Key West and the Florida Keys

Fly-and-drive RV road trip · round trip from FLL

Fort Lauderdale to Key West RV Road Trip

South past Miami and onto the Overseas Highway, island by island to Key West.

Photo: United States Department of Transportation (Public domain)

Fort Lauderdale to Key West by RV is about 184 miles and about 4½ hours of driving via Islamorada (with a stop at Key Largo on the way). This round trip covers 369 miles in 4 nights (5 days): Key Largo (1 night), then Lower Keys and Key West (2 nights), then back to Fort Lauderdale. Best months: Dec–Apr. Off season now · best Dec–Apr.

At a glance

Trip length
4 nights · 5 days
Route
Fort Lauderdale → Key Largo → Lower Keys → Fort Lauderdale · 369 mi · about 9 hours driving
Longest driving day
About 4½ hours
Arrive and depart
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
RV pickup and return
Fort Lauderdale area (rental listings around Miami)
Overnights
Key Largo → Lower Keys and Key West → Fort Lauderdale (near the airport and RV return)
Best months
Dec–Apr

Customize a suggested itinerary. RV rentals, campgrounds, and activities are booked separately with providers. Airports are planning reference points; flights are arranged separately.

Route map and itinerary

Loading map…
  1. Day 1 Key Largo · about 2 hours
  2. Day 2 Lower Keys and Key West · about 2½ hours
  3. Day 3 Lower Keys (night 2)
  4. Day 4 Fort Lauderdale (near the airport and RV return) · about 4½ hours
  5. Day 5 Fly home from FLL

Day by day

  1. Day 1 Arrive in Fort Lauderdale and pick up your RV

    Experience

    Land at FLL, get to your rental location (some owners offer airport pickup or delivery; otherwise allow for a taxi or rideshare), do the walkthrough and orientation, and stock up on groceries, water and propane before you leave town.

    Getting there

    After pickup: about 2 hours · 84 mi to Key Largo. Keep the first afternoon short; you're learning the vehicle.

    Your stay: 1 night

    Close to Key LargoKey Largo KampgroundKey Largo, FL · about 5 min to Key Largo (estimate) · 4.3★ (111)Why stay here: About 5 minutes to Key Largo (estimate); lists RV sites up to 40 ft; full hookups listed; 4.3★ from 111 reviews.
    Change or extend: Add a night here in the planner
    Compare 3 other campgrounds
    • Close to Key LargoSun Outdoors Key LargoKey Largo, FL · about 10 min to Key Largo (estimate) · 4.4★ (33)Lists sites up to 35 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Close to Key LargoKings Kamp RV Park and MarinaKey Largo, FL · about 5 min to Key Largo (estimate)Lists sites up to 40 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Close to Key LargoJohn Pennekamp Coral Reef State ParkKey Largo, FL · about 5 min to Key Largo (estimate)Site length not listed: ask the campground

  2. Day 2 Drive to Lower Keys and Key West

    Experience

    Two nights in the Lower Keys give a full day for Key West and Bahia Honda State Park.

    Getting there

    about 2½ hours · 101 mi

    Your stay: 2 nights (check out Day 4)

    Close to Lower KeysLeo's CampgroundKey West, FL · about 5 min to Lower Keys (estimate)Why stay here: About 5 minutes to Lower Keys, the closest of these suggestions (estimate); lists RV sites up to 42 ft; full hookups listed.
    Change or extend: Add a night here in the planner
    Compare 2 other campgrounds

    Getting around Lower Keys

    From Leo's Campground: about 5 minutes to Lower Keys by road (estimate).

    Driving the RV
    • Trailhead and town lots are often small; check RV parking before you go.
    Shuttles

    We don't have verified shuttle information for Lower Keys; check the park or town's official site.

    Activities with pickup

    Loading activities…

    Other local transport
    • Rideshare, taxis and bike rentals vary by area and season; arranged and paid separately.

  3. Day 3 Lower Keys and Key West: explore

    Experience

    Two nights in the Lower Keys give a full day for Key West and Bahia Honda State Park.

    Travel today

    No campground change today; local travel is additional.

    Your stay

    Stay a second night at Leo's Campground · same site, no packing up

  4. Day 4 Drive back toward Fort Lauderdale

    Experience

    Spend the last night close to the rental return so departure morning is easy: dump tanks, refuel and clean up as your rental agreement requires.

    Getting there

    about 4½ hours · 185 mi

    Your stay: 1 night

    Near the airportHollywood KOAHollywood, FL · about 10 min from the RV return areaWhy stay here: About 10 minutes from the RV return area; site length not listed (ask the campground).
    Change or extend:
    Compare 2 other campgrounds
    • Near the airportDavie / Ft. Lauderdale KOA HolidayDavie, FL · about 20 min from the RV return areaSite length not listed: ask the campground
    • Near the airportGods Country in MiamiHomestead Base, FL · about 90 min from the RV return areaLists sites up to 34 ft; confirm your site fits

  5. Day 5 Return the RV and fly home from FLL

    Experience

    Return the RV at the agreed time (check-in times vary by owner), then get to the airport. Leave a buffer: returns, inspections and the transfer can take a couple of hours.

    Getting there

    Short drive to the rental return, then transfer to the airport.

Campgrounds are suggestions from our park data, ranked by estimated drive time to the destination first, then listed site length, then reviews; "Inside the park" uses the National Park Service's list. Drive times are estimates. Seasonal openings and live availability aren't in our static park data; the planner checks them for your dates. Open dates and prices are checked live in the planner.

RV pickup and return

Pick up and return the RV in the Fort Lauderdale area. Day 1 allows time to get from FLL to the rental (owners' locations vary; a few offer airport pickup or delivery), the walkthrough, and a grocery stop, so the first drive is short: about about 2 hours to Key Largo. The last night is near the return so you can refuel, empty the tanks and return on time before your flight.

Pickup and return times, mileage allowances and fees are set by each owner; check them before you book. This trip is about 369 miles.

RV rentals near Fort Lauderdale airport

Before you go

  • Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Winter and spring are peak season in the Keys, and campgrounds there book up early.
  • There are no RV parks in Key West's Old Town. Stock Island, Sugarloaf Key and Big Pine Key parks are the usual bases.

Fort Lauderdale to Key West by RV: common questions

How far is it from Fort Lauderdale to Key West?

Fort Lauderdale to Key West is about 184 miles, roughly about 4½ hours of driving via Islamorada without stops. The whole round trip in this itinerary is about 369 miles.

How many days do you need for Fort lauderdale to key west by RV?

Plan on 4 nights (5 days): Key Largo (1 night), then Lower Keys and Key West (2 nights), with an easy first afternoon after RV pickup and a final night near the RV return so departure day isn't rushed. The longest driving day is about 4½ hours.

When is the best time to go?

Dec–Apr. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Winter and spring are peak season in the Keys, and campgrounds there book up early.

Where can you camp with an RV?

Suggested RV campgrounds near Key West and the Florida Keys include Leo's Campground, Sugarloaf Key RV Resort & Cottages, Sugarloaf Key / Key West KOA Resort. Check site length and hookups with each campground before booking.

Can you rent an RV near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport?

Yes. RV rental listings from Outdoorsy and RVshare are available around Miami. A few owners mention airport pickup in their listings and some deliver; otherwise you arrange your own transfer to the owner's location. RVs and campgrounds are booked separately with each provider.

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