Drive from Tampa to Florida Keys

[yizzy]

Hi Has anyone done this journey, we drove from Orlando to Tampa last year and I found the motorways horrendous, I was really quite scared, although when we came off it was ok. Dont want to put hubby under any stress, as we will be are on holiday Would appreciate any info Thanks

[Clanad]

You are aware the distance from Tampa Bay to Key West is around 400 miles aren't you? (I live in the U.S. and have done this trip numerous times). Once your on Highway 1 at Homestead the drive becomes monotonous on the way down and interminable on the way back. While the quality of the roads is quite good, the traffic can back up unexpectedly and there's no where to turn off (You are in the middle of a sea). The speed limits are around 55 mph but the troopers patrol the highgway a lot and an accident, even a small one can back up traffice for miles.
You didn't say how far you want to go. You could just go to Key Largo (Of Humphrey Bogart fame) but if you want to do the whole length from Tampa, you're looking at a 6 to 7 hour drive.
I might suggest that, depending on how much time you want to spend, that you check into the really fast, modern and comfortable ferry boat that leaves Ft. Myers (and hour or so south of Tampa) about 8:00AM and arrives Key West about noon. If you didn't want to stay overnight you can return the same evening.
Check here: http://ferryservicest...rrxuKcCFYjsKgodLxrBBQ
Even if you wanted to stay in Key West, it's a relative easy walk to most everything on the island...

Welcome to the U.S., by the way...

[VHG]

>I found the motorways horrendous

So why put yourself through it again !

[LDC134]

Have driven the journey a few times, most recently a couple of years ago. Totally agree with Clanad - unless you enjoy driving and taking your time, it could be very stressful. Our 2 week holiday was a round drive from Orlando, out to Tampa all the way down to Key West, Miami and back to Orlando, but even spread over 2 weeks was tiring.

[Zeuhl]

Did this once with kids.

We overnighted on the Keys (Marathon?) in a freaky Motel run by Norman Bates lookalike. Key West, enormous bridge (as seen in True Lies) and Everglades were great but it was a tiring couple of days.

[yizzy]

Thought we would tour about the keys for a week or so ,this is why we were considering driving from Tampa as we will be staying with family there for another week