How to Travel to Key West from Miami

If you are living or are traveling in Miami and find a reason to head to Key West, but don't have much technical navigational aid, this article will give you some details. At a whopping 154.849 miles (249.205 km) between Miami's I-95 southern terminus to US-1's Key West southwestern terminus [1] , there is quite a distance between these two cities, but you do have a few options for traveling to Key West from Miami.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Via Roadways

  1. 1
    Find your way to I-95 South. I-95 South will lead you to the route that takes you to Key West. However, it will also lead you to the southern terminus of I-95 inside Florida, and the beginning of state maintenance on the continuation route, whether that's from West Palm Beach or points north or south of that, travel as far south as I-95 will reach until it merges with US-1.
  2. 2
    Take US-1 through points on mainland Florida. You'll travel through several towns as you make your way on a more southwest journey as this route - called the Dixie Highway [2] - passes through the southern Miami towns including Coral Gables, South Miami, Downtown Miami, Pinecrest-Kendall/Dadeland, Perine, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay, Goulds, Princeton, Naranja, Modello, Leisure City, Homestead, Florida City, and Monroe County's Cross Key - before entering Key Largo. [3]
    • These cities include several traffic lights with no interstate in sight between the two cities. Many towns have access to the Florida Turnpike, however, all these reach cities just north of this Florida area.
    • Just after exiting Coral Gables, you'll spot The University of Miami.
    • During your drive, you'll pass by the border to Everglades National Park to your west, though in one other spot, you'll also pass by Biscayne National Park, as it parallels the South Miami-Dade Busway. [4]
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  3. 3
    Let the roadway change names. Just as you pass into Key Largo from the mainland, your road changes names, but the roadway's primary road name and number will stay the same. You'll pass onto the Overseas Highway.
  4. 4
    Recognize that US-1 is the only main roadway heading through the keys from Key Largo. It'll pass over several bridges (these will be reported here), and it is the primary way out to where you need to be.
    • In Key Largo, you might want to pick up some gas because the trip to Key West is very long on the average gas tank.
    • If you don't own a gas-filled car, you are in for a shocker! There are no convenience stores or gas stations that have Electric Charging stations anywhere on the route - but this trip is only 4 hours long from this point forward.
  5. 5
    Get around the Keys from Key Largo to Key West. You'll pass from Key Largo to Tavernier, to Islamorada and Plantation Key, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Tea Table Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, Islamorada, Craig Key, Long Key, Duck Key, Conch Key and Little Conch Key, Grassy Key, Crawl Key, Long Point Key, Fat Deer Key, Marathon and Key Vaca, Boot Key, Knights Key, Little Duck Key, Missouri Key, Ohio Key, Bahia Honda Key, Spanish Harbor Key, Scout Key, Big Pine Key, Little Torch Key, Middle Torch Key, Ramrod Key, Summerland Key, Cudjoe Key, Sugarloaf Key, Park Key, Sugarloaf Key, Saddlebunch Keys, Big Coppitt Key, East Rockland Key, Rockland Key, Boca Chica Key, Stock Island and into Key West. [5]
    • There are so many Keys you'll pass through, that this article will list them all, but without a lot of the specifics.
    • On the main Key West isle, it has only one major intersection at its main terminus at 3.927 miles for US-1/FL-A1A and an Airport sign with a connection to the Beaches. [6]
    • Travel times differ, based on traffic. YouTube videos report average time to be between three and a half hours to more than 4 hours, with hang-ups happening near Key Largo and Key West. [7] [8]
  6. 6
    Realize the bridges you'll cross from Key Largo to Key West. If you don't like bridges, avoid taking the roadway route. It's filled with them and is the only way to tackle these driving directions head-on, and there is no other viable route if you're driving.
    • Every bridge is free, but there are so many (and some are so short) that many don't have citable information on Wikipedia outside of their crossing location.
