{"id":11885,"date":"2023-11-23T10:41:47","date_gmt":"2023-11-23T10:41:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/justpaste.in\/blogs\/miami-to-key-west-road-trip\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T10:51:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T10:51:08","slug":"miami-to-key-west-road-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justpaste.in\/blogs\/miami-to-key-west-road-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"Miami to Key West Road Trip: Fun 5 Day Itinerary"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Reach Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Miami to Key West Road Trip<\/h1>\n

Ready for an epic road trip driving down iconic US-1 highway from Miami to Key West? Just the thought of spending a sunny week in the South of Florida is making this post so fun to write. <\/p>\n

In this Miami to Key West road trip guide, I will cover the best things to do in this five-day itinerary. Including where to stay, the best restaurants to visit, and more!<\/p>\n

This trip was hosted by the tourism board of <\/span>www.fla-keys.com. <\/span><\/a>This post may contain affiliate links. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Is it worth driving from Miami to Key West?<\/b><\/h2>\n

First things first, is it worth driving from Miami to Key West?<\/strong> You might be wondering if you could save the 4-hour drive and just fly into Key West airport. However, making the drive from Miami to Key West will give you the best experience of the Florida Keys, and the drive itself is one of the most scenic drives in the USA. <\/p>\n

Along the drive, you will pass by plenty of unique shops, restaurants, activities, places to spend the night, beaches, and the iconic 7-mile bridge. <\/p>\n

Car Rental:<\/strong> I recommend flying into Miami International Airport and renting a car at the airport for your drive from Miami to Key West. <\/p>\n

Pro Tip:<\/strong> To save money on your car rental, you can drop it off once you reach Key West and depend on walking or Uber. Parking in Key West is difficult, plus you won’t be needing it as much when you are there since most things to do are within walking distance. <\/p>\n

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Miami to Key west Drive Time<\/b><\/h2>\n

The drive from Miami to Key West is approximately 4 hours or 166 miles<\/strong>. I recommend making the most of the drive by spending a night or two on one of the centrally located keys.<\/p>\n

Marathon<\/strong> is a perfect rest stop because it\u2019s directly halfway between Miami and Key West. Plus, Marathon has different kinds of restaurants, a true beachfront area, and is home to the Turtle Hospital. <\/p>\n

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The Florida Keys are made up of 800 Keys. The word Key comes from the Spanish word \u2018cayo\u2019 meaning small island. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

For our trip, we flew into Miami International Airport<\/strong>, rented a car, and drove to Marathon Key, halfway between Miami and Key West. We spent two nights in Marathon, then we headed to Key West where we spent our last two nights. <\/p>\n

Here is our itinerary below with suggestions on things to do and where to stay in the Florida Keys. <\/p>\n

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Best time of Year for a Miami to Key West Trip? <\/b><\/h2>\n

The great news about a Miami to Key West road trip is that it will be sunny throughout the year. However, there are better months to visit for optimal weather. <\/p>\n

Hurricane season in Florida begins June 1 through November 30 meaning these are the wetter months of the year. August- October are the rainiest. <\/p>\n

For the best weather, plan your Miami to Key West trip from December- May. <\/p>\n

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Optional: Spend a few days in Miami<\/b><\/h2>\n
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If you have time to add to your trip, you can always spend a few days in vibrant Miami. This way you can experience two destinations in one trip. <\/p>\n

You won’t need too many nights in Miami, especially if you want to spend more time in the Florida Keys. Two neighborhoods I recommend staying in are South Beach<\/strong> or Downtown Miami<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

To be steps away from the beach, stay in iconic South Beach<\/a> in the Art Deco district. Renting a bike is a fun way to get around and to take in the architecture. Or you get a city vibe and stay in Downtown Miami<\/a> to be close to plenty of restaurants, bars, and museums. <\/p>\n

There are so many things to do in Miami, so to sum it up here are some things you can’t miss<\/strong>: <\/p>\n