Road Trip from Miami to Key West: Florida Keys Itinerary

A road trip from Miami to Key West through the lovely Florida Keys was one of the best road trips we have ever been on. Here’s our 5-day itinerary to help you plan a Florida Keys road trip with kids.

☀️ She said, I love places where it’s summer in winter. ~ Nick Miller

This is so true for South Florida, which is why we chose it as our destination for the winter break. Have you ever wondered why they are called the Florida Keys?

The key is derived from the Spanish word ‘cayo’, meaning small island. Can you guess why Key Largo is called that? Yes, it is the largest island among all the keys.

The Keys are connected by Overseas Highway or U.S. Highway 1, spanning 42 bridges, including a seven-mile-long bridge, which makes it one of the best road trips.

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Best Time for Driving from Miami to Key West

Florida is the ‘Sunshine State’ and is good any time of the year. But it gets scorchingly hot during the summer, and the hurricane season begins in June, lasting until about September or October. The previous hurricanes have created considerable havoc, and hence it is advisable to avoid that duration.

So the best time for a road trip to Key West from Miami is November to March. In fact, the Miami to Key West Road trip is one of the epic road trips in the US to be added to the bucket list.

How Far is Key West from Miami?

Key West, the southernmost point of Florida, is about 164 miles from Miami, and the drive from Miami to Key West is about 3.5 to 4 hours.

Drive From Miami to Key West Map

The map lists the route and destinations for driving from Miami to Key West.

Miami to Key West Drive: Adventuring Along the Way with Kids

Day 1: Off to Key Largo

We took an early morning flight from Philadelphia to West Palm Beach. From West Palm Beach, we drove straight to Key Largo, the first of the Florida Keys.

Reaching the evening after a tiring drive, we thought of just relaxing in our rooms. But it was hard to miss the sunset. Sitting down by the beach, the mangroves and the coconut trees giving the perfect backdrop, the kids playing in the water, the sun playing its magic.

It was a perfect beginning to the vacation and to refresh ourselves for the days ahead.

Day 2: Adventures in Key Largo

With us, all refreshed, it was time to indulge in some adventure. The boys chose to fly like birds over the calm blue waters. You guessed it right- parasailing.

My 7-year-old son tried it for the first time, and his smiles and excitement were inevitable. My 3-year-old daughter was envious, and it was hard to convince her to try again next time.

Many tour operators across the Florida Keys offer parasailing and can book tickets in advance.

Related Read: Florida Keys Family Resorts & Hotels

With adrenaline levels high, it was time for the next one. Apart from Hawaii in the USA, Florida has a living coral reef along its coast.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo is America’s first underwater park.

After soaring through the skies, it was time for some underwater fun. Snorkeling and scuba diving are the best options for seeing.

Have doubts? Get all your questions and apprehensions answered by reading this diving and snorkeling guide for beginners.

Since we had a toddler and an infant with us, we chose the dry version, the glass-bottom boat tour.

The 2 ½ hour boat tours run from the state park and take you deep into the ocean for a glimpse into the underwater world.

The ride traverses through vast mangrove plantations into the deep, wide ocean. We all huddled around the glass and were charmed to see the beautiful fish and diverse aquatic ecosystems.

It’s not the same as being up close and experiencing the coral while snorkeling or scuba diving.

Nonetheless, kids and non-divers should escape this new world.

With so much to cherish, we head off to the Overseas Highway towards Key West. Often called the ‘magic carpet’, this is the only road connecting the Florida Keys to the rest of the state.

It is the window to the exotic tropical paradise. Driving in the evening, watching the magic of the sun setting over the bridge, pink hues over the sky, a vast expanse of water on both sides, and palm trees, is breathtaking.

We couldn’t stop ourselves from halting multiple times to capture some incredible vistas until we reached the southernmost city of the US – Key West.

But this beauty was obliterated by Hurricane Irma, which slashed its wings in September 2017. We could still see debris along the highway, broken homes, and beaches that were damaged.

It was sad to see, but we realized that we are minuscule in front of Mother Nature and should preserve it with full zeal.

🌀 “Hurricane season brings a humbling reminder that despite our technologies, most of nature remains unpredictable.” ~ Diane Ackerman

The evening is the best time to enjoy the scenic Key West through a Sunset cruise and watch the magical sunset on board.

Click here to book the sunset cruise. Or watch the spectacular sunset at Mallory Square. This is by far one of the most romantic things to do in Key West.

We were all so tired but couldn’t miss the spirit of the city on Duval Street, especially during Christmas time.

The colors, lights, numerous restaurants, and local souvenir shops are the best places to enjoy the festive spirit.

Where to Stay in Key West? Check out the list of the best hotels in Key West to stay with families.

