Planning review: September 26, 2026. Recheck official conditions and ticket details for your travel dates.
This 7 day Florida itinerary focuses on South Florida: Miami, an Everglades visit through the Homestead entrance, Key Largo and Key West. It returns to Miami on day 6, giving you a final mainland night before the flight. That buffer is a deliberate part of the route, not wasted vacation time.
You will have six hotel nights: Miami for two, Key Largo for one, Key West for two and Miami for one. The trip mixes city neighborhoods, a short wetland walk and island time. Orlando, Tampa and the Gulf Coast are outside this plan; adding them would change the week into a much more demanding driving trip.
If you are still choosing the type of trip, compare the Keys with other options in our Best Road Trips in the USA guide. This page turns the South Florida corridor into a specific daily schedule, with meals, overnight bases and time to stop.
The South Florida week at a glance
| Question | Recommended plan |
|---|---|
| Start / finish | Miami, with the last night back on the mainland |
| Length | 7 calendar days, 6 nights |
| Nights | Miami 2 → Key Largo 1 → Key West 2 → Miami 1 |
| Core route | About 348 miles / 9½ hours of driving before local outings and delays |
| Transport | Local transport in Miami; rental car for Everglades and Keys |
| Best seasonal fit | December–April for the usual dry-season pattern; weather is never guaranteed |
| Main bookings | Key West rooms, rental car, chosen water activity if any |
| Pace | One principal activity or transfer each day; two nights in Key West |
Florida itinerary map and driving overview
| Day | Plan | Night | Driving baseline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Miami | Miami | Airport and local travel |
| 2 | Miami Beach; optional Little Havana | Miami | Local travel extra |
| 3 | Homestead Everglades entrance → Key Largo | Key Largo | 88 miles / 2½ hours |
| 4 | Upper and Middle Keys → Key West | Key West | 100 miles / 2¾ hours |
| 5 | Key West without a long drive | Key West | Local travel extra |
| 6 | Key West → Miami | Miami | 160 miles / 4¼ hours |
| 7 | Departure or brief local morning | — | Airport access extra |
The route and figures use OSRM/OpenStreetMap waypoints checked September 26, 2026. They exclude airports, Miami sightseeing, individual hotels and optional boat or park excursions. Treat the driving times as baselines, not a promise: US 1 has limited alternatives, and congestion or an incident can extend the trip considerably.
The route travels south on US 1 through the Keys and returns on the same main corridor. It is not a loop using a second island highway. Stop order matters more than chasing the shortest possible moving time.
Your day-by-day Florida itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Miami and settle into one neighborhood
Keep the first day flexible. Miami and Miami Beach are different locations, and a hotel choice should reflect the kind of first two nights you want.
- Morning / arrival
- Reach the hotel and leave your bags if check-in is later. If you arrive after a long flight, make rest the main activity rather than committing to a timed excursion.
- Lunch
- Eat near the hotel. Downtown or Brickell works for the mainland base used in this plan; a Miami Beach hotel can use the same relaxed arrival principle on the beach side.
- Afternoon
- For a Downtown/Brickell base, take a short Bayfront or nearby waterfront walk. If staying in Miami Beach, keep to the local beach neighborhood instead of crossing back just to follow this paragraph.
- Evening
- Have dinner nearby and prepare for tomorrow. Avoid scheduling a distant nightlife outing after a tiring arrival unless you deliberately want that pace.
- Stay
- Miami, night 1 of 2. Pick one base and keep it for both nights.
- Transport and booking
- A rental is not essential for today. Compare airport transfer and hotel parking costs before deciding whether to collect the car now or on day 3. Confirm late check-in and luggage storage.
Day 2: Miami Beach, with a selective city afternoon
Use the morning for the beach and Art Deco streets, then choose one afternoon focus. South Beach, Little Havana, Wynwood and a long boat tour do not all need to happen today.
- Morning
- Visit South Beach for a walk along the beachfront and surrounding Art Deco streets. Go earlier for a more comfortable outdoor period and take breaks from the sun.
- Lunch
- Eat in Miami Beach before deciding whether to stay longer or cross to the mainland. A flexible lunch is better than a reservation that requires rushing off the beach.
- Afternoon
- If energy allows, visit Little Havana for a short neighborhood walk and a Cuban coffee or food stop. Otherwise remain at the beach or return to the hotel. Wynwood can replace Little Havana; it is not an additional requirement.