    • These bridges include the: Marvin D. Adams Waterway, Tavernier Creek Waterway, Snake Creek Bridge, Whale Harbor Channel, Tea Table Relief, Tea Table Channel, Indian Key Channel, Lignumvitae Channel, Channel No. 2, Channel No 5, Long Key Bridge, Tom's Harbor Cut, Tom's Harbor No 4, Vaca Cut Bridge, Seven Mile Bridge, Little Duck Missouri Channel, Missouri Ohio Channel, Ohio Bahia Honda Channel, Bahia Honda Bridge, Spanish Harbor Channel, North Pine Channel Bridge, South Pine Channel, Torch Key Channel, Torch Ramrod Channel, Niles Channel Bridge, Kemp's Channel, Bow Channel, Park Channel, North Harris Channel, Harris Gap Channel, Harris Channel, Lower Sugarloaf Channel, Saddle Branch No 2, Saddle Branch No 3, Saddle Branch No. 4, Saddle Branch No 5, Shark Channel Bridge, Rockland Channel, Boca Chica Channel Bridge and Cow Key Channel Bridge. [9]
  7. 7
    Learn the major intersections that exist on each island. Though minor intersections aren't noted anywhere online except checking mapping websites, many sites do list major ones - and this article will also list them.
    • Two major intersections exist on Key Largo - at Dixie Highway (for northbound travelers) and Card Sound Road.
    • Tavernier has one intersection at Ocean Blvd.
    • Islamorada's Plantation Key has a major intersection at Plantation Avenue-Sunshine Blvd-Bessie Rd.
    • Upper Matecumbe Key has a major intersection at Frontage Rd (at two spots).
    • Lower Matecumbe Key has a major intersection at Gulfview Drive.
    • Long Key has a major intersection at Long Key State Park.
    • Conch Key has a major intersection at North Conch Ave.
    • Duck Key has a major intersection at Hawks Cay.
    • Grassy Key has a major intersection at Kyle Ave.
    • Crawl Key has a major intersection at Banana Blvd.
    • Long Point Key has a major intersection at Curry Hammock State Park.
    • Fat Deer Key has a major intersection at Sadowski Causeway at Key Colony Beach.
    • Vaca Key has major intersections at Sombrero Beach Rd and 20th Street.
    • Marathon has a major intersection at Knights Key.
    • Little Duck Key has a major intersection at Veterans Memorial Park.
    • Bahia Honda Key has a major intersection at Bahia Honda State Park.
    • Big Pine Key has a major intersection at Key Deer Blvd at National Key Deer Visitor Center.
    • Little Torch Key has a major intersection at State Road 4A.
    • Middle Torch Key has a major intersection at Middle Torch Rd for Big Torch Key.
    • Ramrod Key has a major intersection at Indies Rd.
    • Summerland Key has a major intersection at East Shore Dr.
    • Cudjoe Key has a major intersection at Blimp Rd.
    • Sugarloaf Key has major intersections at CR-939B Sout and Crane Blvd.
    • Lower Sugarloaf Key has a major intersection at Sugarloaf Blvd.
    • Saddle Bunch Keys have major intersections at East Circle Dr and Blue Water Dr.
    • There is a major intersection at mile marker 11.181 miles (17.994 km) at Shark Key.
    • Big Coppitt Key has a major intersection at Boca Chica Rd.
    • East Rockland Key has a major intersection at Rockland Dr-NAS Truck Entrance.
    • Rockland Key has a major intersection at Toppino Industrial Dr.
    • Boca Chica Key has a major intersection at Naval Air Station Key West.
    • Stock Island has major intersections at MacDonald Dr and Key Haven Blvd.
    • Key West has major intersections at North Roosevelt Blvd (FL-A1A) and for northbound travelers with US-1. However, Wikipedia's US1 in FL page says it has a southern terminus with Fleming Street as well but continues as Whitehead Street.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Via Airlines

  1. 1
    Book a flight. The only airline that makes non-stop direct flights between Miami International Airport (MIA) and Key West International Airport (EYW) is American Airlines, but other airlines do make non-stop flights between other airports and Key West including from points within Northern Miami (at Fort Lauderdale via Silver Airlines) and many more. [10]
    • Flights between these two airports are about 30-45 minutes long, but only happen sporadically outbound. [11] Inbound flights into MIA are slightly more abundant from KEYW [12] but it never happens that the same flight as the inbound MIA to EYW is the same as the outbound MIA to EYW taken hours-apart.
