{"id":26513,"date":"2018-07-23T06:00:34","date_gmt":"2018-07-23T13:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/?p=26513"},"modified":"2025-08-20T22:51:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T05:51:09","slug":"florida-keys-road-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/florida-keys-road-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"HOW TO HAVE THE PERFECT FLORIDA KEYS ROAD TRIP"},"content":{"rendered":"

Miami has long been a popular vacation destination thanks to its long beaches, all-day pool parties, and that year-round Florida heat. But if you\u2019re looking to escape the busyness of the city and find a real Florida retreat, head south of Miami to the Florida Keys. Here you’ll find one of the most beautiful and fun drives in the United States. This article will tell you exactly how to have the perfect Florida Keys Road Trip!<\/p>\n

\"HOW<\/p>\n

1) GETTING STARTED<\/h3>\n

The drive down the Florida Keys is simple, consisting of one way down and one way back on the highway US 1. Because there is only one main road down the Keys, it makes it much easier to find particular stops along the way: by their mile markers. Follow US 1 down the Keys and you will eventually get to your final destination at Mile Marker 0<\/a> in Key West.<\/p>\n

You can make it to Key West<\/a> in one day from Miami, but if it\u2019s your first time taking this drive, I highly suggest stopping at one of the other Keys for the night (or two!) and making your way down slowly. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy the journey.<\/p>\n

\"HOW<\/p>\n

2) TRY FAMOUS FLORIDA KEYS FOODS (ANYWHERE)<\/h3>\n

Conch fritters are one of the Florida Keys\u2019 most popular dishes. These fritters are made with conch meat, flour, egg, milk, peppers, and onions, and are usually rolled into a ball and fried. You can find them at just about any restaurant on the way down, so take your pick! They are the perfect snack to keep on hand for the drive, and are some of the freshest, tastiest conch fritters you can find in the country.<\/p>\n

Another can’t miss food is Key Lime Pie. Key limes thrive in the tropical weather in the Florida Keys and have become a staple of the island chain. Despite key limes being green, the juice is yellow, and an authentic key lime pie is yellow. There are stores in the Keys that serve only key lime items, but you can get a slice of pie just about anywhere.  <\/p>\n

\"CONCH<\/p>\n

3) SNORKEL OR DIVE AT JOHN PENNEKAMP KEY LARGO (MILE MARKER 102.5)<\/h3>\n

The first Key you will come to is Key Largo, which is famous for having the first underwater park in the United States. John Pennekamp<\/a> is a Coral Reef State Park where you can do nearly any water tour you want. Kayaking, paddle boarding, scuba diving, snorkeling, and even a glass bottom boat are just some of the activities offered at the park, or you can of course relax in the sun on the beach. The Florida Keys, and Key Largo in particular, is a great place to check out the vibrant underwater life, colorful fish, and shipwrecks characteristic of the area.<\/p>\n

\"SCUBA<\/p>\n

4) TAKE A QUIRKY PIC AT RAIN BARREL SCULPTURE GALLERY (MILE MARKER 86.7)<\/h3>\n

There are many places to take a quirky pic while driving down US 1. Whether it\u2019s an oversized purple beach chair or the underwater murals at the scuba diving museum, there are lots of options to choose from. One popular place to stop is at the Rain Barrel Sculpture Gallery where you can pose with the gigantic lobster out front.<\/p>\n

\"RAIN<\/p>\n

5) FEED THE TARPON AT ROBBIE\u2019S MARINA (MILE MARKER 84.5)<\/h3>\n

For a truly unique experience, stop at Robbie\u2019s Marina<\/a> to feed the tarpon. Tarpon are giant, silvery fish that live in the Atlantic Ocean and can measure up to 2.5 meters in length.  Because of their strength and fighting spirit, tarpons are generally caught for sport and then released, rather than eaten.<\/p>\n

There are more than 100 tarpon that come to Robbie’s Marina daily and you can pay a few dollars to feed them some small fish. If you\u2019re lucky, you may catch them when they jump out of the water you\u2019ll see just how big they are.  While there, you can also learn about the excitement that is tarpon fishing!<\/p>\n

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6) STOP FOR LUNCH IN ISLAMORADA (MILE MARKER 81-82)<\/h3>\n

Islamorada<\/a> is the perfect place to stop and take a break for lunch. One great options is Islamorada Fish Co.<\/a> at Mile Marker 82. This lunch spot is right on the water and serves fresh seafood and sandwiches. There is a nice sandy area to sit down and relax under the palm trees.<\/p>\n

You can also enjoy a delicious oceanside lunch at Morada Bay Beach Cafe at Mile Marker 81.6. This caf\u00e9 has the tables right on the sand next to the water and is another fun place to take a break from driving.  Soak in the sun and salty ocean air before hopping back in the car to continue on your journey.<\/p>\n

\"ISLAMORADA<\/p>\n

7) WALK THE SANDBAR AT ANNE\u2019S BEACH (MILE MARKER 73.5)<\/h3>\n

Anne\u2019s Beach is a spot you can easily miss if you don\u2019t keep your eyes out for it. In fact, I didn\u2019t even know it existed until I was driving down the highway and noticed people standing in shallow water far out into the ocean. Anne\u2019s Beach is essentially a giant sandbar. You can walk quite far out from the shore and only be up to your knees in water. Since the water is so shallow, it is extremely warm and feels like bath water. However, since 2017, Anne\u2019s Beach has been under construction after Hurricane Irma destroyed most of the boardwalk along the shore, so check for updates before you go!<\/p>\n

\"ANNE'S<\/p>\n

8) STOP TO ADMIRE THE WARM TURQUOISE WATERS OF THE FLORIDA KEYS<\/h3>\n

One of the best things about the Florida Keys is the vibrant turquoise color of the water. Since it\u2019s easy to make a pit stop off of U.S. 1, keep your eyes open along the way for spots of turquoise and pull over for a photo or to dip your toes in and admire your beautiful surroundings.<\/p>\n

\"HOW<\/p>\n

9) DRIVE THE SEVEN MILE BRIDGE (MILE MARKER 47)<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re driving all the way down to Key West, you will eventually hit the Seven Mile Bridge. Aptly named, it will take you on a seven mile drive over the ocean. If you want to stop and stretch your legs, you can walk part of the old bridge. While the main part is currently under construction, you can still walk part of the south end or you could take a walk on the Long Key Bridge, which is the second longest bridge in the Keys. You’ll find the Long Key Bridge just after the Seven Mile Bridge.<\/p>\n

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Our Top Places To Stay In Key West, Florida:<\/em><\/h4>\n