The Overseas Highway Reviews

We did this Drive from Miami to Key West as part of an Anniversary Vacation. Don't cheat yourself. Drive slow and watch for small Beach Signs along the way. Most Important, get a Convertible Rental Car to enjoy this Adventure to the Fullest.

Very nice drive from Miami to key west with cute towns along the way. Our favorite was Tavernier. Don't worry about having enough places for food, gas etc there's plenty along the way. You can be delayed if there's an accident in the 2 lane sections.

We drove down the 2nd week of December from the Everglades to Key West and back 3 days later to Homestead. The drive down had more traffic as it was in the afternoon and the ride back had less traffic as we left early in the morning. Prepare to spend at least 3 hours depending on what time of day you drive as well as your destination. Although the ride was scenic, especially over the bridges, there are several towns such as Key Largo, Marathon, etc, that you have to drive through where the speed limit can be 35-45 mph so this will slow you down. There are plenty of gas stations, convenience stores and other places to stop on the way, so add time if you stop at them. Also, check before you go because if there's an accident, this can really slow you down until they clear it. Also, gas is considerably cheaper in southern Florida, so fill up before going to Key West.

This magnificent bridge it’s so beautiful thanks to the breathtaking view it has.

I took advantage of the fact that I was not driving to take wonderful pictures of the view.

Next time I go I would love to park and walk across this bridge as much as I can.

So we decided to rent a car and drive route 1. The views were amazing. Something different about driving down a street with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. One more thing to cross off my bucket list.

If you are going to do it you must time it for a sunset on the way down to Key West!
If you can have that convertible.
The 7 mile bridge in the ocean is something to experience especially at sunset!
Drive and enjoy!

This is a must do for anyone going to key west! We loved this highway. It was so beautiful! We would recommend it to everyone!

Driving down this stretch is one of the most beautiful stretches in the world. If you only have one day to drive down to Key West, its absolutely worth it. The drive is just as rewarding as the destination! Don't miss this amazing drive of 42 bridges.

This was on my bucket list for years and so excited to finally have the experience. The ride is beautiful as you go through key by key. I had thought you have to drive off the highway to go into the keys, but you are actually going through most of them with attractions and restaurants right on the road. Be sure to look out for Fred The Tree as you get to mile marker 41-42. The ride goes quickly and is never boring with so much to see and do along the way.

Although it's a little slower than traveling on a larger, more traditional highway, my family loved the drive on the Overseas Highway. The views and beautiful beach homes along the way provided beautiful scenery!

There were a lot of fun shops that we stopped at on the way home.

Hands down, this was the absolute best roadtrip my girlfriend and I embarked on! We flew to Miami and drove all the way to Key West. Due to nature of the road being the only link connecting the island chain, traffic can be heavy at times when driving through the more populated areas such as Islamorada & Marathon; but the point of driving along this road was to have a great time instead of making great time.

From the turquoise water to the wildlife, there was no shortage of things to see along the way. On Big Pine Key, we even saw the endangered Key Deer walking near the road. Being from landlocked Arizona, it was a special treat driving across the Seven Mile Bridge as well.

You'll want to watch your speed though as FHP (Florida Highway Patrol) & the Sheriff's office do not play! The speed limits along the bridges go up to 55 mph, but drop down as low as 35 mph in towns and other areas. Along the way both down and back, we were passed by drivers flying down the roads and then 5 minutes later, we would pass by them pulled over by the police.

The drive is especially beautiful at sunset with the light of the sun softly receding behind the ocean's horizon. However if you do drive at sunset, it's best to do so while in the middle or upper Keys. Once you reach Big Pine Key, the road heads almost due west and directly in line with the sun.

We can't wait to take another drive along this amazing road.

Highly recommend doing this at least once as you get the feel for all the Keys. We rented a convertible at the airport and drove to Miami to stay a couple of days. Enjoyed seeing the sights of different towns and making a few stops along the way.

The ocean is an incredibly beautiful place and the drive over on the Overseas Highway is nothing short of magnificent! Enjoy the view!

The overseas highway is a stretch of US-1 going over the Florida keys. My mom and I drive over it to get to key west from Miami. Some parts of the route are quite beautiful; however, some cons include the large number of deer crossing signs with flashing lights when there weren’t any deer nearby and a section with stop and go traffic which lasted nearly 30 minutes.

The views are breathtaking. When you see the water you’ll truly believe that God exists to make something so beautiful for people to behold. Rent a convertible. It will be the memory of a lifetime!

It is a pretty drive I will say. However, we traveled to Keywest on a Tuesday and traffic was stopped a whole lot do to work on transmission wires. Make sure your gas take is full if driving,

Scenic drive to Keywest. Was lovely gawking at the expanse, folks fishing along the way, could formations, some sort of rain cloud which was fascinating, folks on the roadside beaching. Thought I'd be scared at a point but wasn't. Drove a bit of it then he took over driving so that I could stare and take pics.

We drove from Miami to Key West for a 6 day stay. Rented a convertible and stopped and many places on the way there and back. It was on the bucket list of drives to do.

The view is pretty, but it can get boring for some. To make it more interesting, do some reading ahead of the drive to learn facts and interesting tidbits. Like do you know what Fred is? Look it up.

We are so glad we decided to fly in/out of Miami so we could take the drive to Key West and it was so worth it, especially this part. If you are thinking about going to Key West, I highly encourage you to not miss the drive through all of the Florida Keys. I took a video, which I apparently cannot upload.

The drive itself is and very beautiful and memorable. Drive slow and experience the calm, breeze and the sun!

this is an iconic drive though i think its a bit overrated, the 7 mile bridge is really the only cool part otherwise its not that much different than driving on any highway

This is such a beautiful highway to drive on. I loved seeing the ocean the while way. I love how the scenery changes as you travel further down the road.

The tarpon feeding is really neat and a fun little thing to do. The restaurant has terrible service we waited an hour and a half after being seated with no explanation or food so we left.

Gorgeous water views, interesting history, birds of all kinds ... We saved the rental car cost while we were IN Key West and either walked or took the Duval Loop (free bus). Then we rented a car our last 3 days, drove up the highway, stopping at various places, all the way up to Key Largo ... then made our way back to Key West for our flight home. It was BEAUTIFUL!! NOTE: A 'taller' vehicle (maybe SUV) would give you a better unobstructed 'look' without having to peek between the guardrails - but I'm not sure it's really worth the additional cost, because there's plenty of beautiful water and sights to see anyway!

This is one of the wonders of America. Driving over the water for hours on end, seeing the Keys is a great way to start a vacation in the Florida Keys. How can you not recommend it?

Everyone visiting (or headed in the direction) of Key West will pass by these derelict train bridges. Circa 1920's, they stand the test of time thru hundreds of hurricanes! A testament to our engineering! Who remember's Arnold Schwarzenegger's movie filmed on there!?! GetSome!!

We drove the Miami airport to Key West non toll roads just for the experience. Super restful and peaceful. Places to stop on the way and back. The gas is cheaper towards Miami, surprisingly, rather than towards Key West.

Exceptional views from the highway that reaches Key West via the various other islands. Maybe a little too urbanized in some areas.

A scenic ride over the Overseas Highway was the hint we were about to have a wonderful few days in Key West. Enjoyed the incredible colors of the water and made stops along the way as space allowed to grab photos.

This is the fist time we drove down to Key West from Orlando only to say we had done it - was great going thru all the little and not so little Keys to get down to Key West. About 383 miles from Orlando - about 260 down to around Miami and then about another 120 over the Overseas Highway. Took us about 3 hours to get down to just outside of Miami and then another 3 hours over the Overseas Highway. Gorgeous views and vistas - the color of the water was fantastic. Some of the Keys were spacious and looks like offered plenty of resorts. Had an enjoyable passage both ways. If you have not done it yet, need to add it to your bucket list.

Kind of hard to review a 7 mile bridge. Depending on the day you go over it, it can be a different experience. What do I mean? Time of day and the way the sun shines on the water will give you a different view. Everyone needs to try it once.
Recommendation to people who are flexible with the day you travel across. Try weekdays/off-season. If you are going to Key West and not going for a special event, check on what may be going on. Traffi backs up a lot. Weekends and busy times with events cause more traffic on all the keys. Limited sections have passing lanes.

Take your time, relax, slow down and enjoy the ride and the views. Lots of places along the way to stop, get gas, food, camp, etc. The views are spectacular with places to pull off and take pictures. Go early, see the sunrise, beat the traffic.

Drive was excellent. however, i felt overrated, especially with kids as the activities are minimal for young kids. We used the GyPSy audio tour, which is excellent in providing historic information, pointing to points of interest and ways to navigate around the keys. Definitely recommend GyPsy APP to maximize the impact

We looked this up on wikipedia.com while driving and I read us all the history on it. Kind of like a narrated tour. Made the drive a bit more relevant to the scenery - it's a bit of a drive.

I am writing a review for a highway. Get a jeep or a convertible and enjoy the blue skies and blue water.

In 1993, during an action-packed confrontation between Arnold Schwarzenegger and a pack of dastardly villains, missile strikes blew up the Florida Keys’ Old Seven Mile Bridge.

While that statement isn’t strictly true, it’s based on fact — one of many facts about the Keys that are offbeat, slightly improbable and add an engagingly weird vibe to the colorful island chain.

