Driving to the Florida Keys is not only one of the best Florida road trips but maybe one of the most famous road trips in the world – The Overseas Highway to Key West.
There are probably a couple dozen famous cities in the world that everyone either visits or wants to visit. Typically, Paris, Moscow, New York, Hollywood, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, London and a few others come to mind.
None compare to the worldwide eclectic reputation of Key West and driving through the Florida Keys is the way to get there.
Unfortunately, few people see the REAL Key West the way it should be seen. Walking Duval Street from one end to the other is a good start, but that jaunt does not do much for the history, novelty, or uniqueness of the island. There are dozens of things to do in Key West – you can’t get bored!
Ways to Get to Key West
There are three modes of transportation that bring most people to Key West – automobile, plane, or some come by boat! We aren’t going to waste too many words on planes and boats.
The most fun way to get to Key West is by driving to the Florida Keys on US Route 1, known as the Overseas Highway through what we call “The Keys”. Keys are islands that populate southern Florida as they protrude out into the Gulf of Mexico to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south.
Key West is the last of the islands connected by 42 bridges that we call the Florida Keys. Few highways have more allure than US 1 in the Keys.
Places like Key Largo, Seven Mile Bridge, Hawk’s Cay Resort, and the sports fishing capital of the world, Islamorada, are along this famous road. All of these famous places have international reputations for different things and all are on the only road to Key West – The Overseas Highway.
History of The Overseas Highway
The Overseas Highway, a marvel of modern engineering, stretches 113 miles from mainland Florida to Key West, traversing the Florida Keys via a series of 42 bridges.
Its origins trace back to the early 20th century with Henry Flagler’s ambitious Florida East Coast Railway, which reached Key West in 1912. The railway, known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” connected the Keys to the mainland but suffered extensive damage during the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935.
The devastation rendered the railway unusable, leading to its abandonment. However, the infrastructure, including bridges and causeways, was repurposed to create a roadway, marking the genesis of the Overseas Highway.
Construction of the Overseas Highway began in the late 1930s, utilizing much of the railway’s original foundation. By 1938, the highway opened to traffic, providing a vital link between the Florida Keys and the rest of Florida. The highway was further improved and expanded in the subsequent decades, with the most significant upgrades occurring in the 1980s.
Today, the Overseas Highway is celebrated not only for its historical significance but also for its breathtaking vistas, offering travelers an unparalleled journey over the shimmering waters of the Florida Keys.
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This article originally appeared here and was republished with permission.
