This 163.6-mile journey from Key West to Hialeah will take you approximately 4 hours and 5 minutes, making it a manageable one-day drive. You'll primarily navigate the Overseas Highway and Dixie Highway, with a significant portion on the New Seven Mile Bridge. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $27. Expect a turn-heavy local driving experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. This route is entirely within Florida, connecting two points within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
81.8 miles from Key West, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Seven Mile Bridge
68.1 mi
1h 46m
Overseas Highway
36.1 mi
56m
Dixie Highway
19.4 mi
26m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
16.9 mi
20m
Don Shula Expressway
7.5 mi
9m
Express Lanes
5.8 mi
6m
Palmetto Expressway
3.5 mi
4m
West 49th Street
2.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
New Seven Mile Bridge
— 68.1 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Key West, FL and Hialeah, FL.
1
Start on George Street
367 ft·21 sec·George Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto Flagler Avenue
2.1 mi·5 min·Flagler Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto FL A1A
0.3 mi·40 sec·South Roosevelt Boulevard
4
Turn right onto US 1
36 mi·56 min·Overseas Highway
5
Continue on US 1
68 mi·1 hr 46 min·New Seven Mile Bridge
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 1
19 mi·26 min·Dixie Highway
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
13 mi·15 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 874 Toll
4.4 mi·5 min·Don Shula Expressway
Toward SR 874 Toll: MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 874 Toll
3.1 mi·3 min·Don Shula Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Merge onto SR 826
3.5 mi·4 min·Palmetto Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto Express Lanes
5.8 mi·6 min·Express Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
14
Take the exit
138 ft·3 sec
Toward Northwest 122nd StreetUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto SR 826
60 ft·0 sec·Palmetto Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward SR 932
17
Turn right onto SR 932
2.5 mi·5 min·West 49th Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Palm Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Palm Avenue
19
Turn left onto East 41st Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·East 41st Street
20
Turn right onto East 2nd Avenue
504 ft·27 sec·East 2nd Avenue
21
Turn left onto East 39th Place
445 ft·21 sec·East 39th Place
22
Turn right onto East 2nd Court
182 ft·10 sec·East 2nd Court
23
Turn right onto East 39th Street
257 ft·11 sec·East 39th Street
24
Arrive at destination
East 39th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, this route is well-suited for a single day trip. To make the most of your drive and avoid fatigue, consider an early morning departure from Key West. While there's only one recommended stop, the 163.6 miles offer flexibility for impromptu breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longer 68.1-mile stretch on the New Seven Mile Bridge, as services might be less frequent during that section.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 81.8 miles from Key West, FL, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.1 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 36 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.8 miles or 2h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hialeah, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Key West, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Key West, FL
This is one driving day of about 163.6 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Key West, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New Seven Mile Bridge for about 68.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 125.9 and 154.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
125.9 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
6
139.5 mi into trip|~3h 32m in|Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
143.1 mi into trip|~3h 37m 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
6
147.6 mi into trip|~3h 42m in|SR 874 Toll / Don Shula Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 874 Toll / Don Shula Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
154.1 mi into trip|~3h 51m in|Express Lanes
Keep slight left at fork onto Express Lanes
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.04 one way
$52.08 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$28.33
$56.65
premium
$4.72
$30.42
$60.84
diesel
$5.61
$36.12
$72.24
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
$26
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.1
0
$17.18
$7.85
Efficient EV
40.9
0
$14.31
$6.54
EV Truck/SUV
65.4
0
$22.90
$10.47
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Key West, FL
Late night
in Key West on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hialeah, FL
Late night
in Hialeah on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 9 to 14 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 13 at 7:43PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 13 at 2:00AM EDT until April 14 at 5:00AM 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
10 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 5m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The drive features a moderate 17% highway share, indicating a good balance between faster stretches and more involved local roads. You'll encounter a notable 68.1-mile segment on the New Seven Mile Bridge, offering an extended period of consistent travel. The overall profile suggests a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you'll be actively engaged with the road, navigating various intersections and changes in speed limits as you progress towards Hialeah.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.1 mi on New Seven Mile Bridge.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 125.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 163.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 125.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.5 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.1 miles (SR 874 Toll / Don Shula 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 Key West, FL and Hialeah, FL, road signs point toward Miami, Orlando and Florida's Turnpike North.
Miami
125.9 mi in|~3h 16m
Orlando
125.9 mi in|~3h 16m
Florida's Turnpike North
125.9 mi in|~3h 16m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 163.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68.1 miles on New Seven Mile Bridge. 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Hialeah, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 125.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.5 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.1 miles (SR 874 Toll / Don Shula Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Hialeah, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
