Perhaps there is no city in Florida that has more fascination surrounding it than Key West. The Tampa to Key West drive time is most likely on many central Floridians’ minds this time of year. And, why not?
What city in Florida is surrounded by waters from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean with public access by plane, car and boat? What city in Florida has more cultural diversities? What city in Florida has a richer and more exciting history?
What city in Florida has 195 bars in a 2-mile by 4-mile square area? What city in Florida has hosted writers like Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Robert Frost, Wallace Stevens, John Hersey and so many more?
Treat Your Tampa to Key West Road Trip As An Adventure
Road trips are fun, but a Tampa to Key West day trip is better than most. You have many decisions to make. You also have a choice of which Florida attractions along the way you want to see. The first thing you need to know is how far is Key West from Tampa and the Tampa to Key West drive time?
Florida Travel Blog will give you the distance from Tampa to Key West, including options and ideas about your Tampa to Key West drive time depending on the route from Tampa to the Keys.
How far is Tampa from Key West?
Following I-75 to Route US 1, and directly to Key West is about 425 miles. However, there are more interesting ways to take a day trip to Key West from Tampa.
For instance, our preferred way is to take I-75 to Rt. 41, the Tamiami Trail, in Naples, and go across the Everglades to Rt. 997 through Homestead to Rt. 1 and then on to Key Largo.
You are guaranteed a much more scenic Tampa to the Florida Keys drive and many opportunities to have some fun as described here – Alligator Alley (I-75) vs. The Tamiami Trail. This adds about 20 minutes to the Tampa to Key West drive time but avoids the Miami traffic.
How long does it take to drive to Key West?
The Tampa to Key West drive time is about 71/2 hours (depending on the time of day) and your chosen route (see above). Few people drive straight through since there are so many sights, attractions and fun along the way. Consider the drive to the Keys from Tampa a day trip to Key West.
Is it worth driving from Tampa to the Florida Keys?
If you like water, islands and beautiful views, it is our opinion that the drive from Key Largo to Key West through the Keys is astounding. The drive through the Florida Keys can’t be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
Of course, you can go by airplane or the Key West Express. Those options are described in our guide to the Florida Keys.
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This article originally appeared here and was republished with permission.
