You're standing in the middle of a theme park in Central Florida, sweating through your shirt, and suddenly the idea hits you. Why not just drive south? Everyone talks about the drive from Orlando to the Keys like it’s some magical, sun-drenched transit through paradise. You imagine a convertible, wind in your hair, and the Atlantic Ocean shimmering on both sides of the road.
The reality is a bit more complicated. It's long.
If you just punch it down the Florida Turnpike without a plan, you’re looking at six or seven hours of grey asphalt, expensive tolls, and the back of a semi-truck. But if you do it right, this drive actually becomes the vacation itself. It’s the transition from the hyper-manicured world of Mickey Mouse to the "Conch Republic" where nobody wears shoes and the clocks don't really matter.
The Logistics Most People Ignore
Let’s get the math out of the way. You’re looking at roughly 350 to 390 miles depending on which Key you’re hitting. Key Largo is the "gateway," but Key West is the goal for most. Don't trust Google Maps when it tells you it'll take six hours.
Florida traffic is a living, breathing beast.
Between the Orlando construction and the inevitable bottleneck where the Turnpike meets I-95 in Miami-Dade, you should probably budget eight hours. Honestly, if there’s an accident on the Overseas Highway (US-1), you’re not going anywhere. There is only one way in and one way out. That’s the first thing experts will tell you: check the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) alerts before you leave Florida City. Once you're on that 113-mile stretch of US-1, you are committed.
The Route Choice: Scenic vs. Fast
Most GPS units will shove you onto the Florida Turnpike. It’s faster. It’s also boring. You’ll pay a decent chunk in SunPass tolls—likely around $20 to $25 round trip—but you avoid the stop-and-go nightmare of US-1 through the Treasure Coast.
However, if you have an extra day, taking A1A for portions of the drive from Orlando to the Keys is infinitely better for the soul. You can hop on near Vero Beach or Jupiter, see the actual ocean, and grab a taco at a roadside stand that isn't a Taco Bell.
Miami is the Great Filter
You have to pass through or around Miami. There is no dodging it.
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This is where the drive gets stressful. The Palmetto Expressway and the Turnpike Homestead Extension are legendary for their chaos. My advice? Time your exit from Orlando so you hit Miami between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Anything later and you’re fighting rush hour. Anything earlier and you’re hitting the morning commute.
Once you pass Homestead, the vibe shifts. The air starts smelling like salt and swamp. You’ll pass Robert Is Here, a famous fruit stand. Stop there. Seriously. Get a milkshake—soursop or key lime—and buy some dragon fruit. It’s the unofficial starting line of the Keys experience.
Entering the Archipelago
The stretch from Florida City to Key Largo is known as the "18-Mile Stretch." It used to be a death trap of a two-lane road, but it’s been vastly improved with concrete barriers. It’s still a bit desolate, though. To your left is the Barnes Sound; to your right is the Everglades.
Key Largo: More Than Just a Song
A lot of people skip Key Largo. That’s a mistake. If you’re making the trip from Orlando to the Keys, Key Largo is where you find the best diving in the continental United States. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the big name here.
- You can see the Christ of the Abyss statue underwater.
- The glass-bottom boat tours are actually worth the money if you don't want to get wet.
- Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen is the spot for pita breakfast or a massive slice of pie.
Islamorada: The Sportfishing Capital
About 20 minutes south of Key Largo, you hit Islamorada. This is a collection of six islands. If you see a giant lobster on the side of the road, you’ve arrived at Rain Barrel Village. It’s touristy, sure, but the local art is actually decent.
The real draw here is Robbie’s Marina. You pay a few bucks to go out on the dock and feed massive tarpon. These fish are six feet long and will jump out of the water to grab a baitfish right out of your hand. It’s terrifying and hilarious. Just watch your fingers; those scales are like sandpaper.
The Seven Mile Bridge
This is the peak of the drive. If you’ve seen True Lies or 2 Fast 2 Furious, you’ve seen this bridge.
Driving over the Seven Mile Bridge is a sensory overload. You have the Gulf of Mexico on the right and the Atlantic on the left. The water turns shades of turquoise and cerulean that you didn't think existed outside of a Photoshop filter.
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Pro Tip: Look to your right for the "Old Seven." It’s the original bridge built by Henry Flagler for his Overseas Railroad. You can’t drive on it anymore, but a section of it near Marathon has been refurbished for walking and biking. It leads to Pigeon Key, a tiny island that housed the workers who built the railroad in the early 1900s.
