Ensconce yourself within the ocean-inspired design of our rooms while looking out over the harbor and pools from your private balcony.
The drive from Miami to Key West is one of the rare road trips where the journey itself becomes part of the vacation. As soon as you enter the Florida Keys, the road begins to pull away from the mainland and stretch across open water, creating a sense of gradual arrival that feels unlike any other drive in the United States.
The route follows the Overseas Highway, a roadway officially designated as an All-American Road for its exceptional scenic, historic, and cultural significance. Spanning roughly 113 miles across the Keys and crossing 42 bridges, it links a chain of islands that feel increasingly removed from everyday life with each mile marker. This is not simply a way to reach Key West. It is a nationally recognized travel experience in its own right.
What sets this drive apart is the way it changes your pace. Land slowly gives way to water. The horizon opens, and the road feels suspended between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a drive that invites you to slow down and arrive in Key West already in an island state of mind.
The drive “on the Overseas Highway” starts as you leave the mainland at Florida City and enter the Keys, then continues through Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Bahia Honda, Big Pine Key, and on to Key West. Let's go on this road trip through the Keys together.
Key Largo introduces one of the defining features of the Florida Keys: the coral reef. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park protects the first underwater state park in the United States and part of the only living coral reef system in the continental U.S. Long before the Keys became a vacation destination, these reefs drew explorers, fishermen, and divers to the region. Dive, snorkel, or take a glass bottom boat ride to see Christ of the Abyss in the blue waters of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
Islamorada feels grounded in working waterfront life. At Robbie’s Marina, fishing boats return daily and schools of massive tarpon gather beneath the docks. Feeding them by hand has become a well-known experience, and it is not unusual to see people lined up along the dock waiting for their turn. Shop local art, have lunch, and feed the tarpon while you watch boats come and go from the marina. Mile Marker 77.5.
Marathon sits in the middle of the island chain and offers insight into both the natural and human stories of the Keys.
Marathon is also where travelers experience one of the most iconic stretches of road in the Florida Keys. The Seven Mile Bridge carries traffic today, while the Old Seven follows the original route of Henry Flagler’s Over-the-Sea Railway, built in the early 1900s. Just offshore sits Pigeon Key, a small island that once served as a construction camp for railway workers. It is open for tours, and getting there is part of the adventure:
You can learn more about the island's fascinating history and how to plan your visit in our blog: Pigeon Key: A Historical Treasure in the Heart of the Florida Keys.
For many travelers, the moment the drive truly clicks happens at Bahia Honda State Park. Set on Bahia Honda Key at Mile Marker 37, the park offers sweeping views of shallow turquoise water and the remains of the old railroad bridge rising above the shoreline. It is a striking contrast of natural beauty and historic engineering and is often described as one of the most beautiful stops on the Overseas Highway.
As the drive continues south from Bahia Honda, Big Pine Key signals a noticeable shift. The landscape opens up and development thins as you enter the Lower Keys. The island and surrounding natural habitats are home to the endangered Key deer, a small native species found only in this part of the Keys. Seeing them near the roadside is a reminder that the Keys are not just a destination but a fragile ecosystem that requires care and patience.
From Big Pine Key, it’s only about 28 miles to Key West, and the islands feel closer together as mile markers count down toward Zero. Arriving at The Marker places you right where the island comes alive, steps from the Historic Seaport and surrounded by the energy of the harbor. Here, the story of your journey meets the pulse of the island’s maritime history as you're transported back to a piece of old Key West. The boats are ready to set sail, the restaurants and bars are ready to serve you, and the island's quirky and unforgettable vibe is waiting for you. You’ve arrived, and the best of Key West is just outside your door. #lovethemarker
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Waterfront Luxury
Ensconce yourself within the ocean-inspired design of our rooms while looking out over the harbor and pools from your private balcony.
Balcony Views
German V., Tripadvisor
