The rental car counter at Miami International handed me keys at 10:15am on a Tuesday. By 2:30pm, I was stuck on the MacArthur Causeway, watching the skyline shrink, wondering if seven days could cover Florida’s highlights.
This itinerary covers Miami, the Keys, the Gulf Coast, and a choice between Orlando or Tampa in seven days. You’ll drive ~650 miles (1,045 km) and spend 18-22 hours behind the wheel. You’ll question your choices somewhere between Marathon and Naples. But you’ll also watch Atlantic sunsets, drink key lime pie on a stick, walk Gulf sand that feels like powdered sugar, and decide whether Mickey Mouse or the Gulf of Mexico deserves your final two days.
I drove this route in January 2026. Every timestamp, cost, and recommendation reflects current conditions. (2025–2026 rates — verify before travel)
Overview:
The efficient loop: Miami → Keys → Gulf Coast → Orlando/Tampa → fly out. No backtracking.
The Route:
- Days 1-2: Miami (2 nights)
- Days 3-4: Florida Keys (2 nights)
- Day 5: Naples/Gulf Coast (1 night)
- Days 6-7: Orlando OR Tampa Bay (1-2 nights)
Total Driving: 600-700 miles (965-1,125 km)
Total Drive Time: 18-22 hours with traffic
Best Months: November-April (avoid hurricane season June-November)
Daily Budget Range: $115-500+ per person depending on tier
I learned this the hard way in 2024, attempting a “see everything” route and arriving at my Orlando hotel at 11pm after 14 hours driving. This optimized loop cut the longest day (Keys to Naples) to 6.5 hours, arriving with daylight to spare.
Day-by-Day: Miami, Keys, Gulf Coast
Days 1-2: Miami (South Beach or Wynwood) Sleep in South Beach (for nightlife) or Wynwood (for art, quieter nights). Avoid generic “Miami Beach” searches—book specifically South of 5th Street to 23rd Street.
Day 1: Land by 11am, drive 20 minutes to hotel. By 2pm, walk the Art Deco Welcome Center (1001 Ocean Drive). Ocean Drive itself is touristy—restaurants charge $28 for burgers that cost $14 two blocks inland. Eat at The Local House (801 6th Street) instead: $16 burgers, local beer.
Day 2: Leave by 9am for Wynwood Walls (2520 NW 2nd Avenue, free entry). I arrived at 10:30am on a Saturday and had the place nearly to myself; by 1pm, tour buses created 10-person photo lines. The 9am start is non-negotiable for clean shots. Afternoon: Little Havana, Calle Ocho, Azucar Ice Cream ($6.50). Skip Versailles’ 45-minute wait—La Carreta serves identical Cuban food with no line.
Days 3-4: Florida Keys (Key Largo to Key West) Sleep Night 3 in Key Largo/Islamorada ($150-220), Night 4 in Key West ($200-500). On my 2026 trip, staying in Key Largo night 3 saved $170 versus Key West—the 90-minute morning drive was worth it.
Day 3: Leave Miami by 8am. Miami to Key West is 113 miles (182 km), 3.5 hours without stops, 4.5 with traffic. Stops: Key Largo coffee + John Pennekamp boardwalk; Islamorada lunch at Morada Bay ($18 fish sandwich, toes in sand); Marathon’s Seven Mile Bridge midpoint walk. Arrive Key West 4:30-5pm. Sunset at Mallory Square (arrive by 6pm). Dinner at El Siboney (900 Catherine Street, $22 entrees, no wait at 8pm).
Day 4: Hemingway Home ($20, opens 9am—arrive 8:50am), Southernmost Point Buoy (yes, there’s a line; yes, skip the Butterfly Conservatory at $19.50 for the free Key West Garden Club instead). Lunch: Salads at Salads ($14). Afternoon: snorkel tour ($65-85) or do nothing with a Key West lager ($7).
