Miami to Key Largo: An EPIC Mini Road Trip Guide
The drive from Miami to Key Largo is one of my favorite mini road trips as a Floridian! From walking the streets of Little Havana to snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of John Pennekamp State Park, there are so many adventures between Miami and Key Largo to experience.
As a Florida native, I grew up visiting the Keys and even got married there! The Keys will always have a special place in my heart, and I think everyone should experience them at least once in their life. Whether you’re a young couple, a family, or older, there is something to do in the Keys for everyone!
In this guide, I’ll answer all your questions about a trip from Miami to Key Largo, including how to get between the two, plus details on where to stay, things to do, and more!
So whether you’re just visiting for the day or spending a long weekend on this journey, this guide will help you plan your adventure!
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link or book through an affiliate program, I receive a small commission at no cost to you!
Miami to Key Largo Mini Road Trip: Everything You Need to Know
How Far Is It From Miami to Key Largo
The distance between Downtown Miami to Key Largo is almost exactly 60 miles. If you’re driving, you can expect the journey to take around one hour, barring any major traffic delays!
Speaking of traffic delays, if you are driving from Miami to Key Largo, it’s important to know there are a few times of day where this drive might be a little rough. The first is during rush hour in Miami, typically 8am-10am and 4pm-6pm Monday through Friday. If you can, I would avoid driving in Miami during these times!
Secondly, once you get from Miami to Florida City (just over halfway), the rest of the drive is along “The Stretch”. This portion of Highway US1 is approximately 18 miles long and starts the Overseas Highway which runs from Key Largo to Key West!
The Stretch is one lane for a majority of the drive (it has a few passing zones), so it can get backed up easily! I don’t recommend driving this route on a late Friday afternoon when it’s normally very busy!
Best Time to Visit Miami and Key Largo
The good news about Florida is there’s really no “bad” time to visit! Different seasons bring different pros and cons, which I’ll give a summary of below!
Winter (November – February): A very popular time to visit Florida due to the mild “winter” temperatures. Think average highs in the upper 70s! This is high season in Florida, so expect increased prices at hotels, more crowds, and longer wait times at restaurants.
Spring (March – May): My personal favorite time to visit the Keys, spring is the perfect shoulder season! Temperatures start to warm up, and rain chances are low. There might be spring break crowds, but otherwise, this is a great season to visit.
Summer (June – August): If you are planning to visit south Florida in the summer, be prepared for the heat and humidity. In the Keys, prices are typically lower in the summer, so it can be a good time to visit if you don’t mind the soaring temps! Also, don’t forget to consider hurricane season!
Fall (September – November): Fall is another great time to visit, as hurricane season comes to a close and temperatures start to go down. I recommend visiting in October and November, after hurricane season and before the winter crowds arrive!
For more information on this topic, make sure to check out my blog post for a full review of the Best Time to Visit the Florida Keys!
How to Get From Miami to Key Largo
If you’re planning a trip from Miami to Key Largo, you have several options for getting between the two destinations. Florida locals can skip this section since you will probably be driving. However, if you’re visiting from other states, keep reading!
Car Rental
The best way to get from Miami to Key Largo is definitely to rent a car and drive! As mentioned above, it’s only a one hour drive between these two cities. If you’re traveling from out of state and flying into Miami International Airport, you can pick up your rental car directly from there and start your journey!
Bus Options
If driving is not an option for you, you can take either a Greyhound bus or the Keys Shuttle.
Keys Shuttle
The Keys Shuttle provides daily transportation from the Fort Lauderdale and Miami International Airports to all of the Florida Keys. The average cost for one way transfer from Miami to Key Largo is $99. Below is the shuttle schedule as of July 2023, but please confirm the latest on their website here!
However, this service does not have great reviews on TripAdvisor, so it probably shouldn’t be your first choice for traveling from Miami to the Keys
Greyhound Bus
A far cheaper option to get from Miami to Key Largo is to take a Greyhound bus. The average cost of the journey is only $9.99! They have a few starting points from different areas of Miami, like the airport and Miami Beach, at varying times throughout the day.
