A Day Trip to Key West from Miami or Key Largo — Is it Possible?
So you’re staying in South Florida, maybe Miami or the Upper or Middle Florida Keys, but you still want to see what Key West has to offer. You’ve got a place to sleep, so you’ll be driving in and then heading back that same day — is it worth it? What can you do and see in just a few hours?
Or maybe you’ve decided to hop on the Key West Express from Marco or Fort Myers to check out our little slice of paradise. The ferry arrives about 10 am and departs at 4 or 5 pm, depending on the route. Is that enough time to take it all in?
The key to seeing all of Key West within a few hours is to get good at running very fast and shoving people out of your way. Ha! Just kidding!
No, there’s plenty you can see in a day to have a lovely time, so here’s your guide to planning a day trip to the US’s southernmost city, no matter how you arrive. And maybe you’ll like it enough to come back and spend your whole next vacation on our lovely little island.
Getting to Key West from Miami
One of the things that makes Key West so special is the fact that you can drive to it. The journey takes you on the Florida Keys’ famous Overseas Highway, otherwise known as Highway US 1. The route starts in Florida City, at the very end of the Florida Turnpike. It then crosses through the wilderness of the Everglades, and finally, a bridge connects you to Key Largo. From there, it follows the chain of islands for more than 100 miles until it ends in Old Town, Key West.
Along the way, there are a ton of attractions and hole-in-the-wall little restaurants you might want to check out. If you’re coming all the way from Miami, it’s not a bad plan to stop for lunch in Key Largo or Islamorada — you know, just to fortify you for the rest of the drive. I’d pick a spot on the water, but that’s just me. Marker 88, Island Grill, or the Islamorada Fish Company are popular spots along the way in that area.
You might also try to find some of the best Florida Keys beaches during your road trip, but, being pressed for time, it might be better to get back on the road.
Everything on the highway is measured in Mile Markers, from MM 100 in Key Largo to MM 0 in Key West.
There’s one downfall of having only one road in and out of the Keys, and that’s what happens if traffic gets backed up. It’s not unheard of for an accident to shut down all lanes of traffic, leaving you stuck for hours. If it’s a holiday weekend or lobster Mini Season, traffic is going to be a nightmare regardless! Be flexible, and if Google Maps tells you that you’ll be there sometime in the year 2100 or later, it might be time to find the nearest restaurant and wait it out.
Without traffic, the drive from Florida City to Key West should take you just under 3 hours. You’ll have to add a little time on top if you’re coming from downtown Miami or Miami Beach. And, of course, that also doesn’t count stops along the way for lunch, snacks, potty breaks, boat rides, and whatever else. But remember, you gotta get to Key West!
If you’re only coming from Key Largo, the drive is shaved down to about 2 hours — but it’s still a long trek with patches of slow speed limits. Thankfully, there are plenty of breakfast stop options along the way.
Of course, it’s possible to make a day trip to Key West from even farther away, but if you’re farther than Fort Lauderdale, your time on island will be minimal — and it’s already a long day.
Use caution heading back on US 1, especially if you’re traveling late at night. You absolutely need a designated driver for this trip. The po-po are everywhere, and, more importantly, it’s a dangerous route, and serious accidents are too common. Be safe out there, kids! Don’t feel bad for your driver, though — it’s perfectly possible to enjoy Key West sober.
Must-See Stops in Key West
Once you get to Key West, you’ll want to have enough time to walk around Duval Street, see any sights you want to, have a nice dinner, and catch the sunset at Mallory Square. To squeeze all that in, you’re going to have to plan and get on the road pretty early!
One of the first choices you’ll need to make is how you want to explore Key West. Do you prefer an organized tour, like the busy tourist-loaded hop-aboard Conch Train, or a personalized walking tour, or do you just want to wander around independently? Determine which Key West tours are best for your group before you head out, and make reservations if necessary.
You might also want to consider a water activity. If you head out early enough, you’ll have time to hop on an afternoon sandbar charter or snorkeling trip. The Keys really are all about time spent out on the water!
Here are a few of the most popular sights and historic landmarks in Key West to help you plan your trip.
- Instagram shots at the Southernmost Point in the continental United States
- Distillery or cigar-making tours
- Key West lighthouse
- Hemingway museum
- Truman’s Little White House museum
- Butterfly Garden and Nature Conservancy
- Key West cemetery
- Fort Zachary Taylor State Park — beautiful beach and Civil War-era fort
- Higgs or Smathers Beach on the Atlantic
- Walk along the historic seaport
One Day in Key West Itinerary
Here’s your guide if you’re coming to Key West and you’re limited to just one afternoon to see it all. Driving in and out in one day isn’t ideal, but it’s a fun way to blow an afternoon and see something different. I mean, a day spent driving to Key West and back is better than a day at the office, am I right?
Drive in — make sure you get in early enough
Key West is way out in the middle of the ocean (well, practically …), so make sure you leave enough time to get there, do what you want to do, and get back again. It’s far more relaxing to get a place to stay in Key West so you can have a chill, fun time and head back the next morning — but that’s not always an option.
Key West tour, walking, beach time, or sandbar charter
Exactly what time you arrive on island might be determined by whether or not you’ve booked an afternoon tour, sandbar charter, or boat ride. If you have a specific destination and time in mind, be sure to add extra time to your drive to account for unexpected traffic and pit stops.
Walk Duval Street
Parking in Old Town Key West can be tricky; there are just too many cars and not enough spots on our little island. With this in mind, try parking in the public lots and plan on spending a few hours walking places. You’ll want to walk around Duval to see all the famous and best bars that you’ve heard about (think Sloppy Joe’s, Capt. Tony’s, Margaritaville, or the Green Parrot), not to mention all the art galleries, souvenir shops, and places to get essential things like fudge and Key Lime pie.
If Duval is mobbed and feeling too touristy, take one of the side streets and wander around the old neighborhoods and colorful conch houses.
Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square
Wrap up your walking tour by stopping at Mallory Square for the traditional sunset celebration. Check the weather app on your phone early on in the day to see exactly what time sunset is in Key West, so you know when to show up. People start gathering about an hour before the actual event.
The celebration is a Key West tradition, and at times it can feel like the whole island comes out. There are street performers and artists around, and people crowd the edge of the piers to get the perfect Instagrammable photo. If the crowded Square isn’t your thing, consider getting advanced reservations at one of the handful of places to eat dinner and watch the sunset.
Nice Keys Dinner Out
One of your final Key West stops should probably be a great meal at one of the best restaurants on the island. The Keys are known for great seafood, but we’ve got an awful lot of tasty places to grab a bite for such a small island. There’s everything from pizza and burgers to fine French dining.
Drive Home
Finish your dinner with a slice of Key Lime pie and a strong cup of coffee (a Cuban, perhaps?) to fortify you for the long drive home. Drive carefully — it’s a long way with lots of cops and dangerous drivers out there.
Is One Afternoon in Key West Enough?
As you drive back north on US 1, you’re probably realizing that a few hours really isn’t enough time to visit Key West and experience all it has to offer. But it is enough time to give you a taste of the place and to find out if you want to come back for a longer stay!
The beautiful thing about a three-day (or longer) itinerary in Key West is that it allows for more relaxing — spending a little more time acclimating to island time.
All the Stuff You Missed? Come Back and Check it Out!
The beautiful thing about a three-day (or longer) itinerary in Key West is that it allows for more relaxing — spending a little more time acclimating to island time.
Plus, a multiday Key West adventure means you’ll have time to get out on the water, be it for snorkeling, fishing, or a day of sandbar hopping. Give me a call, and we’ll have the Casual Monday fueled up and ready to go when you get here!
