Love the Florida Keys? 7 Rules for Driving the Overseas Highway

The overseas highway, the stretch of US1 from Key Largo to Key West is one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the country. Most of the 106 miles is one lane in each direction. Views of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean stretch as far as the eye can see. The Seven Mile Bridge is a wonder of engineering.

Because the stretch of road is so long and narrow, there are a few things that you can do to make the drive more enjoyable for everyone.

1. If you are pulling a boat or any other large object, do not weave around within your lane, stay towards the right so the rest of the driving world can pass you safely.
2. You may get stuck behind someone going slower than you would like. Should this happen, and it often does, don’t keep braking. Just go the same speed as the car in front of you. If I am behind you, I don’t want to see your brake lights flash on and off every two seconds for the next sixty miles. Plus, it goes against the very first rule of driving that my father taught me: do not go faster than the car in front of you.
3. The police car on the side of the road in Layton, around Mile Marker 69, is empty. No need to brake here.
4. There are parts of the road that are two lanes in each direction. In these sections, pass on the left. If you are a slowpoke, stay in the right lane.
5. Turn your lights on. Yes, that means for the whole drive. It is much easier to see you coming, especially when someone is passing on a bridge.
6. Once you pass, please turn your signal off. Nobody thinks that you are making a left off a bridge. At least we hope not.
7. Unlike the car in Layton, the police officers waiting at the bottom of the Bahia Honda bridge at Mile Marker 35 are very real. Slow down or you will get a ticket.

I drive this road a lot. If you are the person saying “she can’t be talking about me” believe me, I am. Please try not to be a jerk.