Florida
Overseas Highway
About this scenic drive
US 1 through the Florida Keys runs 113 miles over 42 bridges on the bones of Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railroad. For long stretches there is open water on both sides of the vehicle and nothing else in view. Addresses in the Keys are given by mile marker, counting down from 113 at the top of Key Largo to zero in Key West, and once you start reading them the whole chain organizes itself.
Key Largo to Key West across 42 bridges, including the Seven Mile Bridge and Bahia Honda.
Highlights
What earns the trip
- The Seven Mile Bridge, with the old railroad span running alongside it
- Bahia Honda State Park has the best beach in the Keys and a state park campground
- Water on both sides for miles at a stretch
- Ends at mile marker zero in Key West
Stops
- 1
Key Largo
The northern end of the chain, around mile marker 100.
- 2
Seven Mile Bridge
The longest span on the highway, at Marathon.
- 3
Bahia Honda State Park
State park camping and the old railroad bridge.
- 4
Key West
Mile marker zero.
When to go
Best time to go
November through April. Hurricane season runs June through November.
Planner estimate for the mapped line: 6h 31m
Before you go
Know before you go
- Keys campgrounds book out further ahead than almost anywhere else in Florida. Reserve months in advance.
- There is one road in and one road out. An accident can stop traffic for hours.
- Fuel and groceries cost noticeably more the further down the chain you go.
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