Driving Time to the Keys

You can Fly or Drive to the Florida Keys

The major U.S. airlines continue to offer convenient flights to the Florida Keys. However, our islands are the only tropical getaway reachable by car from the U.S. mainland.

The 125-mile island chain can be reached by U.S. 1 south of Miami. Each Key is linked to the next by the scenic Overseas Highway, which was first built atop the remains of tycoon Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad.

This list shows approximate drive times and distances from major U.S. population centers. Note: All drive times are to the beginning of Keys.

1. Miami, FL: 50 mi (80 km) — 1 hour
2. Ft. Myers, FL: 200 mi (320 km) — 4 hours
3. Tampa, FL: 300 mi (480 km) — 6 hours
4. Orlando, FL: 280 mi (450 km) — 6 hours
5. Gainesville, FL: 380 mi (610 km) — 8 hours
6. Tallahassee, FL: 530 mi (850 km) — 10 hours
7. Jacksonville, FL: 490 mi (780 km) — 10 hours
8. Savannah, GA: 530 mi (850 km) — 11 hours
9. Macon, GA: 630 mi (1,010 km) — 13 hours
10. Charleston, SC: 630 mi (1,010 km) — 13 hours
11. Atlanta, GA: 700 mi (1,120 km) — 14 hours
12. Pensacola, FL: 720 mi (1,150 km) — 14 hours
13. Montgomery, AL: 740 mi (1,200 km) — 15 hours
14. Birmingham, AL: 860 mi (1,370 km) — 17 hours
15. Charlotte, NC: 884 mi (1,400 km) — 18 hours
16. New Orleans, LA: 910 mi (1,500 km) — 18 hours
17. Louisville, KY: 1,140 mi (1,824 km) — 23 hours