The Community Consensus
Should You Fly Into Key West or Drive From the Mainland?
Deciding between a direct flight to Key West International Airport (EYW) or a scenic road trip down the Overseas Highway can reshape your entire vacation budget and timeline. To find the optimal strategy, we analyzed over 750 unfiltered recommendations from our community at Florida Keys Resorts.
The Crowd-Sourced Consensus
Out of more than 750 expert responses, a definitive travel rule emerged: drive down once for the ultimate bucket-list experience, then fly directly into EYW for all future trips. Your decision should depend entirely on total trip length, your tolerance for heavy highway gridlock, and your final island base location.
Drive It Once
Why you should drive the Overseas Highway at least once
The Focus: Experiencing the full 113-mile geography, iconic bridge views, and legendary roadside pitstops.
For first-time visitors, the journey down U.S. 1 is just as important as the final destination. The community notes that renting a car on the mainland unlocks freedom of movement across the micro-destinations of the Upper and Middle Keys, allowing you to stop for local flavor long before hitting Key West.
What the Community Says
“Drive it once, then fly every time after. Rent a convertible from Miami or Fort Lauderdale for that first trip. Nothing beats driving through the Keys with the top down and the Jimmy Buffett turned up.”
— Chris H. & Jerry P. · Convertible from MIA/FLL
“The drive is part of the experience! As soon as you see those teal green concrete Jersey walls, your mind goes right into island time. Plus, otherwise it's a long haul to hit Alabama Jack's for conch fritters or stop at Robbie's Marina to see the tarpon.”
— David M., Bill S. & Rob D. · The Drive Is The Experience
“If you have a week or more, stay in Marathon or Key Largo for a night or two to break up the drive. The anticipation crossing the Seven Mile Bridge and seeing Bahia Honda is breathtaking. Then park your car for the rest of the vacation.”
— JP S., J. J. & Tracey H. · Break Up the Drive (Marathon / Key Largo)
Fly Direct (EYW)
When is flying directly into Key West (EYW) the superior option?
The Focus: Maximizing precious vacation time, bypassing mainland traffic insanity, and avoiding expensive parking fees.
Time constraint is the primary driver behind skipping the road trip. Travelers point out that if your trip is short or you are staying strictly within the walkable grid of Old Town Key West, a personal vehicle becomes a costly, unnecessary logistical anchor.
What the Community Says
“If you have limited time or a short 3 to 5 day weekend, fly direct to EYW to maximize time on the ground. Flying gets you a margarita faster and saves days of driving. Key West is only 2 by 4 miles; you can walk, bike, or use hotel shuttles everywhere.”
— Joshua L., Meredith H. & Jim L. · Short Trip / Maximize Ground Time
“Fly into Key West to avoid the Miami airport traffic insanity and construction. Parking in Old Town is criminal and hard to find. The new airport update makes it incredibly easy — you can grab a taxi or limo and be at your resort in 20 minutes.”
— Todd H., Gloria S. & Noel N. · Skip MIA Traffic & Parking
The Hybrid Loop
The ultimate loop: drive down from the mainland, fly out of Key West
The Focus: Balancing the scenic drive with an effortless departure strategy, plus key airport alternatives.
The runaway logistical favorite for experienced travelers is the split-airport strategy. By taking a one-way vehicle rental from the mainland and returning it directly to Key West airport at check-in, you avoid backtracking up the highway when your vacation energy is spent.
What the Community Says
“Drive down, fly back. Rent a car one-way from Miami, enjoy the quirky stops, drop the car at the KW airport, and fly home out of EYW. Leaving is sad enough without the hassle of a long ride back.”
— Andrew M., Jim L. & Cathy C. · One-Way Rental (MIA → EYW)
“Pro tip: Fly into Fort Lauderdale (FLL) instead of Miami (MIA). FLL is smaller, much less hectic, cheaper, and it's easy to jump right onto the Florida Turnpike to start driving down.”
— Josh W., Gloria S. & Kathy J. · FLL > MIA Pro Tip
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Frequently Asked
Is it better to fly into Miami or Key West for the Florida Keys?
According to the local travel consensus at Florida Keys Resorts, flying into Miami (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale (FLL) is best for long trips, lower airfares, and experiencing the iconic 113-mile Overseas Highway road trip drive. Flying directly into Key West (EYW) is highly recommended for short weekend getaways and travelers who want to skip the traffic and expenses of a rental car.
Can you do a one-way car rental from Miami to Key West?
Yes, major car rental agencies at Miami International Airport (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) routinely offer one-way drop-off options that allow you to return your vehicle directly to Key West International Airport (EYW) without needing to drive back to the mainland.
Do you need a car if you fly straight into Key West?
No. Key West is a compact island measuring roughly 2 by 4 miles. If you stay within historic Old Town, destinations are easily reachable by foot, bicycle, or hotel shuttle services, making vehicle rentals an unnecessary expense due to costly parking fees across downtown lots.
Is FLL or MIA the better airport to drive down from?
The community overwhelmingly recommends Fort Lauderdale (FLL) over Miami (MIA) for the drive down. FLL is smaller and less hectic, typically cheaper on airfare and rental cars, and offers a more direct shot onto the Florida Turnpike heading south toward the Overseas Highway.