A Road Trip Guide on the 7 Mile Bridge (Miami to Key West)
The Florida Keys are full of iconic landmarks, but none are as famous as the Seven Mile Bridge. Part of the Overseas Highway, this seven-mile stretch of road connects the Middle Keys to the Lower Keys, offering incredible ocean views along the way.
If you’re planning a road trip through The Florida Keys or just heading to your Key West vacation home for the weekend, the Seven Mile Bridge is not only what gets you to your destination, but it’s also a must-see stop of its own.
Ready to hit the road to Key West? Here’s your guide to planning the perfect road trip through The Florida Keys and making the most of visiting the Seven Mile Bridge.
Driving Through The Florida Keys: Things to Know
From basic needs to discovering hidden gems along the way, these are the essential things to know.
Gas Stations
Assuming you’re starting your trip from Miami, as most people do, Florida City will be your last stop for gas before hitting an isolated 18-mile stretch of roads and bridges that run through the Everglades (alternatively, you could take Card Sound Road) before connecting you to the Overseas Highway.
Once you’re on the Overseas Highway, you’ll find plenty of gas stations along your route to Key West.
Mile Markers
Navigating The Florida Keys is a bit different than the mainland, as most addresses contain mile markers. You’ll see these mile marker (MM) signs all along the Overseas Highway, which indicate where you are and how far you have to go until reaching Key West. Mile markers begin in Florida City, with MM 126, and end in Key West, with MM 0.
Weather
While a little bad weather shouldn’t keep you from enjoying your road trip, it’s always a good idea to check the forecast ahead of time so you can be prepared. Rain can slow down traffic on the Overseas Highway, which mostly consists of narrow, two-lane roads and bridges, so it’s a good idea to give yourself extra driving time if there’s rain in the forecast.
Drive Time
Driving from Miami to Key West takes about 3.5 hours, but this can vary based on your starting location, traffic, and the stops you make along the way. It’s best to factor in 4 hours as a starting point when planning your road trip, then add stops as you see fit.
The Best Road Trip From Miami to Key West
The route from Miami to Key West is full of great sightseeing opportunities, not to mention tasty food and fun things to do. And while you could easily spend hours exploring every island and landmark, we’ve narrowed down some of the top stops that are perfect for a one-day road trip.
Choose a few of these based on your interests and how much time you have, and plan your own perfect Florida Keys road trip!
Breakfast, Beaches, and Boating in Key Largo
Time to spend here: 1 to 3 hours
Start your morning off in Key Largo, the very first Key in The Florida Keys. If you haven’t had breakfast yet, stop by The Juice House for fresh tropical juice, a cup of Cuban coffee, and an authentic Cuban breakfast.
After breakfast, stop by John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, where you can relax on the beach, or if you have time, take a glass-bottom boat or snorkeling tour to explore the incredible coral reef.
Shop, Eat, and Play in Islamorada
Time to spend here: 2 to 3 hours
Home to iconic landmarks, fresh seafood, and unique things to do, Islamorada makes the perfect midday stop for some food, fun, and lots of insta-worthy photos!
Stop by Rain Barrel Village to shop for funky souvenirs, grab a smoothie, and, most importantly, take photos with Betsy, the 30-foot-tall lobster. Then, head to the History of Diving Museum to see some incredible artifacts and dive suits from early underwater exploration.
On your way out of Islamorada, Robbie’s Marina is a must-stop for lunch. Dig into some fresh seafood and Floribbean-style eats like conch fritters, coconut shrimp, and of course, some epic Key lime pie. After lunch, take a stroll on the docks for more scenic views and try your hand at feeding the famous tarpon.
Meet Some Sea Turtles in Marathon
Time to spend here: 1.5 to 2 hours
The perfect pit stop for animal lovers, The Turtle Hospital in Marathon rescues and rehabilitates injured sea turtles found throughout The Florida Keys.
You can tour The Turtle Hospital for a behind-the-scenes look at how the facility runs, see how medical treatments are administered to the sea turtles, and learn about what’s being done to protect these incredible creatures. After your tour, you’ll have the opportunity to feed some of the hospital’s resident sea turtles.
Currently, 90-minute guided tours are available daily, starting every half-hour from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, but it is advised to confirm availability and book ahead of time if you can.
Take in the Scenery on The Seven Mile Bridge
Time to spend here: 10 minutes (to drive the New Seven Mile Bridge) to 1 hour or more (to explore the Old Seven Mile Bridge)
One of the most iconic bridges in the world, the Seven Mile Bridge is not only your gateway to the Lower Keys, it’s a famous landmark of its own. Crossing seven miles of crystal-clear waters brimming with sea life, the bridge makes for a one-of-a-kind scenic drive you won’t find anywhere else.
While the bridge itself is only open to vehicular traffic, if you wish you could stop to take in the sights, breathe in that salty air, and take some photos, you do have another option. The Old Seven Mile Bridge, which was built during the early 1900s as part of Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway, is open to pedestrians and even connects to another famous landmark, Pigeon Key.
Both the original bridge and several sites on Pigeon Key are on the National Register of Historic Places, and if you have extra time, you can even book a tour to explore them.
If you’re planning to see the Old Seven Mile Bridge, pay close attention as you make your approach. The parking lot is to your right (when heading west), just before the entrance of the New Seven Mile Bridge. If you miss it, you won’t be able to turn around until after crossing the bridge.
Meet Some Tiny Deer in Big Pine Key
Time to spend here: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Shortly after you exit the Seven Mile Bridge, you’ll come upon Big Pine Key and the National Key Deer Refuge — home of the cutest, tiniest deer you’ve ever seen! Often no bigger than a large dog, Key deer are the smallest subspecies of the North American white-tailed deer.
While these compact creatures used to roam most of the Keys, they were almost driven to extinction due to hunting and habitat loss. During the 1950s, the National Key Deer Refuge was established to preserve what little Key deer habitat was left and protect the species from further decline.
Today, Big Pine Key is the only place you can see Key deer, and it is definitely worth a visit — just be sure to keep your distance from the deer. If you have a zoom lens for your camera, this is the perfect place to put it to good use.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss the trail and observation deck at the Blue Hole here, which offers a great opportunity to observe alligators in their natural habitat. Seeing some incredible native birds is a great bonus.
Let The Fun Begin in Key West
While the road trip may be over, the fun definitely doesn’t end once you reach your destination. There are endless fun things to do in Key West. From gorgeous beaches and gourmet restaurants to historical landmarks and haunted pub crawls — there’s something for everyone.
Ready to hit the road? Plan your perfect stay with Vacation Homes of Key West. You’ll enjoy all the comforts of home with private, fully-furnished vacation homes featuring amenities like pools, hot tubs, and ocean views — and you’ll always be just minutes away from all the best attractions that Key West has to offer.