Day 3: Breathing Key West

With plans all set for the day, we head out to the southernmost point of the US, which is represented by a red and black buoy.

We were a little disappointed to see this buoy at the corner of the street and were waiting in line to get a pic taken.

There are roosters and chickens all over the place; you may even spot them crossing the roads. Another creature to look out for is the Iguana, which can be found in the trees. We did spot 2 of them.

Our next stop had to be Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, for some beach fun and to visit the historic site. But sometimes, things don’t work the way you plan.

The kids seemed to be tired and grumpy, so we decided to go with the flow. But there are many activities to choose from.

Downhearted by not getting to explore the Conch Republic, we headed out of Key West for Miami, hoping the kids would nap on the way.

Refreshing ourselves with picturesque views along the Overseas Highway, we halted after an hour at Bahia Honda State Park. Bahia Honda (pronounced Bah-ee-ah own-da), is a Spanish word that means deep bay.

The small state park had a sandy beach, which is hard to find in the Keys.

Although the oceanside beach was still closed due to the aftereffects of the hurricane, we got to enjoy the warm and calm waters on the bayside.

The kids had a great time at the sandy beach that we had missed in the Keys. To get some spectacular views, climb the old, broken bridge passing through the park.

It was finally time to bid adieu to these magical islands with some special memories. We hit the road again to our destination- Miami, the Magic City.

The first view was of a sparkling city off the coast at night. It was magical to see the skyline, and we were excited to explore after a good night’s sleep.

Day 4: Everglades National Park

The refreshing start to the day-and-a-half trip to Everglades National Park was the plan. We had told the kids that we were going to see alligators and start early to reach the park at the Homestead entrance at 9:00.

We headed to the Anhinga Trail, an easy 1-mile trail, to see some alligators basking in the sun. Kids were amazed to see these cold-blooded creatures lying still.

With a great start, we head up to drive along to the Flamingo visitor center, making halts at various observation points.

Unfortunately, we could see the impacts of Hurricane Irma here as well, with many observation points and parts of the state park closed.

We drove all the way to the end of the park road to Flamingo, which is by the bay, in the hope of spotting manatees, alligators, and other wildlife.

But to our dismay, we couldn’t spot anything, and disheartened, we decided to go back to Miami.

Due to the hurricane’s aftermath, we were unable to explore it thoroughly. Still, for adventure seekers, you can choose from any of the ample adventure airboat tours and other activities around Everglades National Park.

But on our way, we made a small halt at the famous ‘Robert is here’, a fruit stand in Homestead, with a vast variety of tropical fruits and milkshakes.

Some of the shakes we tried were Coconut and mango, which were delicious, but Coconut stood out with small pieces of the fruit in it.

Another refreshing drink on a sunny day was fresh sugarcane juice with a hint of lemon and ginger. In India, we have grown up drinking sugarcane juice during summer, so it reminded us of our childhood.

Back in Miami, we were staying in the South Beach area. Our hotel, a block away from the beach, was the perfect way to enjoy the waters hassle-free.

So we hit out to the beach to sink ourselves into the water and sandy beaches.

Oh! How much we have been missing this since the start of winter back in Philly. Florida is perfect for escaping winter and enjoying the summer fun.

The kids built sandcastles, splashed water, and watched numerous cruise liners go by. We wanted to relax by the beach, but if you have days on your hands, check out these best things to do in Miami.

And we settled to watch the sun create magic on the blue canvas, so alluring and relaxing. How can you not stop dreaming of such a magnificent sight?

Day 5: Sun and Sand at South Beach, Miami

As said, “A day at the beach begins with the sunrise and ends with a smile.” So, we head out to start our day with smiles and soothe our souls.

Walking on the beach was rejuvenating. Spending half a day at the beach, writing names on the sand to see them getting washed away, making sandcastles, just getting the most out of it.

We would recommend the hotels Courtyard Miami South Beach and  Hilton Garden Inn South Beach for a comfortable stay close to the beach.

Sadly, it was time for us to pack our bags. How we wished we’d have some more time to explore Miami besides its beaches. There are a plethora of things to do in Miami with kids beyond sun, sand, and surf. There’s always the next time.

We left for West Palm Beach, our final destination, to catch our flight home the next morning.

With these thoughts in our heads, we bid adieu to Florida:

🌴🌊 “Palm trees, ocean breeze, salty air, sun-kissed hair… That endless summer, take me there.”

Tips for the Road Trip from Miami to Key West with Kids

Our Recommendations for the Road Trip from Miami to Key West with Kids

A road trip from Miami to Key West is one of the classic American road trips you must experience. You are sure to have fun driving over the beautiful ocean and jumping from island to island while doing fun and adventurous things with kids along the way.

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