chipda2nd

Hello fello Fodor..ers! My girlfriend and I are going to Key West in a few months and I have a question regarding the drive, which some of you may have done. Due to the ultra low prices for flying into Ft. Lauderdale I cannot resist flying there and driving; that coupled with the lovely drive through the keys (so I hear) I'm quite excited about doing that instead of flying right to key west anyway...

We wanted to rent a convertible in Ft. Lauderdale and drop it off once we got to Key West, and vice versa for the trip back. What would be the minimum time I can rent the car for? Just a few hours for the drive? or like, 1 day minimum. I dont need to worry about a car on the island, i know, so I just want to drive to the Key West Airport and drop it off... anyone else done exactly this?

Also, any tips when driving through the keys? Any key west tips? We are staying at the Simonton Court B and B, it sounds really lovely. Thanks! I cannot wait to get there!

AntiqFreq

I have lived in Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area all my life and it will take about a 3 hours or so to get from this area to Key West. Most of the reason is that IF you run into rush hour traffic or an accident on Highway 1 - forget about it - you are stuck!. We take I-95 south to the end and that meets US1 and this is what takes you to the keys. A two lane road ALL THE WAY! In the keys they have a trolley you can take for a tour around the town. Key West is a VERY small town. So after you see it, the bars, the hemingway house, the southern most point, then that is pretty much it unless you want to spend a few bucks at the shops or go fishing.
Have a great time!

sherhatfield

My husband and I have done this trip a couple of times. We fly into Ft. Lauderdale, rent a convertible and head south. We plan on the entire day to get down to Key West and usually arrive just before the sunset. We like to take our time on the way down; stopping somewhere for lunch mid-way, then stopping at Bahia Honda State Park for some swimming in the ocean. Holiday Isle Resort in Islamorada is a nice place to grab some lunch and a cold beverage while taking in the beautiful view. Once in KW, we turn in the car the next morning so it is a one day rental.

That said, I prefer to fly out of Key West (you can catch a one way flight into Ft. Lauderdale) rather than drive. Why spend my last day driving and risk getting stuck in traffic (or even worse - an accident on the bridge) when I can enjoy another day in the Keys? Of course, this depends on the time of your flight out of Ft Lauderdale. We purposely schedule our flights for early evening so we can squeeze in more time in the sun. Whatever you decide to do, you'll have a great time! Enjoy!

CarolM

I have to pretty much disagree with AntiqFreq on a couple of points. First of all, since you're coming from Ft. Lauderdale, you'll want to take the Turnpike south as far as you can (then it'll dump you onto US 1). Don't take I-95. I think you will enjoy most of the ride, as it gets you "in the mood" for being in the keys. (I find that it takes closer to about 3 1/2 to 4 hrs). Don't speed when you see the deer signs, as you get closer to Key West. (There are tiny, endangered key deer that live here.)

The other point that I wanted to disagree with is that after you see a few things "that's pretty much it" --- no way! You are going to have a blast. There are a ton of fun things to do. Be sure to head down to Mallory Square on the water at sunset... there are a bunch of entertainers, vendors, food, drink, etc. It's a really fun little festival every night.

You can rent waverunners or little 2-person motorboats to zip around the bay on, you can rent scooters or bicycles and see the island, take a sunset cruise on a sailboat, snorkel, etc. You can line up activities through your B&B, or you'll see several booths along Duval St. with activities information.

As mentioned, there are a ton of great little shops, plenty of places to get great drinks, and places to just relax. The people watching is great (along with some very colorful locals). Some people enjoy some of the historical places (Hemingway House, Audobon House). There's also the Mel Fisher Maritime museum (about shipwrecks) which was interesting. It depends on your interests and how much time you have to spend.

Since you'll be there in the summer, be SURE to bring mosquito repellant. I'm the type to get bitten easily, but they seem to be abundant in the summer. Just carry some with you and you'll be fine. It'll be hot and very humid too, so be sure to alternate bottles of water with those margaritas. A hat and sunblock are also imperatives, (unless you want to really look like an overly sunburned tourist!)

Duval Street is the main street with most of the shops and restaurants, and you'll probably spend a great deal of time strolling up and down. It's a pretty long street, so renting a bicycle or scooter can be the way to go, especially in the heat of the summer. The good thing about the summer: it's way less crowded (and you probably got your hotel room for half the winter price).

I've been to Key West about 20 times, and I just love it. I'll be spending my 40th birthday there in June. You're sure to have a great time!

Carol

SusanCS

I TOTALLY disagree with AntiqFreq about the time it'll take to drive from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West. We've driven between Key West and Miami many times and it's always taken 4 hours. To that, you should add another 30 minutes to get to Ft. Lauderdale. Those are minimum times...if you get there in 3 hours you're speeding like crazy.

Larry1

Like the others, I have to chime in and say that Antiqfreq is way off. How can someone who has lived in the Ft Lauderdale-Miami all their lives suggest the way to the Keys from Ft. Lauderdale is to take 95 to the end and then go US 1 from there? And then they say it only takes 3 hours to make that trip? Oy Vey. Chip, do yourself a favor and listen to Carol and Susan.

GoTravel

No way can you make Key West in three hours from Ft.Lauderdale and I doubt you could make it in three DAYS on I-95!

Plan on four hours best case scenerio and take the Florida Turnpike. Do NOT take I-95.

Patrick

Well, if it is possible to get there in 3 hours, it certainly wouldn't be if you took I-95 to the end and down US 1! What a strange suggestion from someone who "lives" in the area.

rbs360

With regard to other things to do: stop for a bite in Key Largo at the Bayside Grille. Excellent location, great food.

In Islamorada, Robbie's Marina is wonderful. You get to feed the tarpon!

From Key West, be sure to take the trip to the Dry tortugas for snorkelling AND a history lesson.

In Key West, I like alice's LaTeDa

Have fun! rbs

stumpworks73

Just completed the trip this week. A couple of restaurant suggestions en route: In Islamorada, the Lorelei is a waterfront Tiki bar with great pirate atmosphere or the Island just just east of Bud and Mary's Marina is good food with a waterfront vista. The Worldwide Sportsman in Islamorada is the best outdoor wear and fishing gear shop in the keys. In Marathon, the City Fish Market on 35th St. is also waterfront with superb seafood at very reasonable prices.

This is one of the most beautiful drives in N. America. Would be a shame to miss it. Traffic is perilous, stay alert. 3.5 to 4 is the schedule.

Layback and enjoy the ride.