Actually, before he became California’s governor, Schwarzenegger starred in a film called “True Lies” that was shot partially in the Keys. The story, about a spy whose personal and professional lives collided in a madcap caper, involved a sequence of helicopter stunts and an explosion on the iconic Middle Keys bridge.

Needless to say, it wasn’t the real bridge. However, to movie audiences, the narrow expanse of roadway unrolling above blue water certainly looked like the real thing.

This was our 1st drive on the overseas.
We drove after dark while going south & before, on the way back. Both were awesome giving a different perspective of the keys. The 7mi drive while going to key west was so surreal & mysterious in the dark & while coming back a scenic & must do route.
Some places along the route - Islamorada etc looked quite touristy & themed while others were so close to nature. Key west ofcourse is so different, more about it in another review.

Pretty cool drive and can be busy during holiday season. The views were spectacular and roads safe! Another bucket list checked off!

We rented a car at the Miami airport and drove to Key West. Weather was beautiful and we so we had the sun roof open the entire time. So much to see along the way.

It’s so awesome diving from island to island and crossing over all the bridges. So much to see and do. I live looking at all the homes and boats. The views of the ocean are spectacular

We stopped by Bahia Honda State Park and saw a portion of the Overseas Highway. There is a small portion of it you can walk on there. If you are making your way down the keys I would highly recommend a stop at this state park. It has a very nice beach although not large by any means. It's worth checking out.

The drive took approximately 3 hours but was a stress-free scenic excursion. There are many stops to be made along the way to stretch your legs, and take in a viewpoint for photos. Stop in Marathon Key or Key largo for refreshments and enjoy the ride.

I have driven across the overseas highway from start to finish a few times. I wish they would cut back some of the vegetation so we could have a better view. For a lot of the drive, you can see past a high hedge.

It is rare when the journey is the attraction. However, this road is an experience. It is beautiful and unlike any other drive. Yes, it can be frustrating at times, and any speeding will get you a ticket. However, it is truly an experience. One of the things our car loved was going from key to key sometimes the short bridge but every time a new name.

Starting in N Key Largo, you first hit the 18 mile stretch. Teal blue road dividers for 18 miles, looking to the right, the Gulf of Mexico, to the left the Atlantic Straits. Picture perfect, and like the saying, “slow down, This ain’t the mainland”. Nothing could be more truthful. You can feel your anxiety slowing, just taking in the beauty of the Florida Keys, United States of America! Your actually driving through a paved section of the Florida Everglades. Well, you wanna lower your pulse to the next level? Right after the 18 mile stretch in N Key Largo is a roadway named “card sound road” which adds a few more minutes to your trip, but extremely worth the time as well as the 1$ toll.
About midway down this road slicing through the Everglades is a little known bar/restaurant named “Alabama Jacks”. Cool, rustic, off the beaten path. Sit out back, looking out at the Florida Everglades. You’ll see a boat or two, maybe even a croc. Nature at its finest! The bar is middle class America at its finest. Medium priced, your stress level automatically drops to zero. Beautiful sites, friendly people, you have to pinch yourself! We always take this detour heading south into the keys, or on our northern trek to visit family and friends. Can’t beat it!
After leaving card sound road, heading south, you will now be back on US 1, Overseas Highway. The various art shops, restaurants, bars, hotels, etc will be a visual extravaganza! Stop along the way, find a little hole in the wall for a bite or drink, or even one of the chain hotels/restaurants. You won’t go wrong either way. Life slows down, enjoy, and savor your existence in the present. Just obey the speed limit which varies from 30 to 55 all along the way. Respect the laws, and all the people along the voyage.
Almost forgot, the best, best, best happy hour restaurant/bar throughout the Florida Keys. “Sparkys Landing” in Marathon. Inexpensive, great food and drink. Peel and eat shrimp, wings, etc. You will stop for one, and end up spending a few hours there, and EXTREMELY INEXPENSIVE! Great stop, great people, service, etc. If only other establishments could follow their business model. Just an absolute gem. Don’t take my word, stop and see. The best!
Once more, the sights are overwhelming, just make sure your pilot/driver stays on course. Pass through numerous Keys along the way, stop and meet/talk to some locals, envy their laid back, care free attitude. It’s catching!
If your good for the trip, go all the way to Key West, mile marker zero, end of the road. You might just “quit your job, and move to Key West”.
I did sorta. Retired up north, used my savings to buy a old town Key West plot of land, built a house, (painted it pink, listened to John Mellancamp “little pink houses), and living the dream. Love it, love the people, the sights, sounds, the palms, the royal poinciana trees, the West Indian mahogany trees, the fragrances. I could go on and on. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

I have done this drive many times in the last 50 years, and I still enjoy it thoroughly! Water to your left and to your right for miles! It is a drive like no other in the US!

Great ride with a great view. But if there is an accident you will be there awhile. It is scenic ride with water on both side and with sunshine

Nice drive from mainland to Key West. We usually fly into FLL, rent a car for the 190 mile drive to Key West and turn in the car upon arrival. Do the reverse when leaving. Saves on parking and you don't really need a car while you are in Old Town Key West. We rented a scooter for four hours one day to cruise around.

This is a spectacular drive from Miami, with the seven mile stretch after Marathon being the best part. Most of the Keys are a little too developed for my taste, but the further south you go, the less crowded it is - until you hit Key West. Amazing geography with all the scattered islands, it must have been wonderful when Hemingway visited.

Lots of cunt people!
Hho! Weekdays and not in the summer could be better.
Ket west is turistix trap and a lot of those characters that are praised and overwoven..........

Parts of it are gorgeous, with water on both sides. Other portions, you are just riding through towns with no scenery. Note: speed limit ranges from 45-55 and you can get stuck behind slow moving traffic unless you get a passing zone at the right time. Be careful of speed traps though. Lots of police watching!! There are plenty of things to see and do along the way from Key Largo to Key West. Plenty of restaurants and places to eat too!

It's a very long drive from the Mainland to Key West. Have driven it 3 times now, and it's getting more and more crowded and commercialized. While I would drive it again, I would look into either flying into Key West, then you really don't need a car to get around the island; rent bikes or a golf cart instead. Or, there's a high-speed ferry from Fort Myers to Key West that I'll review once I've tried that. It arrives/departs right from the downtown marina, so again, no need for a car.

I have always wanted to drive it and was able to do so for my 50th birthday. I couldn't have asked for better weather which was an added bonus.

Driving this highway at least once in your life is a must-do. The beauty of seeing the Gulf of Mexico on one side, and the Atlantic Ocean on the other is amazing. The highlight of course is the 7 mile bridge. On the downside, it is a two-lane road most of the time, and heavy traffic through parts of it cannot be avoided. Plan on several hours from Key Largo to Key West, averaging less than 45 mph. Now that I've driven this road once, we plan on flying to Key West next time!

Great drive. Took it from Key West to Largo Key. Stopped several times along the way. Square Grouper stands out as good stop. Beautiful memorable drive. December 2020.

You can fly to Key West, but you will be missing out on a big part of the trip. The drive from Miami to Key West via the over seas highway provides some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the US. There are also lots of great spots to visit on the way down. Get a feeling for the true culture of the Keys and take the Overseas Highway. Make sure to look for Fred the Tree on the old trestles west of the 7 mile bridge.

We've been wanting to do this drive for years. Was worried about traffic, but it was not bad so we were lucky. This drive is so beautiful. We came as far as Key Largo the night before so we could have a fresh start in the morning and this was a great way to plan it.

The last time I visited the Florida Keys was in 1969. A lot has changed since then, but the scenery is still pretty amazing. This Overseas Highway drive should be on your bucket list, even if you just want to make the trip to Key West, turn around and come right back. The best drive is south in the late afternoon to catch one of the amazing Florida sunsets.

Beautiful free easy parking stoped to take photo and stretch legs didn’t spend long like 30 min just something to do nice little stop on the way to key west

A nice way to see the main areas of the keys. Especiially interesting as the road connects the keys.

Loved driving over the bridge. Some people find it scary, but we loved it. Not sure If I'd have loved it if the sea was rough with nigh waves

We've had friends take the ferry from Ft. Meyers t Key West. I will always drive from central Florida. The Overseas Highway offers amazing views and the colors of the water is beautiful. The traffic typically moves and when it slows, it's still worth it.

Did so as we were driving home. Uch an impressive legacy for Roosevelts WPA to have completed during the recession. Quite the world class engineering marvel and SO wonderful to see it again 2 years after our last (post Irma) visit looking much more spiffy!

In January 2020 my daughter and I drove from Miami all the way down US 1 to Key West! What an amazing experience that I would highly recommend to anyone visiting the Keys!

My wife and I were in Key West recently. I had been there one previous time, in 2006, for a work project which afforded little opportunity to see the sights. My wife had never been to the area. One of the things we wished to do was simply drive the length of the Keys, from Key West to Key Largo. We took about 2-1/2 hours each way one sunny day while we were in town recently. Lots of nice scenery, lots and lots of water in the area of course. We enjoyed the ride, it's worth doing once for sure.

Drive totally UNDERWHELMING unless you like scenic views of power lines, commercial buildings and shrubbery block g water views. Fly to Key West unless you have water activities on your agenda.

