Miami to Key West

[maiyasgram]

Hi all,
I have posted this to The Transportation Board as well. DH and I are picking up a motorcycle in Miami and riding to Key West for a few days before we hit Disney World. Looking for any must see's or must do's along the way.
Has anyone done this trip on a bike before? Would love to hear any experiences!!

Thanks, Cherie

 

[ChristmasElf]

It is a L O N G drive down Hwy 1 as it is one lane on each side and most of it is a no passing lane. The drive time is anywhere between 6-8 hours depending on traffic.

 

[Topper]

A little outdated, but still some great info, written by 2 bikers:

http://piratejohntravel.com/BuccaneerPress.com//FL_Keys_Adventure_Guide.pdf

The drive from Miami to Key West will take you approximately 4 hours.

 

[bballmom56]

Miami to Key West is about 160 miles. We have done it in as little as 3 hours (very little traffic) and as many as 4 hours (stop for gas, food, plus a bit heavier traffic).

 

[phorsenuf]

It is a L O N G drive down Hwy 1 as it is one lane on each side and most of it is a no passing lane. The drive time is anywhere between 6-8 hours depending on traffic.

Miami to Key West is about 160 miles. We have done it in as little as 3 hours (very little traffic) and as many as 4 hours (stop for gas, food, plus a bit heavier traffic).

 

[bballmom56]

http://www.mapquest.com/mq/10-D5_YocTppov9Xv9RmoxL

Note the travel time and distance estimates.

 

[WDWKOOK]

We were stationed for 3 years on Key West in the mid-90s and have relatives in Boca Raton, just north of Miami/FTL, so we've travelled that route MANY times, but never on bikes.

I would recommend being patient when heading down, as vacationers slow WAY down over every bridge in order to gaze out at the water. And, at sunset the sun is GORGEOUS, however, when heading south it will be in your face and is rather blinding. There is a drawbridge, too which sometimes is up and you'll have to be more mindful when crossing it and other bridges on a bike.

Make sure to stop at the different Keys on the way to KW. They are smaller, quieter and quainter. If you are able to either spend the night or want a beautiful dinner on a private island, Little Palm Island Resort is a real treat. You are taken by boat to the private island where you can dine steps from the beach. It's expensive, but memorable.

Right before entering Key West is Stock Island to the left. It is REALLY seedy, but they have the best conch fritters at the Rusty Anchor restaurant and I think I recall many locals and bikers eating there. I assume it's still there, but I'm not sure.

Have a great trip.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I haven't been there in years, but John Pennekamp Coral Reef National Park off Key Largo is the US's first undersea national park. You can take a snorkeling trip out to the reef which is very nice.

http://www.pennekamppark.com/

 

[luvflorida]

We have driven from Miami to Key West (actually we started in Maine and drove down Florida's west coast, across alligator alley to Miami, then down to Key West, and back up Florida's east coast) and it was a gorgeous drive. The water is absolutely stunning!

I would imagine on bikes, the views would be even more gorgeous! If I'm remembering correctly, the drive took three or four hours. I know we didn't hit much traffic. There was a restaurant on the right-hand side of the road heading down, just before crossing the eight-mile bridge, that I would have liked to stop at for lunch, but it was too early, so we didn't stop. I can't recall the name of it, but I remember thinking it looked like a neat little place to have lunch.

Hope you get some good ideas here. Have fun!!

 

[ChristmasElf]

A little outdated, but still some great info, written by 2 bikers:

http://piratejohntravel.com/BuccaneerPress.com//FL_Keys_Adventure_Guide.pdf

The drive from Miami to Key West will take you approximately 4 hours.

We did this trip on a Friday approx 5 pm (our first mistake) and didn't arrive in Key West until almost midnight! When coming across Marathon Key I believe, there were all the warnings about hitting deer and as I recall there were a few speed traps so we were never able to drive more than 5 miles over the limit.
Wouldn't be as bad a drive if Hwy 1 was 2 lanes on each side.

 

[TinklednPants]

It is a L O N G drive down Hwy 1 as it is one lane on each side and most of it is a no passing lane. The drive time is anywhere between 6-8 hours depending on traffic.

six to eight hours! Put the car in gear next time!

 

[WDWKOOK]

six to eight hours! Put the car in gear next time!

The drive right before Hurricane Andrew struck, when we had to evacuate Key West was about 6 hours, but it usually takes about 2.5 hours to the mainland (Homestead/Cutler Ridge) and another 30 mins. or so to south Miami. (Unless they're filming True Lies on the 7-mile bridge...)