My girlfriend and I are traveling to FL from 6/9 to 6/22. We are planning on driving from Orlando to Marathon and spending 3-4 days in the keys as part of our trip. How is the commute down? Is it scenic or plain? Our other option would be to fly into Ft. Lauderdale, which would cut 3 hours off the commute but cost an additional $180. I'm thinking I'll drive the 3 hours to save the money if it's a nice drive.

Before we moved to FL we have driven down Rt. 27 down the middle of the state from Orlando, after getting that far on I-75. More scenery, slower pace, more places to eat. From Rt.27 we would pick up 997 to by-pass the congestion around the Miami area and pick up US 1. Or you could take the FL turnpike from Orlando and then pick up Rt. 27. I would guess it will be at least a 5 to 6 hour drive, depending on the traffic on US 1.

The easiest way is to take the Florida Turnpike all the way past Miami.
The scenery is very boring. Mostly flat land with a few trees here and there. And figure a 7-8 hour drive all the way to Marathon.
Hwy 27 which you can catch off of I-4 about 10 miles past the Disney exits might have more scenery but also alot more little towns and traffic lights so the trip time would be considerably longer, I would figure a very long day for that.

Any particular reason you're stopping at Marathon? In my opinion, you'll be missing the best part of the keys - which is Key West!

I'd stop in Islamorada. It is much nicer than Marathon (I like Islamorada better than Key West!!).

Take the turnpike. Take Card Sound Road in Florida City. Much more scenic than US1 IMO.

I would counsel against driving. My husband and I flew to Miami, rented a car, and drove to Key West. It took MUCH longer than expected based on the milage because there is so much stop and go. It is also a relatively ugly drive--Route 1 is the home to many junky, almost derelict businesses, tacky trailer parks, and sad looking tourist joints. I would spend the extra money on flying in....time is worth money!

It depends on what you call scenic. There won't be snow capped mountains or waterfalls. There will be palm trees and bald cypress, sawgrass and cattle ranches, a nice big lake called Okeechobee if you go that way. Farms, small towns, lesser traffic but slower driving. I'd take the less travelled route and admire the part of Florida that most tourists don't even know exists.

Or you could drive the 3hrs. to Ft. Myers and take the ferry to Key West.

Just to clarify, I am not stopping in Marathon for good. We plan on staying there because it is in the middle but will drive both ways to see the different sights. I've heard mixed things about the Keys, mainly they are own for their bars and restaurants. We are more interested in nice beaches(going to Bahia Honda park) and snorkeling. As far as a scenic drive, I mainly meant is it coastal like US1 in CA or more inland and relatively deserted. Sounds like its the later....I still have to make up my mind. Does Card Sound Road run all the way down? I've seen that road mentioned in a couple different threads as a nice road to travel.

Card Sound goes to the left just as you leave Florida City. It brings you back to US-1 in Key Largo. Stop at Alabama Jacks just before the Toll Bridge on Card Sound. By taking this route you will miss the most hectic part of US-1 going into the Keys. As was mentioned US-27 and SR-997 are also good ideas to consider.

OK, I've been looking at an atlas to follow along with some of the roads people have been suggesting. I have two questions. How much longer would taking rte 27 be instead of the turnpike. Also, where do you pick up 997? I can't find it on the map. Thanks for the suggestions so far!

A couple of additions: from Miami down to Key West, Islamorada would be in the middle - it's nice! And it has some great hotels and restaurants, too.

If you're interested in water sports - scuba and/or snorkeling, the upper and middle keys would be better than Key West. But beaches? There's nowhere in the keys you'll find beaches like you'd find in the Florida panhandle or the Florida west coast. The keys are NOT a beach destination, so please don't go there expecting that!

About US1 in California...is that the one that goes south from San Francisco to Monterey? If so, you won't see anything like that in the Florida keys. The drive down from Miami is flat and has occasional glimpses of the water from both sides of the road. Water yes, scenic, no. Now I'm prepared to get flamed for that I'm ducking!

FLY into KW. DO NOT DRIVE. You will waste precious time. We drove US1and said we'd never do it again. The speed limit really slows you down. Yes, there is some really pretty water to see but it still ain't worth the drive!

AMEN!

Well, I have heard some mixed things about the beaches in the keys. Generally, it isn't known as a great beach destination but the beach at Bahia Honda park was voted best beach in the country so I'm hoping that one is nice. We will also be hitting St. Pete/Clearwater/Tampa later in the trip so beaches aren't our primary focus for the keys. We go to FL every year and wanted to see some diff stuff than just Orlando. As far as flying into KW....what airlines fly there? I also need to rent a car for the rest of the trip so I'm not sure now easily that would work. The best I've been able to come up with is flying into Ft. Lauderdale, renting the car there and returning the car in Orlando.

SR-997 is Krome AV. If you take US-27 south you can pick it up 14 miles south of I-75, it will pill off to your right. It drops due south to Florida City. Its an interesting drive.

A little clarification about the "best beach" designation of Bahia Honda. That was given in 1992 for ecological importance.

You've gotten some good info. Since I lived in Orlando for 18 years and visited my sister in Key West at least a few times per year, I've made this trip every way there is!

Rt. 27 takes FOREVER. The turnpike will get you to Key Largo in 5 hours. No, it's not even a little pretty, but Rt. 27 isn;t much better and that 5 hours will be closer to 7 or 8 hours.

The drive through the Keys was pretty and interesting the first time I did it, but I was bored driving back. And since Key Largo to Key West is 2 hours on a good day, much more with traffic, you can easily be exhausted before you get back on the Turnpike heading for Orlando.

Your round trip tolls on the Turnpike will be at least $30. Add on your gas at about $2.50 per gallon and it adds up.

My recommendation is to fly into Key West or even Marathon, and rent a car. You'll arrive fresh rather than tired and hot from the drive, and you'll actually be able to spend 3-4 in the Keys rather than 2 full days in the Keys and 2 full days of driving.

The best thing my sister ever did was move away from Key West this year. I sure don't miss that drive!

Postal, is Marathon even open to commercial flights any longer? I thought it was General Aviation only or has at least been for the past 15 or so years.

I would take the drive down the turnpike - even though it isn't particularly scenic- because I think you are underestimating the hassle of the Orlando and Ft. L airports. You've got to get to the O airport, go through security and be at your gate at least 30 min before take-off. Will that take less than 2 hours? The flight time is 45 min to 1 hour, depending on the aircraft.
So get up a little early and start the drive. I would not take Card Sound road as it just adds time to the trip. You'll be in Key Largo in time for a waterfront lunch at Snooks. To strech your legs, make a stop at World Wide Sportsman (MM 85 or so, giant fishing related store) or Robbies (MM 77, feed the wild tarpon) It will be a great adventure!