We took this highway which connects the 42 islands by as many bridges. It's just wonderful to go from one to the other. Especially the 11 km long bridge after Marathon. The further you go towards Keywest, the more splendid the landscape. The water is turquoise and the mangrove swimming in it is a pretty greenery.

This is something (like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon) that every American should see. Beautiful islands connected by US 1. We rented Harleys in Marathon and rode back and forth between the mainland and Key West. Highly recommend this.

You can see this old portion of railroad transit expressway off to the north side of the highway expressway but it is totally inaccessible for picture taking or otherwise which is a shame.

Love the ride over the overseas highway. If you have never traveled the overseas highway it is a must.

We throughly enjoyed our road trip from Miami to Key West on the Overseas Highway. Keep in mind that most spots it's just two-lane traffic that can move quite slow, few passing lanes. Beautiful drive and most of the road is in great condition.

Remember to consider a bit of traffic in the town, especially Islamorada and Key Largo. Lovely view of Caribbean blue water, islands, etc.

this is a marvel of engineering endurance, but it's not an attraction. it's a road. great place to fish from though: there are numerous places specifically for that.

Lovely scenery and fantastic weather enjoying a bicycle ride out to Key West. Much of the way there is a separate bike lane. But where there is not, the shoulders are wide, and it is very safe to ride your bike out to Key West.

This is an easy site to visit as it stretches so far! We enjoyed making stops along the way in the Overseas Highway!

I cannor get over how beautiful is the scenery of the light blue ocean throughout the Overseas Highway. One of the most beautiful rides I ever encountered.

Several people claim this to be an attraction for your bucket list. It was pretty but was also pretty long. We broke up the trip from Miami by stopping at Sombrero Beach in Marathon along the way. It was interest to see some of the old railway still stand. I probably wouldn't rate this a bucket list activity.

California has the Pacific Coast Highway, and this is our version. The overseas highway is one of the most scenic and captivating drives on the eastern seaboard. It's the only place in the US where you will have the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico on both sides of you at the same time. If you're driving down to the keys, this is one of the best parts of the experience and part of what makes you feel worlds away. If you have a convertible put the top down and jam to Bob Marley or Jimmy Buffet.

When you leave the mainland there is a lot of swamp and trees on the way to Key Largo. It is quite a while before you get to the highway where you see nothing but ocean. It is quite amazing to see as you see vast ocean on both sides. You see this view in bits and pieces for a while until you get to the 7 mile bridge where you have vast ocean view for that whole time. You will see the original highway as you drive along. It is quite surreal and I suggests it to anyone who can do it. I hear a lot of people are intimidated or scared but I didn't feel like I was on a bridge. It felt just like a highway.

From Mile Zero to end of Seven Mile Bridge, just beautiful! The rest is also pretty, but much heavier traffic

Bucket list item- definitely drive it once. Beware there are traffic cops/speed traps everywhere and a lot of decoy cop cars without cops in them. There are a lot of older, broken down bridges in the way of photography opportunities. I wouldn’t do it again, but glad we drove it once to experience it.

Don't expect to be in a hurry when heading down to Key West. Take your time to enjoy the views while going over the bridges.

I expected more of a view to be honest but crossing the bridge, it looked like it could be anywhere in Florida really. There were lots of little spots to stop off for fishing or to wade along the beach. However, parking was VERY limited in nearly every spot. Would've been very difficult to find a space although, we were just passing by. We did hit a bunch of traffic near Key Largo but it picked up again later. Lots of cops, some construction in areas but not nearly as bad as we had heard from others.

The Overeseas highway is an amazing drive. The drive is relaxing and as scenic as you can get in Florida.

It is a long drive. The traffic is heavy most of the way. We drove both ways in one day. There are some great views of the ocean. I expected the longest bridge to seem longer so, I was a little disappointed.

We love going over the 7 mile bridge. Its like right after that we enter the true lower keys. Love seeing Fred the tree and Donna the bush. All the bridges have such amazing views !!!

Don’t expect a quick drive, traffic was bumper bumper all the way to Key West. It’s an amazing drive, with water often visible on both sides of the road. It’s a must do drive for anybody who just enjoys the road.

Driving this road was probably the highlight of our visit to Key West. In my life, this was a "one of a kind" moment. The water vistas, the little coral islands, the little retro shops along the way, all were just cool. Feed the tarpon at Robbies!

It's the only way to drive to Key West. Most of the views were very nice, and there are several places to stop along the way. The road was well maintained. It was just so very long! Speeds are sometimes 55 mph,but mostly 45 mph and 35 mph. So while the miles are that many, it takes a long time to get there! Make sure you drive the speed limit through the Key Deer sanctuary! It's 35 mph at night and hitting a deer is not a good idea!

Also be aware of bicycle riders. They have an area to the side of the lane both ways. There are a lot of bicycle riders. We saw one that had been hit when we were coming home. SLOW DOWN. Plan on taking a while to drive and don't try to rush. Lots of people crossing the road and traveling along side.

The overseas highway is very pretty. The water is crystal clear blue and the views are marvelous. It just makes you smile. The old bridge is being worked on. I enjoyed riding on this road.

Drove from Miami to Key West and the bridges are awesome. If you don't like heights be prepared, some bridges are high and only 2 lanes but worth the experience.

I rate this as excellent because it is an excellent way to reach key west. It is safe and wide and allows you to enjoy the sights as you go.

Overseas highway is a nice drive. The views are not very exceptional, but the length of drive near the sea level truly is specific.

Do it once and then never do it again! We love the scenery and the sun and nice weather (when it is) but after the 20th time, it's a little long and boring and old and slow and can be dangerous.

Pay $12 and get the Gypsy Guide Auto Tour. The narrator tells you the history and info as you drive along. Beaches are mentioned, wildlife, etc. It tracks your location and makes the long ride fun and educational.
We used it on the Big Island too.

This time I was driving. My wife being a bit un-nerved at the lenght of the drive on htis hghway, more so the bridges. A beuatiful drive, scenerey amazing. A must do I think. Some slow area but it went well tis time. Some areas being worked on did not slow us down much. Lots of bathroom and food stops such as McDonalds. But you need to plan things like food and bathroom breaks

Nice drive. Interesting scenery. Uncountable restaurant choices. Also lots of hotels at every key starting in Key Largo all the way to Key West. About 100 miles and took a little over 2 hours to drive and traffic was lite mid week.

Our 3rd trip to the Keys and Key West in particular and this drive never gets old, something you have to do at least once. There are places you can stop for that Photo OP and/or a selfie and I can't say enough how beautiful it is...well worth the trip!

Our family loved driving the Overseas Highway down to Key West. We thought the entire drive was over bridges and narrow islands where you could see the water from both sides but actually much of the trip through the islands looks as if you are driving through any Florida beach town. The seven mile bridge was definitely a highlight and we stopped to walk some of the pedestrian bridge. Other places we stopped included John Pennekamp State Park, Snooks Bayside and the Fish House in Key Largo, Rain Barrel Village, Blonde Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory and Robbie’s in Islamorada.

It's not just about the destination! We enjoyed the drive to and returning from Key West. There are so many things to see along the way that it was hard to choose what to stop for. I did quite a bit of research ahead of time to decide that, and I'm glad I did. Even without the stops, the drive is very enjoyable with nature's beauty, interesting buildings and art, and historic sights along the way.

We drove the overseas highway from Miami to Key West. The highway takes you through the various keys. There are several long stretches over open water, which offer views of the beautiful blue ocean. The drive takes several hours, but we were glad we did it. Overall, I'd definitely recommend the drive.

Decided to fly in to Miami, rent a convertible, and drive to Key West rather than fly. Have read the poor reviews; it’s all in your expectations. Yep,, the road is two lanes and it takes about 3 hrs. Enjoy it, dilapidated views and all. The Keys are OLD, people. If you want sterile high rises, go to Miami. Interesting to follow the remnants of the old railroad, and to watch some of the renovation and the destruction. We stopped on the way down for an awesome meal of fresh fish at The Fish Shack. Best meal we had the entire week (and probably one of the cheapest). We allowed 5 hours on our way back, as we wanted to be sure we did not miss our flight (FL and everywhere else was shutting down quickly for COVID). It took a good 4, due to traffic slow ups, for no known reason. We just stayed calm, reapplied sunblock, and experienced ‘the experience’, as we don’t plan to be back any time soon.

The Overseas Highway is a must to see. We were dring from Miami to Key West and we enjoyed every minute of this road trip! :-)

Rent a gas guzzling high horsepower convertible. Put top down. Have a beautiful woman by your side enjoying the sun and love every minute of the 3-4 hour drive going from Miami to Key West. The azure water is stunning. The ocean breeze is refreshing. The food all along the way is filling. Enjoy it.

Since this is the only highway connecting the keys, it's the only way to go, unless you fly a small plane to Key West or take a boat. Lots of stops to see the ocean, get to the old railroad bridge, fish or find a great place to eat along the way.

gorgeous drive, beautiful changing water colors. saw Fred the Tree. didn't see any Key Deer. it was peaceful

Took my nieces and nephews to Key West and loved the drive on the Overseas Highway. Stop for lunch in Islamorada and that was such a pleasant experience as well. It's a long drive but it's worth it.

For whatever reason, most who drive on this road like to go 3-5 MPH under the speed limit. With just 2 lanes and limited passing opportunities, you're not going to go anywhere very quickly. It's cool to drive "over the ocean;" just be prepared it could be slow-going.

