Sheet 13 · Transportation
Miami to Key West: All Transportation Options Compared
Every way to get from Miami to Key West compared: driving the Overseas Highway, bus, shuttle, flying, and day tours, with times, costs, and the ferry myth.
Key Takeaways
- Key West is about 160 miles from Miami—roughly a 3.5-to-4-hour drive down the legendary Overseas Highway.
- Your options: drive/rent a car (the scenic classic), bus (cheapest), shared shuttle van (door-to-door), fly (fastest, ~1 hour), or an organized day-trip bus tour.
- There is no ferry from Miami to Key West—the Key West Express runs only from Fort Myers Beach and Marco Island.
- The drive is the experience: 42 bridges, the Seven Mile Bridge, and stops like Key Largo, Islamorada, and Bahia Honda.
- Best for you: road-trip for scenery, fly for speed, bus or shuttle for budget no-car travel, day tour for a quick taste.
The journey from Miami to Key West is one of the great American road trips, a 160-mile ribbon of highway that leaps from island to island across the turquoise shallows, over 42 bridges, all the way to the end of the road. But driving isn’t your only option, and figuring out the best way to get there, whether you want scenery, speed, or savings, can be confusing, especially with outdated information floating around (no, there isn’t a ferry from Miami). This guide compares every option clearly so you can choose the right one for your trip.
We’ll cover driving, the bus, shared shuttles, flying, and day tours, with honest times, costs, and pros and cons, plus a love letter to the Overseas Highway drive itself. It’s a companion to our getting to Key West pillar and our drive to Key West guide. (Prices and schedules shift, so confirm current details with operators before you book.)
How Far Is Key West From Miami?
Key West sits about 160 miles southwest of Miami by road, the very end of US-1 at Mile Marker 0. Driving it without stops takes roughly 3.5 to 4 hours, longer with traffic or sightseeing (and you’ll want to sightsee). The route is simple: head south out of Miami on Florida’s Turnpike to where it meets US-1 at Florida City, then follow US-1, which becomes the Overseas Highway, all the way down through the island chain. There’s only one road in and out, so navigation is foolproof, just point south and keep the water on both sides.
Miami to Key West Options at a Glance
Here’s the quick comparison to frame your decision.
| Option | Time | Rough cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive / rental car | ~3.5–4 hrs | ~$60–$100+/day rental + gas | Scenery, flexibility, stops |
| Bus (Greyhound/FlixBus) | ~4.5–6 hrs | ~$25–$45 one way | Budget, no car |
| Shared shuttle van | ~4–5 hrs | ~$60–$110 | Door-to-door convenience |
| Fly (MIA → EYW) | ~1 hr flight | ~$100–$400+ round trip | Speed |
| Day-trip bus tour | ~14–16 hr round trip | ~$20–$70 | A quick taste without a hotel |
No single option is “best”, it depends on your priorities. Let’s break each one down.
Driving From Miami to Key West: The Classic Road Trip
If you have the time, drive, the journey is genuinely part of the destination. Renting a car in Miami runs roughly $60 to $100 or more per day, and the open road gives you total freedom to stop wherever the view (or a roadside conch fritter shack) tempts you. The drive treats you to ever-changing scenery: mangrove islands, sportfishing marinas, sandbars glowing impossible shades of blue, and the iconic bridges. You can do it straight through in under four hours, or, far better, turn it into a leisurely day with stops. Just know that northbound return traffic on Sunday and holiday afternoons can be heavy, and Old Town parking is a hassle once you arrive (see our parking guide).
The Overseas Highway: 42 Bridges and the Seven Mile Bridge
The southernmost stretch of US-1, the Overseas Highway, is an engineering marvel and a bucket-list drive. Built atop the route of Henry Flagler’s early-1900s railroad (which a 1935 hurricane destroyed), it runs about 113 miles across 42 bridges, linking the Keys like beads on a string. The crown jewel is the Seven Mile Bridge near Marathon, a soaring span over open water that you may recognize from countless movies; the old parallel bridge beside it is now a walking and biking path leading to historic Pigeon Key. Green mile-marker signs count you down to MM 0 in Key West. Driving this road, top down if you can, is one of the great pleasures of a Florida trip.
Best Stops on the Drive
Half the joy of driving is the stops. From north to south, the highlights: Key Largo, the “dive capital,” home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park; Islamorada, a sportfishing and dining hub with sandbars and art galleries; Marathon, with the Seven Mile Bridge, the Dolphin Research Center, and the Turtle Hospital; Bahia Honda State Park (around Mile Marker 37), whose beach regularly ranks among Florida’s best; and Big Pine Key, where the tiny, protected Key deer roam (mind the reduced, strictly enforced speed limits). Even one or two of these stops transforms the drive from a transfer into an adventure. Our day trips guide has more on exploring the wider Keys.
