Island-hop the Overseas Highway
This is leg 1 of 2, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Florida Keys Adventure
Miami to Key Largo
Miami and Key Largo sit about 79 km (49 mi) apart in a straight line, with Key Largo to the south. It is leg 1 of 2 on our Florida Keys Adventure itinerary, a 4-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 79 km · 49 mi
- Est. road distance
- 95–111 km
- Est. drive time
- 1 h 15 min – 2 h 15 min
- Direction
- Heading south
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Florida Keys Adventure itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 95–111 km (59–69 mi) of road and 1 h 15 min – 2 h 15 min behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
Most travelers rent a car in Miami and take the Overseas Highway all the way to Key West, enjoying the views as they go. Traffic can be slow at times, so leave extra time. Some people fly into Key West or take a shuttle for part of the trip.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Key Largo
Spend a day here for reef snorkeling at Pennekamp, a bird sanctuary stop and a bayside sunset dinner.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
First undersea park in the U.S., with snorkel and glass-bottom boat trips to the reef.
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park
Largest tract of tropical hardwood hammock in the U.S., with easy trails.
Key Largo Fisheries Backyard Café
Working fish house serving lobster rolls and fresh hogfish at waterside tables.
Snappers Oceanfront Restaurant & Bar
Ocean-side tiki bar and seafood restaurant on a canal.
Christ of the Abyss
Bronze statue on the reef at Key Largo Dry Rocks, reached by snorkel or dive boat.
African Queen
The steamboat from the 1951 film, running short canal cruises.
Before you leave Miami
One full day covers South Beach's Art Deco strip, Wynwood's murals and a Cuban meal in Little Havana before heading south.
On this curated route
Where Miami → Key Largo sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Key Largo to Miami is the same 79 km in a straight line, heading north. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
Average daytime highs at both ends stay within 1°C of each other all year, so you can pack the same way for both.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami high | 23° | 24° | 25° | 26° | 28° | 29° | 30° | 30° | 29° | 28° | 26° | 24° |
| Key Largo high | 23° | 24° | 25° | 26° | 28° | 29° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 28° | 26° | 24° |
| Miami rain | 44 | 49 | 56 | 76 | 135 | 191 | 165 | 182 | 190 | 124 | 64 | 51 |
| Key Largo rain | 34 | 39 | 35 | 64 | 118 | 188 | 166 | 184 | 197 | 115 | 55 | 42 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Key Largo month guides.
Miami to Key Largo: questions travelers ask
How far is Miami from Key Largo?
Miami is about 79 km (49 mi) from Key Largo in a straight line, with Key Largo to the south. By road, we estimate 95–111 km (59–69 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Miami to Key Largo?
An estimated 1 h 15 min – 2 h 15 min, assuming 95–111 km of road at average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Miami to Key Largo?
Our Florida Keys Adventure itinerary includes this leg. Florida Keys Adventure runs about 4 days across 3 stops, best in Dec – May.
Onward from Key Largo
- Key Largo to Key West 147 km
Guides for both ends
- Miami travel guide
- Miami weather best time to visit
- Key Largo travel guide
- Key Largo weather best time to visit
Key Largo by month
Plan Miami → Key Largo with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.