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Road Trips June 20, 2026 4 min read

Miami to Key West: The Ultimate Florida Keys Drive

One road, 42 bridges, and some of the best ocean views in the country.

By Car Rental Team

Miami to Key West: The Ultimate Florida Keys Drive

The Overseas Highway connecting Miami to Key West is one of the most unusual drives in the US — a single road hopping between islands via 42 bridges, with open ocean on both sides for long stretches.

The full drive takes around three and a half hours without stops, but most people spread it over a full day or two, breaking in Islamorada or Marathon along the way.

The Seven Mile Bridge, roughly the midpoint, is the most photographed stretch — worth timing for sunset if your schedule allows it.

Traffic can back up significantly during peak season, so an early morning departure from Miami avoids most of the congestion.