Private Transfer
If public transportation isn’t your thing, you can always book a private transfer from Miami to Key Largo. However, this option is pretty pricey! Plus, if you’re staying in Key Largo overnight, you are going to want a car during your time there!
However, if you’re just looking to do a day trip from Miami to Key Largo, Viator has some good options! Check them out here.
Ride share
You could take an Uber or Lyft from Miami to Key Largo, but a quick check shows it would be over $100. Not terrible if you are looking for a private ride I guess.
Miami Guide
Things to Do in Miami
Miami is chock full of incredible adventures! Which you choose will of course depend on your interests and how long you decide to stay! Below are some activities I wouldn’t miss in this crazy city!
Everglades National Park
Even as a Florida local, I haven’t explored the Everglades nearly enough! The Florida Everglades is actually a National Park, as well as a World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve!
Arguably the most popular activity is taking an airboat tour through the Everglades, which I highly recommend! You can also kayak through the mangroves, take a wildlife boat tour, go on a hike, rent bikes, and more! There is so much to do here for those who love the outdoors and wildlife!
Little Havana Food Tour
Cuban culture is a huge part of Miami, and what better way to experience this culture than through FOOD?! Little Havana is a vibrant neighborhood in Miami with a strong culture and history of the Cuban diaspora. This area is far more than just cigar shops, dominos, and rum bars (although those are great too!). I highly recommend checking out one of the awesome Little Havana food tours on GetYourGuide during your time in Miami.
Miami Beach
You can’t visit Miami and NOT visit the famous Miami Beach. Wander down Ocean Drive, take in the Art Deco vibes, and of course, go to the beach! You won’t be disappointed.
If you’re looking for something a little raunchy, the weekend drag brunch at Palace Bar is incredible!
Catch a Sports Game
Depending on the type of year, you might be able to catch a basketball, football, or baseball game while you’re in Miami! If you’re not too familiar, here are the sports seasons! This website also gives a great overview of the different sports you can see in Miami.
Basketball (Miami Heat): ~October through April
College Football (University of Miami): ~August through December
Professional Football (Miami Dolphins): ~August through February
Baseball (Miami Marlins): ~March through October
Explore Wynwood
Another fun area of Miami to explore is the neighborhood of Wynwood. This area has become well known due to the incredible collection of artistic murals adorning warehouse walls. It’s also home to eclectic bars, breweries, restaurants, and more! This article from Coastlines to Skylines gives a great overview of the Wynwood area and all the things to do there!
Where to Stay in Miami
Assuming you’re traveling from out of state, you’ll probably be starting your trip by flying into Miami International Airport (MIA). If you’re not from Florida, I recommend staying at least one night in Miami to kick off this trip.
If you do decide to stay in Miami, I recommend going all out and staying in Miami Beach. From South to North Beach, hotels like the Marriott Stanton and Fountainebleau will definitely be a stay to remember. Brickell and Downtown are also worth considering and are typically safe!
Key Largo Guide
The Drive to Key Largo
After you’ve seen all the sights in Miami, it’s time to start the drive to Key Largo! As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, the first leg of the drive is via the interstate to Homestead & Florida City. Traffic can get pretty bad in Miami so avoid driving during rush hour.
Once you reach Florida City, I recommend stopping for gas and a bathroom break! The next 30 minutes of the drive is on a one lane road across the “Stretch”. If you see the light blue walls, you’re in the right place!
The drive across the Stretch is gorgeous and the perfect introduction to the beauty of the Keys. You’ll pass over some bridges, through the mangroves, and more. A loooong and tall bridge will be your last landmark before you arrive in Key Largo!
Things to Do in Key Largo
There are tons of incredible adventures to choose from in Key Largo. If you only have one day, I recommend getting out on the water no matter what, whether that be a snorkel tour or a quick kayak from Robbie’s. Here are my favorite things to do in Key Largo.
Psssst: Planning a trip to The Florida Keys?? Don’t forget to check out my Ultimate Florida Keys Travel Guide for more information on this tropical paradise!
John Pennekamp State Park
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the United States’ first undersea park and is a very popular place to visit in the Florida Keys. The park covers 178 nautical square miles (3 miles into the Atlantic Ocean and 25 miles in length). There are many different tours offered throughout the park, including snorkeling, diving, glass bottom boat tours, paddle boarding, kayaking, and more!
