The open road |road trips
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by Tracey Teo29 mayo 2023
Stretching 113 miles out to sea, this engineering marvel connected the remote Florida Keys to the mainland and changed Florida forever.
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Seagulls screeched overhead as I glided through miles of sparkling water somewhere between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The sky melted into the blue-green sea, which turned turquoise as it plunged into channels between the coral and limestone islands. It was a blue square that stretched as far as the eye could see.
As I adjusted my sunglasses, I caught a glimpse of motion blur out of the corner of my eye. A bottlenose dolphin! He had friends, and soon the capsule was performing an aquatic ballet, leaping in graceful arcs before plunging back into the waves. Fishing boats bobbed lazily around me and I wanted to cast a line, but it would have been hard to do while driving at 50km/h down a highway.
Traveling from Miami to the island of Key West, Florida was not always the carefree trip that it is today. In the early 20th century, the only way to make the trip to the southernmost point of the continental United States was on a day trip by boat, and that depended on weather and tides. But thanks to an amazing engineering marvel known asoverseas highwayStretching 113 miles from the southern tip of the continent across 44 tropical islands on 42 bridges, I seemingly floated over a necklace of mangrove forests and seawalls as I drove to a point where North America and the Caribbean meet.
The Overseas Highway connects 44 tropical islands from mainland Florida to Key West (Credit: Robert Zehetmayer/Alamy)
Overseas Highway actually started asoverseas railway, and was the brainchild of visionary developer Henry Morrison Flagler (known as "The Father of Modern Florida"). In 1870, Flagler co-founded the Standard Oil Company with business magnate John D Rockefeller, and it became one of the largest and most powerful corporations in the world at the turn of the 20th century. After visiting Florida and recognizing the tourism potential of "The Sunshine State," Flagler poured much of his wealth into the region, building luxury resorts that transformed one of America's poorest states into a winter wonderland for vacationers. the Gilded Age of the northeastern United States. However, there was no way for guests to reach Flagler's opulent but remote resorts.
So, in 1885, Flagler connected a series of separate railroads along Florida's Atlantic coast from Jacksonville, in the far north of Florida, to Miami, near the southern tip of the state. Miami should have been the end of the line, but when the United States began building the Panama Canal in 1904, Flagler saw enormous potential for Key West, the closest American land to the canal and the deepest port in the southeastern United States. . The bustling center was already thriving thanks to the cigar, mushroom, and fishing industries (Key West was Florida's largest city until 1900), but the island's remoteness made transporting goods north difficult and expensive.
Therefore, Flagler decided to extend his runway 156 miles south to Key West, mostly over open ocean. This so-called extension of Key West was considered impossible by many of his contemporaries, and critics of his called his vision "Flagler's Folly". Between 1905 and 1912, three hurricanes struck the construction site, killing more than 100 workers. Undeterred, Flagler pressed on. He took seven years; $50 million ($1.56 billion today); and 4,000 African-American, Bahamian, and European immigrants to build the railroad, all of whom had to deal with alligators, scorpions, and snakes whileworked in harsh conditions.
When the railway was finally completed in 1912, it was called "the eighth wonder of the world". On the train's inaugural run, a wood-burning locomotive arrived in Key West from Miami with Flagler, then 82, getting out of his luxurious private car (which can be seen atMuseo Flaglerand Palm Beach) yallegedlyhe whispered to a friend: "Now I can die happy. My dream has come true."
The Overseas Highway began as a railroad, which was dubbed the "eighth wonder of the world" when it was completed (Credit: Florida State Archives/Florida Memory/Alamy)
"The fact that Flagler financed [more than $30 million of this] out of his own pocket at the time was pretty remarkable," said Florida historian Brad Bertelli. "Jeff Bezos or Bill Gates could do it today. Elon Musk with his SpaceX might be the best modern comparison."
The railroad operated until 1935, when the deadliest hurricane in a century washed away miles of track. Rather than be rebuilt, Flagler's masterpiece was reincarnated to accommodate Americans' newfound love of cars. In 1938, the US government set out to build one of the longest waterways in the world, relying on the seemingly indestructible Flagler Bridges, which could withstand 200 mph winds. Crews paved roads to accommodate cars, and the newly opened Overseas Highway forever transformed the remote Florida Keys into the thriving tourist destination they are today.
More than a century after the railroad's completion, 20 of the original bridges still carry travelers from Miami to Key West. You can make the trip in less than four hours, but a detour along the way is part of the fun. A series of fascinating overlooked stops help travelers better understand how this engineering marvel came to be and its lasting impact on the Florida Keys.
