Driving from Miami to the Florida Keys ranges from about 60 miles to Key Largo to about 160 miles to Key West along U.S. 1.
If you type “how far is florida keys from miami?” into a map app, you do not get one simple number. The Florida Keys stretch out over more than 100 miles, so the distance from Miami depends on whether you stop at the first key, stay in the middle, or drive all the way down to Key West.
This guide breaks down those distances in plain terms, shows how long each leg usually takes, and gives you clear ideas for planning a day trip or a longer break. By the end, you will know exactly how long you will sit behind the wheel and how to shape the drive so it feels relaxed instead of rushed.
How Far Is Florida Keys From Miami? Drive Time Basics
When people ask “how far is florida keys from miami” they often picture one place, but the Keys are a long chain. For trip planning, two points matter most: Key Largo at the northern edge and Key West at the far southern tip.
From central Miami to Key Largo, the drive is about 60 to 65 miles, which usually means around one to one and a half hours on a normal day without long delays. From Miami to Key West, you cover roughly 160 miles in total, which usually means around four hours of driving if you do not stop along the way.
Everything else in the Florida Keys sits between those two points. Islamorada, Marathon, the Lower Keys, Bahia Honda, and Stock Island each sit a little farther from Miami, and each one changes your total distance and time in the car.
| Destination In The Keys | Driving Distance From Miami (Miles) | Typical Nonstop Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Key Largo (Northern Gateway) | 60–65 | 1–1.5 hours |
| Islamorada | 80–90 | 1.5–2 hours |
| Marathon | 110–120 | 2.5–3 hours |
| Bahia Honda State Park | 120–130 | 3 hours |
| Big Pine Key And Lower Keys | 125–135 | 3–3.5 hours |
| Stock Island (Before Key West) | 150–155 | 3.5–4 hours |
| Key West (Southern Tip) | 155–165 | Around 4 hours |
| Key Largo Via Card Sound Road | 65–70 | 1–1.75 hours |
The ranges in the table reflect different starting points in Miami, traffic around Homestead and Florida City, and small route changes. They give a safe planning number, even if your exact starting address nudges the total up or down a couple of miles.
How Far Are The Florida Keys From Miami By Car?
By car, the route from Miami to the Keys follows the same basic pattern for nearly every driver. You head south out of Miami on the Florida Turnpike, continue to the Homestead / Key West exit near Florida City, then join U.S. 1. From there, U.S. 1 carries you across the entire chain to Key West at Mile Marker 0.
Think of the drive in three stages. Stage one runs from central Miami to Florida City, roughly 30 to 40 miles. Stage two runs from Florida City to Key Largo, where the first big bridges mark the true start of the Keys. Stage three runs along the Overseas Highway, where U.S. 1 crosses more than 40 bridges between Key Largo and Key West.
The section from Key Largo to Key West spans about 110 to 113 miles of island and bridge driving along the route often called the Highway That Goes To Sea. Long open stretches, causeways over blue water, and older bridge sections beside the main road make this part of the trip feel very different from the busy freeway miles near Miami.
Miami To Key Largo: The First Leg
The first leg from Miami to Key Largo is the quickest and feels the most familiar. You leave the city, pass through suburban areas, and drive past farms near Homestead and Florida City before the landscape shifts toward mangroves and open water.
Once you reach Key Largo, road signs, mile markers, and frequent water views remind you that you are in the Keys. The driving pace slows compared with freeway speeds near Miami, which helps you settle in and enjoy the scenery but also means you should allow time instead of rushing from town to town.
Key Largo To Key West: The Overseas Highway
From Key Largo southward, the Overseas Highway covers the rest of the distance to Key West. You pass Islamorada, Marathon, the Seven Mile Bridge, Bahia Honda, Big Pine Key, and a series of smaller islands before you roll into Key West itself.
This stretch usually takes around three hours without long stops. Because two-lane sections are common, passing can be limited and a slow vehicle can affect your pace. That is one reason many drivers plan more time than the raw distance suggests, then treat the various keys as natural break points to rest, eat, and look around.
Travel Time To Different Parts Of The Florida Keys
Nonstop Drive Versus Scenic Stops
On paper, the nonstop drive from Miami to Key West takes about four hours. In real life, few visitors treat this as a simple A-to-B run. Viewpoints, small marinas, state parks, and seafood shacks line much of U.S. 1, and every pause stretches the total time a little more.
If you want a day trip only as far as Key Largo, you can leave Miami after breakfast, arrive by late morning, spend five or six hours there, and get back in time for a late dinner in the city. A relaxed day trip to Islamorada works in a similar way, though you add about half an hour each way.
