Driving the Overseas Highway
US‑1 from Key West to the mainland is one of the great American drives. Here is how to plan it, where to stop, and what to watch for.
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- By Key West Car Rental Editorial Team
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Quick answer
Is driving the Overseas Highway worth it?
Yes - the 113-mile drive from Miami to Key West is the reason to rent a car in the Keys. Allow four hours each way plus stops, and drive it in daylight for the views.
Rent a car if you are
- Road trippers with a full day to spare
- Photographers chasing the Seven Mile Bridge
- Families combining beaches and bridges
You can probably skip it if
- Visitors with a single night in Key West
- Anyone uneasy about long two-lane stretches
Budget a full day each way and treat the drive as an attraction, not transport.
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- 8 min read
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Drive it or fly in?
Pick the branch that matches your itinerary.
Have a spare day
At least one full day each way?
Happy to stop often
Recommended
Drive it - this is the highlight of the trip.
Short trip
Two nights or fewer in Key West?
Want beach time over windshield time
Not needed
Fly into EYW and rent locally.
Arriving at night
Landing in Miami after dark?
Views lost after sunset
It depends
Overnight in Key Largo and drive the bridges in daylight.
30-second summary
- 113 miles, 42 bridges, roughly 4 hours without stops.
- Mile markers count down to MM 0 in Key West.
- Bahia Honda (MM 37) is the best swimming stop.
- Two-lane stretches mean passing zones matter - do not rush.
- Fuel is cheapest on the mainland and Marathon.
Best for
- Scenic road trippers
- Families with beach stops
- Photographers
- Weekend visitors
- Cruise visitors
01
The route in brief
The Overseas Highway runs about 113 miles from Key West to Key Largo, crossing more than forty bridges. Mile markers count down toward Key West, where the highway ends at Mile Marker 0. Most of the road is two lanes, so your pace is set by the vehicle in front of you rather than the speed limit.
Allow far longer than the distance suggests. Key West to Key Largo is three to four hours without stops, and the whole point of the drive is the stops.
02
Stops worth making
Heading north from Key West, the classic sequence is:
- Big Pine Key (MM 30) — the National Key Deer Refuge and No Name Key.
- Bahia Honda State Park (MM 37) — the best swimming beach in the Keys and the old bridge viewpoint.
- Seven Mile Bridge (MM 40–47) — the signature crossing; use the pull-offs rather than stopping on the bridge.
- Marathon (MM 50) — the Turtle Hospital and Sombrero Beach.
- Islamorada (MM 80) — sport fishing, art galleries, and Robbie's tarpon dock.
- Key Largo (MM 100) — John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
03
Driving tips
Overtaking opportunities are limited and passing zones are short, so plan to travel at the general flow of traffic. Bridges are exposed and crosswinds can be strong in an open-top vehicle. Fuel stations thin out between the towns, so top up in Key West, Marathon, or Islamorada rather than running low in the Lower Keys.
Afternoon rain showers are common in summer, and a wet bridge deck is slick. If you are driving a convertible or Jeep, keep the roof accessible.
04
One-way and Miami drop-offs
Some companies allow a one-way rental ending in Miami or Fort Lauderdale, which suits travellers flying out of a mainland airport. One-way fees vary widely and are not always offered by smaller local operators, so ask before booking.
Reviewed by
Key West Car Rental Editorial Team
This guide is regularly reviewed to help visitors make informed transportation decisions while visiting Key West.
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