Road trip-Atlanta to Key West - where to break up trip?

Hi. Husband and I are taking new Wrangler on anniversary trip to Keys in May -- from Atlanta. Really...we aren%26#39;t crazy.

We are planning to leave early Sat.a.m. and drive until close to Miami. I have never been to Miami so I don%26#39;t know where to stay overnight, just that one night. Any suggestions? Safe area and nice hotel?

We have the week pretty much taken care of - except the trip there and back.

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!!

Road trip-Atlanta to Key West - where to break up trip?

I think you are far from crazy--I%26#39;m driving to KW from New York. And I%26#39;m meeting the delightful Mrs. Gam in Ft. Lauderdale, because she refuses to drive (and has less vacation time than I).

As far as where you should stop, the Miami or Ft. Lauderdale areas are not bad choices. If price is no object and you really want to experience major Miami, look for one of the better art deco hotels in South Beach. Here you%26#39;d have history with style and trendiness. If you%26#39;d like a more restrained approach, and still experience Miami, there are ample places to stay near I95 or the Turnpike. From there you can drive through Miami on your way to the keys. A visit to one of the other forums or else pages with reviews of hotels near Miami or Ft. Lauderdale would tell you far more about what%26#39;s available than I can here. Another choice is to drive all the way to the end of the Florida Turnpike and find a place to stay in Homestead/Florida City. That way you could spend you entire second day enjoying the peculiar charms of the Overseas Highway.

Road trip-Atlanta to Key West - where to break up trip?

Um I think you are crazy. I have driven many a time from the home I grew up in orlando to atlanta were my aunt uncle and cousins live. They live off of barrett pkwy (in the marrietta area). That trip is long and tedius. You may not realize but the trip from miami to the keys is a good 3 hours. If I were you this is what I would do. I would take 75 down till it splits to the turnpike. Which will be a little north from orlando. Get on the turnpike and stop some where in the Ft Peirce area. You can stay in a whatever hotel off the turnpike. In the morning get on the turnpike and take it to the keys. I would think about a 5 hour drive from there. The trip to fort peirce about 10 hours. I know it sounds like you are not going south enough. But believe me you are. No sense in tiring yourself out and paying a higher hotel bill in miami. Save that money and slurge on margaritas on duval. I know the roads. You have to get on the turnpike to get down to the keys anyways so why not break it up in a more apporpriate spot? If you need more info, just ask.

PS

if you do this idea dont leave ft peirce really early thinking you are getting ahead. i would wait until 9. Yes, traffic in ft peirce might be a little heavy. (stress the little) bbbuuuuttt you will be very glad you missed the west plam beach/ ft lauderdale rush hour. It will also get you to miami early enough to beat the afternoon rush. Nothing in the world is worse than west palm beach at 8:30 in the morning. You will still get to the keys by early afternoon. Dont even think about 95. The construction is really really heavy especially in the west palm/ boca area. I know there are some areas in ft lauderdale that are heavy. If you feel the need to push farther south. Hit ft lauderdale. the Mia Kia is on federal highway. it is a great little tiki spot to drink at. I really wouldn%26#39;t go any farther south. 13 hours with more to drive the next day in a jeep. Be ambitious, thats fine. But dont be tired when you get to the keys.

Have fun on the roadtrip. I%26#39;ve always loved a good roadtrip!

I think you should dump him in Miami, that way you both have a good chance of meeting someone new. He probably also won%26#39;t take it as bad, I mean it is Miami, things could be worse, right? Anywhere else before you get to KW you%26#39;ll just run into old people.