Key Largo to Key West: One day road trip Itinerary and activities with kids - tarpon feeding, state parks, animal encounters and key lime pie

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If you’re short on time but want to experience the magic of the Florida Keys, a one-day drive from Key Largo to Key West is doable and can be packed with fun for kids. The Overseas Highway is one of the most scenic drives in the US, and with a few well-planned stops, it becomes an adventure rather than just a drive.

This itinerary is perfect for families traveling from Miami or the Everglades and looking to explore the Keys without committing to multiple nights.

Getting Started – Key Largo

We were based in Key Largo at Kawama Yacht Club, which is a great family-friendly spot with plenty of space, a private beach area, and easy access to activities. Key Largo is the first of the Florida Keys and only about an hour from Miami, making it a convenient base for exploring the Keys.

From here, there are plenty of activities for families, including:

• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park – Book a snorkelling tour to explore the only living tropical coral reef in the US, perfect for school-aged kids.

• Glass-bottom boat tours – A fun alternative if your kids aren’t confident snorkelers.

These are the kinds of experiences you can enjoy while based in Key Largo, giving you a chance to explore the water and wildlife before venturing further down the Overseas Highway. For more details on snorkelling see, Snorkelling tours in the Florida Keys – are they worth it with kids?

We left Key Largo to complete the 2.5 hour drive at 6.30am in order to get to Key West early morning to give us time to make stops along the way and ensure we were able to park and arrive in time to have lunch.

Stop 1 – Robbie’s Marina, Islamorada (short, don't miss)

About 30 minutes into the drive, we arrived at 7am, stop at Robbie’s Marina in Islamorada. Kids love feeding the huge tarpon, and there’s a small souvenir shop and snack options if needed. It’s a fun, short stop that breaks up the drive and keeps kids engaged before the longer stretches of highway. They open from 7am so we were first to feed the hungry fish. We paid $12.50 for entry on to the dock and a bucket of fish.

Stop 2 – Long Key State Park (short, highly recommend)

Continue south for another 20 minutes to Long Key State Park. We paid $6.50 entry for the 3 of us to enter the park. Walk part of the Golden Orb Trail, a kid-friendly loop that lets them spot wildlife and enjoy the unique mangrove scenery. Perfect for a 30 minute stretch, giving everyone a chance to move and stretch legs before hitting the road again.

If you’re interested in more nature experiences in the area, check our guide on Big Cypress and Everglades National Park with kids two parks that are very accessible from the Florida Keys as another day trip.

Stop 3: Marathon (optional)

If you have extra time while driving down the Keys, Marathon is a great midway stop with a few family-friendly options:

• Sombrero Beach – A beautiful, white-sand beach with calm waters perfect for kids to paddle or swim. Great for a picnic or short break to stretch legs. Suggested stop: 30–60 minutes. Cost: free, parking available on site.

• Turtle Hospital – An educational stop where kids can learn about sea turtle rehabilitation and see rescued turtles up close. Suggested stop: 45–60 minutes. Cost: around $20 per adult, $10 per child (check latest prices before visiting).

Including a stop in Marathon breaks up the drive along the Overseas Highway, giving kids a chance to burn off energy and experience more of the Florida Keys beyond the scenic drive. We opted to miss Marathon in order to spend more time in Key West but it is a popular stop for families with school aged children.

Stop 4: Key West – Half-Day Exploration (the main event)

The final leg brings you to Key West, around 2 hours from Long Key if you drive straight, but allow extra time for short stops along the way. We arrived at 10am, we parked for free by Higgs Beach, at this time on a Sunday in April there was plenty of parking. When we returned later in the day it was pretty full.

What to do in Key West with kids:

• Southernmost Point – Classic photo stop.

• Old Town – Walk through streets with shops and street performers.

• Mallory Square – Evening markets, street entertainment, and Kermit’s Key Lime Pie (super yum!).

• Fun fact – Kids are fascinated by the free-roaming roosters and chickens all over Key West!

If you want to see more, consider the Shipwreck Museum, Butterfly Sanctuary, or the Key West Aquarium—all interactive and engaging for school-aged children.

Tip: Walking the city can be tiring and there was a lot of it in Key West —consider the Key West tram to save tired legs, especially if you plan to see multiple attractions in one day. We walked and quickly regretted it in the heat, from where we parked it was 10 minutes to Southernmost Point and from there 15 minutes to Old Town and a further 15 minutes to Mallory Square. To return to our car it was then a 40-minute walk. In the Florida heat with little legs this is quite hard work.

Tips for Driving the Overseas Highway with Kids

• Start early to make the most of daylight and cooler morning temperatures.

• Pack snacks, water, and sunscreen.

• Limit stops to 2–3 main points to avoid too much downtime.

• Treat the day as a relaxed road trip rather than just a straight drive—kids enjoy the scenery and small adventures along the way.

For a longer Florida road trip that includes the Keys, Everglades, and Miami, see our full 5-Day South Florida: Everglades, Florida Keys and Miami Itinerary for Families. For planning, it’s worth reading up on driving in the US, where I talk about booking a car through providers like Holiday Autos, tolls, and using an eSIM for maps and navigation so you’re not reliant on WiFi.

Final Verdict - is Key Largo to Key West doable with kids in one day?

A one-day Key Largo to Key West drive is absolutely doable with school-aged kids if planned properly. It combines scenic driving, wildlife, beaches, and iconic Florida Keys attractions in a single, manageable day.

For families wanting a shorter adventure in the Keys, this itinerary balances driving with activities and gives kids a chance to enjoy the unique charm of the Florida Keys without feeling rushed. It can easily link into a wider South Florida Itinerary that includes the Everglades and Miami which we run through this in 5 day Everglades, Florida Keys and Miami itinerary for families

Following the Florida Keys, we continued our trip up to Orlando to visit Universal, Volcano Bay, and Discovery Cove. If you’re planning something similar, see our full 2-Week Florida Family Itinerary: Everglades, Florida Keys and Theme Parks.

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.