69 miles south of Miami,long keyit is the northernmost of the Florida Keys and a great first stop. Alligators, snakes and other aquatic creatures may have scared off Flagler's construction crews, but these days travelers come to Key Largo (the self-proclaimed "diving capital of the world") to marvel at its abundant marine life. ThatFlorida Keys National Marine SanctuaryadjacentCoral Reef State Park with John PenneIt draws snorkelers and snorkelers eager to dive into North America's only living barrier reef. The seagrass beds here provide critical habitat for fish, manatees and sea turtles, but the main attraction is swimming into the outstretched arms ofChrist of the depths, a 9-foot-tall sunken bronze statue of Jesus that has watched over visitors since 1965.
Key Largo is a great place to view wildlife from above or below the water (Credit: Jeffrey Isaac Greenberg 8+/Alamy)
Once it has dried, go toIslamorada, a community halfway between Miami and Key West that was once the site of a station on the Over-Sea Railroad. here, knowKey History and Discovery Center, a 35-minute documentary highlights the construction of the railway and its many obstacles. The museum also features artifacts from the train's golden age, including dining car dishes, as well as an original menu showing a sirloin steak costing $1.60.
From 1908 to 1912, around 400 workers lived in a camp inkey pigeon, a small coral island located 55 miles south of Islamorada, while the most challenging part of the Over-Sea Railroad was being built: the famousseven mile bridge(colloquially called the old seven) that connected the middle keys and the lower keys.
In 1909, civil engineer William J. Krome was given the daunting task of crossing a 6.8-mile stretch of open water. Construction ran around the clock, driving more than 700 support piles into the middle of the ocean, sometimes almost 30 feet below sea level, to build the longest bridge on the route. They were assisted by divers who helped create concrete pedestals underwater to support the weight of the train tracks.
The remains of the old construction camp can be accessed by taking awagonover the old bridge from the town of Marathon to Pigeon Key. A 2.2-mile section (the only accessible section) reopened in January 2022 after a five-year, $44 million renovation. The once-ruined bridge is closed to non-tram traffic and is now a safe playground for those who want to bike or rollerblade 65 feet above crystal clear water or watch marine life such as turtles marine and nurse sharks.
Today, only four permanent residents live on Pigeon Key. The five-hectare island is now a National Historic Landmark and runs primarily on solar power. It is also home to amuseoofferguided toursof various buildings that once housed workers and recounts what daily life was like for the crew while they were building the Seven Mile Bridge.
Only four permanent residents live on Pigeon Key, but the tiny island was once home to construction workers who built the Over-Sea Railroad (Credit: FL Stock/Alamy)
Those who drive along the Overseas Highway today know the journey is complete when they see it.US Mile Marker 1 i Key West. The black and white buoy marks the southernmost point of the contiguous United States, meaning travelers are now closer to Cuba (90 miles south) than Miami (132 miles north). But while many visitors head straight for the city's main thoroughfare, Duval Street orErnest Hemingway Home and Museum, the small but informativeNavigating to the Rail Museumworth a look.
The museum traces 500 years of Key West's history, showing how this 7-square-kilometre tropical island evolved from a pirate haven to a shopping mall and a tourist destination known for its laid-back atmosphere. Railroad-era artifacts include the paymaster's wagon, which served as a kind of mobile bank to deliver wages to railroad employees. The "Eighth Wonder of the Modern World" exhibit highlights the evolution of the railroad and explains how each hurdle was eventually overcome as it pushed the limits of early 20th century technology.
"If I had to single out the most influential event in the history of the Florida Keys, it would undoubtedly be the completion of the Flagler Overseas Railroad," said Dr. Cori Convertito, Florida Keys historian and author. "Through his vision, dedication, enterprise, and foresight, the Keys connected to the Americas for the first time. The business and tourism benefits to island chain residents and visitors cannot be underestimated. He has forever influenced the the course of the island, the economy of the Keys and opened the door to the tourism industry that we have today”.
the open roadis a celebration of the world's most remarkable highways and byways, and a reminder that some of the best travel adventures happen on wheels.
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FAQs
How long does it take to drive over the bridge to Key West? ›
From one end of the Seven Mile Bridge to the other, it is about a ten-minute drive. However, you should feel free to take your time since, as any Florida Keys tour will tell you, the Seven Mile Bridge has some of the most beautiful views of the ocean anywhere in the Keys.
Can you drive through the Florida Keys? ›You totally can! Driving Florida Keys is easy as there's just one highway; you can't really get lost! Highway US 1 is one of the most scenic drives in the world and you're going to love it! But first, here are a few tips on how to do a Florida Keys road trip from Miami to the Florida Keys.
