debbye122277

I will be in Key West this September for Womenfest and I am trying to decide on how to get there. Airfare into Key West right now is almost $400 round trip. I thought about flying into Ft Lauderdale which is considerably cheaper ($165 roundtrip) and then renting a car to drive down Route 1 to Key West. I think this would be a nice scenic drive to paradise. My only concern is time. Using Google Maps it says it takes close to 4 hours to get there. How bad is the traffic going to be heading that way for a major event like that? The actual event starts on Wednesday and we will be flying in on Thursday. I am just curious if it would just be better to pay the extra money to fly into Key West and skip the hassle. Thoughts?

Jaya

It will take much longer than 4 hours if you're starting in Ft. Lauderdale or Miami. It's single lane and there are draw bridges along the way that can stop traffic for 45 minutes.

It's a nice drive IF you have the time, otherwise I would suggest you fly there. Plus you will be tired after so much driving.

cocontom

The drive is my favorite part of going to Key West!

Traffic shouldn't be too bad going down on a Thursday, but it is a solid 4 hour drive (8 if you do it right).

RedRock

Try to make the time and drive, you will not regret it..

The slowest part of the drive will be from Florida City on south. Any chance of allowing for an extra day? The Everglades NP is just about 20 minutes from Florida City.

sobster

Well, we've driven once and flown twice. Flying is better. A lot better. If you drive you might go crazy -from the traffic, the stop lights, the traffic etc. There's not much to look at. Very repetitive.

Peter_krynicki

The other concern about driving is when to leave to catch a flight up in Florida. If it takes you 6 hours to get down, you'll need at least that to get back, but maybe more based on different traffic, different weather. People always say the drive is great, but I fly. I'd rather be in Key West than on the road. YMMV

Pjk

stumpworks73

I always drive. Even though you offset the $$ savings with a payment of time, I enjoy the drive and have favorite stops en route. Cocontom is right on about spending 8 if you can.

Search previous threads for lots of advise about the right stops along the way.

Do not cut yourself close on the return. You cannot get to FLL faster than 4, and virtually always something slows you down. The two lane stretch from Florida City to Key Largo is still under construction. Speeding in this area is the most expensive ticket in the U.S. Don't take the chance either safety or financially, or flying all the way to KW would be the economic option.

irishswampyankee

Have you looked into driving down and flying back? This could be more expensive, I don't know, esp if the car rental co. charges you a drop off fee but it was just a thought. It would eliminate the worry of getting back in time for your return flight.

sford02

We are going to Womenfest also. We have flown and driven. But we enjoy driving. The views of the ocean and the towns along the way make it worth the drive.

See you there.
Shelia

BarbSG

I lived in Miami for a year and you're best bet is to fly into Miami and rent a car. The drive is spectacular. Going on a Thursday is better than the weekend so good timing. The route is so direct you will have no problems. Enjoy the 7-mile bridge!

milemarker0

If you believe that the journey is half the fun, drive. If not, fly.

autier17

We just completed the drive yesterday. I highly recommend taking Card Sound road into Key Largo so you can stop at Alabama Jacks for conch fritters and crab cakes. It was a nice way to start to get into a "keys" state of mind. The drive is gorgeous (except for the parts of Key Largo, Islamorada and Marathon that are so built up they look like they could be in any suburb), especially the bridges where you can see the beautiful water stretching out for miles around you. The drive does take several hours. It's only about 160 miles, but you can't count on averaging better than 40 mph on a good day. We drove on a Monday with much lighter traffic than a weekend, but it was still slow driving with many stoplights and slow drivers you can't pass. Plus I think we passed no fewer than 85 police cars patrolling for speeders. That said, it is worth doing at least once.

cd

The beauty of the drive is worth the time spent! We stopped along the way so it took us a long time (took a picnic lunch for Bahia Honda - beautiful!) But, even if you don't stop, allow more than 4hrs for the drive, if there's an accident, since there is only one road, it can back traffic up for awhile.

garyt22

I have driven over 20 times and have only had one major delay... you should be good, especially midweek when there's less one day traffic into the keys... go for it! part of the keys magic is the unwinding you do on the trip down... have fun!!!

bkluvsNola

What's Womenfest?

SusanCS

http://www.womenfest.com/

travlsolo2

If you decide to drive, I second the suggestion to take Card Sound Road. Look for the turn off just past Homestead and Florida City. I also second the suggestion to stop at Alabama Jack's.

SAnParis2

topping for LHW

mrsbussa

We are planning a trip to drive route 1 to Key West. Does anyone have any suggestions of must-see stops along the way?

AnnMarie_C

I returned from Key West about 2 weeks ago, arriving/driving from the Ft. Lauderdale airport. Coming and going the drive was just under 4 hours and that's with a pit-stop at McD's. Drove down on a Sunday afternoon, returned the following Sunday morning.

Once you hit the Keys it is a beautiful, scenic drive. Given the opportunity I'd do it again.