Driving from Orlando to Key Largo

[calena]

Has anyone driven from Orlando to Key Largo? How long did it take? Is there a best route? Thanks Deb

 

[MulanMom]

We did it almost a decade ago. We flew into Sanford/Orlando airport, got on a route that took us to 95. Took that south. North of Miami, we switched over to the turnpike and took that South to Homestead. IIRC, we then got on Route 1 South. Once you get onto the keys, you turn left to go to Key Largo while traffic heading to Key West turns right. I vaguely remember a road called the Sawgrass Expressway and using that to avoid more heavily traveled roads around Miami. If you have a map available, check that out.

I would think traveling from MCO, you would want to take the turnpike south. There's no need to go out to 95. We traveled at night and made it from Sanford to Cudjoe Key in about 6 hours, when we were told to expect 8. Considering Key West is about 3 hours from Miami, I would guess you can get to Key Largo in about 5 hours.

HTH! Have a great trip!

 

[Letsbgoofy]

Considering Key West is about 3 hours from Miami, I would guess you can get to Key Largo in about 5 hours.

It took us almost 5 hours to get from Orlando to Miami. We were going to a Dolphins game, so some of that driving was in town getting to the game. Either way, I don't see how you could get from Orlando to Miami in 2 hours!!

Edited to say...I just did a mapquest route from Orlando to Miami - 3 1/2 hours. Orlando to Key Largo 4 hours 10 minutes.

 

[MulanMom]

It took us almost 5 hours to get from Orlando to Miami. We were going to a Dolphins game, so some of that driving was in town getting to the game. Either way, I don't see how you could get from Orlando to Miami in 2 hours!!

Edited to say...I just did a mapquest route from Orlando to Miami - 3 1/2 hours. Orlando to Key Largo 4 hours 10 minutes.

Where exactly did you get 2 hours from Orlando to Miami from my message? I told OP it would probably take 5 hours from Orlando to Key Largo. Your mapquest confirms that as being close.

To OP, time of day and day you are traveling makes a huge difference in the amount of traffic you will encounter. My parents have wintered in the lower keys for many years with family traveling to and from Ft. Lauderdale area to visit them there. Weekends, Friday night, Sat. morning, traffic to the Keys is heavy. As can be expected, on Sunday, traffic from the keys is heavy.

 

[aynt79]

It will probably take almost 5 hours. I highly suggest taking the turnpike the entire way from Orlando to the end (after Miami). It is worth the money (I think about $15 one way). Whatever you do, avoid I-95 though Palm Beach/Ft Lauderdale/Miami, especially anytime near rush hour.