The 113-mile drive along US Route 1 from mainland Florida to Key West is one of the most unique drives you can do in the USA. Besides the natural beauty along the route - tidal flats, teal waters dotted by distant islands - the Overseas Highway is simply an engineering marvel. Its concrete stretches across impossible expanses of water, the Atlantic spreading out to the left, the Gulf to the right.It is easy to understand why the southernmost leg is often referred to as the "Highway that Goes to the Sea." You'll experience an astonishing 42 bridges including the landmark Seven Mile Bridge, nicknamed the eighth wonder of the world after its completion. From the top of some of these bridges, the individual islands in the distance look tiny and fragile against the sea and sky.
The beauty of this drive is pulling off the road whenever you like for a swim, drink, photo or quirky souvenir. There's no hurry, you are officially on island time!