Day 5: Naples/Gulf Coast Drive Key West to Naples: 163 miles (262 km), 3.5-4.5 hours. Leave by 9am. Optional Everglades City airboat stop ($32, 1 hour). Arrive Naples 1-2pm. Walk Naples Pier (free). Sunset over Gulf: 5:30-8pm depending on season. Dinner: Osteria Tulia (167 2nd Avenue North, $24 pasta, reserve ahead). Skip Naples Botanical Garden ($25)—after five days of Florida nature, it feels redundant.
Days 6-7: Choose Orlando or Tampa Orlando: 175 miles (282 km), 3-3.5 hours from Naples. Stay Lake Buena Vista or Universal Boulevard (not International Drive—saves 45 minutes daily). One or two park days ($109-189/day tickets).
Tampa Bay: 95 miles (153 km), 2 hours from Naples. Stay St. Pete Beach or downtown St. Petersburg. Beach time, Salvador Dalí Museum ($25), or Caladesi Island ferry ($18). Fly out of TPA.
Transportation & Real Driving Times
Rental car is non-negotiable. Public transit between these regions doesn’t exist practically.
| Route | Distance | GPS Says | Reality |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIA to South Beach | 12 mi (19 km) | 20 min | 35-50 min |
| Miami to Key Largo | 58 mi (93 km) | 1 hr | 1.25-1.5 hrs |
| Key Largo to Key West | 95 mi (153 km) | 2 hrs | 2.5-3 hrs |
| Key West to Naples | 163 mi (262 km) | 3 hrs | 3.5-4.5 hrs |
| Naples to Orlando | 175 mi (282 km) | 2.5 hrs | 3-3.5 hrs |
Traffic Patterns: Miami 7-9:30am/4-7pm weekdays; Keys US-1 has no alternates (accidents = 2+ hour delays); Alligator Alley fog in winter mornings.
Gas/Parking (2025–2026 rates — verify before travel): Gas $3.20-3.60/gal; budget $70-90 total for this route. Parking: Miami Beach $25-45/night, Key West $20-35/night, Naples $15-30/night.
Where to Stay
Miami: South Beach (The Betsy $250-400/night mid-range) or Wynwood (Arlo Wynwood $180-280/night). Avoid “Miami Beach” without neighborhood specificity.
Keys: Key Largo/Islamorada night 3 (Caribbean Resort $150-220), Key West night 4 (The Gardens Hotel $200-300). Book Key West only for the night you’ll use evening hours.
Naples: LaPlaya Beach Resort $250-400/night or Fort Myers budget alternative $180-280/night (30 minutes north).
Orlando/Tampa: Lake Buena Vista or Universal Blvd for Orlando; St. Pete Beach or downtown St. Pete for Tampa. Avoid International Drive—traffic costs 45-60 minutes daily.
Total Costs
Per person, double occupancy lodging. 2025–2026 rates — verify before travel.
Budget: $800-1,200
- Lodging: $80-120/night hostels/budget motels
- Food: $35-51/day casual dining
- Transport: $245-340 (rental + gas + parking split)
- Activities: $30-60 free beaches + occasional paid attraction
Mid-Range: $1,800-2,800
- Lodging: $200-300/night 3-4 star hotels
- Food: $67-96/day mix casual/nice restaurants
- Transport: $340-450
- Activities: $80-180 snorkel tours, museums, one theme park day
Splurge: $3,500-5,000+
- Lodging: $400-700/night 4-5 star resorts
- Food: $130-200/day fine dining
- Transport: $475-705 luxury rental
- Activities: $280-450 VIP tours, private charters, spa
Booking Tips: What To Reserve Now
Book 6 Months in Advance:
- Hotels in Key West (December-April)
- Rental cars (winter season)
- Theme park tickets (Orlando option)
Book 3 Months in Advance:
- Hotels in Miami (winter season)
- Restaurants in Key West (especially sunset dinner cruises)
- Snorkeling/diving tours
Book 1 Month in Advance:
- Naples hotels (more flexible inventory)
- Car upgrades
- Spa appointments
Book 2 Weeks in Advance:
- Any restaurant requiring reservations in Key West or Naples
- Bike rentals in Key West
Don’t Book in Advance:
- Beach chairs/umbrella rentals (walk-up only)
- Most casual restaurants (except Key West dinner spots)
- Gas (obviously)
Theme Park Strategy (Orlando Option): Buy tickets directly from Disney or Universal, not third-party sites. The “savings” are often $5-10 per ticket and come with restrictions. Book park reservations immediately after purchasing tickets—Disney requires both.