Breath taking views, quaint beach towns, worthy restaurants - all part of traveling this historic highway. The seven-mile bridge is stunning.

This drive is one you should take if you have the opportunity. It is an easy, but beautiful drive. There are places to pull off. If you want to do a little walking or just take in the scenery.

Very interesting and picturesque drive. Don't forget to look for Fred the Tree as you cross the Seven Mile Bridge.

We travelled from Fort Lauderdale to Key West for our spring break vacation. It was one of my bucket list to do. It is worth driving the Overseas Highway to Key West even though there is flight to Key West.

Very beautiful driving over the water. We did it when it was sunny and when it was raining. Loved it!

Beautiful, no traffic left Ft Lauderdale at 11AM
7 mile bridge amazing to drive up. Stopped at some tourist spots.

Ride it late afternoon/sunset...Lower Keys from Marathon...with the sun making glittering diamonds in the ocean....AHHHH....!

This time I was alone and I tried to catch the bus from Miami to Key West. Much cheaper than a rental car. But so you can't stop when you see something beautiful or a nice place to eat

Wow, what a lovely drive.... but do it in a convertible. The views are amazing, the weather 99% of the time is unreal and the whole experience is one not to be missed. But let me warn you, it is sooooo long. My advice, take your time and take several stops to see the beaches, the scenery and the history.

You have to do this once in your life.

We were visiting a friend in Key West and she picked us up in Miami. Admittedly, we really didn’t do many stops along the way except for lunch, we were in a rush to get to Key West. I had the urge to stop and pull over a few times though! Would love to do the drive again and stop at a few of the shops and the turtle hospital as well, and the pedestrian bridge. Before the trip I looked at the aerial photos of the highway. When driving on it you don’t get that same feel because you are on a road and cannot see up and over to the water at all times, but it’s beautiful regardless! We were there mid morning/afternoon so it would be cool to see sunset or sunrise on the drive.

So fun to drive over the water. It makes a beautiful trip, though it can be a slow, traffic jam. At that time, just sit back and enjoy the blue water and the many keys.

If you are going to Key West, rent a car and drive. It is just beautiful. So many little places to stop and see. Download an app with gps that will also narrate the history of the Keys and point out places to stop and see. I used GyPSy guide Miami, Key West, and Florida Keys app. Lots of great info as you drive this gorgeous highway.

What an amazing road trip. The views are the most scenic anywhere. The different shades of blue of the water and stretches of highway and bridges is never ending. A fantastic engineering achievement. Even better when done in a convertible! Enjoy.

We flew into Miami and rented a car specifically to enable us to drive the Overseas Highway. I was the driver so my views were (mostly) limited to the road. There are pullover spots before and after many of the bridges. Take advantage of them. We drove down on a Thursday afternoon and drove back the following Wednesday and, other than school letting out at three-ish (who goes to school in vacation-land?!) on the way there and an accident that stopped traffic for a while on the way back, we were fine.

Water everywhere -- turquoise, blue, teal, aquamarine -- iguanas on the side of the road, palm trees, pelicans. Just gorgeous.

We stopped at the first proverbial Sandal Outlet T-Shirts 4 for $10. They appear about every 20 miles or so. It became a joke for the rest of our trip.

Take the drive. Take your time. Switch drivers.

What an amazing experience this was truly enjoyable loved it. The scenery is awesome and really worth the drive.

Really only stayed in Miami for a shortish stay but so happy to have included the keys and the drive.

We rented a Jeep for the day trip up and down the highway. We stopped for lunch at M.E.A.T. in Islamorada for their "Best Burger in Florida" and it did not disappoint! Be sure to try the onion rings, which are dusted with ancho chili pepper. Divine! We got original Key Lime pie with meringue 4 miles north of Islamorada and it, too, was superb. We stopped at a few beaches and relaxed in the sun. A great way to experience the Keys!

Honestly I've been to the keys 20+ times and this drive literally never gets old. Flying into key west is cool but this drive is worth the extra couple hours.

Too many cars and slow! Too many people. Gorgeous views tho. Traveling this highway is way too crowded

Water on both sides .Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic on the other side. Turquoise water. This highway leads to Florida keys.

Quickest 3.5 hours of my life. Great spots to eat. A few attractions. Beautiful views of So Florida.

Been over this route several times and still am amazed at its beauty and scenery. The vastness of the ocean that this road/bridge combo is breathtaking and it's wise to plan extra time for stopping at some of the more interesting keys such a Key Largo, Islamorada (dolphin swimming and Wahoo's), Marathon (Sunset Grille). Be prepared to see some Iguanas along the road as well.
Great trip

The traffic is heavy and most of the time, very slow. This gives you time to enjoy the colors of the ocean.

We drove Highway 1 all the way from Miami which was MANY red lights and a lot of congested traffic. However, once on the Keys, this is the only option for driving, and the traffic was not nearly as heavy and not nearly as many stops. The scenery and bridges are impressive, and a few stops to explore a bit more were welcome.

We rented a car and traveled the length of the Keys, this will be a very memorable trip- the views were spectacular, and stopping at all of the little shops along the way was great too.

We flew into Miami and spent a night. The next day we drove down to key west. The bridges and scenery was awesome.

Many bridges to cross including the seven mile bridge. You go through all the Keys from Largo to West. Very scenic and you can make several stops along the way. We went when traffic was light and it was a pleasant and scenic drive.

Thoroughly enjoyed being over the water and enjoying the water, clouds and islands - breathtaking! Crossed 42 bridges - amazing.

We drove the highway pulliing our camper and I found it to be a calm enjoyable drive. I had no issues pulling the camper and traffic was light. the views are spectacular.

I thoroughly enjoyed this drive. The traffic was not heavy on my way south (a Tuesday) but upon my return to Ft. Lauderdale on Friday the southbound lanes were at a stand still. Still a nice drive with amazing water views!

Greta ride with a great view. But if there is an accident you will be there awhile. It is scenic ride with water on both side and with sunshine

From Key Largo to Key West there is natural beauty where ever you look. Aqua waters on both sides of the road make you feel that you have left the United States

Driving from Miami to Key West is an arduous 3 plus hour slog with the 7-mile bridge being about the only interesting aspect of it.

Yes, it is an nice drive to be out on the water on a highway, but most of it needs repair. And don't go on the weekends. Some of the scenery is blocked by hedges/trees. You need an up to date app to know where you are and where to turn off for the sites such as the parks, etc. I would say that it was a disappointment and that I wouldn't go again.

I love the overseas highway. This place is great for sunset photos and great fishing. If your in the Florida keys this is a must visit.

We come into KW from Holmstead, Florida via this highway. Love the view of the ocean and use this part of the ride to stop at the Tiki bars and eat just before entering KW. One would think it gets old but it has not. It's become more exciting each year. Go for it!

Driving across the Florida Keys has always been a dream of mine, and it did not disappoint! Not only was the view spectacular, but also amazing were the bridges and the fact that engineers worked so hard to connect these islands with power.

It’s great for walking or biking for exercise or sightseeing. I would recommend taking a peaceful early morning and going to these trails. It will be worth it. I also think it’s funny that people rate this for it’s traffic like that’s not what the overseas highway experience is for.

We drove from Sanibel to Key West and truly enjoyed the experience. Just be ready for traffic, especially on weekends and certain times of the year.

After 30 years of living in South Florida, we drove this magnificent highway.
Put it on your bucket list.

On the way to Key West and enjoyed the scenic trip. There are many places to take beautiful pictures. Everyone should travel this stretch to enjoy the history and beauty!

The most evocative thing about the Florida Keys is the road to reach them.
It is a route on bridges in the middle of the ocean that connects Key Largo to Key West: beautiful colors of the sea and a feeling of freedom towards infinity.
The most spectacular part is undoubtedly the central - final part, and in particular the Seven mile bridge; a stop at the beginning of the bridge for a photo is a must.
The road is lined with fishing boats: the main activity of the place together with tourism; there are also various small restaurants where you can stop during transit.
The various islets are nice, but I would have expected more, in particular the water is a bit marshy almost everywhere.
Key West is also nice, but too crowded as it is literally attacked by tourists coming off cruise ships; in any case it is certainly worth a visit to immerse yourself in the local, colorful and carefree atmosphere, and reach the southernmost point of the continental United States.

Not much to see or do other than get your picture taken and know that it's the closest point in the US to Cuba.

We had no idea what a tedious and stressful drive this was going to be after we left mainland Florida in Homestead. Of the 97 mile drive from Key Largo, you will find that 90% of the highway is only one lane in each direction, meaning if the lead driver is going 15 miles an hour, then the hundreds of cars following will also have to go 15 mph. The drive could be more enjoyable if you were not continually needing to keep both eyes on the bumper of the slow-moving car in front of you. This is unfortunate since otherwise the engineering feat to achieve linking these small islands (Keys) surrounded by ocean is incredible. Our future visits to Key West will only be by boat or airplane as we will never again suffer this agonizing drive there.