- Evening
- Have dinner in the area you have chosen and return without another sightseeing circuit. Pack the car-day essentials for tomorrow.
- Stay
- The same Miami hotel, night 2.
- Transport and booking
- Use local transit, a taxi/rideshare or your vehicle as appropriate to the exact connections. If driving, compare parking costs and do not leave luggage visible. Reserve only a particular activity you truly want; no paid tour is essential today.
Day 3: Everglades through Homestead, then Key Largo
This transfer combines a modest park visit with the start of the Keys. It deliberately stops at Royal Palm rather than continuing all the way to Flamingo or adding a second Everglades entrance.
- Morning
- Collect the rental early if you have not already done so. Drive to Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center near Homestead, check conditions, then continue to Royal Palm for the Anhinga Trail. Start the outdoor portion as early as practical in hot weather.
- Lunch
- Take a meal break in the Homestead area after the park visit, or use an appropriate picnic area with food brought along. Carry water and snacks; do not depend on a café at the exact trail stop.
- Afternoon
- Continue to Key Largo and check in. Leave the rest of the day for a short waterfront pause or hotel time rather than a rushed boat departure after an uncertain road transfer.
- Evening
- Dinner near your accommodation. If you are planning a separate water activity, review its conditions and cancellation policy rather than assuming tomorrow’s sea state will match today’s weather.
- Stay
- Key Largo, one night. Choose access to food, parking and the next morning’s route.
- Transport and booking
- About 88 miles / 2½ hours of core driving, with 5–7 hours for rental pickup, the park, lunch and check-in. The Anhinga Trail is about 0.8 mile round trip. Check Everglades conditions before leaving Miami.
Day 4: Key Largo to Key West, with a few good stops
Today is the Overseas Highway day. You have two Key West nights, so there is no need to arrive early enough to complete the entire town as well.
- Morning
- Leave Key Largo after breakfast. Travel through Islamorada and select one short legal stop rather than pulling over whenever the water looks attractive. Never use a bridge shoulder as a sightseeing area.
- Lunch
- Take a meal break around Marathon or another convenient point along US 1. Plan food before the final stretch so the afternoon does not become a hungry rush.
- Afternoon
- Bahia Honda State Park can be the main optional stop if capacity and weather allow. Spend time on a permitted beach or short walk, then continue to Key West. If the park is full, move on rather than waiting indefinitely.
- Evening
- Check into Key West, park the car and walk to dinner if your location permits. A sunset outing is optional, not an obligation after a long day.
- Stay
- Key West, night 1 of 2. Old Town favors walking; farther-out rooms need a clear plan for reaching the areas you want.
- Transport and booking
- About 100 miles / 2¾ hours moving time; allow 5–7 hours with meals and stops. Bahia Honda can close to additional day visitors when full. Do not put a nonrefundable Key West boat departure immediately after this drive.
Day 5: A full Key West day without highway travel
The second night lets you enjoy Key West on foot and choose one main activity. It also gives you flexibility if yesterday’s arrival was later than expected.
- Morning
- Explore a manageable section of Old Town before the hottest part of the day. Choose a cultural visit if it interests you, checking current tickets and hours before going. You do not need to enter every named attraction.
- Lunch
- Eat in Old Town, then take a break from the sun. A hotel rest period is useful, particularly with children or after several hot outdoor hours.
- Afternoon
- Visit Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park for its grounds, fort or beach if conditions suit, or replace that with one booked water activity. Do not schedule both as compulsory half-days without checking the boat’s full duration.
- Evening
- Have dinner and enjoy a waterfront sunset area if the weather cooperates. Keep alcohol separate from driving, cycling or water activities.
- Stay
- The same Key West hotel, night 2.
- Transport and booking
- Walk where practical or use appropriate local transport. Check Fort Zachary Taylor’s official page for current access. Water outings require a separate operator, conditions and cancellation check; no boat trip is required by the base itinerary.
Day 6: Return to Miami before the flight day
This is a travel day with one useful break, not another full island sightseeing day. Returning now protects the departure from ordinary delays on the long Keys corridor.
- Morning
- Leave Key West after breakfast and drive north on US 1. Check road information first and keep the first portion simple.
- Lunch
- Stop around Marathon or Islamorada, depending on progress. A proper food and rest break is more important than adding a final attraction.
- Afternoon
- Continue to Miami and check in. If you can return the car today without creating awkward transfers, compare that option with keeping it until tomorrow. Rental charging periods and hotel parking determine the actual saving.
