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Trip from Islamorada, FL to Miami, FL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 58m

Distance

79.3 mi

128 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 50m ★
6 AM
1h 58m
8 AM
2h 15m
10 AM
2h 4m
12 PM
2h 3m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 15m
8 PM
1h 53m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Islamorada, FL, FL

Islamorada, FL

Arian Fernandez

city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States

Miami, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 79.3-mile drive from Islamorada to Miami, Florida, is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the Overseas Highway, Dixie Highway, and the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike, with about a third of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $13, making it an economical option. Given the relatively short distance and duration, you'll have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, allowing for spontaneous stops or a direct arrival in Miami. This route connects two distinct areas within Florida, moving from the Keys to the mainland.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

39.6 miles from Islamorada, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Overseas Highway 25.8 mi 42m
Dixie Highway 19.4 mi 26m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike 16.9 mi 20m
South Dixie Highway 6.9 mi 12m
Don Shula Expressway 4.4 mi 5m
Snapper Creek Expressway 2.7 mi 3m
I 95 1.9 mi 2m
US 1 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Overseas Highway — 25.8 mi, about 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Islamorada, FL and Miami, FL.

1

Start on US 1

26 mi · 42 min · Overseas Highway
Use the straight lane.
2

Continue on US 1

19 mi · 26 min · Dixie Highway
Use the straight lane.
3

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

13 mi · 15 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

3.6 mi · 4 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 874 Toll

4.4 mi · 5 min · Don Shula Expressway
Toward SR 874 Toll: Miami Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 878 Toll

2.7 mi · 3 min · Snapper Creek Expressway
Toward SR 878 East Toll Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Merge onto US 1

6.9 mi · 12 min · South Dixie Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1

1.9 mi · 2 min · I 95; US 1
Toward I 95 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit onto US 1; SR 970

0.4 mi · 1 min · US 1; SR 970
Exit 2A Toward US 1: Downtown, Biscayne Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 24 sec
Toward Southeast 1st Avenue Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12

Turn straight onto Southeast 1st Avenue

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Southeast 1st Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
13

Turn left onto Northeast 1st Street

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Northeast 1st Street
14

Turn left onto North Miami Avenue

310 ft · 8 sec · North Miami Avenue
15

Arrive at destination

North Miami Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 1 hour and 58-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Islamorada to maximize your day in Miami and potentially avoid some traffic. With only 79.3 miles to cover, you have the advantage of flexibility – there's no strict need to break up the journey. However, if you prefer to stretch your legs, the longest stretch without a significant break is 25.8 miles on the Overseas Highway, so plan a brief stop before or after that segment if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you approach Miami, where gas prices can vary.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.6 miles from Islamorada, FL, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.8 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 17 miles or 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 39.6 miles or 1h 2m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 37m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Miami, FL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Islamorada, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Islamorada, FL

This is one driving day of about 79.3 miles and 1h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Islamorada, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Overseas Highway for about 25.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Homestead, FL

40 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Key Largo, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Florida City, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.6 miles from Islamorada, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

FunDimension Game Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Miami, Florida

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Hours: 10 am–11 pm

+17863601766

Visit website

FunDimension Game Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Miami, Florida

Hours: 10 am–11 pm

+17863601766

Visit website

Schnebly Redland's Winery & Brewery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Halfway reset 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately

Homestead, Florida

Hours: 12–5 pm

+13052421224

Visit website

Dolphin Life Key Largo

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Key Largo, Florida

Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm

+13054534321

Visit website

History of Diving Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Islamorada, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13056649737

Visit website

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Key Largo, Florida

+13056763777

Visit website

Maurice A. Ferré Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Miami, Florida

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+13053587550

Visit website

The Florida Keys Visitor Center FKVC

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Key Largo, Florida

Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm

+13057126596

Visit website

The Horrorland Miami

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Miami, Florida

Hours: Closed

+13054007000

Visit website

Tours in the Glades

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Florida City, Florida

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12392604577

Visit website

Rain Barrel Village

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Islamorada, Florida

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13055212043

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 45.1 and 78.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
45.1 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in

Take the exit toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
7
62.3 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in | SR 874 Toll / Don Shula Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 874 Toll / Don Shula Expressway toward SR 874 Toll: Miami

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward SR 874 Toll: Miami
7
66.8 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | SR 878 Toll / Snapper Creek Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 878 Toll / Snapper Creek Expressway toward SR 878 East Toll

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward SR 878 East Toll
7
76.4 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in | I 95; US 1

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1 toward I 95 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 North
8
78.4 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in | US 1; SR 970

Take the exit onto US 1; SR 970 toward US 1: Downtown, Biscayne Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 2A Toward US 1: Downtown, Biscayne Boulevard

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.62 one way

$25.24 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $13.73 $27.46
premium $4.72 $14.75 $29.49
diesel $5.61 $17.51 $35.02

Estimated Tolls: $1.01

Homestead Extension (16.9 mi) $1.01

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.8 0 $8.33 $3.81
Efficient EV 19.8 0 $6.94 $3.17
EV Truck/SUV 31.7 0 $11.10 $5.08

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (68% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Islamorada, FL

Morning in Islamorada on Tuesday

Local time

11:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

E 10 mph 11% chance Live forecast

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

Destination

Miami, FL

Morning in Miami on Tuesday

Local time

11:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

E 12 mph 17% chance Live forecast

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

1 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 58m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park

National Park

Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 54.7
Caution: Boater Awareness
View on nps.gov
Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park

National Park

Established in 1947 as the first national park created for its biodiversity, Everglades National Park protects 1.5 million acres of wetland, forest, and marine habitats and the native plants and anima...

26 mi from route ~64 min detour $35 near mile 43.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

The drive presents a mixed character, blending highway speeds with more local road experiences. With 33% of the route on highways, you'll encounter stretches of faster travel. The longest uninterrupted section you'll experience is 25.8 miles along the Overseas Highway, offering a sustained sense of motion. As you progress, expect the road to transition, moving from the unique island causeway feel of the Overseas Highway to mainland arteries like Dixie Highway and the Turnpike extension, shifting the driving environment.

33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 25.8 mi on Overseas Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 45.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.3 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 45.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.3 miles (SR 874 Toll / Don Shula Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.8 miles (SR 878 Toll / Snapper Creek Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Islamorada, FL and Miami, FL, road signs point toward Orlando and Florida's Turnpike North.

Orlando

45.1 mi in | ~1h 9m

Florida's Turnpike North

45.1 mi in | ~1h 9m

About the Cities

Arriving in Miami, FL

Full guide →

“The Magic City” · Founded 1825

Miami is a major city in the southeastern United States and the second most populous city in Florida. The Greater Miami metropolitan area is the largest in the state with an estimated population just under 6.1 million (2021), which makes it the 9th most populous metro area in the United States. Although tourists generally consider Miami Beach to be part of Miami, it is its own municipality. Miami Beach sits on a barrier island east of Miami and Biscayne Bay. It is home to lots of beach resorts, and is one of the most popular spring break party destinations in the world. This article only covers the city of Miami, not Miami Beach.

Top landmarks

  • • Little Havana — neighborhood in Miami, Florida
  • • Vizcaya Museum and Gardens — historic estate on Biscayne Bay; Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, Florida

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 58m. Total distance: 79.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (33%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 25.8 miles on Overseas Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.01 in tolls one way, starting with Homestead Extension. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Miami, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 45.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.3 miles (SR 874 Toll / Don Shula Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.8 miles (SR 878 Toll / Snapper Creek Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Miami, FL before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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