The Florida Keys are a one hundred and twenty mile island chain and is linked to mainland Florida by U. S. 1, the Overseas Highway. I estimate the driving time from Miami to US1 is approx one hour. Some people only want to go to the Upper Keys so this is not too long a journey.
If you are traveling by car from the north, take the Florida Turnpike south to just below Ft. Lauderdale and Exit 4 joins the southern portion of the Turnpike. The Turnpike ends at US 1 in Florida City so then you follow U. S. 1 south into the Florida Keys.
If you are coming from Florida' s west coast (the Gulf Coast), take 1-75 Alligator Alley east to the Miami exit, and south to the Turnpike Extension. We have traveled along Alligator Alley many times but have yet to see an alligator!
The drive to Key West from the mainland will take about three and a half hours on US1. We usually drive south of Miami stay overnight and then go straight down the Keys the next day. The first time we went to Key West we decided to stay one night in Miami and a second night in Marathon to break up the journey however in hindsight we felt we should have traveled straight down to Key West.
Once you are in the Keys, U. S. 1 becomes the Overseas Highway, which is like the Keys Main Street! You will see little green mile-marker signs on the side of the highway. They begin just south of Florida City with number 127 and run all the way down to zero in Key West.
If you fancy taking the Greyhound Bus this service makes scheduled stops along the route between Miami International Airport and the Florida Keys and Key West. Phone: 1-800 231-2222 for more information.
The Amtrak train takes you as far south as Miami, where you can transfer to the Keys Shuttle bus. Contact Amtrak: 1-800-USARAIL for more information.
For visitors flying into Miami International Airport and hiring a car they take LeJeune Road south to 836 West. Take the Florida Turnpike south toward Key West. The Turnpike ends at US 1 in Florida City. If you then follow U. S. 1 south about 22 miles to Key Largo and you are now in the Florida Keys.
Arriving by air and hiring a car from Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, exit the airport and follow the signs for 595 West. Take 595 to the Florida Turnpike and follow the signs for the Florida Keys.
I believe it is now also possible to fly into Marathon which is midway down the Keys but I do not have any details about this.
Key West Express operates high-speed passenger ferries from Ft. Myers Beach and Marco Island. The ferries, whose journey takes about three and a half hours, dock at the Key West Bight Ferry Terminal in the heart of the Historic Seaport District which has many restaurants, bars and shops. Passengers can walk to Duval Street, the heart of old town Key West, in about 15 minutes.
Once you get to Key West we tend to go on foot or take one of the many taxis and bus trips.
It is quite a journey to Key West but we feel it is worth it.