I can proud myself I've driven the entire US. On my rank list the western Pacific Coast US 1 is firmly on top, while the second place goes to southwest National parks drives in Arizona and Utah.
The eastern US 1, namely its section from Key Largo to Key West - the Overseas hwy is Nr. 3. It's a unique drive in the world going over several tiny islands, connected with narrow, only two lane bridges between them. Some of them are short, while some are very long like the seven mile bridge.
Driving those bridges is the most beautiful and amazing part. On one side right beside you is the Mexican Gulf and on the other the Atlantic ocean. If you take a look on Google maps while driving it seems like you're driving over water.
To take most of it I'd suggest starting early to avoid crowds. The distance between Key Largo and Key West is around 100 miles, which can be covered in 2 hrs, but that'd be a heresy. There are many interesting places along the way to stop and explore: on Islamorada, on Marathon, many interesting eateries and secluded hidden beaches as well.
Drive slowly, stop frequently and enjoy.

Traffic was very congested on our way down to Key West. Water views and bridges certainly lovely.
On the way back north we stopped along the way to see some of the other keys and do some activities. Seven Mile Bridge a highlight of the drive.

My wife and I drove from Miami and KW and back over the Overseas Highway in mid-November 2022. On the way down is was dark, so we missed a lot. We took our time on the way back to see as much as we could. My naïve expectations were for a set of pretty long bridge spans over mostly water from Key Largo to Key West. That is not what this mis-named road is. It is mostly on land all the way with one section 7 miles long and a few other long-ish sections. Not that I was overly disappointed, though. The other Keys are nice, there is good scenery along the way, and lots of places to eat and stop for breaks if you need them. There are also a lot of places that look like Rt 1 does all up the East Coast, which was not very interesting or scenic, and the real reason for my average rating. I recommend a few things for people going this way. First, STOP along the way and SEE things. There are lots of parks and pull-offs in beautiful areas along the way. Second, obey the speed limits. There were a TON of cops all along the way in both directions and they DO enforce the 35 mph limit in the “deer” areas (it is 45/55 along most of the way, though). Third, allow extra time to get from Key Largo to KW or in the other direction. If there is an accident or some other jam, you’re stuck.

What a beautiful drive down US 1. The ocean waters were just pristine!!! We enjoyed seeing all the people fishing from the old highway. Such a pleasant day for a wonderful drive down to Key West. We are looking forward to the drive north tomorrow!!!

This drive was on my bucket list. A great drive and lots of fun on the road down. We played at many stops on the way through as many Keys as possible. Great trip. Do your homework and find fun little places to stop.

The only down side is if you get behind a semi, or box truck, those make it hard to see. Some much blue water, broke up by many, many islands. Trip definitely didn’t seem to take as long as it actually did. This is a must for those on their first trip to the Keys!

My husband and I flew into Miami and decided to take a trip down to Key West, FL. This was the only route that you can take to get there. The drive was nice and yet relaxing considering it wasn't jam packed as we thought it would during rush hour. The beautiful scenery is a plus!

What to say. It is a road - gets you from point A to point B. Traffic is a complete disaster coming into the Keys. Leave plenty of extra time ! Some nice views but nothing extraordinary.

Drove from FLL to Key West. Not what we expected. A lot of driving with very little nature and scenic views. Mainly your typical small beach towns. Glad we did it so we know we didn’t miss anything. Lol. Next time we will fly to Key West.

We might try the Key West Express from Fort Myers next time, but the drive is so nice. Wonderful places to stop in Islamorada and Marathon, then you're over water for 7 beautiful miles before reaching the Lower Keys.

Wow.. too many cars and too many people in a hurry. Couple of accidents on our trek and heard many more stories plus saw a post of the deaths already this year. YIKES. Most beautiful drive and most dangerous I think

My wife and I drove over the Overseas Highway from Boca Raton. It was a lovely day, though hot. We loved the varieties of blues and greens spread out around us.

This 7 mile ride is awesome because up have water on both sides and hope there isn't an accident ahead of you. The views are great!

I never thought I would see turquoise water in the continental USA!! Such a beautiful drive, from Key Largo to Key West!!

Really pretty drive along the highway as you go over the water. Traffic wasn't awful going to Key West, but when leaving . . . early morning nearly get rear-ended and run off the road by an aggressive Keys Shuttle driver and then the road was closed for the last section, diverting you to the toll road.

It really was a nice drive, and there's lots of pretty views along the way. It was quite an undertaking to have built it.

a must do while in key west. absolutely beautiful views all the way around you. you will take more pics than ever. lol

I really enjoyed my drive on the overseas highway. We rented a convertible from MIA and drove to Key West for the weekend. We had perfect weather and traffic was not too heavy. All in all conditions were ideal.
That said I will likely fly next time I'm going to Key West.
The drive through the upper keys is tedious with lots of traffic and not much view. The drive through the lower keys is tedious with some lovely vistas but low speed limits. There aren't many places to pass the many very slow (below speed limit) drivers.

Wonderful driving experience. 3 +- hours from Miami. The Oversees Highway is 7 miles long. Stop on one of the Keys for a beverage along the way.

We were a bit nervous to drive this road because we had heard what a nightmare it is with weather and traffic but we did not find that to be the case in June. Such a beautiful drive and really, an amazing stretch when you think of what it takes to build it. The different keys are so cool and each one offers its own unique beach, restaurant or experience. Definitely traveling it again!!

This highway is a classic American drive and should be on everyone's bucket list. Seven mile bridge is gorgeous. Be sure to stop at the Dockside on Sombrero Key. We stopped to lunch and stayed for 3 hours.

The views driving from Miami to Key West were my favorite part of our trip. Lots to see, and such a beautiful drive!

Don't rush from Key West to Miami. Plan some stops on the way. Stop and feed the Tarpons at Robies on Islamorada or visit No Name Pub.

KEY WEST - From Miami to Key West the journey is long... there are many bridges, but the view in the Florida Keys is very cool: full of small Kite Points, speedboat stops, a breathtaking blue ocean and the famous Seven Miles Bridge. I just think it can't be any fun on rainy days.

Little over a hundred miles of US1 from the main land to Key West - a series of islands connected by bridges and one is SEVEN miles long and surrounded by beautiful clear water - the ride itself is worth the trip and all the islands are wonderful places to stop and enjoy the culture and beauty of nature - tiny deer on Big Pine Key !!!!!!!
One road in - One road out - take your time and enjoy the trip
My wife & I have been to Key West several times and always see something along the way that we had missed before - wonderful adventure !!!!!!!!!

A not-so-very-long drive and enjoyable the entire way. It changes up often enough to keep you amused.

The Overseas Hwy is the only way to transit the Keys. While it's pretty and interesting, it can be slow. There's limited opportunities to pass so one slow driver or a wreck and really cause problems.

I had never driven the Overseas Highway and it was beautiful. Amazing Engineering in the construction of this road. Beautiful blue waters and lots of wildlife.

This bridge is an absolute must on your way to Key West, and not only because it's the only driving route, haha! We enjoyed our day trip to Key West because the drive itself was fascinating. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny February day where we got to see all the sights on our way to Key West. The drive will definitely live in our memories forever.

From Miami there were a lot of highways and not impressive towns. Not much "overseas" to look at. We didn't know we were on 7 mile bridge until we were half way over it. Once was enough; next time we fly directly to Key West

If you are driving to Key West you will traverse the whole thing. Many place to pull over for pictures, picnics or places to eat. Many islands and bridges. A few spots where the old Flagler railroad bridges are still there. Takes about 2 hours+ to go from Key Largo to KW.

Basically this was the reason for our trip - to drive the overseas highway. The route itself was not as well "labeled" as I would have liked so I recommend picking up a guide book or app. We used the GyPSy App which uses your GPS location to provide narrative and knows if you stay on course or take a side trip. It was wonderful. I usually doze when my husband drives but I stayed awake the who tri. It starts by the MIA airport and goes all the way to and through Key West. We made a few stops but noted others for a future trip. On the return trip we wanted to stop at a state park. Three were full but you didn't find our until you turned in and got to the ranger station. It would have been nice to have additional advanced notice.
I had just finished reading a historical novel callled Last TRain to Key WEst and so it was fun to see the sites mentioned in the book.

Very scenic drive when over or near the water. The rest can be a bit monotonous and frustrating with idiot drivers.

Drove from Miami to Key West. Beautiful drive. Amazing views. More going on than I expected. Lot's of small towns and places to stop. We did Miami to Key West and back in one day. Aprox 3 hours each way. Highly recommend staying the night in Key West. Spend more time to exploring Key West and a couple of towns along the way.

Driving to Key West is certainly part of the experience. The drive is easy but a little long. I stopped a few times on some of the other keys to break it up. All in all we enjoyed the drive a lot.

This is such a nice drive and so much less stressful than many roads in Florida. The scenery is amazing

If your into car culture this is worth the drive down to key west. Much of the road is over small islands (Keys) but some longer bridges that go over just about open ocean, never experice any view like off these brindges. State parks, Resorts, resturants etc... al long the route.

Beautiful drive! Water as far as the eye can see! The speed limits are terrible though.. 45....55....35....45.... ugh slows the whole process down if you are in a hurry. But this road is meant to be enjoyed and taken slow

this was the point of my trip,,ride a motorcycle down the Keys on the Overseas Highway. This did NOT disappoint, inspiring views for 100 miles. Traffic can get heavy and slow

Very cool drive (particularly the seven mile bridge). Gorgeous views of the ocean and all the different keys. Stick carefully to the speed limit, lots of police.