- Evening
- Have dinner near the hotel, confirm the departure terminal and pack. This is intentionally a calm evening rather than a second Miami nightlife plan.
- Stay
- Miami, final night. An airport-area hotel may be useful for an early flight; a city hotel works for a later departure if the transfer is planned.
- Transport and booking
- About 160 miles / 4¼ hours moving time; allow 5½–7 hours with a break and more when conditions require. Use Florida 511 for current traffic and incidents. The overnight buffer helps, but it is not a guarantee against a major disruption.
Day 7: Depart from Miami, with only a small optional morning
Let the flight time decide the day. A morning departure should have no sightseeing attached to it.
- Morning
- If the flight is late, have breakfast and take a short walk near the hotel. Stay close enough to retrieve luggage without a cross-city detour.
- Lunch
- Eat locally or at the airport after security, depending on the transfer schedule. Avoid a fixed reservation that narrows the margin.
- Afternoon
- Return the car if still using it, account for any rental shuttle and reach the correct terminal with the airline’s recommended arrival time.
- Evening
- Departure, or add another Miami night if you want a real final sightseeing day.
- Stay
- No overnight included.
- Transport and booking
- Calculate the transfer from the actual hotel and rental return, not simply “Miami.” Use the cheap flights guide to compare total trip cost, including the final-night and airport-transfer choices.
Where to stay in Miami and the Keys
| Base | Useful area choice | Check before booking |
|---|---|---|
| Miami, first 2 nights | Downtown/Brickell for mainland logistics; Miami Beach for a beach-focused stay | Transfers between the two, parking, mandatory charges and the actual room total |
| Key Largo, 1 night | A property convenient to US 1 and a practical evening meal | Waterfront does not necessarily mean a broad sandy swimming beach |
| Key West, 2 nights | Old Town for walking; farther-out areas if the price and transport balance works | Parking, shuttle schedule, resort fees, room size and occupancy |
| Miami, final night | Airport area for an early flight; your preferred neighborhood for a later one | Car return timing, terminal transfer and late check-in |
For a value-oriented booking, prioritize a reliable room, convenient food and clear parking charges. For a more expensive stay, pay for a location or facilities you will actually use. A one-night Key Largo stop offers little time to enjoy an elaborate resort package. Compare the complete six-night total, especially if Key West weekend rates or minimum stays affect the sequence.
A practical South Florida budget worksheet
This example assumes two US-resident adults sharing one room, six nights, seven food days and five charged rental days. It collects the car on day 3 and returns it on day 7. The amounts are illustrative inputs rather than current market quotes; replace them with your dates and actual choices.
| Category | Example calculation | Total for two |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels | 6 × $230 all-in room allowance | $1,380 |
| Rental car | 5 × $75 all-in daily allowance | $375 |
| Fuel | 450 planned miles ÷ 30 mpg × $4/gallon | $60 |
| Food | 2 × 7 days × $60 | $840 |
| Everglades entry | Standard private-vehicle entrance input | $35 |
| Other activities / state parks | Selected visits allowance | $150 |
| Parking / tolls / Miami transfers | Planning allowance | $220 |
| Subtotal | Before flights and contingency | $3,060 |
| Contingency | 15% | $459 |
| Example total | Flights, shopping and insurance excluded | $3,519 |
The 450-mile fuel allowance includes some travel beyond the mapped core. It is not a verified fuel price or a promise about mileage. A snorkeling trip, private tour or higher-end Key West room can materially change the total; add it explicitly instead of assuming it fits inside a small miscellaneous line.
The Everglades fee page, checked September 26, 2026, lists a $35 standard private-vehicle fee and an additional $100 fee for each non-US-resident visitor aged 16 or over unless admitted under an eligible pass. The worksheet’s $35 line therefore applies to the stated resident example, not every party. Compare current pass eligibility and coverage before buying. State-park admissions and concession tours are separate.
To reduce cost, compare weekday Key West nights, hotel parking and the total price of a delayed rental pickup. For more room in the budget, choose one paid water activity and keep the other days based on walks and beaches. Our budget travel guide explains how to compare complete trip totals.
Before you go: weather, wildlife and booking decisions
Choose dates with weather flexibility
December through April is the usual dry-season window for this South Florida route, but cold fronts, wind and rain can still affect beach or boat plans. Summer is hotter and wetter, and outdoor time is easier to manage earlier in the day. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1–November 30, according to the National Hurricane Center; storms can occur outside those dates too.
