Overseas Highway - Scenic Route
Overseas Highway
Outdooractive Editors
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/ Seven Miles Brige in Richtung Marathon, FloridaPhoto: Sathish S, CC BY, flickr.com
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/ Florida KeysPhoto: David Broad, CC BY, wikipedia.org
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/ Overseas Highway mit KüstenkulissePhoto: Jack Miller, CC BY-SA, flickr.com
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/ Seven Miles BridgePhoto: Milan Boers, CC BY, flickr.com
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/ Monument at the entry of Everglades National ParkPhoto: Spigidbe83, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
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/ Bird's eye view of Seven Mile BridgePhoto: George W. Hatcher, CC BY, Wikimedia Commons
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/ Key Largo HarbourPhoto: Elmschrat, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
The Overseas Highway is a stunning coastal highway which connects the famous Florida Keys with the US mainland. As the southernmost leg of the freeway U.S.1, the freeway is the only connection between more than 40 islands.
Do you feel like winding down your window, enjoying the breeze on your skin while Florida’s warming sun is shining upon the highway? This route will give you a sense of unlimited freedom. Besides the famous route 66 there are only a few roads and freeways that make you feel this kind of special spirit like the Overseas Highway does.
It is part of the mighty U.S. Highway 1 and known for its incredible engineering: More than 40 oversea bridges of concrete and steel connect the giant freeway. The most famous of them is the Seven Mile Bridge, an 11-km-long (6.8 miles) construction between Bahia Honda Key and Vaca Key.
A total of 205 km (127 miles) give you a spectacular view onto the shimmering Atlantic Ocean, the sunny Florida Bay and the picturesque Florida Keys.
Author’s recommendation
Don’t miss the chance to visit the Everglades. This vast national park offers you an interesting insight into Florida’s flora and fauna.
Safety information
Please check road conditions before starting the tour. As Overseas Highway is the only connection between the US mainland and Key West, there might be much traffic, so you might spend a couple of minutes waiting.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The tour starts on the Dixie Highway in Homestead, next to Seminole Wayside Park. After about 30 km (18 miles) southwards we’re leaving the city and continue on the coastal highway. Between Garden Cove and Sexton Cove we head towards southwest, crossing Key Largo and Islamorada, until we get to Marathon. After a total of 140 km (87 miles) we cross the Seven Mile Bridge. On the right side we get breathtaking views of Florida Bay. Halfway between Islamorada and Marathon we get to see Long Key State Park on the left; you can get there directly from the freeway. After about 18 km (11 miles) from the Seven Mile Bridge, the highway turns right and continues westwards until Key West, its southernmost point.
Getting there
Take the US-1 from for about 14 km (8,7 miles) until Ronald Reagan Turnpike (Dadeland), then take the FL- 874 to get onto the FL-878. After a total of 39 km (24 miles) on the US-1, take the S-Railroad-Ave in Homestead (total distance: 55 km/ 34 miles).
Parking
You will find more details about parking facilities nearby.
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