Coronavirus has disrupted travel in 2020 in a totally unforeseen way. Amidst travel restrictions and lockdowns, many travelers took to the open road for a classic American road trip – of which there are many.
The Florida Keys is one the most iconic road trips in the United States is the 113-mile drive (one way) along U.S. Highway 1.
Known as the Overseas Highway, this unique road links 44 islands via 42 bridges with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west.
113 miles is not a long road trip, but you’re missing the point if you drive straight through to Key West. Manatee mailboxes line the road, shared with cyclists hugging thin strips of bike lane. Seafood shacks, kitschy roadside attractions, quirky galleries, and jam-packed marinas are sprinkled along the route, offering various distractions.
If you begin your journey in Miami, expect to drive about an hour to reach the northernmost edge of Key Largo.
Home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef Park, the first undersea park in the United States. Snorkeling and diving are top activities here – the park features Christ of the Abyss, a 9-foot bronze statue that sits in 25 feet of water. Glassbottom boat tours, kayaking trips, and fishing are also popular activities.
Of course, you’ll pass numerous signs proclaiming the home of the best Key Lime Pie in the Florida Keys.
My husband and I didn’t stop to try them all, but we did a fair amount of research. Another not to be missed taste of the Keys is Conch Fritters. The small bites of local queen conch meat fried in a savory batter with a combination of peppery seasonings and a spicy sauce are delicious.
One of my favorite stops on the trip was the Turtle Hospital on Marathon Key.
A working hospital, they strive to rehab injured sea turtles and return them to their natural habitat. Take a guided educational tour for a behind-the-scenes look at the hospital facilities and rehabilitation area. At the end of the program, we were able to feed the permanent residents.
No Florida Keys road trip would be complete without a stop at Robbie’s to feed the tarpon. Tarpon can grow up to 8 feet in length, and the water at Robbie’s is roiling with them. With a bucket of small baitfish, we gingerly held our hands out over the water, stomping our feet to ward off the pelicans waiting to swoop in. The tarpon thrash to the surface, snatching the fish so quickly that you can occasionally feel their teeth before they drop back under the surface.
No view along this stretch of highway is more quintessential than the 7-mile bridge.
Take in the gorgeous aquamarine-colored water as you drive over it. You can park and walk for a way along the old original railway bridge – used for fishermen and pedestrians.
Many people hurry through the drive to reach their destination in Key West. I would suggest that the road trip is the destination. Spend a few nights on the different Keys and get to know the area in a way that many do not.
We went in December, which was fabulous.
The days were in the 80s, warm enough to enjoy the water, and the nights were cooler with light breezes and very little humidity. The summers here are scorchingly hot, humid, and wet. So plan accordingly and enjoy a trip on one of America’s classic stretches of highway.
As always, thanks for reading! XOXO
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