One of the countries most beautiful highways. Look out the window, enjoy the beautiful sights, there is a lot to see as you travel across the keys. Don’t speed though because if you get a ticket - you pay it at the court house in Key West.

We always enjoy this drive down to Key West. It's a great mini vacation for us. Love driving over the ocean and seeing the many tiny keys in the water

Probably the slowest and one of the most beautiful drives I have ever done! There are lots of places to stop and explore or grab lunch on your journey. Be sure you read up on the history of the highway before your trip, it will make it even more interesting. It was worth every second we spent in the car!

If the weather is nice this is a nice, scenic drive. Portions you can see both the Gulf and the Atlantic. Many places to stop and relax.

You must take the Overseas Highway [1] to understand the Keys. It is the only way by land to get to each end of the Keys that are connected by bridges. There are 48 bridges spanning the keys. A lot of the scenery is repeatedly the same, but each Key; large or small, has a bit of its own personality

We love just traveling along on a nice day seeing the beautiful islands and blue water. Seven Mile bridge is our favorite. Leaving Marathon going west don't miss the vista point and Heritage Trail. Part of the old railroad/Rt 1 that was replaced with the newer highway was smartly re-constructed as a 2 mile pedestrian/bike trail that's a lot of fun for exercise or just sightseeing even if you don't want to go the entire length. There is a small parking lot at the entrance.

This is a long tedious drive mainly because of the low speed limits that seem to be in force just to catch tourists. Many police along the road. I suggest doing it once if you really want to see the whole thing but it is quite a trek.

The problem with the Overseas Highway is that the pictures you've seen that probably made you want to go were taken from the sky, where you can see it snake over the ocean and into the horizon. But the reality is, you'll probably be driving it, and behind traffic, and having to pay attention to not turning your car into a wildlife refuge at the bottom of the sea.

The good news is, there's a section with a 2.3 mile foot path where you can park your car and walk it at your own pace to fully enjoy it. Outside of the famous seven-mile bridge, most of it is like any other highway and you can't even see the ocean.

road is well taken care of but watch the tourist drivers. Keep a look out for Fat Albert at the 23 MM. He is the balloon lookout.

When we go to South Florida, on Vacation, we always fly into Miami. We rent a Convertible and Drive The Overseas Highway to Key West, as far as it goes. The drive is Extraordinary and is not to be rushed, or you will miss out on so much.

We rented a keep and spent two days driving around checking out the beaches, shopping and seafood joints. Had a blast.

It's a long road - and during the day, traffic can get really annoying. But if you find some open road, it's a gorgeous drive with lots of fun food finds.

Although I am glad we chose to land in Miami and drive to Key West, the drive is more demanding than it appears. To get from the airport and out of the urban area takes a long time due to traffic lights every few blocks on Route 1. After that, the single-file driving will get to you after a few hours. Despite only being 110 miles it takes considerable time to get to Key West. I would recommend a full day be reserved for the drive in order to be able to make stops and fully appreciate what all the route has to offer.

This is the second time in my life that I have driven the full length of this fantastic highway from Miami all the way down to Key West (and back), stopping off in Key Largo for a few days on the way down. The second time was as great as the first time. The views on both sides as you drive from one island to the next are fabulous. I would recommend anyone to add this to their life long bucket list. And there are enough places to stop off at on the way, whether it's for a short coffee break, a meal, a few days, a week or two or a life time. You choose.

Doesn't sound like much until you actually drive it, but this is a neat thing to experience. The Seven-Mile Bridge is a rather white-knuckled portion as the only thing there is is the bridge you are on and lots of water, for about seven miles. If you're in Southern Florida, take the time to make this very scenic drive with the windows down!

Where else can you drive to the Caribbean? The drive itself, especially from Narathon to Key West, is simply beautiful and stunning.

In the interest of full disclosure, if you expect to make good time driving the Overseas Highway you will be disappointed and frustrated. My strong advice: Relax, enjoy the spectacular views and immerse your psyche in the island vibe. For the most part, the highway—US Highway 1—is 2-lane and runs through all the island towns in the Keys, meaning that the traffic feels more like local traffic than open highway driving. The many bridges offer the most dramatic views of the endless expanses of beautiful Caribbean waters. Along the way are numerous parks, picnic spots and historic sites to visit. The highway is well-maintained AND well patrolled by Monroe County deputies. Though most damage from Hurricane Irma has been repaired, the toll the storm exacted on the mangroves and other vegetation—particularly in the Lower Keys—is still apparent.

Loved this drive and was with friends and we wanted to stop on 7 mile bridge but could not due to construction. But glad to see there is work being done to keep the bridge in good repair. Worth the drive to see the different islands .

We had a Key West wedding and decided to fly to and land in Miami then drive to Key West as we have not vacationed in this part of Florida. We are glad we did as the drive is beautiful and not boring at all. Time flew bye. We stopped along the way to take in some interesting attractions.

Completely enjoyed our time in Florida, loved the short time spent in the keyes. Every place we visited was fun, probably only excursion that was not fun was the glass bottom boat that really wasn't what we thought. Loved the Everglades and wandering the keyes

Beautiful drive, birds, boats, water, islands. The only road, so it can be busy. Lots of places to stop, for photos, or to eat.

If it's not a busy weekend or holiday the drive through the keys is relaxing and has so many great views and places to stop. Be sure to see the sights in Islamorada and swing by Bahia Honda. Shift into relax gear and take your time on this great stretch of road.

The water is beautiful, no doubt about that! It’s definitely above average. We rented a car our last two days in Key West and drove up the overseas highway past the Seven Mile Bridge. I don’t want to sound ungrateful for the beautiful scenery, but now I know I would rather have spent this time (and money) in Key West. There were a few things we hadn’t seen, like the Truman Little White House. This drive was not stunning to me. We didn’t see lots of reasons to get off the highway and take scenic photos.

We drove from Key Largo to Key West, spent some time in Key West and then drove back to Key Largo in a day. Reading some of the reviews I can see that we were fortunate not to be held up in traffic from any accidents. Most of the road is single lane only and the traffic was all going at a steady speed. We made sure not to drive back in the dark as most of the road is unlit. I had always wanted to do this drive - it was beautiful in parts but also in parts was a bit tacky and you could have been driving down any normal lane with commercial units on either side. But it is great to have experienced it. You don't get much notice where there is a pull off place to admire the view so you might want to research best places to stop and then be careful to give yourself enough time to get off the highway.

Ive benn on it a few times ! Take your time look and see and on each side do stop and watch the beautiful scenery

While traveling to the keys be prepared for long travel times as the traffic is heavy and can take many hours to get down to Key West.

The views were spectacular from Key Largo, driving over 42 bridges, and smaller towns, to Key West and back. The roads are very well maintained. Definitely keep your focus and concentration. Most areas are one lane per side. Average speed is 45 mph. If you make one stop, have it be at the beginning of the 7 mile bridge. There is an area to pull off and park.

Water. Water. Everywhere. Since we were stuck in holiday traffic we had the opportunity to look up the history of the different keys. They are restoring some of the old bridge we expected to see more hurricane damage but the areas are clean and restored. No boats listing in the bay like other parts of Florida

Bright sun shinny day. Beautiful water and great restaurants to stop along the way. What a wonderful chance to get you in the Key West frame of mind. Just watch your speed !!!!

Really pretty drive on a pretty day. We made a number of stops. Seven mile bridge is amazing. Good traffic flow just don't get into much of a hurry.

The Overseas Highway is a 2 lane Highway from Key Largo to Key West. You travel over 42 bridges, and the average speed limit is 45 mph. The traffic is awful (don’t bother trying to pass). The view is great unless you are driving. It takes about 2 and a half hours to cover around 97 miles. I was disappointed with the drive, but not the view.

If you want to see Key West or the other islands, then you'll have to drive along the overseas highway. Enjoy the ocean views along the way!

This had been on my bucket list for a long time. Enjoyed making the drive all the way to Key West. Impressive to see the remnants of the railroad bridges from 100 years ago that made this possible.

Where else can you drive for miles with blue water on both sides, car windows rolled down and a cool ocean breeze blowing through...

The drive was excellent. Lots of stops of things to do and see. The water was beautiful and we seen fish, sharks and sea turtles.

You should know that it is still a unique journey in the world, even if contrary to the legend you will not spend "3 hours driving on the turquoise water". You have to be clear, the road is long, it is a 2-lane with an average speed of 60km/h, the ocean is only visible on 20% of the journey due to vegetation and construction. Only the passage of the bridges between the islands allows beautiful views. Allow at least 3-4 days in the keys, taking care to avoid heavy traffic jams on weekends. Coming back and forth from Miami for the day is of no interest.

Overseas Highway or US Route 1~ it the ONLY way by car to get from the peninsula of Florida to the very Southern tip of West West.
This 113 miles worth of road and bridges connects over 2 dozen Islands: is filled with restaurants, hotels, museums, wildlife, beaches and entertainment. There is also plenty of places to be able to pull of and go fishing from pier or even bridges that remain up and repurposed for pedestrian use.

What a great drive....speed limit is 45 mph and very few spots to pass anyone so allow plenty of time. Those who have fear of high bridges or narrow roads....fear not as this is an easy road to drive.....spoken from someone who hates high bridges over big expanses!

So many things to see and that's just the drive. That short trip to Key West could take so long from everything there is along the way.