For Key West, a one-day dash from Miami and back is possible but feels rushed for most drivers. A safer plan is to treat the southbound day as part of your holiday. Leave early, stop once or twice in Islamorada or Marathon, reach Key West by late afternoon, and then keep the return drive for another day.
Traffic, Season And Time Of Day
Traffic can change your perception of distance more than the raw mileage. Weekends, holiday periods, and special events in the Keys can slow the flow on U.S. 1. When the road is busy, passing chances shrink and a line of cars behind one slow vehicle may roll along at that pace for miles.
The time of day matters as well. Leaving Miami before sunrise or just after dawn often means a smoother run to Florida City and the first section of Keys driving. Late-morning departures, especially on Saturdays, more often line up with heavier traffic and more stop-and-go stretches.
Weather can also affect the clock. Strong rain can reduce visibility on long bridges, and afternoon storms can slow traffic for short periods. If your schedule allows it, keep some spare time in your plan so that a slow patch does not create stress later in the day.
Sample Miami To Florida Keys Itineraries
The distance from Miami to different parts of the Florida Keys shapes what sort of trip works best. These simple outlines help match mileage and drive time to the kind of break you want, whether that is a quick Key Largo day trip or a Key West weekend.
| Route Option | Main Stops | Suggested Drive Time Window |
|---|---|---|
| Day Trip To Key Largo | Miami → Key Largo → Miami | 1–1.5 hours each way plus 4–6 hours in Key Largo |
| Day Trip To Islamorada | Miami → Key Largo → Islamorada → Miami | 2 hours each way plus 4–5 hours around Islamorada |
| One Long Day To Key West | Miami → Islamorada → Marathon → Bahia Honda → Key West → Miami | 4 hours southbound, 4 hours northbound, brief stops only |
| Overnight In Key West | Day 1: Miami → Islamorada → Marathon → Key West; Day 2: Key West → Miami | 4–6 hours of driving each day with room for longer stops |
| Weekend In Marathon | Miami → Islamorada → Marathon (base) → side trips to Bahia Honda and Big Pine | About 3 hours from Miami, then short drives during the stay |
If you only have one free day, staying in the upper Keys makes sense because you spend less time on the road and more time in the water or at local spots. When you have two or three days, the extra distance to Marathon or Key West starts to feel worthwhile because you can spread the driving over more than one day.
Think about your own habits too. Some drivers are happy with four or five hours behind the wheel in a single stretch, while others prefer frequent breaks. The good news is that the Overseas Highway offers many short-stop options, so you can tailor the pace to how you like to travel.
Tips For Planning Your Miami To Florida Keys Drive
The mileage between Miami and the Florida Keys is only one part of the story. A few simple planning steps make the drive smoother and help you enjoy the distance instead of fighting it.
Leave Early And Avoid Peak Periods
Early departures from Miami reduce your time in heavy city traffic and give you cooler morning temperatures. Reaching Key Largo before late morning also makes it easier to find parking near popular spots and boat ramps.
Know Your Route Before You Go
Most drivers take the Florida Turnpike south from Miami and follow signs to Florida City and Key West. From there, U.S. 1 leads straight through the Keys. You can confirm the current recommended route on official sites such as the Florida Keys driving information page before you set out.
Watch Speed Limits, Especially In Wildlife Areas
Speed limits change often along U.S. 1. Lower limits near Big Pine Key protect endangered Key deer that sometimes cross the highway. Paying attention to those signs keeps you safe, protects local wildlife, and avoids fines that can spoil a holiday mood.
Plan Fuel, Food, And Rest Breaks
Fuel, restrooms, and food are available at regular points along the route, but planning your main stops keeps you from pulling over in a rush at the last second. Many visitors pick a gas stop near Homestead or Florida City, a lunch stop in Key Largo or Islamorada, and a short break near Marathon or Bahia Honda on the way to Key West.
Match Your Luggage To Your Plans
The distance from Miami to the Keys may tempt you to overpack, especially for longer stays. Think about how often you will move hotels and how much space your vehicle offers. Soft bags that fit easily into a trunk or cargo area save time at each stop and make it simpler to reach items you need during the day.
Leave Space In Your Schedule
Bridges, weather, local events, and small delays at popular state parks can all stretch the time on the road. If you allow extra time in your day, you can handle those pauses calmly and still arrive in time for check-in, sunset, or dinner reservations.
Once you know how far the Florida Keys are from Miami and how long each section usually takes, you can pick the right key for your schedule, set a start time that fits your style, and enjoy the full drive along one of Florida’s most memorable coastal routes.