If you’ve ever dreamed of palm trees, clear blue water, and the kind of road trip where flip-flops are basically required, this Miami to Key West road trip is just for you.
This drive from Miami to Key West is a straight-up tropical adventure packed with funky stops, weird roadside wonders, and jaw-dropping beach views.
You’ll cruise over bridges that stretch across the ocean, eat seafood so fresh it basically swam to your plate, and visit places you won’t believe actually exist.
1. Miami
Miami is a sun-soaked city on Florida’s Atlantic coast, known for its Art Deco buildings, white sand beaches, and rich Latin American culture.
It’s got palm trees everywhere, Cuban coffee on almost every corner, and a skyline that glitters over Biscayne Bay at night.
It’s also home to Little Havana, where you can snack on empanadas, hang out with locals at Domino Park, and hear salsa music spilling out of open windows.
Plus, Everglades National Park is only 50 minutes away, so you can swap city views for airboat rides with alligators in no time.
2. Coral Castle
Head about 40 minutes out of downtown Miami and you’ll hit Coral Castle, one of the weirdest and most mind-blowing stops on the route.
It was built entirely by Ed Leedskalnin using over 1,100 tons of coral rock, and no one really knows how he pulled it off.
Here, you can walk through stone gates that swing with a finger push, sit in a coral rocking chair, and check out his handmade telescope aimed at the North Star.
It’s a place that feels part science mystery and part heartbreak story, since Ed started this project in tribute to his fiancée, who left him the day before their wedding.
3. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Next up is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, the first underwater park in the United States.
This spot is all about what’s below the surface, with 70 nautical square miles of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and schools of colorful fish.
You can snorkel out to the famous Christ of the Deep statue, hop on a glass-bottom boat tour, or scuba dive with sea turtles and eagle rays.
And if you’d rather stay dry, you can kayak through mangrove trails or kick back on the small beach and enjoy lunch by the water.
4. Islamorada
Keep cruising down the Keys and you’ll roll into Islamorada, a laid-back village spread across six islands where fishing is the main draw.
It’s actually known as the “Sportfishing Capital of the World,” so it’s the best place to test your luck at catching a sailfish or tarpon.
But if you’re not into that scene, head to Robbie’s Marina to hand-feed massive tarpon or grab some food at Morada Bay.
You can also stop by the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center to learn about scavengers, pirates, and the story of how the islands were formed.
5. Long Key State Park
A short 25-minute drive from Islamorada takes you to Long Key State Park, the perfect pit stop if you want quiet beaches far from the crowds.
Back in the day, this island was a luxury fishing resort for the rich and famous, but now it’s about kayaking through clear waters and spotting wildlife in the mangroves.
For a quick hike, you can follow the 1.2-mile Golden Orb Trail that winds through tropical hammocks and ends with sweet ocean views.
And if you’re sticking around overnight, you can set up camp along the water and fall asleep to the sound of the waves.
6. Turtle Hospital (Marathon)
Up next is the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, a spot that’s sure to warm your heart.
While the name sounds cute, the mission here is big—helping sea turtles recover from injuries and get back to the ocean.
On a guided tour, you’ll get to see turtles healing in giant saltwater tanks and even meet permanent residents who now live at the hospital.
It’s fun, educational, and surprisingly emotional, plus your ticket helps fund all their ongoing rescue efforts.
7. Seven Mile Bridge
After Marathon comes the Seven Mile Bridge, one of the most iconic stretches of road in the Keys.
It’s nearly seven miles of highway linking Knight’s Key in Marathon and Little Duck Key, surrounded by turquoise water and open sky in every direction.
Running alongside it is the Old Seven Mile Bridge, a path perfect for walking or biking when you want to slow things down.
And if you time your drive for sunrise or sunset, the views are seriously picture-perfect.
8. Bahia Honda State Park
A few minutes past the bridge brings you to Bahia Honda State Park, the ideal place to kick off your shoes and melt your stress away.
This park has some of the best beaches in the Keys, and Calusa Beach stands out because of its calm water and great snorkeling right from the shore.
You can also paddle through the tropical shallows by kayak or climb the old Bahia Honda Rail Bridge for sweeping ocean views.
If you don’t want to leave just yet, book a campsite and turn your visit into an overnight adventure.
9. National Key Deer Refuge Nature Center
Located just 8 minutes from Bahia Honda State Park, the National Key Deer Refuge Nature Center on Big Pine Key is a stop you shouldn’t miss.
This is the only place in the world where you can see Key deer, an endangered species that looks like a mini version of the white-tailed deer.
You can stop by the visitor center to learn how they’re being protected, then stroll the short Fredrick C. Mannillo Jr. Nature Trail for a quiet time through pine rocklands.
And if you’re lucky, you might even come across a Key deer standing by the road or wandering through the woods like it owns the place.
10. Key West
Finally, you’ve arrived in Key West, where the road ends and the fun begins in the quirkiest, most colorful town in the Keys.
This island is where chickens casually roam the streets, pastel houses line the blocks, and the Southernmost Point Buoy marks the end of the continental U.S.
You can fill your day by touring Ernest Hemingway’s house, watching street performers at Mallory Square, and sipping frozen drinks on Duval Street.
It’s got that perfect mix of history, weirdness, and tropical chill that makes you want to stay way longer than you planned.
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