How long is the ride from Orlando to Key West?

Hi we are thinking of taking a 2 or 3 of days from ourOrlando holiday to drive down to Key West , we have not been before so would like to ask ... is it better to drive all in one day or stop off over night somewhere ? if we stop where would be a good halfway point to stay the night? Any other hints or tips would also be welcome . Thanks

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Traveller from UK

Berkshire, United...

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1. Re: Driving from orlando to key west

7 years ago

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Hi, please don't think I'm being rude but maybe you need to do a bit more research about driving times! MapQuest is a really good website with masses of useful information about different routes etc.

It is around an 8 hr drive fromOrlando to Key West so maybe you should think about just visiting one of the Upper Keys instead? Whether you stop or not is a matter of personal choice but IMHO, you won't have enough time there to make the trip worthwhile as you will spend two of your three days on the road. If you stop for a night en route then you will have to drive back more or less as soon as you get there! We have visited the Keys many times as they are a great holiday destination but we go for a minimum of a week and usually two weeks at a time and still haven't scratched the surface!

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objets

Fort Lauderdale...

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3. Re: Driving from orlando to key west

7 years ago

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When is you're trip? Id get an early start and plan to be in Key West for the sunset festival atMallory Square. Spend the next day exploring the island and then head back late afternoon on your last day.

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SDT

Key West

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4. Re: Driving from orlando to key west

7 years ago

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It is a long drive for a short stay, but as long as you have two nights I think it is doable. I would spend both nights in Key West, having a full day here, and make a couple stops on your way down and back. With a stop or two, the drive will take all day.

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KeyLimey

Key West, Florida

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5. Re: Driving from orlando to key west

7 years ago

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It's a long drive and not that interesting until you get to the Keys. Do it in one day, and get an early start. You should arrive inKey West by late afternoon, if you only make a few quick stops.

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stace344

Sheffield, United...

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6. Re: Driving from orlando to key west

7 years ago

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Thanks for all your replies , we did want to get an early start and do the drive in one go stopping for a quick lunch on the way to get 2 nights in key west . It will be sometime in first week in October that we plan to drive down maybe mon - wed . Id seen the saint hotel but on looking have seen some closer toMallory square ,,Eden house ,Pier house and a few others ,,any thoughts on these ? . The saint looked nice but has only limited parking . Thanks again

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bluewater

Marathon, Florida

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7. Re: Driving from orlando to key west

7 years ago

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I wouldn't base a hotel on being close to Mallory or not. I mean, it's only a few blocks anyway. And - you can only spend so much time atMallory Square, aside from sunset it's not that exciting. I wouldn't make that a priority.

If you like the Saint - go for it.

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Heidi C

Rhode Island

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8. Re: Driving from orlando to key west

7 years ago

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I've done a similiar trip and it was well worth it. We left Ocala (about an hour north ofOrlando) and drove down to Miami, had dinner on South Beach and spent the night. Got an early start the next morning and headed down to Key West for 2 nights. Had an amazing stay at the Key Lime Inn and drove straight through on the way back. It was enough time to get a taste of the keys and a quick glimpse of Miami. I would highly recommend it, if it's a place you are interested in visiting.

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stace344

Sheffield, United...

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9. Re: Driving from orlando to key west

7 years ago

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bluewater thanks for that I thought that Mallory sq and duval was where everything was so I thought that end duval st seemed ideal would anywhere along duval be ok to get around , we don't mind walking ( we walked around san Francisco quite a bit, more hills there lol ) there is so many nice looking hotels too many to narrow it down now ive looked more lol, somewhere with enough parking ideally as we would want to park up and not bother withcar till we leave .

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SDT

Key West

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10. Re: Driving from orlando to key west

7 years ago

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The Saint is like 5 minutes walk toMallory Square. All of Duval Street is just over a mile end to end.

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