Orlando to Key West RV Itinerary

An Orlando to Key West RV itinerary works best heading south on Florida's Turnpike to Florida City, then down US 1, the Overseas Highway, to Key West, roughly 390 miles one way. With a week, split it into three camps: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, Curry Hammock State Park in Marathon or Bahia Honda State Park, then a campground on Stock Island or the Lower Keys for Key West, because the city bans overnight RV parking.

The drive is the easy part. The hard part is where a big rig can legally sleep: the Keys have a short list of RV campgrounds, famous parks with surprising size limits, and a city at the end of the road that keeps motorhomes off its streets. Plan the campsites first and the route almost writes itself.

Total distance: about 390 miles one way from downtown Orlando. That is approximate: the Turnpike's Orlando I-4 interchange sits near milepost 259, counted from Florida City, which is about mile marker 127 on US 1, where Key West is mile marker 0.

Which route should an RV take from Orlando to the Keys?

Florida's Turnpike south to its end at US 1 in Florida City is the direct route. From there you have two ways onto Key Largo: stay on US 1, or take Card Sound Road, which rejoins US 1 at about mile marker 106.5.

Ask our team how tolls are handled on your rental before you leave.

Day 1: How far can you get on the first day?

Route and drive

Orlando to Key Largo via Florida's Turnpike and US 1. The Turnpike leg is roughly 260 miles; plan most of the day with stops, and fuel up and buy groceries on the mainland before the Keys.

Where to camp

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, 102601 Overseas Highway, Key Largo. It has 42 reservable campsites with water, sewer and 30 or 50 amp electric. Most sites fit RVs up to 40 feet, and a few take slightly longer rigs.

Day 2: What is worth a full day in Key Largo?

What to do

Stay put at Pennekamp, the country's first undersea park. Take a glass-bottom boat tour, snorkel or kayak. The park opens at 8 a.m. daily. Note its current alert: construction has closed one of two boat ramps and cut boat trailer parking.

Day 3: Where can an RV camp in the Middle Keys?

Route and drive

Key Largo to Marathon on US 1, about 45 miles by the park addresses, which follow the mile markers.

Where to camp

Curry Hammock State Park, 56200 Overseas Highway, Marathon. All 28 sites have a gravel pad, 20, 30 and 50 amp electric and water, and the maximum RV length is 70 feet, the most generous on this route. With only 28 sites, book early.

Do not plan on Long Key State Park as an RV stop. Its campsites are hike-in, tent-only, with no electric or water hookups.

What to do

Curry Hammock is a paddling, snorkeling and stargazing park, with a beach and a canoe and kayak launch.

Day 4: How do you cross the Seven Mile Bridge to Bahia Honda?.

Route and drive

Marathon to Bahia Honda State Park, about mile marker 37. The modern Seven Mile Bridge, opened in 1982, is 6.79 miles long.

Where to camp

Bahia Honda State Park has three campgrounds, and they are not equal for RVs:

What to do

Back in Marathon, a renovated 2.2-mile section of the Old Seven Mile Bridge is open for walking, biking and fishing, and it leads toward historic Pigeon Key.

Days 5 and 6: Where do you park an RV for Key West?

Route and drive

Bahia Honda to the Key West area, about 37 miles. The Federal Highway Administration suggests allowing four hours for the whole Florida Keys Scenic Highway from Key Largo, so short days are realistic.

Where to camp

The City of Key West forbids overnight parking on city streets, parks and beaches. RVs longer than 20 feet or wider than 7 feet cannot park on city streets, and oversized vehicles are barred from municipal lots. The city points RV travelers to campgrounds instead and recommends booking ahead:

What to do

Leave the RV hooked up and take public transit into town, as the city recommends. Two nights gives you a full, unhurried day downtown.

Day 7: How long is the drive back to Orlando?

It is the same roughly 390 miles in reverse, the longest day of the trip. Leave early, or spend a night back in Key Largo to shorten it.

What should you know before booking Keys campsites?

Book the campsites before you book the RV. Florida State Parks opens campsites 11 months ahead for Florida residents and 10 months ahead for everyone else, so out-of-state couples are a month behind locals for the same Keys sites. Two more rules matter for this route: during high-demand periods stays can be capped at 14 nights, and each campsite allows no more than two vehicles.

Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with the peak around September 10. If you travel in those months, keep your dates flexible, watch the National Hurricane Center, and check park pages for closures before you leave.

Starting in Miami or Fort Lauderdale instead of Orlando? Ft. Lauderdale RV Rentals starts you much closer to the Overseas Highway.

Which RV fits a week in the Keys?

Many rentals bill miles apart from the nightly rate, and this trip covers roughly 780 miles round trip before side trips, so check the mileage terms on our RV rental prices in Orlando page and confirm with our team. Pricing varies by RV, season and trip length, and availability depends on your dates.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need for an Orlando to Key West RV trip?

A week is comfortable: one day each way on the road, and five days for three Keys campsites. You can do it in fewer days, but the Keys reward slower driving.

Can you camp in an RV at Bahia Honda State Park?

Yes, at Buttonwood (sites 1 to 48), which accommodates large RVs. Sandspur limits rigs to 23 feet hitch to bumper, and Bayside sits behind a 6 foot 8 inch bridge clearance.

Can you park an RV overnight in Key West?

No. City ordinances forbid overnight parking on Key West streets, parks and beaches, so book a campground such as Boyd's on Stock Island or one in the Lower Keys.

Is Card Sound Road worth it in an RV?

It is an alternative to US 1 onto Key Largo, but it carries an all-electronic toll that rises with each axle and accepts no cash. Check your rental's toll setup first.

Do Florida's Turnpike tolls cost more for an RV?

Yes. Turnpike tolls are set by axle count, so a bigger rig pays more at each plaza, and toll-by-plate rates are higher than SunPass.

When is the best time for an RV trip to the Florida Keys?

Outside hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30, is the lower-risk window. If you go during the season, keep plans flexible and watch forecasts.

Ready to plan your Keys road trip?

Lock in your campsites, then contact our Manager and the Orlando RV Rentals Team to match an RV to them, or View available RVs for your dates. Our RV rental FAQ and the Orlando RV Rentals homepage cover the basics