So if you don't fly to Key West, or take a boat to Key West, chances are you drive to Key West. And when you drive to Key West, you go down US 1 and cross the 7 mile bridge.

OK...it's neat to see how they built the bridge, and to see the iterations of the bridge, but it's pretty much the same as any coastal bridge.

In my opinion, it's the destination (Key West) not the journey that's important here.

But I'm glad they built it!

You have to do it once. But it is a truly long drive. Stop inbetween there are nice restaurants indeed

A highlight of our trip to Key West! We day-tripped from Key West up the Overseas Highway to Key Largo, stopping along the way at Bahia Honda and the Turtle Hospital. Trip took slightly under 2 hours one way. The drive was INCREDIBLE - Caribbean-blue water and bridge after bridge of natural beauty. Take advantage of the pull-offs to stop, admire the beauty, and take pictures. If you're going roundtrip from KW, the drive back gets a little redundant, and perhaps not as pretty when the sun isn't shimmering off the water. If we were to do our trip over I think we would road trip down from Miami and perhaps spend a night or two on another key before hitting KW. Even still, this is one of America's most scenic drives and a must-do when in the Keyes.

This is one of the most amazing drives in the US. Gorgeous views every where you look. Plan on taking some time as traffic can be heavy at times.

Take your time and make a lot of stops, as there’s plenty of stops between Key Largo and Key West. Don’t get in a hurry and just enjoy the journey.

This is definitely a drive that anyone interested in great scenery should do at least once in life. Great views along the way.

Must see/drive across this beautiful expanse of US1 thru the Keys of FL. Can be very slow and congested thru mid-point, but worth it to land in final destination, Key West. Lts to see and stop fo4 along the way! ...needs more mile markers for keeping track of location!

We had an interesting day.
We left the Everglades NP and our GPS indicated the trip would take about 3.5 hrs. Then during the next 45 minutes the time fluctuated all the way up to 21 hours, eventually returning to 3.5.
The trip was nice. The scenery was impressive in the water areas, and it was fun to see the commercial and residential areas
We did hear later that there is a 4 hr. bus ride that only costs about $25, which is a great deal.

The highway running from the mainland of Florida to Key Largo and all the way down to Key West is a beautiful drive. It is 110 miles of small towns, bridges, and beautiful views. At times it is a two lane highway and the pace is not fast, but it is a beautiful drive. Don't be in a hurry and you will enjoy it.

Very special drive to the end of the Keys. Beautiful scenery. Interesting to see the remnants of the original railroad that connected the Keys to the mainland.

when it comes to the keys it all so beautiful, the view is spectacular when driving over all the bridges. We have driven several times and it still awesome to see

This has to be on your bucket list. Grab a convertible and head out. Islamorada has some great hangouts and fishing. Marathon dockside, Robbie’s 77 mile marker is a great hangout and so many more. Just go and have a good time.

Traffic relatively light at this time of year. Clear sailing. Beautiful views if Bahia Honda State Park.

Even though the ride from Miami to Key West is about 3 hours or more- if you are in no hurry, it's a fantastic experience! Blue/green water on both sides, great towns to pass through with plenty of terrific dining options, and you can buy all the essentials you need in Marathon (midway)...Gasoline is about the same price all along US 1, so don't worry about paying more- although I would recommend getting gas in Florida City, immediately before your ride to the Keys! Sit back and enjoy the ride- even better if you have a convertible on one of the many beautiful days in the Keys!

A drive to Key West and return to the mainland is always great. Lots of things to admire especially the gulf on one side and Atlantic ocean on the other side. 7 mile bridge is awesome.

We went to Key West on a Viator bus ride. Fortunately we were offered the first two seats on the bus at a cost of $20 each. The drive to Key West was pleasant and we got many breathtaking photographs on the way.

Munir D.

Fun drive, but traffic seems to get worse each year, especially in Islamorada. It just takes one minor accident to close the whole road, and traffic quickly backs up. Allow plenty of time to get to your destination./

We spent the night in Homestead and left early for our drive to Key West. Very nice, relaxing ride. Enjoyed the scenery. Next time we may take the Key West Express but my wife wanted to drive the bridges one time to see it all.

This was a bucket list trip for me to be done in a mustang convertible. We did this drive on a Thursday thinking there would be less traffic than a weekend. There is too much traffic and stopping and starting to appreciate this drive. It needs to be four lane so there are no tailgaters ruining the experience for you. Too many accidents and fast drivers ruin it for everyone else. Key West was an absolute zoo. We just wanted to get out of there.

It is slow paced but the view is beautiful and there are hundreds of places to stop. There are numerous restaurants, ranging from burger joints to high end. Shops of all kinds selling everything imaginable. There are several beautiful beaches and state parks along the way to stop and enjoy. Once you cross the bridge into the Keys, slow down, relax, and take in the "Keys"; it's worth the trip.

The overseas highway is pretty cool. Hard to believe the Flagler train track was built so long ago and still standing. The drive is beautiful and scenery is perfect. Worth driving at least once.

If you want to visit Key West, you have to drive the Overseas Highway. There are beautiful views you won't see anywhere else in the world. The 7-mile bridge is amazing, the old bridge was featured in the movie "True Lies", and there are lots of places you can pull over to take pictures, get some great local seafood, or shop for beachy Florida souvenirs. Yes, you can fly into Key West, but that's no fun!

This road to the Keys is iconic and you'll feel it when driving there. Rather spectacular and not too dense traffic. A great experience.

Drove from Fort Lauderdale- was only going to do a few Islands but loved the diverse and picturesque scenery we drove all the way to Key West - stopped for the photo at Southernmost Point Marker - we all enjoyed the trip and stopped at plenty of off road places to look at some of the fabulous houses and boats - plenty of places to stop for. Cup of tea or coffee
Will definitely revisit as the shops/bars/restaurants in Key West where fabulous

This is a very beautiful and breathtaking drive. There can be lots of traffic so pay attention and do the speed limit.

No real problem by average speed was 50. Not a lot of places to pass when behind slower traffic. Construction help everyone one up.

The colors of the water on both sides of the highway are mesmerizing... Stop, get out, and soak them in.

The old bridge was cool to see and they are currently doing some restoration work on it, including painting the beams. I hope some is left in it's current condition, though. It's beauty comes from it's history.

Stressful... I drive a 25' motor coach. Not huge, but a challenge to get on and off the highway during heavy traffic.... Even if you're not trying to cross a lane of traffic. Don't be in a hurry, and you'll be fine.

A beautiful ride and a must if you are in Florida. So much scenery and beautiful driving. Go during the daytime to see the beautiful water

We drove the full length of the Overseas Highway, what wonderful scenery, the old bridges and railroads are all interesting. A great journey

Roadway was in good condition, traffic flowed nicely. Turn lanes and passing zones were adequate. The view always beautiful!

didnt get the chance to ride my rode bike much on the island so took the opportunity to do the 5 mile length of it the morning I left and got some great sunrise photos. nice at sunset I'm told as well

The bridge is an engineering marvel. Being a Civil Engineer by profession I love the work done to connect Key West to Florida's mainland.

We drove to Key West from South Miami mid-week in January. The weather was clear and good. It is a beautiful drive with scenery the whole way. You can stop at lots of restaurants, shops, and beach side spots or you can keep moving for the 3 hour drive. The traffic was moderate - the ride would be very difficult in heavy traffic.

This was a great ride. It rained a bit, which was a little nerve racking. I’ve done the ride in February as well and it was pretty epic. I highly recommend.

Beautiful drive across many bridges. Enjoy the gorgeous colors of the water. Recommend doing this during the daytime.

We drove the whole way from homestead to key west. It was quite interesting. We went over several bridges. Each had an entrance to a new island.

There's no other highway like this in the whole East Coast. The water, the wild life and the breathtaking views are just a marvel. We went all the way down to Key West from Miami and getting there was just fascinating. We were lucky because there wasn't a lot of traffic during a weekend of late August so it was a very pleasant drive.

Either drive or take a shuttle or bus across this highway to Miami or Fort Lauderdale. I'm told since it's a two lane highway that traffic congestion can be a problem during rush times. I rode it during the morning/noon/ early afternoon twice now and still love it. You get such a Florida Keys experience: restaurants/ bars all along the way, Villages, towns, flora and fauna, houses. on stilts. the absolutely stunning beautiful turquoise colored shallow ocean and of course the Seven Mile ocean bridge. Stop at a convenient mart for some Bang Key Lime flavored energy drink. Will see a lot of people fishing, expense private islands, sunken and abandoned boats, hurricane damage, possible the rare Keys deer and white tailed deer along the road and stop along the way to see manatees and crocodiles. Museums, trailer parks, site seeing and many other things to see and do if you have the time. I'm told if your stuck in a traffic jam, just go visit a bar. Loved the fascinating conversations I have with my shuttle drivers.

A beautiful drive to check off the bucket list. However, be aware that a lot of this is 2 lanes and very congested with traffic at times (rush hour, school letting out, weekenders, etc.) Not bad for passengers looking at the views, but drivers take care... There are not many stop lights/signs which means people must drive a bit aggressively at times to turn into/across traffic. Definitely watch for Fred the Tree on the 7 Mile Bridge!

While the entire drive from mainland to KW has its boring spots... There are so many pull offs and views that scream beauty. If you have only ever flown into the keys... Consider making the drive once, but do it during the nice daytime weather because at night it looks like a drive through a rural country road in Iowa with no lights anywhere almost.