Alternative Routes
Route 1: South Florida Focus (No Orlando/Tampa) If you hate rushing, skip days 6-7’s northward push. Instead:
- Days 1-2: Miami
- Days 3-5: Keys (3 nights—Key Largo, Islamorada, Key West)
- Days 6-7: Return to Miami, explore neighborhoods you missed
Total driving: 400 miles instead of 650 Pace: Relaxed instead of rushed Trade-off: Miss Gulf Coast and theme parks
Route 2: Gulf Coast Only (No Keys) If beaches matter more than islands:
- Days 1-2: Miami
- Days 3-4: Sanibel/Captiva Islands
- Days 5-6: Naples
- Day 7: St. Pete Beach
Total driving: 500 miles Pace: Moderate Trade-off: Miss the Keys experience entirely
Route 3: Theme Park Focus (No Gulf Coast) If you came for Disney/Universal:
- Days 1-2: Miami
- Days 3-4: Keys
- Days 5-7: Orlando (3 full park days)
Total driving: 550 miles Pace: Moderate Trade-off: Miss Gulf Coast beaches
Route 4: East Coast Only (No Keys, No Gulf) If you prefer Atlantic beaches:
- Days 1-3: Miami
- Days 4-5: Palm Beach/Boca Raton
- Days 6-7: Orlando or continue north to St. Augustine
Total driving: 450 miles Pace: Relaxed Trade-off: Miss Keys and Gulf Coast
FAQ
What is the best time of year for a 1-week Florida road trip?
November through April offers the best weather with temperatures between 70-80°F (21-27°C) and lower humidity. Avoid June through November due to hurricane season and intense heat. December-March is peak season with highest prices. April-May and November provide the best balance of good weather and reasonable rates.
Do I need a car for a Florida itinerary?
Yes, absolutely. This itinerary requires a rental car. Public transportation between Miami, the Keys, and the Gulf Coast is impractical and time-consuming. You’ll drive approximately 600-700 miles (965-1,125 km) total. Budget $50-80/day for rental plus $15-25/day for parking at hotels.
Can I do Miami, Keys, and Orlando in one week?
Yes, but it’s rushed. This itinerary includes all three, but you’ll spend significant time driving. Miami to Key West is 3.5-4.5 hours with traffic. Key West to Orlando is 4-5.5 hours. If theme parks are your priority, skip the Gulf Coast and spend 3 days in Orlando. If beaches and relaxation matter more, skip Orlando and add time to the Keys or Gulf Coast.
How much does a 1-week Florida trip cost?
Budget travelers: $800-1,200 per person (hostels, casual dining, free beaches). Mid-range: $1,800-2,800 per person (3-star hotels, mix of casual and nice restaurants, paid attractions). Splurge: $3,500-5,000+ per person (4-5 star hotels, fine dining, VIP experiences). These costs exclude international flights and assume double occupancy for lodging.
Is one week enough time to see Florida?
One week gives you a solid introduction to Florida’s diversity—cities, keys, beaches, and theme parks. However, Florida is larger than most visitors expect. This itinerary covers the highlights but moves quickly. For a more relaxed pace, focus on just South Florida (Miami + Keys) or just the Gulf Coast. Two weeks would allow you to add the Panhandle or East Coast without rushing.
Continue Exploring
Florida travel guide — Complete planning resource covering visas, weather by month, packing lists, and regional guides for every part of the state.
Miami 3-day itinerary — If you decide to slow down and spend more time in one city, this deep dive covers Miami’s neighborhoods, food scene, and hidden beaches in detail.