Follow official forecasts and local instructions when tropical weather threatens. Keep hotel and activity cancellation terms understandable, and review any insurance policy’s actual covered events and exclusions before relying on it. Do not treat the final Miami night as protection against every kind of storm disruption.
Use the right Everglades entrance and transport
The NPS directions page explains the separate entrances. This plan uses the Homestead approach, not Shark Valley or the Gulf Coast area. Have your own vehicle or a reliable prearranged return transfer; a rideshare drop-off does not guarantee you can find a ride back. The park visit is a short introduction, not a full traversal of the Everglades.
Pack for the actual activities
- Bring sun protection, light breathable clothes, rain protection, insect repellent used according to its label and comfortable walking shoes. Add a warmer layer for wind, air conditioning or a cool front.
- Carry water on the Anhinga Trail and at beach stops. Keep a respectful distance from wildlife, never feed animals and stay on designated routes.
- Check beach flags, water quality and local notices before swimming. A scenic shoreline is not automatically a safe swimming location.
- For a boat outing, confirm the departure point, check-in time, equipment, age or ability requirements and weather-cancellation terms directly with the operator.
- Use our Travel Packing Checklist for everyday items without duplicating a full packing list here.
How to customize your Florida week
Only five days
Choose Miami, the Everglades and the Upper Keys. Stay two nights in Miami and two in Key Largo, visit the Homestead park area on a suitable transfer or day trip, and return for departure. Remove Key West instead of trying to preserve the entire drive with fewer nights.
Eight to ten days
Add a second Key Largo night for a separately booked water activity, then add another Key West night if you want a full-day excursion. Dry Tortugas is a distinct, advance-planned trip with limited transport and weather considerations; research and book it as its own day rather than adding it to the existing Key West schedule. A final extra Miami night can support a museum or neighborhood day.
Traveling with kids
Keep the two-night Key West stay, shorten hot walks and make regular food and shade breaks part of the schedule. Choose a boat activity only if it suits the children’s ages, comfort and swimming ability. If the drive feels too long, use the five-day geography with more nights rather than pushing farther south.
Prefer a slower trip
Use Miami and Key Largo as the two main bases, with the Everglades as a focused outing. Alternatively, keep Key West but add two nights so day 4 can be a more relaxed island transfer. The Keys reward time beside the water more than a long list of brief stops.
Want Orlando or a different coast?
Make it a separate route or add enough days for the extra drive and destination time. A theme-park day is not a small detour from Key West. For a different one-week driving holiday, compare our California itinerary; for a longer regional loop, see the 10-day USA road trip itinerary.
Common Florida itinerary mistakes
- Trying to combine Miami, Key West, Orlando and the Gulf Coast in seven calendar days.
- Navigating to Shark Valley when the hotel transfer was planned around Homestead and Royal Palm.
- Booking a boat departure immediately after driving from Miami or Key Largo to Key West.
- Assuming every waterfront hotel has the sandy beach you pictured.
- Leaving Key West on the morning of an early Miami flight with no contingency.
- Ignoring residency-based park fees, hotel parking and mandatory charges when comparing budgets.
- Treating alligators, exposed heat or a storm forecast as a reason to improvise beyond official guidance.
Florida itinerary FAQs
Is seven days enough for Florida?
It is enough for this focused South Florida trip. Florida is too large to combine every major region comfortably in the same week.
Should I stay one or two nights in Key West?
Two nights give you a full day without a long highway transfer. One night often leaves only an evening and a rushed morning after substantial driving.
Do I need a rental car?
The Miami days can work with local transport, but this Everglades-and-Keys sequence is designed around a car. A car-free version needs separately verified tours and intercity transfers and will have less flexibility.
Can I do the Everglades and drive to Key West on the same day?
It is possible to create a much longer transfer, but this itinerary uses Key Largo to avoid making the park visit a hurried stop before hours more driving. Keep that overnight if you want a comfortable first visit.
What should I skip if the day runs late?
Skip optional Keys stops or the additional neighborhood outing in Miami. Preserve meals, rest breaks, the two Key West nights and the final return to Miami.
For more park context, see Best National Parks in the USA. If you have only a short break, our weekend road trip guide can help you choose a smaller route.
City guides for planning your stay
For neighborhood comparisons, places to stay, food and local transport, explore our Miami travel guide. Use this itinerary for the day-by-day route.
