Florida is one of those states that's actually five different vacations wearing a trenchcoat. Orlando is theme park central, the Space Coast is rockets and surfing, South Beach is glamour and Cuban coffee, the Everglades are a primordial swamp full of dinosaurs (okay, alligators), and Key West is a tropical island that decided rules don't apply. Driving from Orlando to Key West hits all of it, and this 7-day route is the best way to see what makes Florida absolutly unlike anywhere else. Grab our Orlando deals for the start and Key West deals for the finish.
1. Days 1-2: Orlando — Theme Park Launch Pad
Start in Orlando with two days of theme parks. Day 1: Magic Kingdom for the classics — Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, and the fireworks that'll make you cry (yes, even you). Day 2: Universal Studios for Harry Potter, the VelociCoaster (best coaster in Florida, don't argue), and dinner at CityWalk. Stay at a resort vacation deal near I-Drive for central access to everything.
Orlando pro move: eat breakfast in your resort room (most deals include full kitchens) and pack lunch. This saves $50-80 per day for a family of four. Spend that money on an extra experience instead of a $19 theme park hamburger.
2. Day 3: Cocoa Beach — Space Coast Detour
Drive east to Cocoa Beach (1 hour). Hit Kennedy Space Center in the morning — the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit is worth the detour alone. Afternoon, surf or beach at the Cocoa Beach Pier. If a SpaceX launch aligns with your trip, watch it from the beach. A rocket launch from 10 miles away is a core memory you don't even know you need yet.
Evening, seafood dinner at Grills in Port Canaveral. Their coconut shrimp and fish dip are legendary. Drive south toward Melbourne or Vero Beach and stay overnight for the transition to South Florida.
3. Day 4: Palm Beach to Miami
Drive south on A1A (the coastal highway) instead of I-95. It's slower but gorgeous — the Atlantic is on your left the entire way. Stop in West Palm Beach for the Norton Museum of Art or just cruise through Palm Beach Island gawking at mansions that make the houses on HGTV look like garden sheds.
Arrive in Miami by afternoon. Hit Wynwood Walls for street art, then Little Havana for a cafecito at Versailles and a walk down Calle Ocho. Evening on South Beach — walk the Art Deco district, catch sunset at South Pointe Park, and have dinner at one of the Ocean Drive restaurants. Miami at night is electric and unlike anyware else in Florida.
4. Day 5: Everglades — Into the Swamp
Drive west from Miami into the Everglades (45 minutes). This is one of the most unique ecosystems on Earth — a "river of grass" covering 1.5 million acres, home to alligators, panthers, manatees, and over 350 bird species. Take an airboat tour ($30-50) for the adrenaline version, or the Shark Valley tram tour for a more educational experience (you'll still see dozens of alligators, guaranteed).
The Anhinga Trail at Royal Palm is a short boardwalk where alligators literally sun themselves on the path. You'll be closer to wild alligators than you ever imagined, and it's both thrilling and slightly terrifying. Bring bug spray. The mosquitoes in the Everglades have their own zip code.
5. Day 6: The Overseas Highway — The Drive of a Lifetime
The Overseas Highway (US-1) from Miami to Key West is 113 miles over 42 bridges, and it's one of the most incredible drives in the world. The road literally crosses the ocean — turquoise water on both sides, tiny islands connected by bridges, and views that make you forget you're driving (don't actually forget you're driving).
Key stops: Key Largo for John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (snorkeling the only living coral reef in the continental U.S.), Islamorada for Robbie's Marina (feed giant tarpon by hand — they jump out of the water for the fish), Marathon for the old Seven Mile Bridge walk, and Bahia Honda State Park for the best beach in the Keys.
Take your time. This drive should take 4-5 hours with stops, not the 3.5 hours GPS suggests. Every bridge reveals a new shade of blue, and the roadside seafood shacks serve the freshest fish you've ever tasted.
6. Days 6-7: Key West — End of the Road
Arrive in Key West and feel the shift. The energy here is different — slower, quirkier, more colorful. Walk Duval Street, visit the Hemingway Home (and its six-toed cats), watch the Mallory Square sunset celebration, and eat key lime pie until your stomach stages a protest. Snorkel the reef, visit Fort Zachary Taylor beach, and have dinner at Blue Heaven where chickens wander between tables.
Your last morning, take a photo at the Southernmost Point buoy (get there early to avoid lines) and reflect on the fact that you just drove from Cinderella's Castle to the tip of America. Not a bad week.
| Day | Location | Highlights | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1-2 | Orlando | Theme parks + resort time | — |
| Day 3 | Cocoa Beach | KSC + beach + surf | 1 hr east |
| Day 4 | Miami | Wynwood + Little Havana + SoBe | 3 hrs south |
| Day 5 | Everglades | Airboat + Anhinga Trail | 45 min west |
| Day 6 | Florida Keys | Overseas Highway drive | 4 hrs south |
| Day 7 | Key West | Duval + sunset + snorkel | In Key West |
Seven days, 600 miles, and every version of Florida in between. This road trip is a classic for a reason. Browse our destination deals, check all current deals, and start planning the Florida trip of your life. Don't forget Orlando and Key West specific packages.