Getting to Key West
 

I do not enjoy long bridges. Funny thing is, I love boats and water, just not long stretches of highway over water, especially high or windy bridges. Would I probably hate the drive from Miami to Key West or is it not as scary as some Bridges? Is it just so beautiful, it might be worth the nerves? I know it is only opinion, but would like to hear from others who are not fans of bridges. Thanks.

The bridges are long but not noticeably high. High bridges would be the Sunshine Skyway, the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Potomac Bridge on US 301.

IIRC, most of the bridges are two lane but with wide shoulders. Since Key West is the end of the line, there is not a massive amount of truck traffic passing through on its way to somewhere else. RV's could be an issue, but honestly I don't remember any problems at all.

My wife hates scary bridges but didn't mind the drive to Key West at all.

The bridges aren't nearly as high as a bridge like the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (which is much higher than the 301 bridge across the Potomac and a lot scarier than the Del Memorial).

"It is just so beautiful"...how do you know if you haven't actually done it? Believe me, the people dragging Duval Street on weekends in their red neck cadillacs are a hell of a lot scarier than any bridge.

No scary bridges. In fact, the ride is fairly boring.

As others have stated the bridges aren't incredibly high but they are long....7 miles long for one which will seem like an eternity if you have a fear of long bridges. There are flights to Key West from Miami you want to consider that....or drive at night if that is less scary for you.

As others have said, they aren't high. It's just one long road, long and low, connecting the multiple islands or keys.

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They are virtually flat. If you are afraid of all bridges, you'll hate it. If you are afraid of high, scary bridges, you'll probably just be bored after a few miles.

I have the same issue-- hate long stretches over water. The drive to Key West was absolutely nothing like that.

I've driven from Ft. Lauderdale to KW and back. The drive is so boring and slow when I DID come to a bridge I wanted to throw myself over the side. You should definitely fly. And rent a car at the airport.

It is a long, boring drive and beautiful Key West is now overrun in a way that saps all of fun out of the place. Others will say the opposite. You decide.

HTtY

We stayed at Islamorada for a week every year and went to Key West for a day trip each week. Once. Per week. I love the keys. Key West? Less so.

Boring: I-75 across Florida
Not Boring: highway to Key West

If there were ever a place where the journey is more important than the destination, this may be it.

Look at a roadmap. There are a dozen side roads and points of interest along the way. Why would you want to blast through?

Key West is wonderful but it is possible to have a miserable time if you stay in a chain resort hotel and spend all your time on Duvall Street.

starrs has it right. I always rent a home in the Islamorada area and go into key west only to do something different. There is only so many Tshirt shops you can visit!!! Food is so so ...one good Italian restaurant, and the famous one (name escapes my mind...the one where Emeril came from) and a bunch of tourist traps. The food in general in the Keys is pretty bad, but there is something about the keys that makes you relax and let it all hang out. I usually go to do some jet skiing and fishing. The characters in key west are hilarious. You will either love it or hate it. Lost of bizare festivals some not kid friendly so look at the calendar before you plan to go or you might be there at a time that you might not want to be!

Drive is very boring except for the occasional bridge with a view, and if there is an accident then the traffic will back up for miles.

>> There are a dozen side roads and points of interest along the way. <<
Between Miami and KW? What are they?

It seems true that KW is a place people love or hate. I'm in the "love" category, but I'm ready to leave after about three days.

yes...agree..3 days is about right

The "boring" is more of a description of the long road, some of which is made up of bridges.

Addressing the concerns of the OP.

who is the "OP" and what concerns? And it is boring....I've had many a guest who just HAD to go on that "little drive" to the keys, where after an hour, I drove they slept! On the map you have this perception that you are surrounded by ocean skipping over islands on bridges. The truth is that most water sights are obscured by thick brush and you really dont have that much nice scenery.

You want to make it a nice drive? Rent a Lambo in Miami and take it to the Keys!!!

ohh "OP" Other Poster??? OK

Original poster and/or Original Post = the person starting the thread to ask the original question

thank you!

"You want to make it a nice drive? Rent a Lambo in Miami and take it to the Keys!!!"

Just don't rent a convertible in the summer. Absolutely miserable.

Thanks for all the opinions, advice and comments. DH went years ago and always wanted to take me. I am sure I would have loved it some years back, now would have to work up the energy for even a short road trip.

