Car Rental Miami to Key West: Options, Vehicles, Route, and Requirements

Renting a Car is the most appropriate way to travel from Miami to Key West, as there is no direct public transit. The drive is about 160 miles via US-1 highway and takes between 3.5 and 4.5 hours, depending on traffic and stops along the way. Car rental Miami to Key West is available at different locations with daily rates around $35 for economy and compact cars. Passengers can pick up from the MIA Airport, Miami Beach, Downtown area, and more. However, there are some eligibility criteria that renters must fulfill to rent a car, including being 21 years old or above, having a credit card, and a driver’s license.

Benefits of Car Hire Miami to Key West

Choosing a rental car is always a beneficial option for traveling from Miami to Key West, as public transport takes double the time of driving and involves multiple interchanges.

• Flexibility: A car hire Miami to Key West lets visitors depart whenever they choose and stop at any point. Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key, and spend as much or as little time at each as they want. No fixed timetables or shared shuttles limit.

• Value for Money: Daily rental rates start from around $35 for economy and compact cars when booked in advance. Weekly rates reduce the per-day cost further, and multi-day rentals often provide promotional pricing. For groups of two or more sharing the vehicle, the per-person cost drops considerably.

• Convenience: Most rental companies in Miami offer flexible pickup and drop-off arrangements, including airport pickup, Miami Beach pickups, and in some cases hotel delivery. One-way rentals, picking up in Miami and dropping off in Key West, are also available through most major companies, though a one-way drop fee applies.

• Vehicle Choice: Every major rental company in Miami carries a broad vehicles. Economy cars cover the basics, while SUVs, convertibles, and luxury models suit the open highway of the Overseas Highway drive.

Best Car Rental Options in Miami 

These are some of the best car rentals in Miami that are located at different locations across the city, offering multiple types of vehicles.

Miami Rental Car Pickup Locations 

Various Miami car rentals are available at multiple locations across the city, with offices situated a few miles from the beach. Renters should plan pickup and drop-off times accordingly 

Miami International Airport (MIA): The airport’s Rental Car Centre on Level 4 houses all major car rental companies, including National, Alamo, Thrifty, Dollar, Hertz, Avis, and Budget. A free MIA Mover automated people mover connects the terminal to the Rental Car Centre in around five minutes.

Miami Beach, 5th Street: The beachside rental offices sit along 5th Street and along Miami Beach. Enterprise at 1000 5th Street is one of the closest to the beach itself. This location suits those staying in South Beach who want to pick up the car on the morning of their drive without heading to the airport.

Collins Avenue Area: Several companies, including Budget, Avis, and Sixt, operate along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach; Turo peer-to-peer car rentals also operate in this area.

Hotel Delivery: A small number of rental companies and premium services offer vehicle delivery directly to the hotel near Miami. This is typically arranged on pre-booking and is most reliably available for hotels near Miami Beach and Miami Airport.

Vehicle Options: Car Hire Miami to Key West

As the journey from Miami to Key West is a little long, choosing the right vehicle is important for staying comfortable during the trip. It certainly depends on the number of passengers traveling.

NOTE: Miami Convertible Car Rentals are in high demand for this route and can be limited in number during peak travel season.

Route Overview: Miami to Key West

The entire drive from Miami to Key West follows a single road, US-1 South, the Florida Keys as the Overseas Highway. There are no alternative routes and no shortcuts. The highway passes across 42 bridges and through a chain of islands, covering approximately 160 miles from central Miami to the southernmost point of Key West.

The route includes traveling:

• Miami to Key Largo (60 Miles)

• Key Largo to Islamorada (17 Miles)

• Islamorada to Marathon (30 Miles)

• Marathon to Big Pine Key (7 Miles)

• Big Pine Key to Key West (29 Miles)

Tolls and Road Costs

Florida’s Turnpike: Leaving Miami southbound, most routes pass through a section of the Turnpike before joining US-1 at Florida City. It is a cashless, all-electronic toll road. Rental cars are typically billed for tolls through the SunPass system or a Toll by Plate charge added to the rental invoice. The toll cost from Miami to Florida City is approximately $3 to $5 depending on the entry point. 