Is there a highway that goes across water? ›A modern wonder, the 113 miles of roadway from Key Largo to Key West incorporates an astonishing 42 bridges leapfrogging from key to key in a series of giant arches of concrete and steel over the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
What highway goes to the Keys? ›What is the Overseas Highway? The Overseas Highway encompasses 113 miles of U.S. 1 and is the only road to span the entire chain. It runs through the Keys over the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
How deep is the water under the bridge to Key West? ›deep; the Seven Mile Bridge below Knight's Key over water 18 to 22-ft. deep; the Bahia Honda Bridge, slightly more than one mile long over water from 20 to 30-ft. deep; and the bridge at Boca Chica slightly more than one-half mile long (5).
How long is the 7 Mile Bridge in Key West? ›Just southwest of Marathon, a family-friendly community known for its environmental attractions, lies the undisputed jewel of the Overseas Highway: the Seven Mile Bridge, which stretches a stunning 6.79 miles across open water.
Can you see Cuba from Key West? ›No, you cannot see Cuba from Key West at night, during the day, on a clear day, not from Key West and not from any part of Florida or the US.
How deep is the water between Florida and the Florida Keys? ›It is 93 mi (150 km) wide at the narrowest point between Key West and the Cuban shore, and has been sounded to a depth of 6,000 feet (1,800 m).
Can you sleep in your car in the Florida Keys? ›Throughout the Florida Keys, and especially in Key West, there are not any places where you can pitch a tent, or park a normal car to sleep, without being disturbed by the police. Formal campgrounds are the only places where you can legally camp.
What is the steepest highway in the world? ›1. Canton Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa.; 37 percent gradient. This is the steepest officially recorded public street in the U.S., and probably the world. Although its 37 percent grade only extends about 21 feet, it still stops walkers and bikers dead in their tracks.
What is the most famous highway in the world? ›
Route 66, USA
Arguably the most famous route of all, Route 66 is known as the “Main Street of America” and the “Mother Road.” Established in 1926, this stretch of pavement has become a cultural institution, signifying the very freedom that comes with hitting the open road.
The speed limit on the Overseas Highway is generally between 30 and 55 miles per hour. The speed limit is lower when in towns and population centers, and tends to be faster on bridges without obstructions or hazards.
What is the longest road in the world? ›The longest road in the world, according to Guinness World Records, is the Pan-American Highway, which runs 19,000 miles through fourteen countries and connects to four more between North America and South America.
What is the speed limit in the Florida Keys? ›The speed limit through the Keys is anywhere from 35mph to 55mph. Remember this is a long drive going through areas of population to others of almost no population. It's a highway over the ocean.
What is the longest road in Florida? ›The longest interstate is I-75, extending 470.678 miles (757.483 km), and the shortest is I-395, extending just 1.292 miles (2.079 km).
Is the 7 Mile Bridge actually 7 miles? ›The total length of the new bridge is actually 35,862 ft (10,931 m) or 6.79 miles (10.93 km), and is shorter than the original.
How long before Key West is completely underwater? ›Well, according to the Miami Herald, many of the main roads in the Florida Keys could be underwater as soon as 2025.
Can you walk the 7 Mile Bridge in Key West? ›The bridge re-opened after restoration on 1-12-2022. You can walk, bike or rollerblade the approximately 2.2 miles to Pigeon Key on the bridge and enjoy the amazing views.
What is the longest bridge in the US? ›The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is the longest bridge in the United States and the longest in the world that runs continuously over water. The causeway consists of two parallel bridges crossing Lake Pontchartrain in southern Louisiana. The longer of the two bridges is almost 24 miles in length.
What is the longest street in Key West? ›Duval Street (/ˈduːvəl/) is a downtown commercial zoned street in Key West, Florida, running north and south from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, just over 1.25 miles in length.
What's the speed limit on the Key West bridge? ›
In general, the maximum speed here peaks at 55 mph on the bridges and 45 mph on the islands. Not only are the speed limits infuriatingly low, but they are also strictly enforced, with a number of speed traps to catch drivers out.
Do people swim from Havana to Key West? ›Nyad completed the 110-mile swim from Havana to Key West, through the jellyfish-and shark-infested waters of the Straits of Florida, in approximately 53 hours. Born on August 22, 1949, in New York City, and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Nyad was a champion swimmer in high school.
How long is the ferry ride from Key West to Cuba? ›From Key West, the sailing distance to Cuba is around 90 nautical miles, a mere 4 hours away.
