The Florida Keys run southwest from Key Largo to Key West, with U.S. 1 linking the main island groups.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
A map showing Florida Keys should make one thing clear first: the Keys are not one island, one beach town, or one compact city. The island chain stretches from the Upper Keys near mainland South Florida to Key West at the end of U.S. Highway 1.
For trip planning, read the Florida Keys like a long road corridor. Key Largo sits closest to Miami, Islamorada and Marathon fill the middle, the Lower Keys slow the pace down, and Key West anchors the far southwest end.
Where Are The Florida Keys On A Map?
The Florida Keys sit off the southern tip of Florida, curving southwest between the Atlantic side and the bay side. Key Largo is the first main island group most drivers reach from Miami, while Key West is the final major stop at Mile Marker 0.
The map looks simple, but distance can be deceptive. A straight-line view makes the islands look close together; the real trip follows bridges, narrow road sections, small towns, and water on both sides.
The easiest way to orient yourself is to divide the chain into five planning zones: Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, the Lower Keys, and Key West. Those are the same broad areas most hotel searches, road signs, and local trip plans use.
Florida Keys Map Orientation: From Key Largo To Key West
Florida Keys map planning works from northeast to southwest, not north to south in a straight line. The mile markers count down as you move toward Key West, so higher numbers mean closer to mainland Florida.
The official Florida Keys tourism site describes the Overseas Highway as a 113-mile drive with 42 bridges in its official Florida Keys area overview. That is why a map should be read as both a geography tool and a road-trip tool.
| Area On The Map | Approximate Road Position | What It Means For A Trip |
|---|---|---|
| Key Largo | Upper Keys, roughly MM 107 to MM 91 | Closest main Keys base to Miami, strong for reef trips and a first-night stop. |
| Tavernier | Between Key Largo and Islamorada | A quieter strip for travelers who want Upper Keys access without staying in the busiest pocket. |
| Islamorada | Upper to Middle Keys, roughly MM 90 to MM 72 | A good map point for fishing, boat days, dockside meals, and two-night stays. |
| Long Key and Layton | Between Islamorada and Marathon | A thin, calm stretch that works better as a stop than a packed activity base. |
| Marathon | Middle Keys, roughly MM 60 to MM 47 | The most central base, with access to the Seven Mile Bridge and family-friendly rentals. |
| Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys | Lower Keys, roughly MM 40 to MM 10 | Better for quieter nights, Key deer habitat, Bahia Honda access, and slower drives. |
| Key West | End of U.S. 1, roughly MM 4 to MM 0 | The walkable far end, with Old Town, Mallory Square, and the southern terminus of the route. |
How Do You Read Mile Markers In The Florida Keys?
Florida Keys mile markers work like a countdown to Key West. A location near MM 100 is much closer to Key Largo, while a location near MM 10 is deep in the Lower Keys.
Use mile markers when a restaurant, marina, park, or hotel gives an address on Overseas Highway. The number tells you where it sits along the chain before you zoom into a street map.
- Higher mile markers mean the Upper Keys, closer to mainland Florida and Miami.
- Middle numbers point toward Islamorada, Long Key, and Marathon.
- Lower numbers mean the Lower Keys and Key West.
- Mile Marker 0 is in Key West, where U.S. 1 reaches its famous endpoint.
Mile markers are especially useful because many addresses along the Keys share the same highway name. The number often tells you more than the street name does.
Upper Keys, Middle Keys, And Lower Keys On The Road
The Upper Keys are the first choice for shorter trips from Miami, the Middle Keys make the strongest central base, and the Lower Keys feel more spread out. Key West is different from all three because it behaves like a small city at the end of the chain.
Key Largo works well when the map goal is easy access from the mainland plus reef and boat time. Islamorada suits travelers who want a classic Keys feel without driving all the way to Key West on day one.
Marathon is the practical middle. Marathon keeps you close to the Seven Mile Bridge, gives you shorter drives in both directions, and often makes sense when the trip includes several parts of the island chain.
The Lower Keys are better for travelers who want space, nature, and less foot traffic. Big Pine Key and nearby islands sit closer to wildlife areas and quieter water access than to nightlife.
Key West is the end point, not just another stop. A map may show it as one small island, but Key West has the densest mix of hotels, restaurants, historic houses, bars, and walkable streets in the Keys.
Where To Stay Once The Map Makes Sense
The right Florida Keys base depends on how far down the chain you want to drive. Key Largo saves time from Miami, Marathon reduces backtracking, and Key West works best when the trip is built around Old Town and nights out.
After you know which part of the map fits your route, compare hotel locations by area before comparing room photos:
Map tip: if a hotel looks cheaper, check its mile marker before you commit. A lower nightly rate can cost you time if it sits 45 minutes from the part of the Keys you actually plan to visit.
A Simple Florida Keys Map Plan
A useful Florida Keys map plan starts with your trip length, then picks one or two bases instead of chasing every island. The chain rewards slower movement more than constant backtracking.
- One night: stay in Key Largo or Islamorada if coming from Miami, or stay in Key West if the goal is the endpoint.
- Two nights: choose Marathon for a balanced middle base, or Key West for a compact city stay.
- Three nights: pair Islamorada or Marathon with Key West so the drive feels like part of the trip, not a chore.
- Four nights or more: split the trip into Upper or Middle Keys first, then Key West at the end.
For a first trip, the cleanest map route is Miami to Key Largo, Key Largo to Islamorada, Islamorada to Marathon, Marathon over the Seven Mile Bridge, and then down through the Lower Keys to Key West. That route follows the natural order of the islands and keeps the map easy to understand from the first mile to the last.
References & Sources
- Florida Keys & Key West Tourism Council.“All About The Florida Keys.”Supports the 113-mile Overseas Highway, 42 bridges, and regional layout used in the map explanation.