  2. 2
    Head towards Miami International Airport. Miami's airport is located at 2100 NW 42nd Ave, Miami, FL 33142. [13]
    • Interstate 95's Florida Exit 3A is for Miami International Airport, and you should be prepared to take it at all costs. It'll bring you straight onto Central Blvd which takes you to the loop road around the airport.
  3. 3
    Know the airport. This airport is mainly set up in a sideways-U shape, with parking lots directly across from the entrance at the bottom of the U.
  4. 4
    Plan for some time to get through security. Although American Airlines has one of its southeast hubs in Miami, sometimes lines at security may become quite long, and other times the lines might lessen- especially in the early morning before rush hour at 6 AM.
  5. 5
    Find your flight. Look at flight boards for your flight, ask American Airlines personnel (post-TSA), or check gate-checking locations for your flight within American Airlines' or a third-party app, if there have been any updates to the location of your flight.
    • Good third-party locations for flights include FlightAware, however, there are others out there, and your flight booking location will also oftentimes have this information post-TSA.
  6. 6
    Arrive at the outbound flight area, and have a seat (if the plane isn't boarding yet). If the plane is boarding, proceed to the boarding step.
  7. 7
    Board the plane, when it's time. Follow flight boarding instructions. This airport - like many worldwide - boards via boarding groups with higher class and those requiring extra assistance followed by the back of the plane towards the front in coach class.
  8. 8
    Stay seated in your seat. It is a somewhat short flight. Most flights even fly directly over the Everglades and you can often look down and see most of southern Florida on your flight. Because it's so short a flight, there might not even be beverage service - unless medical needs require you to have something.
  9. 9
    Recognize what part of the island this airport is on. KEYW Airport is the second to last intersection on US-1, and is located on the southeast edge of Key West - well away from Key West's terminus - just off Florida Route A1A (S Roosevelt Blvd). [14]
    • This airport is much smaller than most airports, but still very accessible by the many who travel to it. If you should need assistance, ask a staff member for help.
  10. 10
    Deboard your plane. Generally, deboarding has people deboarding from front to back, regardless of their boarding group or connecting flights new boarding group - and regardless of how few connecting flights there are from here.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Traveling via Rideshare

  1. 1
    Use a rideshare app if you need to get there fast and don't mind spending the money. Depending on your driver and their location when you order the ride, this travel option can take about 10-15 minutes.
  2. 2
    Pick your app. Only a few rideshare companies will pick you up including the top two biggest ones worldwide: Uber and Lyft [15] [16] . However, limo companies may be a bit reluctant to provide pickup and may depend on availability and drop-off location in Key West. [17] [18]
  3. 3
    Request your car. All services will be able to take you between these two stations and will pull up right to the main entrance door of both buildings for a seamless transition.
  4. 4
    Recognize your estimated time of arrival. Ridesharing with this may differ from time to time as traffic may often be heavy in areas, and not all cars will take the same route as walking directly to the location.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Vacationing in Key West

  1. 1
    Take a tour of Key West. As you make your way around the island, you may notice various tour companies promoting their brand. The more reputable companies won't deceive you in their sales pitches, but only two are notable here (there are more non-reputable companies, however).
    • Key West Old Town Trolley Tour boards at Mallory Square - however, these tours are more costly. There are stops along the route, but it is best to board from the beginning if you are only here for a short time.
    • Key West Conch Tour Train passes by several landmarks in the city, with a narration to go along with it. Its tours are cheaper, but without the ability to get off and roam (in spots), it's less likely that many will take this tour.
  2. 2
    Hit the streets yourself. One part of Key West - its most popular - is the Old Town. This area includes a district - the Key West Historic District - of major destinations between Mallory Square, Duval Street the Truman Amex, and Fort Zachary Taylor, and where most of the Key West classic bungalows and mansions are found.
  3. 3
    Visit some of the former residential (now museums) locations throughout the town.
