RV route guide
Overseas Highway US-1 — Florida City to Key West
113 miles. 42 bridges. The iconic 7-Mile Bridge. RV-friendly with the right reservations.
US Highway 1 from Florida City to Key West runs 113 miles across 42 bridges including the iconic 7-Mile Bridge. The Overseas Highway is built on the former Florida East Coast Railway corridor that was destroyed in the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane and rebuilt as a road. For RV travelers, the Keys are accessible to any vehicle that fits on the highway — but campground reservations are the limiting factor. Booking 6-11 months in advance is the norm for winter season.
- Tier
- Scenic byway
- State
- Florida
- Best season
- December through April (winter dry season). June through November is hurricane season — possible evacuation closures. May and November are shoulder seasons.
- Sources
- Cited official (.gov / .org)
Can I drive an RV to Key West?
Yes — US-1 has no posted RV restrictions through the Keys. Class A motorhomes routinely make the drive. The constraint is camping. Bahia Honda State Park, Long Key State Park, and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park have RV-friendly sites that book up 11 months in advance. Private campgrounds (Boyd's Key West, KOA Sugarloaf) are alternatives. Day-trip Key West and camp at Bahia Honda is the most common pattern.
- No RV restrictions on US-1
- Class A friendly
- Campground reservations 6-11 months out
- Hurricane season June-November
- Bahia Honda + Long Key + John Pennekamp are the marquee state parks
At a glance
Route facts worth checking before you roll out
Conservative, source-minded numbers for planning — always confirm against current conditions and state DOT 511 before you depart.
Distance
113 mi
Florida City to Key West
Drive time
3–5 hr
2-4 days savoured
Elevation
0–65 ft
RV compatibility
RV-friendly
Best season
December through April (winter dry season). June through November is hurricane season — possible evacuation closures. May and November are shoulder seasons.
Cell coverage. Generally good throughout. AT&T best. Verizon good. T-Mobile reliable in upper Keys, spottier in lower Keys.
Elevation profile
Sea level the entire route. Highest point is the apex of the 7-Mile Bridge at about 60 ft.
Vehicle restrictions
- No posted RV restrictions on US-1
- Bridge clearances generous (no posted issues)
- Hurricane evacuation may close US-1 in storm season
The campground problem (and how to solve it)
Florida Keys RV camping is constrained by geography. There are limited parcels of dry land along the Keys. State parks have curated the best of the available sites. As a result, demand massively exceeds supply for the December-April peak season.
Reserve California's Florida equivalent is ReserveAmerica (which manages Florida state parks). Bahia Honda, Long Key, John Pennekamp, and Curry Hammock all release reservations 11 months in advance. The 11-month window opens at 8 a.m. Eastern; sites for prime winter weekends are gone within hours.
Private campgrounds are the safety net. Boyd's Key West (in Key West itself), KOA Sugarloaf Key, Sunshine Key RV Resort, and Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge all have RV-friendly sites. Costs run $80-$200/night for hookups in season.
Keys trip checklist
Reserve campground 11 months in advance
For Dec-April, this is non-negotiable.
Plan around hurricane season if traveling June-Nov
Monitor NOAA. Have an exit plan.
Don't take a 40-ft Class A to Key West proper
Key West city streets are narrow. Park the rig at Boyd's or Sugarloaf and drive a tow vehicle.
Tolls don't apply — US-1 is toll-free
Unlike Florida's Turnpike, US-1 has no tolls in the Keys.
Top off propane before entering the Keys
Propane fill locations limited south of Florida City.
Real warnings
Hurricane evacuation closes US-1
Phased mandatory evacuation orders close US-1 to incoming traffic. Don't drive into a storm.
dangerWildlife on the road
Key deer protected, present in lower Keys. Drive cautiously, especially at dusk.
cautionInsurance considerations
Some RV rental insurance excludes the Florida Keys due to flood risk. Verify before booking.
infoKey West parking is limited
Big rigs cannot park in Key West city. Use Boyd's RV park or day-trip from Sugarloaf or Big Pine.
What Florida Keys tourism + Visit Florida doesn't tell you
Florida Keys tourism markets the road as a once-in-a-lifetime drive. It can be — when the campgrounds are booked, the weather cooperates, and the rig is reasonably sized for Key West city access. Without those conditions, the trip becomes a logistical scramble.
Tourism boards don't communicate the 11-month booking reality. They highlight the bridge views but not the booking math. PickRV's honest framing: this is a trip you plan a year in advance.
What's also undercovered: the upper Keys (Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon) are more RV-friendly than Key West itself. The state-park campgrounds are in the upper to middle Keys. Many seasoned Keys travelers anchor at Bahia Honda or Long Key and day-trip to Key West rather than try to camp in Key West proper.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I camp at the southern terminus in Key West?
- Boyd's Campground is the only RV campground inside Key West city limits. It books up 11+ months in advance for season. Otherwise, day-trip from Sugarloaf or Stock Island.
- Is the 7-Mile Bridge safe in high winds?
- FDOT closes the bridge in sustained high winds. Wind closures are infrequent but happen. Check FL511.
- Where can I dump tanks?
- State park campgrounds have dump stations. Private RV parks similarly. There are no en-route dump facilities mid-Keys.
Authoritative sources
Verify current conditions with state DOT 511 systems before departure. RV restrictions may change. Weather may close roads.
Planning an RV trip along Overseas Highway US-1?
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