Can you take a ferry from Key West to Cuba? ›There are a few companies that offer chartered boat trips from Key West to Cuba, and they typically depart from the Key West marina. You can do a single-day round trip between Key West and Cuba, so it is actually possible to go on a day trip by boat!
Which Florida key has the prettiest water? ›Dry Tortugas National Park has beaches with the clearest water in Florida. Thanks to its protected status and remote island location, water in the Dry Tortugas is exceptionally clean and clear. Dry Tortugas National Park is located approximately 67 miles west of Key West. What is this?
Can you swim in the ocean in the Florida Keys? ›Boasting temperate waters and more than 3,400 hours of annual sunshine, the beaches of Key West are some of the most popular destinations on this tropical island paradise. You can enjoy the sun, sand and warm water as well as a variety of activities like swimming, snorkeling and fishing.
Can you drink the water in Florida Keys? ›The Source
The FKAA delivers approximately 17,000,000 gallons per day of high-quality drinking water to the residents of the Florida Keys. The FKAA 's primary water supply, the Biscayne Aquifer, is a superior source water meeting and exceeding all regulatory drinking water standards prior to treatment.
Yes, you can and will be arrested for DUI in Florida if you're found sleeping in the driver's seat of a car. You don't have to be driving to get a DUI. According to Florida law, you can be arrested for DUI as long as you have actual physical control of the vehicle.
Can you sleep in your car at Walmart in Florida? ›The policy of Walmart welcomes RVers to spend a night in their parking lot, as long as you have the individual location's permission. In some places, city zoning laws or ordinances will prohibit overnight stays in parking lots.
Is it legal to live in your car in Florida? ›There is no federal law that prohibits motorists from sleeping inside their vehicle.
What is the scariest road? ›
North Yungas Road, Or “The Road of Death” (Bolivia) Bolivia's “Death Road,” considered the world's most dangerous road, and it doesn't get its name for nothing! This single lane, dirt road, connecting La Paz to Coroico, clings precariously to the side of the Cordillera Oriental Mountains.
What is the steepest city in us? ›Pittsburgh is a city known for its many incredibly steep streets, but one stands above them all as the steepest street in the United States: Canton Avenue. Canton Avenue is located in the Beechview neighborhood, only a couple of miles south of downtown Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, PA.
What is the highest elevation you can drive to in the US? ›As the highest paved road in North America, Mount Evans Road rises to a height of 14,130 feet above sea level (learn about all 58 14ers here and check out an awesome infographic that describes what makes them so special to Coloradans). Many clouds don't even make it that high, but you can.
What is the most empty highway in the world? ›The Road through Naypyidaw – Naypyitaw, Myanmar (Burma) - Atlas Obscura.
What is the most beautiful road in the world? ›- Chapman's Peak Drive, South Africa.
- Milford Road, New Zealand. ...
- Karakoram Highway, Pakistan. ...
- Ruta 40, Argentina. ...
- Route 1, Iceland. ...
- Transfagarasan Highway, Romania. ...
- Amalfi Drive, Italy. ...
- Pacific Coast Highway, USA. ...
| Type of Improvement | Miles |
|---|---|
| Graded and drained earth roads | 348 |
| Unimproved roads | 15 |
| Bridges | 10 |
| Total | 2,321 |
Only one state, Montana, is left unspoiled with no daytime speed limit.
Is there a country with no speed limits? ›Germany is the only wealthy country in the world without a general speed limit. A drunk at a bar might tell you that German highways are particularly safe. But you don't need to know much about physics to understand that a car moving twice as fast is going to have a lot more kinetic energy.
What country drives the fastest? ›Germany has to take the top spot in the world's fastest roads, not least because around 45 percent of the country's autobahns have no speed limit, although the advisory speed limit is 81 mph.
What is the longest car drive without stopping? ›It's Louie Mattar's $75,000 1947 custom Cadillac. In 1952, Mattar and two other men drove this one-of-a-kind Caddy from San Diego to New York and back, without a single stop. Their trip totaled 6,320 miles!
What is the longest drivable road in the United States? ›
The United States boasts of some of the world's longest highways. The Pan-American Highway is the world's longest 'motorable road,' according to Guinness Book of World Records. At over 3300 miles (5400km) U.S. Route 20 is the longest road trip road in the United States of America.
What is the longest city road in America? ›| Length | 49.5 mi (79.7 km) |
| Location | Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap |
| Coordinates | 39.73837°N 104.32372°W |
| West end | Heritage Road in Golden |
| East end | Headlight Road in Strasburg |
No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
Is it illegal to go 5 over the speed limit in Florida? ›Driving no more than 5 mph over legal speed limit in Florida state is typically considered within the margin of error and you should not get a traffic ticket for it. Most law enforcement officers will not pull you over for exceeding speed limits by less than 5 miles per hour, especially on non-urban areas.
