Quick Summary
- Miami to Key West is around 160 miles each way and takes close to four hours in normal traffic before you add any stops.
- Technically you can do the round trip in a single day, but it often means eight to ten hours of driving and only a brief taste of Key West.
- With a flexible booking from Hola Car Rentals it is usually smarter to stay overnight in the Keys or choose a shorter day trip instead.
How long does the drive really take?
The Overseas Highway follows US 1 all the way from the outskirts of Miami down to Key West, crossing dozens of bridges including the famous Seven Mile Bridge. Setting out in a Miami car hire from Hola Car Rentals, the run typically takes around four hours in each direction without stops, but weekend getaways, bridge works or bad weather can easily stretch that by an hour or more.
What a one day round trip actually feels like
If you leave central Miami at 7 in the morning, you might reach Key West around 11, giving you two or three hours in town before you feel pressure to turn around to beat evening traffic. That means eight to ten hours behind the wheel, limited time in museums, bars or beaches and extra fatigue on dark, two lane sections driving back.
Many locals and repeat visitors instead use a rental car to drive down at a relaxed pace, stopping in Key Largo, Islamorada and Marathon, then spend the night in the Lower Keys or Key West before returning the next day. That way the journey feels like a tropical road trip rather than a long commute.
Smarter ways to use your one day
If you only have a single day to spare, a good compromise is to focus on the Upper Keys. You can pick up your car in the morning, leave the city via US 1 and the Causeway, and spend your time in Key Largo and Islamorada before returning to Miami in the evening. Planning from a base such as downtown Miami pick up keeps the driving realistic while still delivering those classic Overseas Highway views.
For longer Florida adventures it is worth browsing Florida road trip options before you book flights. You might decide to pair a few days in Orlando with a Keys loop or add the Everglades and Biscayne Bay to your schedule, all on the same booking.
For inspiration, take a look at our blog on weekend road trips from Miami, which highlights easy stops that also work well as part of a long day drive to the Keys.
Hola Car Rentals partners with major brands to give you clear pricing with no hidden extras on tolls or additional drivers. Many bookings include free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick up, All Inclusive plus cover and cashback on tolls for the Overseas Highway, so you can focus on finding the best conch fritters instead of worrying about fees.
- Leave before sunrise if you insist on doing the full round trip.
- Share driving duties and schedule proper breaks to stay fresh.
- Consider finishing your day in Key Largo or Islamorada instead of pushing all the way back to Miami in the dark.
FAQs
- What is the absolute minimum time for a round trip from Miami to Key West? In perfect conditions you might manage the drive in around eight hours total, but that leaves very little margin for traffic, weather or enjoying the scenery.
- Is parking easy in Key West with a rental car? Parking can be tight and often paid, so it is worth researching car parks near Duval Street and allowing for parking costs in your budget.
- Do I have to pay tolls on the way to Key West? There are no tolls on the Overseas Highway itself, but your route out of Miami may include toll roads, so booking with Hola Car Rentals on a plan that includes toll handling makes life much easier.
When you are ready to plan your Keys escape, reserve with Hola Car Rentals so you have the right car, cover and pick up spot to match the pace that suits you, whether you are cruising just to Key Largo or all the way to Mile Marker Zero.
