Driving the Overseas Highway with Kids: Key Largo to Key West

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One of the Best Drives in Florida

The Overseas Highway is one of the most scenic drives in the United States. It stretches across a chain of islands, linking Key Largo to Key West with long bridges, ocean views, and plenty of places to stop along the way.

It’s absolutely worth doing, especially as part of a Florida family road trip. That said, it takes longer than people expect. On paper, it doesn’t look far, but once you factor in stops, traffic, and slower speed limits, it becomes a full-day experience.

With kids, that’s actually a good thing. There are lots of places to break up the journey, making it feel more like an adventure than a long drive. It worked really well for us as part of our wider trip (see 2-Week Florida Family Itinerary: Everglades, Florida Keys and Theme Parks for more details).

How Long Does It Take to Drive from Key Largo to Key West?

The distance from Key Largo to Key West is around 100 miles, but you shouldn’t think of it as a simple 2 hour drive.

Realistically, if you drive straight through, it might take around 2.5 to 3 hours. But with kids, and with stops, it easily becomes a full-day trip.

We’d recommend treating it as a road trip rather than just a transfer. Plan a few stops, take your time, and enjoy the journey. It’s one of those drives where the experience is just as important as the destination.

Best Stops on the Overseas Highway with Kids

This is what makes the drive so enjoyable with children. You can break it up into manageable chunks and give everyone something to look forward to.

Key Largo

Key Largo is the starting point for most families. It’s a great place to stay for a couple of nights before heading south, we stayed at Kawama Yacht Club Condo (See Kawama Yacht Club Key Largo: Beachfront Family Accommodation) which worked really well for space and location).

From here, you can visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, one of the best places for snorkelling or glass-bottom boat tours. If you’re considering getting in the water, our guide to Snorkelling Tours in the Snorkelling Tours in Key Largo- what to expect covers what to expect.

Islamorada

Islamorada is a great quick stop, mainly for Robbie’s Marina, where kids can feed the famous tarpon. It’s simple, slightly chaotic, and really fun. You don’t need long here—30 to 60 minutes is enough—but it’s one of those stops kids remember.

About 30 minutes from Key Largo, Robbie’s open from 7am, we got there shortly after and were the first on the dock, a quick 30 minute stop. This stop cost us $12.50 ($2.50 each to enter the dock and $5 for a bucket of fish).

Long Key State Park

This is a quieter, often overlooked stop but well worth it. We stopped for around 30 minutes to stretch our legs and walk the short loop ‘Golden Orb Nature trail’.

It’s a completely different feel from places like the Everglades or Big Cypress—more coastal, open, and peaceful. If your kids enjoyed spotting wildlife on land, it’s a nice contrast to experiences like our Big Cypress Nature Preserve visit and Everglades Airboat experience.

Approximately 20 minutes from Robbie’s, this stop cost us $6.50 for 3 people to enter the park.

Marathon

If you have time to slow the trip down, Marathon is one a great place to stop with kids interested in animals. We opted not to stop here, we kept going on to Key West where we wanted to spend more time.

You’ll find:

• The Turtle Hospital

• Dolphin Research Center

• Sombrero Beach (great for a proper break)

You’ll also pass the Seven Mile Bridge, which is one of the highlights of the drive. You can just drive across it, or stop nearby if you want to take it in properly. What amazed us with the old bridge that sat alongside the new bridge, pedestrians, cyclists and even tourist buses were driving along this route taking in the views.

Big Pine Key

This is where you might spot the Key deer, a small and unique species found only in this part of Florida. It’s more of a slow-down-and-look-out stop rather than a planned activity, but it adds something different to the journey. We kept an eye out but sadly didn’t spot any.

Exploring Key West with Kids

Key West is a fun and lively place to explore with kids, but it’s worth knowing it involves a lot of walking, especially if you don’t plan transport in advance.

We parked at Higgs Beach, which is a great option if you arrive early enough to grab one of the free spaces. From there, we walked all the way into the centre of Key West, which ended up being a much longer route than expected.

Our route took us to the Southernmost Point, which is a popular photo stop, then through Old Town, where there are shops, street performers, and plenty to see. One thing we didn’t expect, and actually found really interesting, was how many roosters and chickens were just wandering around freely. They’re everywhere in Key West, and the kids loved spotting them as we walked around.

We finished at Mallory Square, which is especially lively in the evening with markets, street entertainment, and a great atmosphere. We also stopped for Kermit’s Key Lime Pie and a frozen key lime pie cake pop, which is a must-try when you’re in Key West.

In total, we walked close to 20,000 steps that day, so if you’re visiting with kids, it’s worth considering the Key West tram or hop on hop off bus to save tired legs and make getting around easier.

If you have more time, you could also visit the Shipwreck Museum, Butterfly Nature Conservatory, or the Key West Aquarium, dolphin watching tour all of which are good options to break up the day and give kids something interactive to enjoy.

Final Verdict – Is It Worth Doing with Kids?

Yes, absolutely—but go in expecting a long, tiring day if you try to do it all at once. Overall, the drive is 100% worth it with kids—just don’t rush it. Break it up, enjoy the stops, and treat it as part of the adventure rather than just a journey from A to B.

In summary, you can do the drive in one day (we did), but it works even better if you can break it up.

• Key Largo – a great starting point

• Islamorada – ideal for a short stop at Robbie’s

• Marathon – probably the best overnight stop if you want to split the journey, plenty of kid friendly activities available

• Key West – plan at least half a day or overnight if you want to explore more

Tips for Driving the Overseas Highway with Kids

A bit of planning makes a big difference:

• Start early to avoid traffic and heat

• Bring plenty of snacks and drinks

• Plan 2–3 stops so it doesn’t feel like a long drive

• Expect a slower, scenic journey rather than a quick one

We found that spacing out stops kept the kids engaged and made the whole day feel relaxed rather than rushed.

Planning a Family Trip to the USA

If you’re planning a family trip to the United States, we’ve created a collection of practical guides based on our own experiences travelling there with a child. In our USA Travel Hub, you’ll find advice on everything from ESTA requirements and travel insurance to driving, healthcare and managing jet lag with kids, alongside destination guides for places we’ve explored including New York, Colorado, South Dakota and Florida. It’s a useful starting point for parents researching how to plan a smooth and enjoyable family trip to the USA.