Folks driving to the Florida Keys from central and eastern North America will take one of two routes down to Florida. Of course, if you are sightseeing on the way down, you will wander hither and yon as we often do.

While enroute to our Florida Keys destination in the past we've taken the opportunity to visit Virginia Beach, The Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk, and Charleston, for example. And to do that, we took the backroads.

Photo: This photo attests to the fact that taking the backgrounds can mean stumbling across some quite interesting sights and places.

But, if you are taking the direct route, your choices are one of three ways; I-75 through west coast, I-75 to the Florida Turnpike, or down I-95 along the east coast.

If you are arriving from the Chicago, Detroit, or places northwest, then you will likely drive down I-75. Then, if cutting westward on I-75 from Wildwood Florida and driving down into the Keys through Tampa, Fort Myers, Naples and so on is your choice, I talk about that route on this page.

Or, you can opt for the Florida Turnpike route.



At Wildwood Florida on I-75, you will intersect with the Florida Turnpike which will convey you the 310 miles (500 kilometers) down to the Florida Keys.

The Florida Turnpike is a toll road, and you can expect to pay around $20.00 US funds if you don't have a "Sunpass", which, I expect, most tourists won't. The "Sunpass" would reduce that fare to around $16.00. That's based on fares in 2009. If you want to find out how much it will cost to drive to the Keys on the Turnpike today then click here and follow the links to the Toll calculator.

The Turnpike drive is fast... fast and bland. However, if speed is the issue, that's the way to go.

The Florida Turnpike parallels I-95 from Fort Pierce south to just before Miami. You can exit the Turnpike at Fort Pierce and take I-95 south to save a few bucks if you wish. I-95 is a freeway, though it will be more congested, and was under construction for much of it's length early 2009.

As you approach Miami watch for signs for the Palmetto Expressway, Homestead and those directing you to the Florida Keys. Stay on the Turnpike to it's terminus at Homestead Florida. At that point you have reached the South Dixie Highway (U.S.#1) which you will take southbound from Homestead, down past Florida City on U.S.#1 into the Florida Keys.



For folks driving south from eastern Canada or the US eastern seaboard, you'll likely be entering Florida on I-95. The border between Georgia and Florida is quite convoluted where I-95 crosses, south of Kingsland Georgia and north of Gross Florida.

The first major city in Florida is Jacksonville, and I don't bother taking the circle route (#295) as the direct I-95 south cuts quite a bit of drive time off the transit, and (knock wood) so far the drive through the city has been relatively benign.

When you get down to Boynton Beach, consider getting off I-95, driving east to the ocean, and waving to Freeport Bahamas about 80 miles straight east of you!

Also consider getting off I-95 at Boynton Beach (804) or Delray Beach (806) and heading west to the Turnpike to bypass the greater Fort Lauderdale / Miami megalopolis. It's worth the few bucks in tolls unless there's a reason for you to stay on I-95 and drive into either city. It's a very people-dense area, traffic can be quite slow, and if you opt for taking I-95 right down to the Florida Keys, that last 20 miles or so down from downtown Miami on #5 (South Dixie Highway) is replete with stop lights and heavy traffic.

It's an interesting drive, you'll see a side of Miami that isn't written up in the tourist books, and it's very long. Interesting though. And yes, this is the voice of experience talking. :-)

You'll eventually end up in Homestead where you'll head south past Florida City and into the Keys.

One of the nice things about the I-95 route is that is paralleled by U.S.#1, the coastal highway, all the way down. Need a taste of Florida beach or waterfront enroute? Just exit I-95 anywhere and drive a short distance to the ocean. If time isn't your master, driving down U.S.#1 takes a lot longer, but there sure is a lot more to see and do on the way.

Safe Driving as you head to the Florida Keys by car, 'ya hear!