Florida Keys Guide: Key Largo to Key West, Dry Tortugas and Costs
Mile-marker stops, a 5-day plan, how to reach Dry Tortugas and where to snorkel, with fees as of November 2026.
The Florida Keys drive runs about 100 miles on the Overseas Highway (US-1) from Key Largo to Key West, roughly 3 to 4 hours without long stops. Plan at least 4 to 5 days to snorkel, cross the Seven Mile Bridge and spend two nights in Key West. Add a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park, 70 miles west of Key West by ferry or seaplane, with a $15 park fee. December to April is driest and busiest; hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30.
What are the main stops on the drive from Key Largo to Key West?
Green mile marker (MM) signs count down along US-1 from about MM 106 in Key Largo to MM 0 in Key West, and addresses in the Keys use them. The table lists the main areas from north to south.
| Area | Approx. mile markers | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Key Largo | MM 106–91 | John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first undersea park in the US; snorkel and glass-bottom boat trips |
| Islamorada | MM 90–70 | Sport fishing, kayaking in the backcountry flats, small public beaches |
| Marathon | MM 60–47 | Sombrero Beach, family-friendly base in the Middle Keys |
| Seven Mile Bridge and Pigeon Key | MM 47–40 | Drive the modern bridge; walk or bike the restored old bridge toward Pigeon Key |
| Bahia Honda State Park | MM 37 | Some of the Keys’ best natural beaches and an old railroad bridge |
| Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys | MM 33–10 | Key deer in the National Key Deer Refuge; boat trips to Looe Key reef |
| Key West | MM 4–0 | Old Town, Mallory Square sunset, Fort Zachary Taylor beach, ferry to Dry Tortugas |
Drive time depends on traffic, which is heaviest on Friday and Sunday afternoons and in winter. Most of the highway is two lanes with long no-passing stretches, so build in extra time. Do not feed or approach Key deer; they are an endangered species, and feeding them is illegal.
How many days do you need in the Keys?
Four to five days lets you see the highlights without spending most of your time in the car. A simple plan:
- Day 1: Drive from Miami (about 1 to 1.5 hours to Key Largo) and snorkel or take a boat trip from John Pennekamp. Overnight in Key Largo or Islamorada.
- Day 2: Islamorada and Marathon, the Seven Mile Bridge and an afternoon at Bahia Honda. Overnight in Marathon or the Lower Keys.
- Day 3: Looe Key snorkel trip in the morning, Key West by afternoon, sunset at Mallory Square. Overnight in Key West.
- Day 4: Dry Tortugas day trip by ferry or seaplane. Overnight in Key West.
- Day 5: Key West museums and Fort Zachary Taylor beach, then drive back or fly out of Key West.
If you are combining the Keys with mainland Florida, our 10-day Florida road trip adds Miami, the Gulf Coast and Orlando, and our Everglades guide covers the park near the start of the Keys drive. Since January 1, 2026, nonresident visitors aged 16 and over pay an extra $100 per person at Everglades and 10 other busy national parks unless they hold the $250 nonresident annual pass; Dry Tortugas is not on that list.
How do you visit Dry Tortugas National Park?
Dry Tortugas is a remote cluster of islands about 70 miles west of Key West, with no road access. Ferry and seaplane visitors land at Garden Key, home to the 19th-century Fort Jefferson, sandy beaches and reef snorkeling right off the shore.
| Option | How it works | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry (Yankee Freedom) | High-speed catamaran from Key West; day trips and camping transport. Fare includes the park entrance fee | Book weeks to months ahead, especially in winter |
| Seaplane | Shorter flights for half-day or full-day visits; the operator collects the entrance fee before departure | Book ahead; weather can cancel flights |
| Private boat or permitted charter | Buy a digital entrance pass in advance on Recreation.gov | Plan for open-water conditions and limited anchoring |
As of November 2026, the entrance fee is $15 per person for ages 16 and up, valid for 7 days, and the America the Beautiful pass is accepted. The park does not accept cash. Fees and options are listed on the NPS Dry Tortugas fees page.
