Key West
Mile Marker 0, the Southernmost Point, and a 113-mile drive over open ocean to get there.
Distance
165 mi
Drive time
~230 min
Route
US-1 S (Overseas Highway) — 113 miles over 42 bridges from Key Largo to Mile Marker 0
Best window
November through April for ideal weather and minimal hurricane risk
About Key West
Key West is the southernmost city in the continental United States — 165 miles and roughly 3.5–4 hours south of Miami down the Overseas Highway (US-1), which crosses 42 bridges including the famous 7 Mile Bridge. It's an end-of-the-road island town: Cuban-influenced architecture, Hemingway's house with the six-toed cats, sunset celebrations at Mallory Square, and snorkeling on the only living coral reef in the continental U.S. For groups, a 12–15 passenger van keeps everyone together for the long but spectacular drive.
Why it's worth the drive
- The drive itself — the Overseas Highway is on most lists of the most scenic drives in America.
- Southernmost Point Buoy at Whitehead & South Streets — 90 miles from Cuba, the most-photographed marker in the city.
- Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum and the descendants of his polydactyl (six-toed) cats.
- Sunset celebration at Mallory Square — street performers, food vendors, and the daily ritual of clapping the sun down.
Things to do
What groups actually do at Key West
Drive the Overseas Highway
Stop at Robbie's of Islamorada (Mile Marker 77) to feed tarpon and at the Bahia Honda State Park beach (MM 37) for the best Keys swim.
Duval Street
1.25 miles of bars, shops, and live music end-to-end — Sloppy Joe's, Hog's Breath, the Green Parrot.
Hemingway Home & Museum
907 Whitehead St — Hemingway's 1851 Spanish Colonial home, his writing studio, and ~60 polydactyl cats.
Mallory Square sunset
Daily free street-performer festival on the harbor pier — arrive 90 minutes before sundown.
Dry Tortugas day trip
Yankee Freedom ferry from Key West Bight to Fort Jefferson and the snorkel reef — 70 mi each way, full day.
Snorkel the reef
Florida Reef is the only living barrier coral reef in the continental U.S. — half-day trips from the Historic Seaport.
Group + van tips
Driving a 12-15 passenger van to Key West
- Gas up before MM 113 (Florida City) — gas in the Keys runs $0.50–$1.00 more per gallon.
- Old Town Key West is congested — park the van at one of the city garages (Park-N-Ride on Caroline St., Old Town Garage on Grinnell) and walk or pedicab.
- The drive each way is 3.5–4 hours; plan to overnight rather than do it as a single day trip.
- Leave the marina before noon for the return drive on Sundays — afternoon US-1 traffic out of the Keys can add 60–90 minutes.
Old Town has tight streets and 7-ft garages — the Park-N-Ride on Grinnell/Caroline and the Old Town Garage are the safest bets for 12-15 passenger vans.
When to go
Best time to visit
November through April for ideal weather and minimal hurricane risk. Avoid Fantasy Fest week (late October) unless you specifically want a costume street festival. Lobster Mini-Season (late July) is fun but slammed.
Need a van for the trip?
Our Miami fleet of 12-15 passenger Sprinters and Ford Transits delivers free to MIA, FLL, the Port of Miami, and South Beach hotels.
See Miami vansKey West FAQ
How long is the drive from Miami to Key West?
About 165 miles and 3.5–4 hours each way via US-1 (the Overseas Highway). Sunday afternoons and holiday weekends can add 60–90 minutes northbound.
Can I do Key West as a day trip from Miami?
Technically yes, but you'd spend 7–8 hours in the van for 4–5 hours on the island. Most groups book at least one overnight in Key West or in the middle Keys (Marathon, Islamorada).
Is the Overseas Highway safe for a 15-passenger van?
Yes — it's a fully paved, 2- to 4-lane federal highway with standard guardrails. The famous 7 Mile Bridge has 12-ft lanes and full shoulders on the new span.
Where do I park in Old Town Key West?
The Park-N-Ride on Grinnell & Caroline is the most van-friendly. The Old Town Garage on Simonton accepts standard-height Sprinters. Street parking in Old Town is metered and tight.
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