The Lower Keys: Where Things Get Weird
After the Seven Mile Bridge, you enter the Lower Keys. This is Big Pine Key territory. The environment changes again. It’s pine forests and mangroves.
The Key Deer are real. These are tiny, endangered deer that are only found here. They’re about the size of a large dog. They have zero fear of humans, which is a problem. If you’re driving this stretch at night, slow down. Hitting one isn't just a tragedy for the ecosystem; it’ll wreck your rental car.
Bahia Honda State Park is also in this area. Honestly, it has the best beaches in the Keys. Most people don't realize that the Keys aren't actually known for sandy beaches—the coral reef offshore blocks the waves that create sand. But Bahia Honda is the exception. The water is shallow, clear, and perfect for a mid-drive swim.
Key West: The End of the Road
Finally, you hit Mile Marker 0. You’ve made it.
Key West is a different planet. It’s closer to Havana than it is to Miami. The houses are gingerbread-style wood builds, the roosters roam the streets like they own the place, and the legal limit for "weirdness" is significantly higher than in Orlando.
Don't Fall for the Tourist Traps
Everyone goes to the Southernmost Point buoy to take a picture. You’ll stand in line for 45 minutes in the sun for a photo next to a concrete buoy that isn't even technically the southernmost point (the Navy base next door holds that honor).
Instead, head to the Green Parrot Bar. It’s a dive bar in the best sense of the word. Or go to the Hemingway House. Even if you don't like The Old Man and the Sea, the six-toed cats that live there are fascinating. They are descendants of Hemingway’s original cat, Snow White.
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Expert Secrets for the Drive
I've done this trek dozens of times. Here is what the brochures won't tell you about the journey from Orlando to the Keys.
1. The "Card Sound Road" Alternative
When you leave Florida City, you can take the "18-Mile Stretch" or you can take Card Sound Road. Take Card Sound. It costs an extra buck or two for the private toll bridge, but it takes you past Alabama Jack’s. It’s a biker bar/family joint on the water that serves the best conch fritters in the state. It feels like the "Old Florida" that Disney tried to replicate but couldn't quite capture.
2. Gas is a Weapon
Fill up in Florida City or Homestead. Gas prices jump by 50 cents or a dollar per gallon the moment you cross onto the islands. If you're driving a gas-guzzling SUV, that adds up fast.
3. The Sunday Nightmare
Never, ever try to drive back from the Keys to Orlando on a Sunday afternoon. It’s a literal crawl. Every vacationer is trying to leave at the same time. If you can stay until Monday morning, do it. Your sanity is worth the extra hotel night.
4. Boat Culture vs. Car Culture
The Keys are best viewed from the water. If you stay in a car the whole time, you’re missing the point. Rent a kayak in the mangroves of Tavernier or take a sunset sail in Key West. The "road" is just a delivery system for the ocean.
A Note on Sustainability
The Florida Reef Tract is the third-largest barrier reef in the world, and it’s struggling. If you’re swimming or snorkeling, use reef-safe sunscreen. It’s a small thing, but the chemicals in standard sunscreen (oxybenzone and octinoxate) are devastating to the coral. Locals take this very seriously.
Also, watch the manatees. If you’re renting a boat, follow the "No Wake" zones. These "sea cows" are slow and get hit by propellers frequently. Being a responsible traveler is part of the "Keys vibe."
Essential Gear for Your Trip
- SunPass: Don't rely on "Toll-by-Plate." It's more expensive and the invoices sometimes get lost in the mail, leading to late fees.
- Polarized Sunglasses: Essential for seeing through the surface glare of the water to spot sea turtles or sharks from the bridges.
- Offline Maps: Cell service can be spotty in the Everglades and certain stretches of the Lower Keys.
- Cash: Some of the best roadside "shacks" and fruit stands are cash-only.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are planning your drive from Orlando to the Keys, start by booking your accommodation in the Middle or Lower Keys first—they fill up months in advance compared to the larger hotels in Key Largo.
Download the "Florida 511" app for real-time traffic updates specifically for the Overseas Highway. Before you put the car in gear, check the wind forecast. If it’s blowing over 20 knots, the bridges can be a bit sketchy for high-profile vehicles, and snorkeling trips will likely be canceled.
Map out your stops at Robert Is Here for snacks and Bahia Honda for a swim. Don't rush. The 45-mph speed limits in the residential parts of the Keys are strictly enforced by Monroe County Sheriffs. They don't care if you're on vacation; they will give you a ticket. Slow down, turn up the music, and enjoy the transition from the "Theme Park Capital" to the "Island Life."