Florida Keys and Key West Travel & Maps
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Paradise Has Never Been Easier to Reach
The 120-mile-long Florida Keys island chain is linked to mainland Florida by U.S. 1, the Overseas Highway. Visitors to the Upper Keys can fly into Miami International Airport or Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. From there, they can hop on shuttle buses or rent cars and arrive in the Upper Keys in about an hour from Miami or an hour and 45 minutes from Ft. Lauderdale.
In addition, visitors can now fly to Marathon, the small city at the mid-point of the island chain, aboard on-demand small charter aircraft such as Gold Aviation and a regional airline, SeaCoast Airlines. Ground transportation is available in Marathon including airport shuttle buses, taxis and rental cars by Avis, Budget, Hertz and Enterprise.
As always, visitors can fly to Key West International Airport via connections or direct flights from a host of Florida cities. The airport offers a host of ground transportation options, including local shuttle buses and rental cars.
General aviation enthusiasts and corporate jet operators will find plenty of services at the Florida Keys Marathon Airport and Key West International Airport.
If you choose to drive to Key West from the mainland, or take a shuttle bus, the trip will take about 3.5 hours over U.S. 1, the Overseas Highway.
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Florida's Turnpike Extension (FTE) has introduced an all-electronic toll system (no physical cash tollbooths) on the Turnpike between Milepost 0 in Florida City and Milepost 47 at the Miami-Dade/Broward County line. The new cash-less system went into effect on Feb. 19, 2011, and impacts four toll plaza locations. What does this mean for U.S. and international visiting motorists who travel in and out of the Florida Keys? The all-electronic transition is intended to continue making toll roads on this stretch of the Turnpike safe and efficient to drive, as well as more convenient for travelers. Most rental car companies have programs that allow customers to use lanes that utilize SunPass, a pre-paid toll program already in place for travel on toll roads. The tolls plus a minimal service fee are charged to the credit card used to rent the vehicle. Resident motorists without a SunPass have an alternative method to pay tolls without stopping. Through the TOLL-BY-PLATE system, a picture will be taken of the registered driver's license plate and a monthly invoice will be mailed to the vehicle's registered owner. A $2.50 administrative fee will apply, per invoice which is billed on a monthly basis. Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) For more information about the all-electronic open road tolling on Florida's Turnpike, travelers can call the public information office at 1-800-749-PIKE (7453) or visit the website at www.FloridasTurnpike.com/all-electronictolling. |
Driving Directions to the Florida Keys ...
From Miami International Airport, take LeJeune Road south to 836 West. Take the Florida Turnpike south toward Key West. The Turnpike ends at US 1 in Florida City. Follow U.S. 1 south about 22 miles to Key Largo and you are now in the Florida Keys.
From Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, exit the airport and follow the signs for 595 West. Take 595 to the Florida Turnpike and follow the signs for the Florida Keys.
From the north, take the Florida Turnpike south to just below Ft. Lauderdale, where Exit 4 joins the southern portion of the Turnpike. The Turnpike ends at US 1 in Florida City. Follow U.S. 1 south into the Florida Keys.
From Florida's west coast, take 1-75 Alligator Alley east to the Miami exit, and south to the Turnpike Extension.
A Scenic Drive Along An All-American Road
The Florida Keys Overseas Highway, from north of Key Largo to Key West, has been designated an All-American Road. The Keys highway is the only All-American Road in Florida. It's the highest recognition possible under the National Scenic Byways program established by the U.S. Congress in 1991. Only 30 other roadways in the nation have earned the prestigious title.
- Florida Keys Road Trip
Be your own tour guide with the Florida Keys Road Trip. As you drive up or down the Keys listen to the history, attractions and local music by mile markers. It's fun & entertaining. Two versions available for purchase as a Double CD set or as a Download to your computer: Miami to Key West, and Key West to Miami. www.thefloridakeysroadtrip.com Phone: 305-587-0202. - What are Mile Markers? Once you're in the Keys, U.S. 1 becomes the Overseas Highway, designated with little green mile-marker signs on the side of the highway. They begin just south of Florida City with number 127 and run all the way down to zero in Key West. Locals use them as address references — here's a quick guide:
| City | Mile Marker | Approx. Miles from Miami |
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| Key Largo | 118-90 | 58 |
| Islamorada | 90-63 | 76 |
| Marathon | 63-47 | 111 |
| Big Pine Key | 47-4 | 128 |
| Key West | 4-0 | 159 |
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