Renting a Car and One-Way Drop-Off Fees
A practical note for drivers who don’t want to backtrack: you can rent a car in Miami and drop it off in Key West one-way, but watch the fees. One-way drop charges vary widely, from nothing to well over $100, depending on the company; some national chains frequently waive the fee, so it pays to compare. If you’re flying into Miami and out of Key West (or vice versa), a one-way rental lets you enjoy the drive without doubling back. Book ahead, especially in high season, and factor Key West’s parking costs into the math, since a car you barely use in Old Town can become an expensive ornament.
Taking the Bus From Miami to Key West
The bus is the budget champion. Greyhound and FlixBus run several departures a day from the Miami area to Key West, taking about 4.5 to 6 hours (with stops down the Keys) for roughly $25 to $45 one way, often with Wi-Fi and a restroom onboard. It’s slower than driving and you don’t control the stops, but for solo travelers and budget-minded visitors who don’t want a car, it’s hard to beat the price. You’ll arrive in Key West without the parking worries that come with a rental. Check current schedules and fares, as routes and operators can change.
Shared Shuttle Vans: Door-to-Door Without a Car
For a middle ground between the bus and a private car, consider a shared shuttle van. Operators like the Keys Shuttle run comfortable vans connecting Miami’s airports (MIA and FLL) and Key West, typically for around $60 to $110 per person, with door-to-door or hotel-to-hotel service. It’s more convenient than the bus, no bus station, often a pickup right at the airport, and more affordable than a private car service. The trade-off is that you may share the ride and make a few stops along the way. For car-free travelers who value convenience over the rock-bottom bus fare, a shuttle van is a smart, comfortable choice.
Flying From Miami to Key West
Short on time? Fly. The hop from Miami International (MIA) to Key West International (EYW) takes about an hour in the air, turning a half-day drive into a quick flight. American Airlines is the established operator on the nonstop route, with several flights a day; round-trip fares typically range from around $100 to $400 or more depending on season and timing. Flying makes the most sense if your time is tight or you simply don’t want to drive, just remember you’ll still need ground transportation once you land (our Key West airport guide covers that). Airlines and routes change, so check current options when you book.
Organized Day Trips and Bus Tours From Miami
Want a taste of Key West without booking a hotel or renting a car? Organized day-trip bus tours from Miami are popular and affordable, often $20 to $70 round trip. A comfortable coach picks you up (frequently from Miami Beach or the airport area), cruises down the Overseas Highway with the Seven Mile Bridge as the scenic centerpiece, and gives you around six hours of free time in Key West before heading back. Be realistic: it’s a long day, often 14 to 16 hours round trip, and six hours only scratches the surface of the island. But for travelers based in Miami who want to say they’ve seen Key West, it’s an easy, low-commitment option, just know you’ll be back on the bus before you’ve fully soaked it in.
Is There a Ferry From Miami to Key West?
This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is clear: no, there is no passenger ferry from Miami to Key West. Despite what some outdated pages imply, the only Key West passenger ferry, the Key West Express, departs from Fort Myers Beach (year-round) and Marco Island (seasonally), both on Florida’s Gulf Coast, not from Miami. A public Miami-to-Key West ferry has been studied over the years, but officials concluded it’s unlikely, largely because the open-Atlantic route between the two cities is too rough for a reliable, comfortable crossing. So if you’re set on arriving by sea, you’d drive or fly to the Gulf Coast first. From Miami itself, your real choices are the ones above.
Which Option Is Best for You?
Let’s make it simple. Want scenery and flexibility? Drive, the Overseas Highway is a destination in itself. Short on time? Fly, about an hour versus a half-day. On a budget with no car? Take the bus. Want car-free convenience? Book a shared shuttle van. Based in Miami and just want a peek? Join a day-trip bus tour. For most travelers planning a real Key West vacation, the drive (ideally with a stop or two) is the most rewarding, while flying wins for the time-pressed. Whatever you choose, you’re headed somewhere genuinely special. For planning the rest of your trip, see our things to do in Key West guide.
