The Florida Keys is a unique place, which makes for some unique driving experiences. The Keys are a string of 110 miles of islands just south of the tip of mainland Florida, that are more "Caribbean" than "American" and a tropical oasis without having to leave the country. On your drive to get there, you will enter the Gateway to the Keys through Florida City. This gateway is an 18-mile stretch of land bridge known simply to Keys residents as "the stretch". A mostly one-lane road that once you enter, there's no turning back. There are no exits or businesses except for the marina part way through the stretch as you cross over from Miami-Dade County into Monroe County, which makes up all of the Florida Keys.
Here are some tips for traveling the Florida Keys Overseas Highway.
There are two passing zones on this road. Use them carefully and wisely if you get behind one of those fairly slow drivers that people often want to pass because they've built up a line of cars behind them due to their speed. There can be some pretty crazy and unsafe drivers in the Florida Keys and passing can get a bit frenetic.
At the end of this stretch of road is where Overseas Highway begins/ends in Key Largo at approximately mile marker 107. Overseas Highway is an All American Road, one of only 30 in the entire U.S.. The entirety of Overseas Highway is referenced by these mile markers. They start in Key West, at the infamous Mile Marker Zero, and are used as reference points for location by people in the Keys. It is the only road that runs from the furthest north Key, Key Largo, to the furthest south Key, Key West.
Everything on Overseas Highway is at some point on this 107 mile stretch of road on either the ocean side or bay side. Overseas Highway is the dividing line between the Gulf of Mexico (the bay) and the Atlantic Ocean (the ocean). So people will either ask you or tell you the location by the mile marker number and the side of the highway (i.e. mile marker 82 bay side...bonus points to those who can identify this Florida Keys business!).
Speed limits on Overseas Highway are very controlled. There is a lot of police presence looking for speeders (frequent) and illegal passers (also quite frequent). The highway is 2 lanes when you enter Key Largo until you reach Islamorada at MM91. It stays a one lane road until you enter the main portion of Marathon around MM55. Overseas Highway remains 2 lanes until you reach the 7-Mile Bridge at MM47. South of the 7-Mile Bridge is Big Pine Key where the Key Deer are found. These Key Deer are not found anywhere else in the world and, as such, the speed limits in that area are much more controlled - particularly at night when they are even lower.
There are a lot of very amazing views and fun things to see as you make this drive down Overseas Highway. And as a vacation location, people are very distracted and often times in a rush. And, unfortunately, maybe even driving under the influence of some substance. This can make for some pretty hairy situations on this beautiful stretch of highway. When these things happen, because there is only one road, it can create some pretty bad traffic situations. In the loss of life or a medical evacuation, the road can be shut down for hours with no way in or out. And you may be one of those unfortunate souls stuck in this traffic, but no less fortunate than the people involved in the actual incident.
As previously mentioned, the Florida Keys are a unique place with unique circumstances. Learning about this uniqueness will help to keep you prepared and safe as you traverse this gorgeous one-of-a-kind road in an island paradise. Take care and enjoy your stay!
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