How far is Key West really? About This Page:

[Carousel96]

Has anyone driven from Marco Island or Ft Myers to Key West? Approximate time on the road?
We're getting conflicting info from the Marco Island hotel and some mapping sites, and DH doesn't believe any of them.

[lauren-roxy]

It'll take you about 5 1/2 hours from Fort Myers and about 5 from Marco Island. Just remember that is is a two lane road, one going to the Keys and one coming back so it can take even longer, especially during the weekend or holiday or even if there's an accident.

[Carousel96]

wow! The hotel advertised it's 3 hrs from Key West! So much for getting there in time for lunch.

[jimmymac]

At least 5 hours on a real good day

[MMMD]

5 hours at least. Key West is a long trip.

[rescuesk]

Were you thinking of a day trip? It's a bit of a haul, and as was stated, traffic or an accident can really delay your time. Key West is wonderful, definitely a place to spend some time!

[lauren-roxy]

Like Sue said, it really is a fun place once you get there, but we have gone a few times since I have family in Miami and even the drive from there has been just horrible. Once you are there though, it is such a fun place!!!

[Carousel96]

Looks like it'll have to wait. We only have one day where it's possible -- the 3 hours the hotel said would be doable, but 5 or 6 puts it out of the question.

[TheMadonna3]

Originally Posted by Carousel96

wow! The hotel advertised it's 3 hrs from Key West! So much for getting there in time for lunch.

There is a ferry that runs from Ft. Myers and Marco Island to Key West that will get you there in 3 hours. They just didn't advertise that it was by boat. The ferry is about $140 R/T per person.

[TheMadonna3]

Originally Posted by lauren-roxy

Like Sue said, it really is a fun place once you get there, but we have gone a few times since I have family in Miami and even the drive from there has been just horrible. Once you are there though, it is such a fun place!!!

Ya know living in Florida is a bunch of fun. We have ferries that run to Key West and Bahamas so we can go so many places, but traveling is a real pain in the butt! I agree that the drive to Key West is just not a lot of fun. There first 30 miles or so are ok, but after that... Ugh.

[rescuesk]

Originally Posted by TheMadonna3

There is a ferry that runs from Ft. Myers and Marco Island to Key West that will get you there in 3 hours. They just didn't advertise that it was by boat. The ferry is about $140 R/T per person.

That's good to know!

[Sue M.]

I was calculating about 4 hrs from Ft. Lauderdale, would this be wrong?

[TheMadonna3]

Originally Posted by Sue M.

I was calculating about 4 hrs from Ft. Lauderdale, would this be wrong?

No, that's actually pretty accurate if you don't hit any traffic or slow moving people. (however, hitting slow moving people might make them actually get out of the way or just pull over altogether allowing you to speed on by.)

[Sue M.]

Originally Posted by TheMadonna3

No, that's actually pretty accurate if you don't hit any traffic or slow moving people. (however, hitting slow moving people might make them actually get out of the way or just pull over altogether allowing you to speed on by.)

Thanks, I was hoping to get a real early start, to avoid rush hour on I95 or turnpike from Ft. Laud thru Miami. Figure then we'd have most of the first day there.
I 95 S. or Turnpike, what do you think. We've booked 2 nights in Key West. Can't wait. thought on the way back we'd stop at the other keys along the way to look around. I'm really looking forward to it (not the drive though) all the years I've been going down to Fla, (mom lives there) and we've never gone down to The Keys. I think the drive puts me off. And the Miami drivers, which seem to fit into 2 categories, as you say, incredibly slow, or they think they're on a race track! Yikes.

[TheMadonna3]

I'm not an East Coaster so when I go down to Miami or the keys I take 75 all the way down. However, I think the locals tend to use the turnpike over 95. If it were me, I'd do the turnpike because that's what I do after 75 runs out. The turnpike dumps you on 1 in Florida City.