudden tropical downpours, and the inevitable "I have to stop for a lobster roll" urges, that four-hour window usually stretches into five or six.
The Breakdown: Miles, Minutes, and Reality
When people search for how far is Key West Florida from Fort Lauderdale Florida, they’re usually trying to figure out if it's a day trip.
Spoiler: It’s not. Not if you want to enjoy it.
The drive is essentially one long ribbon of asphalt called the Overseas Highway. Once you hit Florida City and leave the mainland, you’re on a two-lane road (mostly) where the speed limit fluctuates between 35 and 55 mph. If you get stuck behind a slow-moving RV or a boat trailer, your arrival time in Key West just got pushed back by thirty minutes.
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Driving Stats (The Hard Numbers)
- Total Distance: Approximately 189 miles via US-1 South.
- Pure Drive Time: 3.5 to 4 hours (if the stars align).
- Real World Time: 5+ hours with traffic and a bathroom break.
Flying vs. Driving
Some folks skip the car altogether. You can fly from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) to Key West International (EYW) in about 50 to 60 minutes. It’s incredibly fast, but you miss the Seven Mile Bridge. Is it worth it? Only if you’re short on time and high on cash, because those short-hop flights can get pricey during the peak winter season.
Why the Distance Feels Longer (and Better)
There is a psychological shift that happens somewhere around Key Largo. You’re no longer in "Fort Lauderdale traffic mode." You start seeing the turquoise water on both sides of the car. The distance doesn't just represent miles; it represents a transition into a place where the main industry is relaxation.
The "Bridge" Factor
You’re going to cross 42 bridges. The most famous, the Seven Mile Bridge, is a literal engineering marvel that makes you feel like you’re driving on the surface of the ocean. It’s located near Marathon, which is roughly the halfway point.
Pro Tip: If you see a line of cars suddenly slowing down on the bridge, don't panic. It's usually just people trying to spot a sea turtle or a manatee in the shallows below.
Key Milestones on the Route
- Key Largo (MM 108): About 1.5 hours from Fort Lauderdale. This is where the "Keys" actually begin.
- Islamorada (MM 82): The sport-fishing capital. If you’ve been driving for two hours, stop here.
- Marathon (MM 50): The home of the Turtle Hospital. You’re getting close now.
- Big Pine Key (MM 30): Watch for the Key Deer. They are tiny, adorable, and very much prone to wandering into the road.
- Key West (MM 0): You made it. Find a parking spot (good luck) and a margarita.
Common Misconceptions About the Trip
Most people assume that because it's "only 190 miles," they can zip down for lunch and be back by dinner. Technically, yes, you could. But you'd spend 8 hours in a car for 2 hours of island time.
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Another big mistake? Ignoring the "Card Sound Road" option. If you want to bypass a bit of the heavy traffic heading into Key Largo, you can take the toll road (Card Sound Road) and stop at Alabama Jack’s for conch fritters. It adds a few miles to the total distance, but it subtracts a lot of stress.
Is There a Ferry?
Surprisingly, no. There is no direct ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Key West. There’s a famous ferry that runs from Fort Myers and Marco Island, but from the Atlantic side, you’re either driving, taking a bus, or flying.
Several tour companies offer bus shuttles that depart early in the morning from Fort Lauderdale hotels. It’s a 15-hour day trip where someone else does the driving. It’s a decent option if you want to nap while crossing the bridges, but you lose the freedom to pull over at a random roadside fruit stand.
Best Practices for the Journey
If you're making the trip in 2026, keep an eye on the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) updates. They’ve been doing significant repaving and bridge maintenance around the Upper Keys (MM 108 to MM 112) that can occasionally bottle-neck traffic.
Try to avoid Friday afternoons. Everyone in Miami and Fort Lauderdale has the same idea: "Let's go to the Keys for the weekend." The southbound crawl on a Friday at 4 PM is soul-crushing. Instead, head down on a Tuesday morning. You'll have the road—and the conch fritters—mostly to yourself.
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Your Key West Checklist
- Gas Up in Florida City: Prices jump once you get onto the islands.
- Sunglasses: The glare off the water on the Seven Mile Bridge is no joke.
- Offline Maps: Cell service is mostly fine, but there are dead zones near the uninhabited keys.
- Patience: You're on island time now. Relax.
To get the most out of your trip, plan to leave Fort Lauderdale no later than 8:00 AM. This puts you in Islamorada just in time for an early lunch at Robbie’s (where you can feed the tarpon) and gets you into Key West by 1:00 PM, giving you the whole afternoon to explore before the sunset celebration at Mallory Square.
Check your tire pressure before leaving. The heat on the Overseas Highway is intense, and the last thing you want is a blowout on a bridge with no shoulder. Pack a small cooler with water, grab a playlist that isn't just Jimmy Buffett, and enjoy the most scenic drive in the United States.
Once you arrive at Mile Marker 0, take that iconic photo with the buoy. You've earned it after those 189 miles.
Next Steps for Your Trip
Check the current traffic alerts for the Overseas Highway on the FDOT website to see if there are any active lane closures on the Seven Mile Bridge. Then, look into booking a parking spot in Key West ahead of time, as the Old Town area is notoriously difficult for SUVs and larger vehicles.