The Overseas Highway (US-1 through the Keys): There are no tolls on the Overseas Highway itself. Once past Florida City, the drive to Key West is toll-free all the way.

Rental Requirements: Car rental Miami to Key West

Most of the rental car companies in Miami have a basic eligibility structure consisting of age, documents, and insurance requirements, with additional charges for add-ons on the booking.

1. Age Requirements

• Minimum rental age at most companies: 21 years old.

• Some companies (including Alamo, National, and Enterprise) accept renters from 18 years old at select locations.

• Drivers aged 21 to 24 are typically subject to a young driver surcharge of around $25 per day.

• No young driver surcharge applies for renters 25 and over. 

2. Driving Licence

• A valid driving licence held for a minimum of 1 year is required.

• US licence holders: A standard US state driving licence is accepted by all rental companies.

• International visitors: A driving licence from most countries is accepted. Renters from non-English-speaking countries are strongly advised to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their home licence, as some companies require it.

• The licence must be physically present; digital or photocopied licences are not accepted.

3. Payment and Credit Card

• A physical credit card in the main driver’s name is required at pickup for the security deposit at nearly all major rental companies

• Accepted credit cards include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB, and UnionPay. 

• Debit cards are accepted by some companies (including Enterprise and Alamo at select locations) but may require a larger security deposit and a credit check

• Prepaid cards and cash are not accepted as a primary payment method at most companies

• The security deposit is typically held on the credit card at pickup and released within a few days of return, provided no damage or additional charges apply

4. Additional Drivers

Any additional driver must be present at pickup with their own valid driving licence

Most companies charge an additional driver fee of approximately $10 to $15 per day

Additional driver fees are waived for some loyalty programme members and for spouses or domestic partners at certain companies. 

5. Insurance

The renter’s personal auto insurance does not cover rental cars in the US in all cases, and confirmation of coverage should be checked before declining the rental company’s coverage options.

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Covers damage to the rental vehicle in the event of a collision. Approximately $10-$25 per day. Not technically insurance; it waives the renter’s liability to the rental company for damage.

• Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): Combines collision and theft protection. The most comprehensive single add-on. Approximately $15-$30 per day.

• Liability Insurance Supplement (LIS): Covers damage or injury to other parties. Approximately $10-$15 per day. Important for drivers whose personal policy does not extend to rental cars.

• Personal Accident Insurance (PAI): Covers medical costs for the driver and passengers. Approximately $5-$10 per day.

• Credit card coverage: Many Visa, Mastercard, and Amex cards include CDW for rental cars when the full rental cost is paid on that card. Confirm the terms of the card’s coverage before relying on it, as exclusions apply.

Tips for Renting a Car from Miami to Key West

Renting in Miami comes with various options, but renters must keep these tips in mind before making reservations and starting their journey from Miami to Key West.

Book at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance: Miami is one of the most popular rental car markets in the United States, and convertibles and compact SUVs.

Select the appropriate pickup location: Passengers can select the right rental car pickup location in Miami, depending on their departure timings to Key West.

Leave Miami early on weekends: Friday afternoon and Saturday morning southbound traffic on the Overseas Highway can extend the drive from 4 hours to 5 or 6 hours in peak season. Depart before 8 a.m., before the South Beach crowd starts moving.

Fill up at Florida City: The last major stretch of mainland roads ends at Florida City before the Overseas Highway begins. Fuel prices in the Keys are consistently higher than on the mainland, and there are no stations between some of the smaller islands. 

Avoid oversized vehicles in Key West: Full-size SUVs, large minivans, and pickup trucks are difficult to navigate in Key West’s narrow streets and tight parking lots. Unless the group or cargo genuinely requires that size, a midsize sedan or compact SUV is a better option in Key West.

Photograph the vehicle before leaving the pickup lot: Take clear photos of all four sides, the roof, and any existing damage before driving away. This protects against disputed damage charges at return, particularly for any pre-existing scratches or dents.

For people arriving from another city or state, renting a car is the most affordable and convenient option for traveling from Miami to Key West. The MIA Public transportation doesn’t provide a direct service, whereas several rental car companies are present throughout the city. Hence, those flying can pick up their rentals from the car rental centre.