Drive from Miami to Key West
 

I'm trying to set up my trip to the World Offshore races.

I've never been to Key West, but am really looking forward to it.
I live 4 miles from CVG, but I can save $200 on the flight if I drive to Indy.

I want to know if driving from Miami to the Key's is a pain in the A$$ ? it seems like it would be a nice drive.

Any suggestions on a place to stay?

Some people have told me of a few of the resort hotels - but I'm not gonna fork out $350 a night - anything more reasonable???

I've looked into the B&B's a little, and that might be OK - any help or suggestions???

Look forward to meeting everyone there.
Bouy

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

check out www.keywestinfo.com they are very nice people and can seem to always find a room . and fevermike is right , if you are in a hurry ,you will go nuts. and don't try to speed , i saw more traffic police writing tickets on that hwy than anywhere i have ever been. eric :)

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

I went for a trip from Houston to Key West. Drove and had a good time. If your not in a hurry its o.k. There is no speed zone over 55. There are some areas you cant drive over 35 due to deer wild life preserves. Its about 136 miles to the tip from miami i think. In some of the small towns there is a small 20mph zone.

The best drive is during the day to check out the amazing water and kick ass beach houses. Lots of places to stop and have cocktails and enjoy the scenery.

The road is a single lane, so passing can be hazardous, but is possible. There were lots of RV's going down poking around, but all in all it was a great trip.

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

All the above is correct..........nice ride don't be in a hurry.......there is no place to make up time if you are. cb

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

Have done this out of the Miami airport several times. It is usually a very enjoyable drive. Plan on about 3 hours, maybe a little more with the traffic from the race. Great scenery for those of us from the midwest that are not used to it. Try to rent a convertible if you can. Late afternoon/sunset driving into the lower keys is a magnificent experience.

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

It always takes me 4 hours from Fort Lauderdale to Key West, so figure 3 from MIA.
Like the others have said: don't be in a hurry, just go with the flow of traffic.
For Key West "affordable" accomodations, go to: www.expedia.com ,I think there are still some rooms for about a buck.
Sea ya there.

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

or, you can book a puddle jumper from MIA to Key West Airport....but, if you've never been in the Keys, I highly recommend you plan your trip to have a liesurely drive down to Key West, it really is a beautiful sight......then, if in a hurry to get back, maybe book a flight back to MIA then to your destination

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

Delta also has jet service from ORL and ATL to Key West. Nice ride, better then the prop jobs.

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

I agree with all of the above.

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

Me too! About 4 years ago, my wife and I flew to Miami and rented a car to drive to Key West. Drove to Islamorada the first day and stayed at Holiday Isle (very cool place) for a day. When we left there, we stopped at a place called "Robbie's feed the Tarpon" which was one of the coolest things that I've ever seen. The place used to be a fish processing plant and for years, the Tarpon would come there and eat the scraps from the plant. Now it's just a small marina and dock. they charge you like $2 to get on the dock and sell buckets of fish that you can feed the Tarpon with...it's unbelieveable!!! Needless to say, Robbie is probably a millionaire :D :D

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

[QUOTE=KLAATU
If you don't drive in the first time , you won't know what a special place you are in . [/QUOTE]


Probably the best description of what it feels like that I have ever heard!
I still look forward to this drive every year, and I have done it since 1994! :drink: :drink: :drink:

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

Yeah, its like driving through 90 miles of trailerparks with a beautiful view!!!

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

OK - I'm SOLD!!!!!

Driving is the way to go!
I don't have any problem getting back to Miami - I plan on staying in KW until Tues/Weds after the races.
I already set up my vacation time at work to leave weds the week of the races, and took off through the following weds - which will get me home for Turkeyday, and roll right into a long weekend at home. This is a much needed break, it will be nice to have a week and 1/2 away from work.

I guessed the drive would be nice (scenery, relaxing veiws...) but I didn't think about things "to do" while driving down. Feeding the Tarpon could be fun.

I really want to enjoy this trip, and take it slow, I don't want this to turn into a "QUEST FOR WALLEYWORLD" type vacation.
and of course, the drive back to Miami - why would I be in a hurry to leave?

Thanks for the advice.

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

You gotta stop at the WorldWide Sportsman in Islamorada, see Hemingways sportfishing boat inside the building, grab a bite at the Islamorada Fish company next door and then continue on. It sets a good tone for the rest of the drive!!

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

We have done that several times, it breaks up the trip and Islamorado is a fun place, we stayed at a hotel next to Holiday Isle, Pelican Bay?? not as many kids & a little nicer, but we did hang out at their tiki bars.:drink: The other side of the island is nice, we have had several sunsets at Lorelei's (sp?) hopefully that place is still there. When we come out this year we will also probably drive from Miami also, you just have more flight options.

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

What else is there to see on the way there??

The wife and I work 12-13 hours 5-6 days a week WE REALLY NEED THIS VACATION!!!!!!

I'm trying to treat her to a nice little get away (selfish that includes the world races...)(but she also loves boat racing too).
But I really want her to have a nice time, and I don't want to be in a rush to be anywhere - just a leisurly island vacation.
She needs the time away from work even more than me, and I want to create this to make it relaxing for her - she DESERVES IT!

Should I stop somewhere between MIA and Key West - just for a place to relax and hang out for a day? or drive straight through?
I've looked into a few flights, - I did find one that drops me in MIA around 3:00p.m. - sounds like a perfect time for the 3-4 hr. drive down..should be able to drive into a sunset on the islands.

I look forward to meeting up with everyone at the races, but I also look forward to spending some quiet time on the beach with my wife.

Still working on a place to stay - any advice on the B&B's?? I don't want to stay at a "chain" hotel.

Also, how much driving would I actually do there? - the island is only 3x5 miles - should I just rent a cheap little car to get me there and taxi the rest of the time? ( probably safer w/drinks....)

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

alright - I caved...

The wife want's to fly straight into Key West - saves money on rental cars, (not to mentiopn I'll prbly be drunk the whole time - don't need a DUI).

We just booked a flight w/Delta, under $500 for both of us round trip - not bad.

Also booked a room on Duval - hope that is a good part of town...

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

It's a good part of town to party, it's not the quietest either! :eek: :drink:

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

Know this:
You don't need a car in KW, especially if you are staying on Duval st, there is no place to park, it is a very crowded little town.
Do like most others do, rent a scooter, you'll have a blast! :drink:

Re: Drive from Miami to Key West
 

oh, good god,...
don't tell me I'm staying in the gay district.

I don't really care - I just want a nice vacation and want to see some fast boats, and party a little. Really, I just want some time away for me and my lady.

anybody heard of Duval house?
considering it.