Overseas Highway
United States, north-america
182 km
5 m
easy
November-April (dry season, avoids hurricane risk)
# The Overseas Highway: A 182-Kilometer Island-Hopping Adventure
Picture this: you're cruising down a road where the ocean literally surrounds you on both sides. That's the Overseas Highway—a stunning 182-kilometer stretch of US Route 1 that connects mainland Florida to the quirky, colorful island paradise of Key West via a series of tropical islands you didn't even know existed.
Here's the cool part: this road was built on the bones of Henry Flagler's legendary Overseas Railroad, which got absolutely demolished by a hurricane back in 1935. Instead of abandoning the route, someone had the brilliant idea to turn it into a highway. Today, you'll cross 42 bridges along the way, with the jaw-dropping Seven Mile Bridge being the showstopper—a genuine engineering marvel that stretches across open ocean between Marathon and the Lower Keys.
The drive itself is mesmerizing. You'll feel like you're literally floating on the water, with the brilliant turquoise Atlantic on one side and the gentler waters of Florida Bay on the other. It's scenery that just keeps getting better as you island-hop through charming communities: the laid-back fishing vibes of Islamorada, the artsy, free-spirited energy of Key West, and everything in between.
Want to break up the drive? Snorkel some incredible coral reefs, explore the historic Bahia Honda State Park, or keep your eyes peeled for the adorable (and rare) Key deer hanging out on Big Pine Key. Trust us—this isn't just a road trip, it's an experience.
Where is it?
Overseas Highway is located in Florida, United States (north-america). Coordinates: 24.7136, -81.1053
Driving Tips
# Road Trip Tips for the Keys
Skip the holiday weekends if you can—the traffic gets absolutely crazy and you could be sitting in your car for hours. Not fun when you're trying to enjoy paradise!
Here's a handy navigation trick: the mile markers count down as you head south, starting at 126 in Florida City and hitting 0 in Key West. It's super useful for giving directions or finding your way.
Keep an eye on your speed because cops are definitely watching out here. Speed limits aren't just suggestions!
Gas up while you're in the Upper Keys if possible. The further south you go, the pricier fuel gets, so fill your tank when you can.
Bring some solid sunglasses—seriously. The water reflection is brutal on your eyes, and you'll be much more comfortable and safer on the road when you can actually see clearly.
Road Surface
Paved, flat multi-lane highway with long bridge sections
Road Details
- Country
- United States
- Continent
- north-america
- Region
- Florida
- Length
- 182 km
- Max Elevation
- 5 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Surface
- Paved, flat multi-lane highway with long bridge sections
- Best Season
- November-April (dry season, avoids hurricane risk)
- Coordinates
- 24.7136, -81.1053
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