How to get to Marathon in the Florida Keys

Marathon is located in the heart of The Florida Keys and getting to Marathon is a whole adventure on its own. Weather you decide to travel by air, land or sea, the experience of entering the island chain and its tropical environment is something that every avid traveler should do at least once. Marathon The Florida Keys

If flying is your best option, you can opt to fly into Marathon or Key West airports. Should you decide to take this opportunity, you can find more information in our Florida Keys airport section.

If you want to experience cruising trough the crystal clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean or the Florida Bay, check our travel to The Florida Keys by Ferry section

The best way to admire and get to know The Florida Keys as they really are, is to get there by car. Weather your starting point is Miami or Fort Lauderdale Airport, there are two options you can choose to get to the Keys. You can either take I-95 south until this highway reaches its end and turns into US-1, or you can take the Florida Turnpike extension South to Florida City. The first option is a little slower than the second one; however, it is also slightly shorter.

Miami Airport Taking US-1, all the way to the Keys, is the most preferred route by travelers who want to enjoy the scenery and the change in the environment as you approach the southern tip of the Florida peninsula. At the end of I-95 you will find the Rickenbacker causeway that leads to famous Key Biscayne and Miami Sea Aquarium. A few miles further south you will cross Southeast 17 avenue, which leads to Coconut Grove and its bustling shopping and nightlife atmosphere

As you continue southward on US-1, you will pass the east end of the very Spanish-looking Coral Gables on your right, and and you will also be able to admire South Miami. At this point you can start to see the change in the scenery. You will also pass by Cutler Ridge and Homestead and its motor complex. About ten minutes after this, you will finally reach Florida City, which is known as The Gateway to the Keys. This will be your last city before you arrive to Key Largo and the upper keys.

Right after you pass Florida City you will reach a crossroad. There, you can either take the famous 20 mile stretch to Key Largo or the less known and wilder Car Sound Road. If you opt for the “stretch,” you will be in a 2 lane road for 26 miles and the first signs of civilization will be Gilbert’s Resort and Marina on Jewfish Creek. At that point, you will also have arrived to the first of the 42 bridges connecting the more of 100 islands that conform The Florida Keys.

If you opt to take Car Sound Road, you will be able to enjoy your ride with views of the ocean and mangroves until you reach the Car Sound Road toll. At the first bridge you will be able to spot a large crowd of fishermen and diving tours on the water. Just a few more miles down the road further south, you will encounter one of the most picturesque sites on this road: Downtown Card Sound Road and its very own Alabama Jacks. This is a traditional bar frequented by locals and fishermen. After your mandatory stop for the Alabama Jacks photo, you will drive a few miles south were you will find a stop sign and flashing lights, to the left, the road that leads to Ocean Reef Club Resort, make a right turn and you will be driving for about 10-15 minutes of nothing but tropical foliage and the occasional lizard baking in the Florida Sun. You will get to Key Largo in no time and after leaving this Diving oriented Island, you’ll get to Tavernier. The famous pirate Jean Lafitte supposedly rested on Tavernier Key. Rumor has it that Tavernier got its name from thirsty sailors on nearby Plantation Key. Islamorada bridge

There, sailors stopped to load their ships with fruit from the pineapple plantations and then went looking for some grog before returning to sea. Tavernier became known as such because there was always a tavern near.

Getting to Islamorada This is a typical keys fishing village with its own Town center shopping and a movie theatre. Driving further south , you will notice that the mangroves on the sides of the road are leaving space to the open views of the Atlantic Ocean on the east, and the Gulf of Mexico on the west. Now you will start getting the real feeling that you indeed are in the Caribbean: endless views of turqoiuse calm waters will make you stop your car for the mandatory photo postcard you will later send to your relatives saying that you are not going back home.

After you pass Tavernier, you will get to Plantation key. History says that this was a favorite hideout for Rum Runners, but now it houses the new building of the Coral Shores School.

After a short ride you will see the gorgeous fish sculptures in grass of The Theater of the sea and the Holiday Isle Resort and Marina. Islamorada is just ahead of you. Keep driving trough the row of restaurants and stores and you will be driving over a couple of bridges with endless open tropical views. On Mile Marker 70, you will encounter a popular camping spot, Fiesta key KOA: full equipped with RV facilities, a swimming pool, and gorgeous views. A little further south you will be prompt to drive slower as you will be entering the tiny town of Layton. On Mile Marker 67.5, Long Key State Park offers Canoe trails, picnic facilities, and full waterfront campgrounds. A short distance before Marathon there is place called Duck key with its luxurious Hawks Cay resort and marina. Keep driving south and Marathon will be minutes away waiting for you to kickback and relax under the Caribbean sun. Florida Keys Bridge

The Greyhound Keys Shuttle
(800) 231-2222
Has three daily scheduled departures from the Miami & the Miami Airport to all areas in the Keys.

Keys Airport Shuttle
1-888-765-9997

Florida Keys Marathon Airport(MTH):

Seacoast Airlines
866-302-6278

Paradise Air
305-743-4222

Key West International Airport(EYW):

Seacoast Airlines
866-302-6278

Comair
1-800-35-9822

US Air
1-800-428-4322

Gulfstream
1-800-992-8532

Cape Air
1-800-352-0714

America Air
1-800-433-7300