Route to Keys from I-Drive ?

[Chipnpin]

Hi we've tacked a 4 night stay in the Keys to the end of our Orlando holiday. The main leg of the trip is from I-drive to Key West, 6hrs+ according to Google Earth. So my dilemma is, what's the best route and where's a good place to stop off to eat?? Google suggests the Florida Turnpike, but I notice that I-95 and Highway 1 seem reasonable alternatives. Anybody done this, or have any advice please ??

 

[dc1964]

it is a fantastic drive especially after you get passed Miami and hit all the bridges linking the keys.
personally i would take the turnpike as there is less traffic and it is faster, mainly because of the tolls, I95 is free. I woukd have thought it would take 8 hours to get to key west. I would drive solidly till you get to Key Largo, then it is your choice, there are dozens of waterside restaurants on all the towns you pass through.
It is an easy journey around Miami and the keys are well signposted, get a good map or sat nav and you wont have any problems.

 

[Chipnpin]

Cheers Dc, I wondered if Google picked the turnpike for that reason.
And it was a choice between Miami and Key Largo for the rest stop, I'll follow your advice, Miami looks very busy.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

The Florida Turnpike is definitely the route to take.

As for where to stop off at I would aim for at least 2 stops, it is a very long drive.

You are probably right about avoiding Miami as it is such a big city, I would suggest Bahia Honda and Islamorada personally - both very nice places.

see - http://www.fla-keys.com/

 

[UKDEB]

I haven't been to the Keys (I'm very envious ), but I just wanted to concur with the advice to take the Turnpike between Orlando and Miami. Last April, we did just that to pick up a cruise. On the way back, we took the I-95 because we were stopping off at Vero Beach for a few days. The difference was marked. The Turnpike was a pleasure - light traffic and free-flowing. The I-95, in contast, was a stop/start nightmare in places.

The Turnpike has a number of service areas - not places you'd want to stop for a meal, but handy for a bathroom break. It's a long way to drive in one stint and, once you leave Miami, you'll be driving at a much slower speed. Have you considered spending one night at one of the other Keys en-route?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

An overnight stay is a good idea, however personally staying at Miami or close to the Miami area would be a better choice. Especially as this is roughly the half way point of your journey.

The best bit of the whole 'Keys experience' for me was the drive there, and you do get the chance to stop off at little places along the way, so I don't really see the advantage of an overnight stop along the Keys.

 

[Chipnpin]

The turnpike it is then !!
We decided to head straight down to Key West in one stint and break the trip back to Sanford Airport by staying at Key Largo, so going south it's going to be a day of travelling I'm afraid. Thanks' for all your help.

 

[yorkshiregirl]

Don't do what we did and leave the video camera bag behind at the service station cafe. We had to go back and see if it had been found. Luckily the lady who cleaned the table had handed it in. We were so grateful and she got a big thank you and a reward. It meant we did not arrive in to Key West until the late pm but the sunset over the 7 mile bridge and beyond more than made up for it.
It was a long drive from Orlando and the roads are narrower, more like English roads really. We flew back from Miami and the roads around the airport etc were very busy. I would not recommend a stop there.

 

[jwhiting]

Yep, definitely the Turnpike. We did this in 2005, drove from Orlando I Drive area straight down to Key Largo...it took about 5hrs I think. You will be looking at a further 2 hrs to Key West I would say.

The tolls are inexpensive but are a pain. The turnpike itself was very clear for all the journey and also had some nice service areas to pull over and grab a bite to eat or hit the toilet.

There were also some nice chain restaurants near Florida City or is it Homestead??? Not sure, but the likes of Applebees, Chilli's etc which are fine for a quick meal.

I would never put someone off driving the whole way down to Key West, it is easily doable and the time does go remarkably quickly. Just last year we did Fresno to Vegas which was 6 hrs, and previous to that San Francisco to Vegas and Anaheim to Vegas during various trips. The roads are geared up for long travel in the USA, so put a CD on and live the dream!!!!!

 

[castanea1985]

Hi Chipnpin,

I agree with Johnny - try and visit Bahia Honda, its one of my favourite beaches! Be prepared to go back in time.. the Keys are still stuck in the 70's!!
But very beautiful! Enjoy!!

Tracy

 

[Vizeman]

Just thought I'd add my little note and tell you what our plans are

Drive down to Key Largo, bit of sightseeing and stay the night.
Next day onto Key West, bit of sightseeing and stay the night.
Next day back upto Islamorada, bit of sightseeing and stay the night.
Next day drive upto Venice, bit of sightseeing and stay the night.
Next day visit Busch Gardens and then back to Kissimmee the same day.
Nice little 4 night break, don't you think.
Also thought we'd throw in a dolphin swim and airboat ride somewhere along the way (not together )
Anyone suggest anything else whilst we're out

 

[UKDEB]

Be prepared to go back in time.. the Keys are still stuck in the 70's!!

That's what appeals to me. I love the whole 'island living' concept, but friends who have been to both the Keys and the gulf coast tell me that what I am seeking, I'm more likely to find in Captiva or Sanibel.

 

[Chipnpin]

Cheers All, thanks' for the really good advice.
We are staying in Orlando for 10 days to do "all" the parks, then down to Key West for 2 nights, upto Key Largo for 2 nights, then back to Sanford for the flight home. We're not really phased by the drive as we've toured Florida, Mid and Gulf coast lots before. Last year we toured California from Anaheim to San Francisco all via coast roads - Cambria is stunning - staying at all points in between. So it'll be Magic FM on the radio, aerial topper set to Mickey, and off to go !!!!!!!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Cheers All, thanks' for the really good advice.
We are staying in Orlando for 10 days to do "all" the parks, then down to Key West for 2 nights, upto Key Largo for 2 nights, then back to Sanford for the flight home. We're not really phased by the drive as we've toured Florida, Mid and Gulf coast lots before. Last year we toured California from Anaheim to San Francisco all via coast roads - Cambria is stunning - staying at all points in between. So it'll be Magic FM on the radio, aerial topper set to Mickey, and off to go !!!!!!!

I agree about the travelling around and have been lucky to do so much of that over the years in Florida.

If anyone gets chance to drive off somewhere for a break from Orlando then it's definitely well worthwhile.

 

[webray]

Hi we've tacked a 4 night stay in the Keys to the end of our Orlando holiday. The main leg of the trip is from I-drive to Key West, 6hrs+ according to Google Earth. So my dilemma is, what's the best route and where's a good place to stop off to eat?? Google suggests the Florida Turnpike, but I notice that I-95 and Highway 1 seem reasonable alternatives. Anybody done this, or have any advice please ??

Stay with the turnpike to highway 1. Avoid I-95 at all costs. We live in south Florida I-95 is heavily travelled, usually an accident somewhere, not a fun road to drive.

We just made the trip to Key West, again a couple months ago. Starting where you will, you are a good 3 hours away from me if the traffic is good, then plan a good three/four hours to get to Key West. There was construction, they are adding new lanes on Highway 1.

 

[basas]

Stay with the turnpike to highway 1. Avoid I-95 at all costs. We live in south Florida I-95 is heavily travelled, usually an accident somewhere, not a fun road to drive.

We just made the trip to Key West, again a couple months ago. Starting where you will, you are a good 3 hours away from me if the traffic is good, then plan a good three/four hours to get to Key West. There was construction, they are adding new lanes on Highway 1.

I-95 is a complete and total nightmare! If you wanted to go down the Gulf coast, I-75 isn't too bad however (but quite a bit longer).