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By Car

From MIA follow signs to Coral Gables and Key West, which put you on Lejeune Road, then Route 836 west. Take the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike south (toll road), which ends at Florida City and connects to U.S. 1. Tolls from the airport run approximately $2.25. The alternative from Florida City is Card Sound Road (Route 905A), which has a bridge toll of $1. Continue to the only stop sign and turn right on Route 905, which rejoins U.S. 1 31 mi south of Florida City.

In Key West's Old Town, parking is scarce and costly. Some lodgings provide parking or discounts at municipal lots. If you're really lucky, you'll snag a free spot on one of the side streets -- just be sure it's not marked for residential parking only. It's better to take a taxi, rent a bicycle or moped, walk, or take a shuttle to get around. Elsewhere in the Keys, a car is crucial. Gas costs more than on the mainland, so fill your tank in Miami and top it off in Florida City. Most of the Overseas Highway is narrow and crowded (especially weekends and in high season). Expect delays behind RVs, trucks, cars towing boats, and rubbernecking tourists. The best Keys road map, published by the Homestead-Florida City Chamber of Commerce, can be obtained for $5.50 from the Tropical Everglades Visitor Center.

Contacts

Tropical Everglades Visitor Center (160 U.S. 1, Florida City, 33034. 305/245-9180 or 800/388-9669. www.tropicaleverglades.com).

Car Rental

Unless you plan to veg out and wander within a very small radius, a car for at least part of your stay is a necessity. Two- and four-passenger open-air electric cars that travel about 25 mph are an environmentally friendly way to get around the island. Rent them from Key West Cruisers for $89 to $129 a half day for the two- or four-seater, or $139 to $189 a day.

Avis, Budget, and Enterprise serve Marathon Airport. Key West's airport has booths for Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, and Hertz. Enterprise Rent-A-Car has offices in Key Largo, Marathon, and Key West. Thrifty Car Rental has an office in Tavernier.

Avoid flying into Key West and driving back to Miami; there are substantial drop-off charges for leaving a Key West car there.

Contacts

Alamo (305/294-6675 or 800/327-9633. www.alamo.com). Avis (Key West Airport. 305/294-4846. Marathon Airport. 305/743-5428 or 800/331-1212. www.avis.com). Budget (Key West Airport. 305/294-8868. Marathon Airport. 305/743-3998 or 800/527-0700. www.budget.com). Dollar (305/296-9921 or 800/800-4000. www.dollar.com). Enterprise Rent-A-Car (800/325-8007. www.enterprise.com). Hertz (305/294-1039 or 800/654-3131. www.hertz.com). Key West Cruisers (500 Truman Ave., at Duval St. 305/294-4724 or 888/800-8802). Thrifty Car Rental (MM 91.8, OS, Tavernier. 305/852-6088 or 800/847-4389. www.thrifty.com).