Camping on Garden Key is primitive and first come, first served for the eight regular sites, with an overflow area. The NPS says the ferry carries only 10 campers per day and that spots sell out months ahead. Campers must bring all water (the NPS suggests two gallons per person per day), food and a tent, plus an extra day’s supply in case the ferry is canceled. Compressed gas canisters are not allowed on the ferry, so bring charcoal for the grills. There is no cell service or Wi-Fi.
Where is the best snorkeling in the Florida Keys?
The Keys sit beside the only living coral barrier reef in the continental US, protected by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Most reefs lie several miles offshore, so you need a boat trip.
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (Key Largo): boat trips to shallow reefs; good for beginners.
- Sombrero Reef (Marathon): a lighthouse-marked reef with clear water on calm days.
- Looe Key (Lower Keys): a protected area known for fish life.
- Dry Tortugas: snorkeling from the beach around Fort Jefferson’s moat walls.
A record marine heat wave in 2023 caused widespread coral bleaching in the Keys, and reefs are still recovering. Follow sanctuary rules: do not touch or stand on coral, use mooring buoys instead of anchoring on the reef, and keep your fins off the bottom.
When is the best time to visit the Florida Keys?
Winter and spring bring dry weather and the highest prices. Summer is hot and humid, with afternoon storms and the warmest water. Average water temperatures from NOAA’s Key West tide station in 2023–2024 show how warm it gets:
| Season | Water temp (Key West) | Weather and crowds |
|---|---|---|
| December–February | 73–74°F | Dry, mild days; peak prices; cold fronts can stir up seas |
| March–May | 79–86°F | Warm and mostly dry; spring break crowds in March |
| June–August | 88–90°F | Hot, humid, afternoon storms; lower rates |
| September–November | 79–88°F | Peak hurricane risk in September and October; quietest months |
During hurricane season, follow the National Hurricane Center and Monroe County emergency updates. Visitors are usually ordered to leave first because US-1 is the only road out.
How much does a Florida Keys trip cost?
Lodging is the biggest expense, and it is highest in Key West and in winter. Prices change too much by season to quote reliably, so use these patterns when budgeting:
- Lodging: Key West costs the most; Marathon and the Lower Keys usually cost less. Book winter and holiday stays months ahead.
- Activities: snorkel boat trips, fishing charters and the Dry Tortugas ferry or seaplane are the main extras; ferry and seaplane fares include or collect the $15 park fee.
- Parks: Florida state parks in the Keys charge modest per-vehicle entry fees.
- Getting around: parking in Key West is limited and expensive; bikes and walking work well in Old Town.
- Tolls: routes from Miami may use toll roads; rental car toll programs add fees.
Bottom line
Drive the Overseas Highway slowly over four or five days, snorkel at least once, and book the Dry Tortugas ferry or seaplane as early as you can, especially for winter dates or camping. Visit in late spring for warm water with fewer crowds, or in winter for the most reliable weather, and keep plans flexible in hurricane season. For other clear-water options, see our list of clear-water beaches in the US.
FAQ
How long is the drive from Key Largo to Key West?
About 100 miles, or roughly 3 to 4 hours without stops. Traffic and stops along the way usually make it a full day.
How much does it cost to visit Dry Tortugas?
The park entrance fee is $15 per person aged 16 and over as of November 2026, included in the ferry fare. Ferry and seaplane tickets are priced separately by the operators.
Can you camp at Dry Tortugas?
Yes, on Garden Key in a primitive campground. Regular sites are first come, first served, but the ferry carries only 10 campers a day, so book transport months ahead.
What is the best month to visit the Florida Keys?
April and May combine warm water, mostly dry weather and smaller crowds than winter. December to March has the most reliable weather but the highest prices.
