Orlando is about 390 miles from Key West by road; expect 7.5–8.5 hours nonstop or about 1 hour 20 minutes in the air.
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The distance from Orlando to Key West is long enough to turn a beach break into a full travel day. Driving covers roughly 390 miles, while the straight-line air distance between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Key West International Airport (EYW) is about 270 miles.
A nonstop flight is the fastest choice. Driving makes more sense when the Overseas Highway and Florida Keys stops are part of the trip, or when two or more travelers can share the car costs.
Traffic around Orlando, South Florida, and the single road through the Keys can add an hour or more. Plan with a range rather than treating a map estimate as an arrival promise.
Orlando To Key West: Every Route Compared
Orlando and Key West are connected by nonstop flights, long-distance buses, and a road route using Florida’s Turnpike and U.S. Highway 1. There is no direct passenger train to Key West, so every rail plan ends with a bus, shuttle, or rental car from Miami.
Ready to compare the practical combinations for your dates? Check the available buses and ground connections here:
How Long Does The Drive Take?
The Orlando-to-Key West drive usually takes 7.5–8.5 hours without long stops. A meal, fuel break, traffic near Miami, and slow movement through the Keys can push a realistic travel day to 9–10 hours.
The usual road route runs south from Orlando on Florida’s Turnpike, continues toward Homestead, and joins U.S. 1 for the Overseas Highway. U.S. 1 becomes slower after Florida City because the final stretch crosses populated islands, bridges, and many lower-speed zones.
- Leave early: A departure before 7 a.m. reduces the chance of reaching Miami during the busiest afternoon period.
- Allow daylight for the Keys: The island section is easier to read and more rewarding before dark.
- Do not plan a tight check-in: Crashes, bridge work, or weekend traffic can create delays because U.S. 1 is the only through-road.
Fuel estimate: A 25-mpg car uses about 16 gallons over 390 miles. At AAA’s July 10, 2026 Florida average of $3.85 per gallon, fuel alone is about $60 one way.
Travelers renting a car can compare one-way and round-trip quotes before deciding whether to keep the vehicle in Key West:
Travel Times And Costs At A Glance
The cheapest option changes with airfare, group size, rental fees, and the value placed on time. The ranges below reflect current mid-2026 searches and should be rechecked for the exact date.
| Travel Plan | Typical Total Time | Rough One-Way Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Drive your own car, limited stops | 7.5–8.5 hours | About $70–$95 for fuel and tolls, before parking |
| Drive with Florida Keys stops | 9–12 hours | About $70–$95 road cost, plus meals and parking |
| One-way rental car | 7.5–9 hours | Rental quote plus about $70–$95 for fuel and tolls |
| Nonstop MCO–EYW flight | About 1 hour 15 minutes in the air; 4–5 hours door to door | Roughly $50–$150+ base fare before bags |
| Direct or connecting intercity bus | About 9 hours 40 minutes to 12 hours | Roughly $60–$75 on recent searches |
| Brightline to Miami, then bus | About 8–10 hours including the transfer | Roughly $100–$200+ combined |
| Flight to Miami, then bus or rental car | About 6–9 hours with the connection | Roughly $80–$250+ before rental add-ons |
Driving The Overseas Highway
The Overseas Highway is the reason to drive rather than merely tolerate the distance. The final section crosses the Florida Keys on U.S. 1, with possible stops in Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, and the Lower Keys.
The official Florida Keys driving information lists Key West 159 miles from Miami and notes that the route crosses 42 bridges. That final segment often takes 3.5–4.5 hours without a long stop, and holiday traffic can make it longer.
A same-day drive is workable, but the route is better split overnight when sightseeing matters. Good break points include Miami for the simplest split, Key Largo for an early start down the island chain, or Marathon for a shorter second day.
Flight Time From Orlando To Key West
A nonstop Orlando-to-Key West flight takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes in the air. Airport time, security, boarding, and transfers make the door-to-door total closer to 4–5 hours for many travelers.
Breeze Airways currently sells nonstop Orlando International Airport to Key West International Airport service on selected days. Schedules are not equally frequent every day, so a connecting itinerary through Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or another hub may appear on some dates.
- Fly for a short stay: Air travel protects most of the first and last vacation days.
- Check baggage fees: A low base fare can rise once seat choice and bags are added.
- Compare airport access: Key West International Airport is close to central Key West, while Orlando airport access can add time at the start.
Bus And Train Options
Long-distance bus service is usually the lowest-cost car-free choice, but the trip commonly lasts 10 hours or more. FlixBus and Greyhound sell Orlando-to-Key West itineraries, with direct and connecting departures varying by date.
Brightline runs from Orlando International Airport to Miami, not Key West. Pairing the train with a Miami-to-Key West bus takes roughly 8–10 hours once the connection is included, so it wins on comfort rather than speed.
Build at least 60–90 minutes between separate rail and bus tickets. A missed connection may not be protected when two operators issued the bookings independently.
Where To Stay After The Trip
Key West lodging is worth arranging before a long drive or a late flight because walkable Old Town rooms can sell out on busy weekends. Staying near Old Town reduces the need to keep moving a car once you arrive.
Use the map to compare Old Town, New Town, and Stock Island locations against the airport, Duval Street, and parking needs:
Drivers should check whether the room includes parking. A cheaper room can cost more overall when daily parking and repeated rides into Old Town are added.
Should You Drive Or Fly?
Flying is the strongest choice for speed, while driving is the stronger choice for a multi-stop Florida Keys road trip. Bus travel suits a solo traveler prioritizing price over time, and the train-plus-bus plan suits someone who wants to avoid both flying and a full-day drive.
- Choose the nonstop flight for a two- or three-night Key West stay.
- Choose your own car when two or more people are sharing costs and want stops along U.S. 1.
- Choose a rental car when the route itself matters, but price the one-way fee and Key West parking first.
- Choose the bus for the lowest likely solo fare and no driving responsibility.
- Choose Brightline plus a bus only when rail comfort matters more than a simple transfer.
For most travelers, the decision is straightforward: fly when Key West is the sole destination; drive when the Florida Keys are part of the plan.
References & Sources
- Florida Keys & Key West Tourism Council.“Travel To And Around The Florida Keys And Key West.”Supports the Miami-to-Key West distance, bridge count, and U.S. 1 access details.