    • Harry S. Truman Little White House at 111 Front St provides tours (for a fee), though you do get some narration about the late President's 11 visits during the winters of his time in office. [19]
    • The Ernest Hemingway House at 907 Whitehead Street provides a paid tour open every day of the year but during certain hours, and the tour only lasts a half-hour. [20] According to the Wikipedia page about Key West, it said that at this house was where Hemingway got most of his writing and editing done for Death in the Afternoon , For Whom the Bell Tolls , The Snows of Kilimanjaro and The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber , though the location and information in To Have and Have Not are notably taken from scenes for his work on Key West. [21]
    • The Tennessee Williams House - at 1431 Duncan St (through Wikipedia )/513 Truman Ave - features admission fee by many - but houses some information about this famous author. This is where he wrote the first draft of A Streetcar Named Desire and it is also said that the film version of his The Rose Tattoo play was shot in Key West. [22]
  4. 4
    Take in some fortifications. Although not drooling in fortifications, this island does have a few places that may be of interest.
    • Ft Zachary Taylor at the southwest corner of the island offers tours and you get to learn a little about their military apparatus in the U.S. Civil War. [23]
    • East Martello Tower at 3501 S Roosevelt Blvd - now the East Martello Museum - houses some artifacts from the setup of the Key West island.
    • Key West Lighthouse located at 938 Whitehead Street stands for all people to see, and visitors can walk up the steps (for a cost) and view various parts of the Lighthouse and Keepers Quarters. [24]
  5. 5
    View the Southernmost Point of the Continental US Buoy. Only 95 miles (153 km) to Cuba, this monument stands at 400 South St for pictures and tourist spots. [25]
  6. 6
    Visit the bars, if you are able to. The most popular is Sloppy Joe's Bar, but there are so many you could spend endless days seeing them all.
  7. 7
    Come at sunset to Mallory Square. Many view the sunset here and are definitely in awe. With its endless parties also being a staple of Key West, there is a lot to do in Mallory Square.
  8. 8
    Take in a wine tour, if you are able to. There are several out there, but you'll have to do your research. The most popular include the Paula Mena Legal Rum Distillery which requires an age ID.
  9. 9
    Take in a Floating Tiki Bar, if you are able to. Although you'll have to do some research to find those open on the day you wish to visit, there are a few out there.
  10. 10
    Go to Key West for all its gorgeous beaches. The most popular beach includes Smarthers Beach, and people-watching there is a common practice for many who visit this island.
  11. 11
    Take a Boat Tour. With Boat Tours comes Dolphin Watching, and you can view the island's marine area over the water.
    • If you are able to, try taking a Snorkeling Tour.
  12. 12
    Realize this is just a concise list. Many more things are on the island waiting to be discovered.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_1_in_Florida
      2. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overseas_Highway
      3. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_1_in_Florida
      4. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_1_in_Florida
      5. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_1_in_Florida
      6. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overseas_Highway
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aR5VdlC9nM&ab_channel=ActionKid
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzYornD683Q&ab_channel=MileageMikeTravels
      9. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overseas_Highway
      1. ↑ https://eyw.com/airlines
      2. ↑ https://flightaware.com/live/findflight?origin=KMIA&destination=KEYW
      3. ↑ https://flightaware.com/live/findflight?origin=KMIA&destination=KEYW
      4. ↑ https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=41&q=miami+international+airport&cvid=c569daf3be384d9db681f22e4a3e0c08&aqs=edge.0.46j69i57j0l7.4698j0j1&FORM=ANAB01&PC=VALBAN
      5. ↑ https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hwk7e1qpnxdKrGu46
      6. ↑ https://www.lyft.com/rider/cities/miami-fl
      7. ↑ https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/miami/?uclick_id=0f53f0f5-c6f1-4393-9a10-367fc04d6b2bM
      8. ↑ https://www.lyft.com/rider/cities/florida-keys-fl
      9. ↑ https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/florida-keys/?uclick_id=0f53f0f5-c6f1-4393-9a10-367fc04d6b2b
      10. ↑ https://www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.org/
      11. ↑ https://www.hemingwayhome.com
      12. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_West
      13. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_West
      14. ↑ https://www.fortzacharytaylor.com/contact/
      15. ↑ https://www.kwahs.org/museums/lighthouse-keepers-quarters/visit
      16. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southernmost_point_buoy
      17. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_1_in_Florida - ideas from resource

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