Also, I always just thought Key West, but other places look like better places to stay. Thanks Starrs for mentioning that.

Continental_Drifter is enjoying a two week vacation right now on one of the keys. They go every year. When she returns, I'm sure she can offer more suggestions. I love Islamorada. :-)

I had zero issues with the drive to Key West (and I do have problems with many scary bridges).

It is not a boring drive. It is sort of a retro looking road with cool stops along the way IF you know what you are looking for. Great Cuban food along the way, fresh bread out of the ovens at Sunshine grocery. French bakery in the same parking lot. http://www.seefloridaonline.com/rainbarrel/ Love stopping here and looking at the art. Seven mile bridge is lovely and look for the remains of the Flagler railroad as you cross. True lies was filmed on parts of the old bridge. People love to stop and feed the tarpon at www.robbies.com. You can look for key deer and stop at Bahia Honda State Park. Yikes, I must live a dull life. Headed to the Keys for the food and wine fest end of January. I dread the ride till I hit Homestead. Speaking of the coral castle, good stop.

There is a beach a few blocks off an unpromising part of the highway. You drive through a modest residential area to get there on a road that goes off to your left if you are bound toward Key West.

It is a sugar sand beach with trees, clean toilets, picnic tables. Nothing lacking on a weekday but people. Free.

The trip won't be boring if your copilot studies the map and tries to find it. You will no doubt take a wrong turn or two, but you may find places that are even better.

Key West: if you are not surrounded by cottages or looking at water, you are in the wrong place. I spent three days taking pictures of cottages, gardens,and art cars. It was t enough. The Truman White House is absolutely worth it.

DH and I love Key West and the drive down. A week in Key West was not enough. The day trip to The Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson we took this year was so much fun. In Key Largo, we did a glass bottom boat tour in John Pennenkamp SP. We also loved the little beach at the Hampton Inn there. The three days we just vegged at the pool at The Garden Hotel were fabulous.

Watch out for speed traps along the way.

HTtY

There is a very interesting weekend market, known as Redlands, in Homestead. Music, food, general ambience may remind you of Mexico if you have visited that country.

I wrote a bit about the drive to the Keys from the SE coast in this post from 2013; I will do the same drive next week, when I will return to Islamorada:



ekscrunchy on Sep 24, 13 at 7:36am


<I did this drive last January and will do it again (to Islamorada) this coming January. AGree with much of what has been written above.

For those planning a similar trip, a popular stop, especially for those stocking up for food supplies, is Robert Is Here, a petting zoo/fruit stand on steroids, a few blocks off the main route from Miami to the Keys, in Florida City. They offer some unusual (for non locals) exotic fruits not often found in Florida markets. Prepare for crowds, and for prices that are not in the "bargain" realm.

http://www.robertishere.com/xcart/home.php





My second recommendation, far more exciting and unusual, is for people making this drive on a weekend. If you are longing to discover an antidote to the Publix and Winn Dixies that smear the South Florida food shopping map, head to this weekend market for a different kind of experience, and a bright light among the adult book stores and seedy strip malls lining the route around Homestead.


This sprawling "farmer's" market, comprised of various hangar-like pre-fab sheds, is just to the right of the main drag, Dixie Highway, on the right side for those heading south to The Keys.

From the ranchera music and to the stands selling dried jamaica (Hibiscus flowers), Western/cowboy boots and fresh Salvadoran cheese, this is the closest I've come to the feeling of being "south of the border" while in Florida.

Many patrons are agricultural workers and their families, along with many families who make the drive south from the Miami area to shop and socialize. While it may help to speak Spanish, people were warm and welcoming on the day of my visit last winter. Go more for the atmosphere than the bargain pricing. Well worth an hour or two. Free parking in (crowded) lots. Lots of stands selling everything from pinatas to tacos de carne asada to licuados de tamarindo, along with bags of dried chilies, Cds of ranchera music, and packs of Mexican Coke (made with sugar!) Separate sheds house furniture vendors, but we did not need a new mattress at that time, so skipped that area.


Not much information online; often referred to as Redlands Market, you will spot it on the right as you head south near 24420 South Dixie Highway in the Homestead area, vicinity of Princeton, Fla.

24420 South Dixie Highway, Princeton, Florida>

Dukey, "Is it" is not the same as "It is".