Nigello

How long would it take to drive from Miami South Beach to Key West on a weekday? We plan to leave our Miami hotel early (0900), but wondered whether it would be better to go earlier or later to avoid traffic?
Also, any good recommendations for car hire we want to pick a car up nice and early in South Beach and return to the international airport?
FYI, we've done the trip before, but just can't recall how long it took.
Thanks!

SuzieQ

It seems to me that the trip takes anywhere from 4 to 5 hours. I suspect that early Friday and Sat are the worst for traffic traveling South as I am sure the Keys get a lot of "weekender" traffic from elsewhere in South Fla.

Diana

Suzie is right - it's 4 to 5 hours if there are no problems on the road. (Wrecks, lots of traffic, etc.)

Be sure to stop for lunch at Papa Joe's on Islamorada for conch chowder and Key Lime pie. It's waterfront and the coolest old place. We spent an entire week testing all of the spots for chowder and pie, and it won for both.

It's a perfect stop for lunch on the way.

reavis8679

It took us about 5 hours on a Friday to make the trip. The road is two lanes most of the way and traffic can get backed up. Take time to stop and look around the different keys. Great beaches and places to eat.

Travelsmiles

Make the drive so next time you'll understand why you're flying to KW. It's not a great drive - it is surprisingly boring and long. Most people's reactions - Never Again!

dweebe

One piece of advice: rent a sport-ute or minivan if you can get a decent rate. If you rent a regular car the railing on all of the bridges block your view. With a higher view you can see a lot more.

If you're driving from Miami to KW on Friday the traffic is very very bad. Leave early so you're not fighting your way down with the natives.

Since it's two lanes in most places, if there's an accident (there usually is) be patient and don't stress out.

GoTravel

Best case scenario the drive is 4 hours. Since you are leaving on a Friday, add an hour to that. If it is raining, add another hour or so to that time. If there is a wreck on Highway 1, add two more hours to that time.

Have the car delivered to you at your hotel and try and leave by 6AM.

You aren't trying to drive to Key West and back in the same day are you?

Larry1

I have to disagree a little about southbound Friday traffic in the Keys. The poster is indicating leaving at 9 am- that means they will be in the Keys by 10:30. I live in the Keys, and even on the Fridays before Holiday Weekends, you don't see southbound traffic start to build until the middle of the afternoon. Even with a stop for lunch, the poster will be in Key West by then. Anyway, I'm not sure where Nigello indicated a Friday trip (just a weekday). Anyway, to directly answer one of the questions, count on four hours minimum drive time, and I think your choice of departure time (9:00 am) is fine. Frankly, although everybody above is talking about "Keys" traffic, I'd be willing to bet the worst traffic you encounter on the whole trip will be the first 45 minutes getting out of Miami!

missjanna

We did this trip last year from Kendall (half hour south of South Beach) and it took us almost 4 hours on a Saturday morning. There was virtually no traffic except on the return on Sunday afternoon. The worst traffic was from South of Miami to around the beginning of the Keys past Key Largo. You also have to consider that you may hit rush hour traffic leaving South Beach at 9:00am on a weekday around Miami which can be very frustrating.

RnR

Travelsmiles,
Once again you have stated my thoughts exactly! Have a nice day!