Driving to Key West
 

On a trip next year we have an 11 hour layover in Miami. My wife desparately wants to drive out to the keys. How long des it take to get from Miami airport out to Key West? I am a bit nervous about it as I keep thinking, "what if there is an accident on the highway and we miss our flight". Any advice?

How would YOU spend an 11 hour layover in Miami?

You really don't want to try to make that trip with only a 11 hour window. First the trip itself would be 4 hours each way, then you have getting through Miami airport again. If there would be an accident on A1A through the Keys, you're done. It's mostly one lane each way, so if a car becomes incapacitated, everybody is stuck. Maybe later you can plan a trip to the Keys and enjoy "island time" (laid back, no hurry, relaxed!!).

Yeah, that was my thinking. On this trip we are heading down to Grenada for exactly that!!! So, any ideas on how to kill 11 hours in Miami? I have never been there, but my default thought was South Beach. Is here decent ground transportation?

Dont try Key West... not enough time... head for South Beach and you can spend the day on the beach, have a great lunch, do some shopping and still make it back easily!

I agree with the other posters about Key West being to far and about just enjoying South Beach. We stayed in a very clean, not plush oceanfront in South Beach. They have a wonderful pool area with bar and the ocean and boardwalk is but a few steps away. The boardwalk is great and you can rent chairs on the beach if you like. I called to ask if they would give you a day rate so that you could take your suits and enjoy the sun. I spoke to Daniel and he said most likely they would do that so if interested call: http://www.richmondhotel.com/

The public beach has free changing and showers, no need to pay... just bring a carry bag and some towels and suits ... have fun

If you were desperate to go, you probably could go to Key Largo but even that is a drive. I agree with S. beach.
Grenada is AWESOME! We absolutely loved it there!

If you want something delightful and differemt, head out to the Shark Valley entrance to the Everglades and take a two-hour tram tour. http://www.sharkvalleytramtours.com/tramtours.html

We did it a couple of years ago, and it just blew us away. You get closer to those lazy gators than you ever thought possible. Great bird-watching, and other critters as well.

Gary, free is so much better!