Can you go 10 over the speed limit in Florida? ›10 MPH to 14 MPH over the speed limit:
Usually ticketed for speeding. A driver could face a fine of $193 to $226 and three points on their license.
According to the Find By Plate study, I-95 is the 17th deadliest road in America, stretching from Miami to Houlton, Maine across more than 1,900 miles.
What is the oldest road in Florida? ›Tour the Old Kings road, which is the oldest commercial road in Florida built by British Engineers around 1776.
What is the steepest highway in Florida? ›I enjoyed visiting first hand Sugarloaf Mountain Road. It's the steepest part in Florida. The view of Apopka Lake is stunning. There is so much in Florida to see and enjoy.
Can you drive to Key West for one day? ›However, many visitors look into making a day trip to Key West to experience the Florida Keys most famous destination. The drive is just a little over 1.5 hours, so you can certainly pack a full day in especially if you hit the road early!
How long does it take to drive across Key West? ›You can drive from one end of the Keys to the other in about two hours, but any good Florida Keys tour will take you a little longer than that. After all, why drive through the Keys if you're not going to stop at all the interesting destinations along the way?
What is the longest overwater highway in the United States? ›
On August 30, 1956, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway opened across Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana. The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is the longest continuous bridge over water in the world.
How many bridges do you have to cross to get from Miami to Key West? ›There are 42 bridges between Miami and Key West. The longest one is the 7 Mile Bridge just west of Marathon. The infrastructure alone is reason enough to drive the Overseas Hwy. as you can see remnants of the original Flagler Railroad, "The Railroad that went to Sea".
What is the best time of year to drive to Key West? ›Driving along the Florida Keys is best between March and May – it can be less busy and you'll find better rates on accommodations. Temperatures during this time fall between 21 to 27°C, with little chance of rain, letting you to drop the top and drive down the coast in clear skies and sunshine.
What time of day is best to drive to the Keys? ›The best times to drive to Key West are late at night (after 8pm), early in the morning (before 8am), or ideally on a weekday.
What is the most scenic drive in Key West? ›The Florida Keys Scenic Highway runs from Mile Marker 110, north of the spectacular Jewfish Creek Bridge, to Mile Marker 0 in Old Town Key West. The scenic highway corridor also extends five miles into our crystal clear waters on each side of the highway.
Is it worth driving all the way to Key West? ›The drive to Key West will be one of the best parts of your trip. I highly recommend driving the Overseas Highway while you are in Key West. The Overseas Highway is a 113-mile highway, with 42 bridges (one bridge is 7 miles long!) connecting the Florida mainland to all of the Florida Keys.
Is 2 days in Key West enough? ›2 to 3 days are enough for Key West. With an extra day in the city you can either visit one of the national or state parks on a day tour. Or pick more water sports. Other than snorkeling and dolphin watching, you can also go on eco tours, jet skiing, and sailing/parasailing, without being rushed.
Is it worth going all the way to Key West? ›Yes, Key West is worth visiting! It is a tropical island that offers a unique blend of history, culture, scenic beauty, and outdoor activities. Key West is famous for its sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, historic landmarks, vibrant nightlife, and street performers.
What is the longest perfectly straight road in the United States? ›North Dakota likes to brag that state highway 46, running 124 miles from Streeter to Lithia, is perfectly straight. On the map you can see that it does have the occasional jog, like where it crosses the Sheyenne River at Little Yellowstone State Park.
What is the shortest interstate in the United States? ›What is the shortest Interstate? The shortest interstate is I-878 in New York City, which is all of seven-tenths of a mile long. That's just 3,696 feet. What is the highest Interstate route number?
What is the longest straightest highway in the US? ›
North Dakota claims its Highway 46 is the longest straight road in the US and Canada. Slight bends aside, the motorway boasts a 31-mile dead straight stretch from Gackle to Beaver Greek. However, the aforementioned Bonneville Salt Flat road is meant to be longer, at 35 miles.
What is the speed limit in Key West? ›The speed limit through the Keys is anywhere from 35mph to 55mph. Remember this is a long drive going through areas of population to others of almost no population. It's a highway over the ocean.
Can you walk the 7 mile bridge in Key West? ›The bridge re-opened after restoration on 1-12-2022. You can walk, bike or rollerblade the approximately 2.2 miles to Pigeon Key on the bridge and enjoy the amazing views.