One of the most popular spots in John Pennekamp State Park is the Christ of the Abyss Statue. This statue sits in approximately 30 feet of water and is a great spot to snorkel or scuba dive. If you go on a snorkel tour in Key Largo, I highly recommend visiting this spot!
Interact with Dolphins
There are a few different places to swim and interact with dolphins in the Florida Keys. However, I personally would choose Dolphins Plus, as they are committed to protecting their dolphins and giving back to the community. They do not perform dolphin “shows” and instead focus on educating their visitors about these incredible creatures.
Another great spot is Island Dolphin Care. This incredible company is a non-profit organization that utilizes dolphin experiences as therapy for children and families with special needs as well as veterans with PTSD. They offer a few different visit experiences you can check out on their website.
Feed the Tarpon at Robbie’s
While not technically in Key Largo, feeding the tarpons at Robbie’s is a must while visiting the Upper Keys. Located in Islamorada, about 20 minutes south of Key Largo, Robbie’s is a restaurant, market, and rental location for water sports.
However, they’re most famous for their legendary tarpon feeding activity! You can feed the fishies (and watch them leap out of the water!) and then grab some delicious lunch here.
Scuba Dive at Spiegel Grove
If you’re a certified scuba diver, you are in for a treat by visiting Key Largo. There are tons of incredible dive spots in the Upper Keys. However, one of the best ones is the Spiegel Grove Wreck. This wreck is over 500 feet long and home to tons of different fish and sea creatures!
Some other great dive spots in Key Largo are Molasses Reef, French Reef, and Pickles Reef!
Kayak through the Mangroves
One of the best parts of visiting the Keys is exploring the incredible natural Florida environment. My favorite way to do this is on a kayaking tour, like this Mangroves and Manatees – Guided Kayak Eco Tour. Keep your eyes peeled and you may see turtles, stingrays, dolphins, and manatees!
Go on a Sunset Cruise
Last but not least, one of my favorite things to do when visiting Key Largo is watching the sunset. And what better way to do that than on the sea? There are many different sunset cruise options for all different types of travelers. You can read more about this in my Key Largo Sunset Cruises guide!
P.S. There are also plenty of activities in Key Largo that won’t break the bank! Make sure to check out my list of the top Free Things to Do in Key Largo!
Where to Stay in Key Largo
If you’re planning to stay overnight in Key Largo, there are many hotels to choose from! From boutique bed and breakfasts to luxury resorts, there’s something for everyone (and every budget!) in Key Largo. Here are my top recommendations, in order from least expensive to most expensive.
Coconut Palm Inn: A tropical hideaway located on the bayside! Recipient of Travel and Leisure’s annual “40 Secret Hideaways” in the world. The property puts off “Family Beach House” vibes and captures the true essence of the Florida Keys.
Kona Kai Resort: A budget-friendly resort nestled into the bayside! Perfect for those looking to escape the crowds. There are only 13 bungalows on the property, plus a pool, gallery, and more! You can read my full review of this property here.
Playa Largo: An Autograph Resort collection hotel, Playa Largo feels more like a “hotel” than the others, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t gorgeous. The property is incredible, with a luxurious pool, beach bar, and plenty of activities to keep you busy. I recommend checking out their Sol By the Sea restaurant where you can dine in the water!
The Bungalows: The definition of true luxury! One of the only all-inclusive resorts in the Keys. The property has two pools and two beaches, cabanas, snorkel gear, yoga classes, and more! Expect to pay a pretty penny for this incredible resort.
Make sure to check out my full guide to the Best Hotels in Key Largo here!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an epic road trip in Florida, the drive from Miami to Key Largo may just take the cake! This drive has no shortage of delicious food, wonderful places to stay, and incredible adventure activities.
How many other places in the world can you swim with dolphins, eat Cuban food, snorkel through coral reefs, and party on the beach?! This epic Miami to Key Largo road trip is the perfect idea for your next vacation!
If you’re looking to extend your adventure, make sure to check out my list of 25 Things to Do Between Miami and Key West!
Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!
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