Driving Miami to Key West in February: how's the traffic?

Driving in the Keys isn't "harrowing". If it's busy, you're just going slower. There won't be folks flying around you and cutting you off--like in Miami.

Probably no reason to start out in the dark. Let the Miami traffic calm down and leave at 9-10 and get into KW in about 4 hours.

BTW--Don't hold up traffic on US 1 in the Keys. There is a lot of 45 mph---it's OK to do 5 over.



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Certainly be cautious, but also.......have fun!

MANY thanks for all your suggestions! I have a good idea now how I will plan our road trip. I was in the Keys (as far as Marathon in December '89) several times, however not in the "heart" of the winter "tourist season".

I like to drive VERY early, and will plan a pre 5 AM shot down from Homestead area during the days outlined above, in your suggestions. I am a very cautious (and, defensive) driver; so I'll leave the co-pilot do all the DV filming out side window :B

Two years ago we stayed at Knight's Key in Marathon (Mile Marker 47) and drove down to KW twice during our stay. Don't know what weekend traffic is like as we were there mid-week. There are occasional stop and go areas along the way, but averaging about 45 mph is pretty typical. As tourists in the Keys you really don't want to drive too fast anyway. Keeping an eye on the road while seeing all that great scenery is difficult enough.

I do this trip almost monthly year round. This is not for everyone, I like to leave Homestead for the trip south around 5:00 am & do the same thing north from Key West around the same time or earlier. Key West to Key Largo 104 miles almost always 2 hours of pleasant driving this time of the morning

Yeah, go outside of commuter hours, plus Fridays down, Sundays up, and you'll do okay. The Fridays down/Sundays up are the worst by far.

Dog Folks wrote:
Avoid Friday afternoon/evening go to the keys and Sunday afternoon/evening when leaving the keys. Those times are heavier than others as lots of "locals" are coming and going for the weekend.

X's 2
We winter on the Keys, and Dog Folks is right on
!
Also going through Big Pine Key on a weekend, you can get held up by the flea market traffic

Jack L

Avoid Friday afternoon/evening go to the keys and Sunday afternoon/evening when leaving the keys. Those times are heavier than others as lots of "locals" are coming and going for the weekend.

South of the Mason Dixon line, Winter impedes traffic. Way too many cars down here that time of year.
We went to Key west 2 months ago. Didn't see any special problems.
Some construction around the south end of Key Largo, but take it slow and we had no problem.
Have a nice time.

As long as there isn't a traffic accident on US 1, the traffic is slow but steady. 2 lane for the majority of the way down. Watch your speed and you won't have to contribute to the income base for Monroe County.