A fabulous road trip with views forever, great way to see the Keys and all it has to offer, lots of traffic so relax and enjoy the view.

GOOGLE "FLORIDA KEYS ACCIDENT" or "FLORIDA KEYS CRASH" to see the frequency and severity of bad crashes here. Yes, the water views are amazing, but there is no room for error on this narrow road, which contains ALMOST NO TRAFFIC LIGHTS and ALMOST NO STREET LIGHTS for the entire way! We were stunned, especially at night, at how truly dangerous this road was, with water on either side. During our visit in Dec 2023, a tractor trailer just north of Key West slammed into an unmarked, entirely unlit construction barrier at 4:30am, bursting into flames, instantly killing the driver, and blocking both sides of the road for most of the day.

WHY are there next to no street lights OR traffic lights - other than in towns? Given that this is a road driven by SO MANY first time visitors every year, elderly folks, and given especially Key West's party reputation, WHY? What sense does it make to endanger people to this degree?

Drove from Key West to Marathon and back in rented convertible and it was wonderful. Some of the local traffic goes fast so be sure to pull off on islands to let them go by.

The drive is an easy one and is one of those things you should do at least one. The views are amazing and there is so much to see on the way.

What a beautiful drive, it should be a a bucket list check for everyone. Never ending beauty around each bend.

The trip from Key Largo to Key West is just over 2 Hours - the Speed Limit changes from 35MPH in towns and up to 55MPH at one point. It is well patrolled by police so enjoy the ride as you travel along the single lane with a few two lane passing opportunities before you get to Key West.

This was our second time driving the overseas highway as we went this time with our friends and teen boys, and we wanted them to have this experience as well. Plan for lots of time to enjoy the road and sites along the way and still be in Key West (or wherever you are spending the night) before dark. Starting early morning and leisurely making your way South will give you a little taste. If you really want to explore, pick an overnight place part of the way and then again in Key West (Islamorada is a favorite of ours where you can usually find some reasonably priced rooms or splurge at one of the resorts - FYI: Book any rooms you need in the area far in advance and know The Keys are expensive). The Overseas Highway is just one of the many, many things we love about this area. We would definitely recommend this drive and would do it over and over again ourselves as there is so much to see along this stretch.

**When we last did this drive, there was still damage from Irma, which was so sad to see.

The ride from Miami to Key west is very focused for the driver and you must be patient at times. You have in many places not much room for errors. The passenger is really enjoying their ride because at some points you have water on both side and the views are great.

We love the drive from Key Largo to Key West. Its filled with quirky stores, nice, casual restaurants (many in the water) and fun roadside attractions. Robby's Tarpon feeding, a giant lobster sculpture, the African Queen boat are just some of the fun stops. The seven mike Bridge has wonderful sea views and really show off the lovely colors. The about 2 hour drive goes by quickly with the fun things to see.

Beautiful drive with a brief stop in Islamorada. During the COVID pandemic, there were no direct flights from Tampa, so we decided to drive. It's a beautiful drive and it actually goes pretty quickly with podcasts and technology. Key West was delightful. No cruise ships so there were fewer folks in town. It's a beautiful city, lightly traveled. Summer of 2020 a perfect time for a vacation to Key West.

Had a great time! Stopped at the end and walked the Old Seven Mile Bridge to Pigeon Key and back. No shade so do early in morning. Take water with you. Can look over into water- we saw Stingray, sharks, pelicans.

The only highway in the Keys. Drive from mainland Florida to Key West crossing 42 bridges. Awesome views. Use the mile markers to find your way. Where else can you see the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Florida Bay - Gulf of Mexico on the other side. Many interesting places to stop at. Something for everyone.

The 1,700 tiny islands that string out from the southernmost point of the United States are a world away from mainland USA. And you can see many of them while driving the scenic Overseas Highway, which cuts all the way from Miami, Florida, to historic Key West, covering 113 miles and navigating 42 bridges along the way. The trip offers travelers a wide variety of options for overnight accommodations, fishing, snorkelling, sight-seeing, museums. nature habitats and seafood restaurants. Start at Key Largo, gateway to the Florida Keys. Spend the night at Key Largo Marriott Beach Resort. Islamorada is the self-styled sport fishing capital of the world. Arrange for a boat and guide at Robbie's Marina. At Duck Key, Hawks Cay Resort, a 60-acre complex, reopened in 2018 after renovations to fix damages caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Key West is the southernmost tip of the Keys and the USA and home to Ernest Hemingway and Harry Truman. Stay at the luxurious Oceans Edge Key West Hotel and Marina, located on fast-developing Stock Island, four miles east of the old town. Ordering fresh, zingy and sweet key lime pie is a must at any restaurant. The only debate is whether to top it with meringue or whipped cream. Fish are in abundance, especially Mahi-Mahi (dolphin). tarpon, grouper, yellowtail, hog snapper, lobster, jumbo stone crab claws, pink shrimp, mussels and scallops. Eat in Mrs. Mac's Kitchen, which dates to 1976. Tour Mel Fisher's Maritime Museum and Hemingway's Home/Museum.

Take your time when driving this highway. The views are spectacular plus the local police are waiting on you to miss when the speed drops.

Around 1900, oil magnate Henry Flagler discovered Florida. To get his rich friends from NYC to the warmth of the southern east coast, he built hotels and a railroad line from Saint Augustine all the way to Key West. My Scottish ancestors worked for Flagler building the Florida East Coast Railroad, which connected the Florida Keys by the amazing engineering feat of building over the water--hence the name Overseas Highway. Although the Atlantic storms took out most of the railroad line, the one and only highway to the Keys is built on these foundations. There is not a lot of the actual railroad to see, but the scenery is worth the drive and there are several places to stop that tell the history--one is the former work camp on Long Key and a great display in the Key West Customs House Museum. We actually traveled in April 2020, so the Long Key Camp should be open now.

Boring, monotonous, not pretty, lame, crappy, but at least it’s lined with busted up deteriorating bridges waiting to crumble into the ocean.

As this is the only road available, it cannot be avoided. Although there is beautiful azure ocean on both sides, it does get rather boring after 100 miles.Would not like to be on it in high wind or waves!

It is wonderful seeing the views. It rained most of our drive but was still good. I would love to do it again sometime when it is sunny.

Drove to key west in feb 2023 on this highway which is obviously the only route there. We didn't stop anywhere except to eat straight from Miami, we witnessed 2 wrecks so it took about 3 and half hrs. The best views and photography are when there is nothing but ocean on both sides. I recommend stopping where there are people fishing , good photo opps.

Wonderful road that connects Miami to Key West, passing through all Keys (Marathon, Islamorada, Key Largo, Big Pine Key...). The entire route lasted about 4h from end to end, as the track is practically simple throughout the way and has plenty of transit in some stretches and works.
The bridges, highlighting the Seven Mile Bridge in the Marathon region, are sensational and the landscape is beautiful. I would say that the journey stands out much more often than the final point of arrival. It is also legal the quantity of sports cars (convertible rooms) that are used by tourists along the whole road.
Very top! I recommend!

Very cool drive Seven mile bridge This is one of those highways that should be on any one who likes to take road trips should drive

This is truly unique because the Atlantic ocean is on one side of the bridge and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. They have different color water. Aqua on in Gulf- greyish on Atlantic. The bridge ride seems like you are going off to the end of the earth. A great view.

It's really cool driving on the seven mile bridge, especially in a convertible. Just don't plan on driving very fast. Lots of traffic.

This was one of the most breathtaking sights my friend and could not get over how beautiful this drive was you can't be in a hurry while going down through the keys it is one line with just a few passng lines along the way. Def a bucket list item marked off

I've driven through 40 US States and this is one of the better roads I've traversed. Check it out--easy on the car. Just watch your speed limits and for the love of god don't hit any Key Deer

The Overseas Highway is the only passageway from the mainland to Key West. The first 30 miles are like many highways, boring. After that the views are spectacular. Enjoy, worth the drive. Jolly Chriss.

While still an unusual and beautiful drive, the growth and sprawl of the touristy Keys continues to spread. You don't really feel right until you get past 7-mile bridge and may be not for a while there, even.

This takes you to the places that you only see and hear about on TV! As a DOT Engineer, learning about the history of US 1 (built on the old railroad tracks back in 2030s), this is a place that is worth the three and a half hours drive if you reach all the way to US 1 Mile Marker 0. Or as my wife said it, this is Maldives of the USA!

Keep in mind that you're going to hit the traffic, roadway works, utility works, small town cops, and last but not least some wild lives on the road but all of that is worth it especially when you're passing through the Seven Mile Bridge (6.89 Miles to be exact) as you get to see what makes the Keys the Keys! Not to mention, you get to see how the roads and islands came to be from what used to be a coral reef at some point in the history.

We anted to experience the Overseas Highway. Driving Sunday afternoon from Naples to Key Largo was an easy drive. Then on Monday the Drive from Key Largo to Key West was scenic. No traffic jams. Most of the road is 45 mph or 55 mph so it is a slower more leisurely drive. Some great views of beautiful blue water, sandbars and bridges.

Spectacular views! Drove from key west to Miami in a convertible. Can be some slow spots with drawbridge and traffic but worth it.