Key West Day Trip from Miami: 4-Hour Drive & 6 Hours Free

Four hours on the Overseas Highway, then six hours to do Key West your way

A day trip from Miami to Key West includes hotel pickup, a scenic 4-hour drive along the Overseas Highway crossing 43 bridges and 31 islands, a breakfast stop in Key Largo, and six hours of free time to explore the city at your own pace before a nonstop return to Miami. The guide speaks English and Spanish and travels with you; food and drinks at the breakfast stop are not included.

The Experience

The drive starts with hotel pickup in Miami and follows the Overseas Highway south through the Florida Keys. Your air-conditioned vehicle crosses 43 bridges and passes 31 islands over four hours, with your guide narrating in English or Spanish. Around 8:45 am, the group stops in Key Largo for breakfast—you choose what to eat and drink there. The road itself is the main event on the way down; most travelers watch the water and mangrove shoreline shift as the mainland falls away.

Once you arrive in Key West, the guide drops the group and you have six hours to move through the city however you want. The map you receive at the start marks the main attractions: Ernest Hemingway's House and Museum, the southernmost point of the continental U.S., the historic downtown streets, and the beaches. Your guide will suggest things to do before you split up. If you want a structured activity—snorkeling, a glass-bottom boat tour, a trolley ride—you can book one on the spot or arrange it in advance; these cost extra and run on their own schedule.

The return trip to Miami leaves at a set time and runs nonstop, taking the same route back. You'll be dropped at your original pickup location in Miami. The whole day runs about 15 hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off at your Miami location.
• air-conditioned vehicle with a restroom on board.
• a guide who speaks English and Spanish.
• a map of Key West.
• a breakfast stop in Key Largo (food and drinks not included).
• six hours of free time to explore Key West.
• the nonstop return drive to Miami.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sanchez Journeys LLC

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want the drive and the destination both—the Overseas Highway is as much the point as Key West itself, and six hours of free time means you set the pace once you arrive, whether that's museums and landmarks or beaches and cafes. The nonstop return trip gets you back to Miami in the evening without extra stops.

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Top questions

How long is the drive from Miami to Key West?

The scenic drive along the Overseas Highway takes four hours each way, crossing 43 bridges and 31 islands. You'll have a breakfast stop in Key Largo on the way down, around 8:45 am.

What can I do during the six hours in Key West?

You have free time to explore on your own. Popular stops include Ernest Hemingway's House, the southernmost point marker, the downtown streets, and the beaches. Your guide will suggest options before you go, and you can add optional activities like snorkeling or a glass-bottom boat tour for an extra cost.

Is food included on this day trip?

The tour includes a breakfast stop in Key Largo, but you pay for your own food and drinks there. Lunch and dinner are on you during your free time in Key West.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Miami, the air-conditioned vehicle, the guide in English or Spanish, a map of Key West, and the return trip to Miami are all included. The vehicle has a restroom on board.

Can children go on this day trip?

Yes, children are welcome from age 2. Infants under 2 must sit on an adult's lap. Strollers and prams are allowed if you want to bring them.