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Aerial view of the Overseas Highway
ADOBE STOCK
Cruising the Overseas Highway
A Florida Keys Adventure
Discover the ultimate road trip from Miami to Key West, with breathtaking views, must-see stops and delectable Key lime treats.
By Jason Frye
Road trips feel like a getaway rite of passage, and once you’ve felt the wind in your hair and slowed down to savor the scenic route, they’re likely to be a regular part of your rest-and-relaxation playbook. Mountain vista, fall foliage and coast-to-coast rides top many must-drive lists, but few road trips compare to cruising U.S. Highway 1 through the Florida Keys en route to Key West. How do you make the most of a drive down the Overseas Highway? Just follow these tips and recommendations to steer in the right direction.
Overseas Highway (U.S. 1) as seen from Bahia Honda State Park
What is the Overseas Highway?
Following the route of the long-gone Overseas Railroad, U.S. Highway 1 between the Florida mainland and Key West has been called the Overseas Highway since the 1920s. Finally completed in 1939, the Overseas Highway has 42 bridges—many of them leftover from the railroad days—including the famed Seven Mile Bridge, a bridge that is, indeed, 7-miles long. Passing through towns like Marathon and Key Largo, near stunning state parks and natural areas, and past numerous opportunities or a bite or to stay a night, it’s an epic route.
The Overseas Highway runs 113 miles from the mainland to its southern terminus, but if your road trip starts in Miami, count on 165 miles (plus your detours) of highway and at least three hours of driving to get there. But what road trip’s only three hours long? Lucky for you, there are plenty of places to linger and explore along the way. First, consider when to go.
Couple sitting on Higgs Beach, Key West
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What’s the best time for a road trip through the Florida Keys?
For weather the locals call “perfect”—bright blue skies, warm temperatures, warmer waters and gentle breezes—plan to take your road trip anytime from December to May. Within these months, the mild weather lures a lot of travelers to towns, villages, resorts and campgrounds all along the Florida Keys, so you’ll have company as you drive, dine and play. Count on the sunset parties throughout the Keys to be bursting with energy. The later you get into spring, the more humid it gets and the chance for an afternoon rain shower increases.
Sunset party at a beach in Key West
Plate of Stone Crab claws
Where to stop on your Florida Keys road trip?
Now that you know the optimal months to take this road trip, it’s time to consider where to go and what to do. Your first stop is likely in Miami, where you can pick up a Hertz rental car (upgrade to the convertible), but even if you drive your own car, make the first official stop of the journey at famed South Beach, where beautiful beaches and beautiful people make quite the scene. If you’re hungry, swing by Joe’s Stone Crab for stone crab claws. Nearby stretches South Pointe Pier, where you can fish under the gaze of the Miami skyline or watch anglers reel in monster tarpon, mangrove snapper and others.
Christ of the Deep statue, within the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo
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Heading south, stop in Key Largo to snorkel at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, one of the first undersea parks in the nation; if you didn’t bring your snorkel gear, visit the Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park. Here 6 miles of trails reveal surprising flora and fauna, such as mistletoe, wild cotton and even the American alligators living on this island. Canals give the town of Key Largo character, and for a look at this lovely burgh, take a ride on the African Queen, the steamboat made famous by and used in Humphrey Bogart’s 1951 film. Lunch or dinner at Key Largo Conch House sets you right for the next leg of your journey. If you want to overnight here, many hotels and classic Florida motels provide plenty of options.
Your next stop is Marathon, home to one end of the Seven Mile Bridge. The 7-mile stretch over nothing but ocean is a tremendous drive. You might be tempted to snap some pictures or shoot a little video of your drive, but leave those activities to the passenger, unless you stop to walk on the Old Seven Mile Bridge. The Old Bridge has become a combination fishing pier and walking path, and it’s quite a sight. Marathon is also home to the Turtle Hospital, where injured turtles are brought for rest, rehab and, occasionally, surgery. Take a 90-minute tour to meet the current patients, get a look behind the scenes and maybe even feed a turtle.
South of Marathon, it’s stunning scenery at every turn of the head. Little islands stand a foot or two out of the water; a few are even large enough for state parks perfect for a picnic, a photo or two, and a quick nap. When you reach Big Pine Key and the town of Big Pine, you’re getting close to Key West. The only thing that stands between you and the southern terminus of U.S. Highway 1 is a dozen or more bridges and more blue sky than you can imagine.
Aerial view of Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa, Key West
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In Key West, make for Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa, a AAA Three Diamond property where the rooms are nearly as luxurious as the spa. AAA Members save up to 10% and earn World of Hyatt points when booking AAA rates. Unpack, make appointments for massages and treatments in the spa, and then head into town. The Hemingway Home and Museum gives you a peek into Key West’s onetime writer-in-residence (check out the six-toed cats that prowl the property). At Mallory Square, attend a sunset party and find yourself part of an enthusiastic crowd that’s there to be part of the scene. Don’t miss the Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S.A., a giant concrete buoy sitting on the sidewalk, painted up pretty for souvenir photos. The original from 1983 is temporarily closed to viewing, but the City of Key West has established an alternate at 1499 Duval St. From your base at the Hyatt Centric, rent bikes and explore town on two wheels, lounge and laze by the pool, or do a little resting on your balcony overlooking it all.
Ready for a Florida Keys road trip? Consider renting a car for your next adventure. Discover stackable savings on Hertz rentals at AAA.com/CarRental.
Aerial view of Key West
Key West might feel like it’s at the end of the earth, but from here there’s a little more of the Keys to explore. Seventy miles to the west sits Dry Tortugas National Park, a Civil War prison turned national park that you can access only by passenger ferry. Make a day trip of it with a scenic, two-hour ride to the park, followed by a day of picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and exploring the fort. Cap off the day with dinner at Four Flamingos, back at the hotel.
Aerial view of Dry Tortugas National Park
Four Flamingos, from Top Chef alum Chef Richard Blais, captures Blais’ adventurous culinary spirit and blends it with fabulous Florida flavors. Dinner options include giant seafood platters serving a table’s-worth, oysters and fresh-catch ceviche, lobster Wellington, steak, and the signature swordfish with preserved Key lime, garlic butter and coconut rice. It’s a modern, hip restaurant, but breakfast’s full of staples (with a Florida seafood twist) and lunch will please any crowd.
Don’t miss out on a slice of Key Lime pie when you visit Key West.
You can’t leave Key West without a few Key Lime treats. Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shop serves arguably the best slice of this tart dessert. Blue Heaven tops theirs with a reckless amount of merengue. At El Meson de Pepe, you can get a bite of his Torta de Limon alongside outstanding Cuban cuisine while the sunset party whirls around you.
Before putting the brakes on this road trip, enjoy one last Key West sunset, one more short stop for lunch, a last whiff of ocean breeze or a final photo to keep the miles of memories on the Overseas Highway close..
Ready for a Florida Keys vacation? Connect with a knowledgeable AAA Travel Agent to plan your perfect road trip.
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