How far - From Key West to Miami
 

I'm looking to spend my last few days of my vacation in Key West and flying home (England) from Miami at 11:00am on a Monday morning. How long will it take me to drive from Key West to Miami International Airport. Am I overdoing it a little? <BR> <BR>

You might be overdoing it unless you're a real early riser. It's about a 2 to 2 1/2 hour drive, and that's without any heavy traffic or accidents to slow you down. Plus, the Miami airport is a difficult place to get quickly to your gate, particularly if you have a rental car to return. And you need to be at your gate at least 2 hours (or so they say) before takeoff for international flights. With all of that factored in, I reckon you'll need to leave Key West about 5 in the morning. At least, you won't have to worry about a lot of traffic at that hour.

When I drove it in November of 1997, it took me 4 hours, and that was WITHOUT bad traffic. Much of it is 2-lanes. If I were catching an 11am flight out of Miami, I would leave Key West no later than 6 am (a little earlier if you have to return a rental car). Even then, I think you're cutting it close. If it were me, I'd try to stay in Miami the night before instead (South Beach would be fun). It would make for a much more leisurely morning.

My husband and I have driven between the Miami airport and Key West several times in the past couple of years and it has NEVER taken us less than 4 hours. It's a two lane highway - with no passing allowed -virtually the entire trip. If I were you, I think I'd spend that last night in Miami.

It took us long enough to drive from Key Largo to Miami, let alone Key West. I agree with the last poster, spend your last night in Miami. If you're not happy about staying in Miami ( Muggings or whatever ) then Homestead a little further south should suit you ( try not to miss Coral Castle if you have time ).

<BR>I`m the first to admit I`m anal retentive..but I`d never try to leave Key West AM and make it to Miami Airport..There is an airport in Key WEst and Marathon Key if your interested in that..might be an option..drop rental car there and fly from KW or Marathon to connect at Miami..if you get your tickets with those airports included you could probably get a better price..check on it ..may be worth while..give you more time in KW or check ot Days Inn on South Beach...

It's much nicer to drive DOWN to Key West from Miami than the other way around, if you can arrange that. <BR> <BR>And anything less than 3 hours for the trip either way is VERY unrealistic. Allow yourself 4 hours to enjoy the view - and I do mean enjqoy. I think it's one of the great drives anywhere.

It is a long drive - flying from KW to Miami might be a much more reasonable option. A car isn't really needed in Key West - so if you fly in and out you should be fine.