The Byways site lists it as a 4 hour drive. I hope that is one way, and it'll be much more than that if you ever stop. There are many, many waymarks posted, and just as many more yet to be posted along this historic stretch of road.
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Florida Keys Scenic Highway
Florida
Length: 106.5 mi / 171.4 km
Time to Allow: Four hours
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway is definitely one of a kind. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico stretching out as far as the eye can see, it winds through vistas of natural beauty, areas rich in history and legend, views of spectacular sunrises, sunsets, sparkling stars and moonlight. It's a highway where travelers from all over the world experience their own adventures in paradise--many come for a visit and never go home.
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway travels through some of the nation's most spectacular scenery. While it's not part of an old Bob Hope and Bing Crosby movie, folks in the Florida Keys still describe the stretch of US 1 from Key Largo to Key West as the "Road to Paradise."
The southern section of US 1 is part of "the old national road" that started in Maine and traveled down the East Coast to Florida. Its predecessor routes were primitive roads built in the 1880s to connect pineapple farms around old Key Largo to docks where crops were transported to the mainland. Before that, the only way to travel in the Keys was by boat.
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Florida Keys Scenic Highway
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway, stretching over 106 miles across the alluring islands of the Florida Keys, conjures up many imagines in the minds of its travelers–palm trees swaying in the tropical breezes, miles of ocean vistas, recreational adventures to delight and enchant and an island culture unparalleled in the world.
Panoramic, scenic views are in abundance along the Florida Keys Scenic Highway. Catch glimpses of dolphins swimming with their young, manatees gracefully floating in the shallow waters and endangered birds peacefully gliding through the brilliant blue sky. A remarkable number of endangered wildlife live in or migrate through the Florida Keys including the Florida Manatee, Key Deer, Osprey, Bald Eagle and Green Sea Turtle. The unique features of the coral reef and mangroves make it a habitat for thousands of fish, crustaceans, mammals and sea creatures.
The delightful views entice the traveler to engulf oneself in the many recreational adventures encircling this scenic highway. The Florida Keys Scenic Highway is the land route to the only living coral reef in the continental United States, a world renown area for scuba diving and snorkeling. State parks dot the land throughout these islands and are favorite spots for sunbathing, swimming, boating, sailing, kayaking, hiking and camping as well as being home to some of the top-rated beaches in the United States.
The turquoise and emerald waters surrounding this scenic highway offer some of the best sportfishing in the world as well as amateur fishing off of the old railroad bridges. These historic bridges were once a part of Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway completed in 1912. They are in much demand by people wanting an idyllic spot for breathtaking sunrise and sunset viewing. In addition, for the hiking and biking enthusiasts, many bridges have been converted to be a part of an extensive multi-modal trail system, eventually linking Key Largo to Key West.
While the area is known for its scenic and recreational abundance, it is also rich in culture and history. Key West, the southernmost point in the United States, was home to many literary greats. During his 10 years living in Key West, Ernest Hemingway penned “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “A Farewell to Arms” and “To Have and Have Not.” Now his home is a National Historic Landmark museum. Other literary legends–Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, Robert Frost and Thornton Wilder–would also bask in the island ambiance.
People may experience the eclectic variety of food, dance to Salsa music, listen to the relaxing rhythms of an island steel drum band or visit the many museums and art galleries filled with influences of the Conch, Cuban and Bahamian cultures. The residential architecture, robust, flavorful cuisine and hardy lifestyle with a love and respect for the sea are integral parts of the Conch culture. The Cuban culture, which began over two hundred years ago and is still as vibrant today, can be seen in architecture, festivals, restaurants and hand-rolled cigar production. In Bahama Village, the Bahamian culture–a mixture of cultures from the Bahamas, Jamaica and other Caribbean island nations–is highlighted in the arts, crafts and foods featured at restaurants, shops, festivals and special religious and ethnic celebrations.
The Florida Keys is symbolic of the ideal tropical island getaway and driving the Florida Keys Scenic Highway is the “Road to Paradise.” This scenic highway is the gateway to the exciting adventures that await any traveler who explores the intrinsic resources that have made the Florida Keys famous worldwide.
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