Florida Keys

[daveleighlancs]

Hi
I,m sure this has been asked before but cant find it.
How far/long to the Keys from Orlando and is it worth the trek , I have read they are a must but wondered how long a day it would be.
Thanks for any help and advice.
Dave

[carolmc]

Here you go...these might be helpful

http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums...t=orlando+keys

http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums...t=orlando+keys

[Katys Grandad]

Certainly not a 'day trip' from Orlando but a great place to visit as part of a Florida holiday. I'd allow at least 3 days/2 nights away to make it worthwhile.

[Jill]

We normally visit the Keys when we are staying in Miami and it still takes us approx 3 1/2 to 4 hours driving time to get to Key West as it is 160/180 miles from Miami depending on where you are staying, so to do it from Orlando driving in 1 day it would be a long day.

[msmiff]

Mr. Google says absolute minimum of a 7 hour drive from the Orlando area to Key West - so definitely NOT a 'day trip' !!!
Once on the Keys, the speed limit is max. 60 daytime (lower at night) with mainly a single-lane road, so the above is, in our experience, an under estimate.
There are plenty of condos available at either Marathon or Key Largo where you could break your journey & make it into a 1 or 2 night stay.
Whereas Orlando is sub-tropical, the Keys are 'tropical' & the difference in climate & attitude is entirely different & well worth an extended visit.

[luckylady]

Mr. Google says absolute minimum of a 7 hour drive from the Orlando area to Key West - so definitely NOT a 'day trip' !!!
Once on the Keys, the speed limit is max. 60 daytime (lower at night) with mainly a single-lane road, so the above is, in our experience, an under estimate.
There are plenty of condos available at either Marathon or Key Largo where you could break your journey & make it into a 1 or 2 night stay.
Whereas Orlando is sub-tropical, the Keys are 'tropical' & the difference in climate & attitude is entirely different & well worth an extended visit.

I totally agree with Martin and Sue. We usually visit Fort Lauderdale for a few days and then continue to the Key Largo which is our favourite. Well worth a visit!!!

[Jill]

Going slightly off topic - for anyone interested in a slightly different state park on the Keys we visited Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park when we were waiting for Andrew who was diving off Key Largo. It is not particularly large but is still very interesting. It was previously owned by The Florida East Coast Railway and they used it as a quarry for the builidng of the rail line to Key West. The qaurry was active until 1960 but is now preserved as a 'geological treasure' In the quarry face there are some superbly preserved fossil specimens to be seen including a variety of rare coral animals. There are also some lovely nature walks and relics of its railway heritage past.

[luckylady]

Thank you Jill for the info sounds very interesting .We will visit on our next trip to the Keys in January

[daveleighlancs]

Thanks all , I did,nt think it was that far from Orlando so will have to re-think my plans.

[marion46]

Thanks all , I did,nt think it was that far from Orlando so will have to re-think my plans.

You may like to think about a visit to the Gulf coast if you would like to take a few days to relax and enjoy the Gulf coast you can go to http://www.orlandovillas.com/gulf-co...onda_west.aspx you may find a villa that offers short stay of a min of 3 nights.