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Overseas Highway, United States
The Overseas Highway (US Route 1 through the Florida Keys) runs 113 miles from Florida City to Key West across 42 bridges and more than 30 islands. Built on the roadbed of Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad (destroyed by the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane), the highway crosses the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico simultaneously. The Seven Mile Bridge (mile marker 40) is the showpiece — 6.79 miles of concrete spanning open water with the old Flagler railroad bridge running parallel. Mile markers count down from 127 (Florida City) to 0 (Key West). Key Largo (mile marker 100) is the dive capital with John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Islamorada (mile marker 80) is the sportfishing capital. Marathon (mile marker 50) is the midpoint with the Turtle Hospital. Big Pine Key (mile marker 30) has the Key deer — the smallest deer in North America.
explore by interest
Drive south (Miami to Key West) so your mile markers count down to zero. Allow three to four hours without stops, but plan a full day with stops. Gas stations are spaced every 15-20 miles. The two-lane stretches between Key Largo and Marathon create heavy traffic on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons — avoid those windows. The 18-mile stretch from Key West to Big Pine Key has no passing zones.
November through April for dry season and mild temperatures. Summer is hot, humid, and in hurricane season (June through November). March and April bring sportfishing tournaments. Winter weekends are the busiest — weekdays are significantly calmer.