United States to United States
Forty two bridges, one road and turquoise water on both sides for the last hundred miles.
Direct
260 km
161.6 mi
Scenic route
300 km
186.4 mi
Days
2
about 2.7 hr direct
Tolls
£12
one way, per car
The drive
The Overseas Highway is not a driving road in the corner carving sense. It is a causeway across open sea, and there is nothing else like it in the country.
Seven Mile Bridge is the famous stretch. Drive it early, before the traffic backs up behind the campers, and stop at Bahia Honda for the old rail bridge view.
Two days makes it a proper trip rather than a transit. Add a morning in the Everglades on the way down if you have the time.
December to April, outside hurricane season and the summer humidity.
Worth the detour
Where to break the drive
Key Largo
First key, good for diving and an early start.
Islamorada
Halfway and the best food on the chain.
Marathon
At the northern end of Seven Mile Bridge.
Questions
About 260 km, roughly 161.6 miles, by the most direct route. The scenic version described here runs closer to 300 km.
Around 2.7 hours of driving on the direct route, which most people split over two days. The scenic route takes 2 days without rushing.
Budget about £12 one way per car in tolls, vignettes and crossings, before fuel and hotels.
December to April, outside hurricane season and the summer humidity.
More journeys