Tips for Making the Most of the Journey
However you travel those 160 miles, a few tips will improve the trip. If you are driving, leave early, beating both the Miami traffic and the midday heat means more daylight for stops and photos, and you will reach Key West with energy to spare. Treat the drive as the attraction, not an obstacle: build in time for at least one or two stops, whether that is snorkeling at John Pennekamp in Key Largo, a fish sandwich in Islamorada, or a swim at Bahia Honda. Fuel up and grab snacks before the long bridge stretches, as services thin out in places. Mind the speed limits, especially through Big Pine Key, where they protect the endangered Key deer and are strictly enforced. And plan your return for a weekday or a non-peak time if you can, since northbound Sunday and holiday afternoon traffic out of the Keys can be slow. If you are flying or busing instead, the main tip is simply to book ahead for the best fares and to arrange your onward transportation in Key West (where, as a reminder, you usually will not want a car). Whichever way you go, the anticipation builds with every mile marker counting down, and crossing that final bridge into Key West never gets old.
The Verdict: Drive If You Can
After weighing every option, here is the honest bottom line for most travelers: if you have the time, drive. The Overseas Highway is not just a route to Key West, it is one of the most beautiful drives in America, and turning the trip into a leisurely half-day with a stop or two at Bahia Honda or the Seven Mile Bridge transforms a transfer into a highlight of your vacation. Fly if the clock genuinely rules your trip, take the bus or a shuttle if you want to skip the car and save money, and join a day tour only if you are based in Miami and want the briefest taste. But for a real Key West getaway, the drive down delivers memories the other options simply cannot, mile marker by mile marker, bridge by bridge, all the way to the end of the road. Just remember to point south, take your time, and savor the journey.
One More Reason the Drive Wins: The Keys Themselves
It is worth remembering that the road from Miami passes through some of the most beautiful and interesting places in Florida, the Keys are a destination in their own right, not just the path to Key West. Key Largo offers world-class diving and snorkeling, Islamorada is a sportfishing and arts haven, Marathon has family attractions like the Turtle Hospital and Dolphin Research Center, and Bahia Honda boasts one of the finest beaches in the state. Many travelers turn the trip into a multi-day Keys road trip, overnighting along the way and arriving in Key West relaxed rather than road-weary. Even if you only have time for one stop, choosing the drive over a flight gives you the option to sample this string of islands, an option no other mode offers. Build in the time if you possibly can; the Keys reward every extra hour you give them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Key West from Miami?
About 160 miles by road, the southern end of US-1 at Mile Marker 0.
How long does it take to drive from Miami to Key West?
Roughly 3.5 to 4 hours without stops, longer with traffic or sightseeing along the Overseas Highway.
Is there a ferry from Miami to Key West?
No. There’s no direct passenger ferry from Miami. The Key West Express ferry runs only from Fort Myers Beach (year-round) and Marco Island (seasonally) on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
How do you get from Miami to Key West without a car?
Take a bus (Greyhound or FlixBus), a door-to-door shared shuttle van, or a short flight from MIA to EYW, or book an organized day-trip bus tour.
Can you do a day trip from Miami to Key West?
Yes. Full-day bus tours run about 14 to 16 hours round trip with roughly six hours of free time in Key West. It’s a long day, but a popular way to get a taste.
What’s the cheapest way to get from Miami to Key West?
The bus (Greyhound or FlixBus), typically about $25 to $45 one way.
What’s the fastest way?
Flying, about a one-hour flight from Miami (MIA) to Key West (EYW), versus a 3.5-to-4-hour drive.
What is the Overseas Highway and the Seven Mile Bridge?
The Overseas Highway is the southernmost ~113 miles of US-1, connecting the Keys via 42 bridges. The Seven Mile Bridge near Marathon is its most famous span, a long bridge over open water.
Final Thoughts
Getting from Miami to Key West is part of the adventure, so choose the journey that fits your trip. Drive the Overseas Highway for the bridges, the sandbars, and the sheer romance of the road; fly if the clock is tight; take the bus or a shuttle to skip the car; or grab a day tour for a quick taste. Just don’t go looking for a ferry from Miami, that one doesn’t exist. However you travel those 160 miles, the reward at Mile Marker 0 is the same: the warm, weird, wonderful island at the end of the road. Start planning with our getting to Key West guide.
Every one of these routes passes straight through about forty inhabited islands, and treating them purely as scenery is the most common mistake first-timers make. Before you book the whole trip in Old Town, read our island-by-island guide to the Florida Keys — splitting the week between Key Largo, Marathon and Key West usually costs less and shows you more.
Sources & corrections
Rates, hours and closures verified against operator listings and on-island visits. Prices are peak-season unless noted.
