[Muggy]

Am I going to hit crazy traffic in Miami?

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by Muggy

Am I going to hit crazy traffic in Miami?

You will only hit crazy traffic if you come through the evening rush hour so plan accordingly!

[compelled to reply]

I wouldn't be worried about the traffic in Miami when you are talking about driving on I-75 through Fort Myers and US1 through the keys...

You don't even really have to go through Miami. You would take the Alley to mainline I-75 which takes you though the outer suburbs. That stretch has no traffic issues, and with an accident, you can get off and take parallel streets (if you ask I can tell you what to take). You are also heading the opposite direction of the rush which further reduces any chance of hitting traffic. That's also a good place to stop because every single exit on that road is safe, convenient, and close to dining/etc, and that might be your last decent stopping opportunity until the keys. From there you get on the turnpike extension.

The turnpike extension is rural/smooth sailing until the Dolphin Expressway interchange. Then it can get quite congested between there and the Don Shula interchange. If you decided to hold it in, you have one OK place to stop called Kendall Drive. They might not speak adequate English at the other exits although it would not be unsafe. You are also heading with the rush hour at this point, and if there is an accident it can really snarl, and there you DON'T have alternates.

From the Don Shula on it gets gradually better, then it phases into a more rural drive with an almost empty turnpike.

Then from there, your biggest traffic worry should be in the keys. You only have about 5 miles to worry about in Miami/South Florida. What you should be more worried about is our crazy swerving drivers, or stopping for gas/food before they start getting sparse. Have a safe trip .

[mg83]

Jealous. What a fun road trip.

[AnotherDayInParadise]

Thanks for the info, compelled. A friend & I will be driving to Key West from Sarasota County in 31 days and counting!

How long does it normally take once you've left the mainland?

[tallrick]

The worst traffic you will find is at Homestead/Florida city and at the Jewfish creek bridge. Sometimes there's a backup at Marathon and around any school zone on a school day. Traffic depends on time of day and accident frequency.