marcij

Hello! I need FLL to Key West driving for dummies help. My husband and I can only get away for four days, and we have to fly in to FLL because we are using almost-expired credit on SW. We are flying in and scheduled to arrive on June 6th around 12:40. We want to miss most of the miami traffic but yet have a scenic drive as we get closer to Key West. What would you suggest in order to lesson our time on the road, but also get a scenic drive closer to the keys? And, considering the time, approximately how long might it take to get from FLL to Key West? Any help is appreciated!

IMDonehere

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...o-key-west.cfm

Here is a recent topic

Surfergirl

Hi Marci,

As IMDonehere said, his link to my same (or similar question) gave really good info. Question though, do you mean July 6th? Since June 6th has come and gone . . . .

We followed Duckey1's advice on how to drive without the tolls. The only trouble we had was in Miami, since Hwy 95 veered straight into the middle of Miami to get to Hwy 1 -- at least it did on our Tom Tom and we were sitting in traffic for about 45 minutes is my best guess. Also, the road signs were not great through that part. I'm usually good with road signs, but this was an anomaly.

Anyway, we left FLL car rental at about 11:30 a.m., and got to key west around 5:30. We stopped for a late lunch in Islamorada at the Seafood Company as suggested both by gary in the post as well as my Key West friends. It was a great place (tiki bar/restaurant style), with outdoor seating along the water. Easy to park; great service and great food. I'd say the only downside to this place, or the Keys in general at this time of year is the weather. We took Southwest on miles as well, and coming from LA, we just weren't used to the combination of heat and humidity. You walk outside the AC car, and suddenly you are soaking from the humidity!

Dukey1

As I recall, somebody wanted to avoid the tolls because they didn't want to use SunPass or have to deal with any toll-by-plate issues (along with surcharges from the car rental agency) so my advice was:

avoid the Turnpike

avoid the express lanes on 95

stay on 95 until it makes a junction with Route 1 south.

To the Marcij: there is only one drive as you get "closer" to Key West. The distance from FLL to Key West is approximately 180 miles

marcij

Yes. July 6th -- sorry about that!. We don't care about tolls -- from what I've read, we can get a toll tag. I was hoping for the fastest way. Thanks for all of the replies!

Dukey1

If you aren't worried about tolls then take the Turnpike including the extension which runs to the west of Miami all the way to Route 1 south.

Dukey1

Oh, and if you are feeling flush, DROP the rental car IN Key West and fly BACK to FLL

Surfergirl

Yes, do what Dukey1 says . . . turnpike would have been much better.

We drove down to Key West, but dropped the rental care in Key West at the airport and flew back to FLL. It's almost worth it just to see the Key West airport! Cute, tiny place with food and a bar and several "last chance" to pick up souvenir shops. As you drive into the airport, there are signs where to drop off your rental car in a carpark on the left of the road (just park it in the stalls corresponding to the rental company), then take your bags and keys across the street to the rental counter and sign out. Then cross the street to the car park and take the elevator up to the bridge, cross back over again to the airport depart level.

There are several airlines back to FLL -- we took Silver, which I thought was going to be scary, since they have prop engines, but it turned out to actually be fun.