I may be wrong but it used to be that there were NO drop charges for cars within Florida so i would definitely check that with the proposed car rental company.

I live in Florida and whenever we do go to Key West we drive. I fully realize for first-timers that "drive" down from Miami has taken on almost mythical proportions and I will say everybody probably should do it ONCE.

Anyway, no, I would not usually keep a car since last time we were down we stayed in Old Town and parked ours the entire time. Getting to Duval from the NAS is easy to do...call a cab if nothing else...and walk, or rent a bicycle yo get places.

You should remember that the "charms" of that area can quickly fade, too, so leave yourself some wiggle room and enjoy regardless.

I've always had a car in Key West, and I wouldn't want to be there without one. However, I don't stay for more than two or three days at a time.

HTtY

'Just in case' anyone is responding to the OP -- their trip was more than six years ago.