What Mile Marker is Key West? The Gem of the Florida Keys
Key West begins at Mile Marker 4.1 and ends at Mile Marker 0 on the Overseas Highway — the literal end of the road.
That four-mile stretch is the most famous, most photographed, and most talked-about section of US Highway 1 in the entire country. When you cross the bridge at MM 4.1 over Cow Key Channel, you’re officially in Key West, and what happens next is entirely up to you.
Unlike the rest of the Florida Keys, Key West doesn’t operate by mile markers once you’re inside city limits.
You navigate by street names in Old Town, and most of what you came to see is within easy walking distance or a short bike ride.
But getting here via the Overseas Highway — passing through Islamorada at MM 90 to 72, Duck Key at MM 61, and Marathon before the Seven Mile Bridge — is one of the great American road trips. The full mile marker picture is in our Florida Keys Mile Marker Guide.
Key West: A Little Background on the End of the Road
Key West sits roughly 90 miles north of Cuba and is the southernmost city in the continental United States. It was once the wealthiest city per capita in America, built on a combination of wrecking — salvaging cargo from ships that ran aground on the reef — and a thriving cigar industry fueled by Cuban immigrants.
Henry Flagler extended his Overseas Railroad all the way to Key West in 1912, connecting the island to the mainland for the first time by land.
Key West has always attracted characters. Ernest Hemingway lived here through most of the 1930s and wrote some of his most celebrated work on the island. President Harry Truman used it as his winter White House, logging 175 days across 11 visits.
Tennessee Williams, Jimmy Buffett, and a long line of artists, writers, and musicians have called Key West home.
The island’s unofficial motto — “One Human Family” — and its self-proclaimed identity as the Conch Republic (which briefly and humorously “seceded” from the United States in 1982 to protest a Border Patrol roadblock) give you a pretty good sense of its spirit.
Today Key West draws about 3 million visitors a year. It’s compact — roughly 2 miles wide and 4 miles long — which means you can walk or bike to most of what you want to see. The vibe is relaxed, colorful, and distinctly unlike anywhere else in Florida.
What Happens at Mile Marker 4.1 — The Gateway to Key West
Mile Marker 4.1 is the Cow Key Channel Bridge, where the Overseas Highway crosses from Stock Island onto Key West proper. Just before that bridge, at MM 4.6 on Stock Island, is one of the best pre-Key West stops you can make:
- Hogfish Bar and Grill (MM 4.6, Stock Island): A no-frills waterfront spot that serves what many locals consider the best hogfish sandwich in the state of Florida. If you’ve never had fresh hogfish, this is the place to fix that. It’s off the main drag, which means shorter waits and a more local crowd.
- Hurricane Hole (MM 4.5): A marina and waterfront restaurant with boat rentals and a casual outdoor atmosphere. Good stop if you want to get out on the water or view some manatees we have seen hanging around the docks.
Once you cross into Key West at MM 4.1, US 1 splits. Bear left on North Roosevelt Boulevard to reach the airport, Smathers Beach, and the Casa Marina area.
Bear right on North Roosevelt to reach Old Town, Duval Street, and the heart of everything. Most first-time visitors should bear right.
Top 5 Key West Attractions for First-Time Visitors
Key West has more things to do than a four-day trip can cover, but here are the five experiences that define the island for most first-time visitors:
1. Mallory Square and the Sunset Celebration
Every evening, as the sun starts dropping toward the Gulf of Mexico, the crowd at Mallory Square grows. This historic waterfront plaza at the northern tip of Duval Street hosts what has to be one of the best free shows in Florida — the nightly Sunset Celebration. Fire breathers, tightrope walkers, fortune tellers, musicians, and food vendors all set up along the waterfront, and the whole thing culminates in the sky going full watercolor over the water.
Mallory Square is also the launch point for the famous Duval Street Crawl — a walk down Duval from the Gulf to the Atlantic, stopping at bars, restaurants, and shops along the way. At the northern end you’ll find Hog’s Breath Saloon and Sloppy Joe’s; at the southern end, the Southernmost Point buoy. Get there early to snag a spot with a view for sunset.
2. Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Ernest Hemingway lived at 907 Whitehead Street from 1931 to 1940, and the house looks much like it did when he was there. Built in 1851 in a Spanish Colonial style, it was the first house in Key West to have indoor plumbing — Hemingway put in a swimming pool in the 1930s that reportedly cost more than the house itself, which did not amuse his wife.
He wrote some of his most famous work here, including “For Whom the Bell Tolls.” But the real stars of the property, if you ask most visitors, are the roughly 60 polydactyl cats — six-toed cats — that roam the grounds freely. They’re all said to be descendants of a six-toed cat given to Hemingway by a ship’s captain. Guided tours run throughout the day and take about 30 minutes.
3. The Southernmost Point Buoy
The buoy itself was installed in 1983 after tourists kept stealing the original marker. It’s technically not the actual southernmost point — that distinction belongs to a spot inside the nearby Naval Air Station that’s off limits to the public — but nobody seems to mind. Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds, and while you’re there, the Southernmost House museum right next door is worth a look. It’s also just a short walk from Mile Marker 0 on Whitehead Street.
4. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Fort Zachary Taylor is a Civil War-era fort with the largest collection of Civil War armaments in the world, and it happens to sit right next to one of the best beaches in Key West. Construction began in 1845, and the fort played a strategic role in keeping Key West in Union hands during the Civil War — a fact that helped prevent the Confederate Navy from using it as a base.
Today the fort is a state park open to visitors daily. The beach on the western side has clear water, good snorkeling, and reliable shade from the surrounding trees. It’s also one of the best spots on the island for watching the sunset. Rangers offer free guided tours of the fort several times a day. There’s a small admission fee to enter the park.
5. Mile Marker 0 — The End of the Road
Mile Marker 0 sits at the corner of Fleming Street and Whitehead Street in Old Town Key West — the official terminus of US Highway 1, which begins 2,369 miles away in Fort Kent, Maine. For anyone who has driven the Overseas Highway down from Key Largo, stopping here feels like something worth marking.
The marker itself is a small green and white sign, easy to miss if you’re not looking for it, but visitors find it and photograph it every day. A short walk down Whitehead Street toward the water takes you to the Hemingway House and then to the Southernmost Point buoy, making this a natural starting point for a self-guided walking tour of Old Town.
The Green Parrot Bar, one of Key West’s most beloved dive bars, is about a block away — a fitting place to celebrate reaching the end of the road. For more on this iconic spot, see our post on Mile Marker 0 in Key West.
How Far Is Key West and When to Visit
Key West at Mile Marker 0 is about 160 miles from Miami, which works out to roughly a 3.5-hour drive under normal conditions — longer on holiday weekends when the Overseas Highway backs up.
From Orlando it’s about 4.5 hours. From Tampa it’s around 4 hours via Alligator Alley and the Turnpike.
The best time to visit Key West is November through April. The dry season brings low humidity, temperatures in the mid-70s to low 80s, and almost no rain. January through March is peak season, meaning higher hotel rates and more crowds — book well in advance if you’re going during that window.
Summer is hot and humid but shoulder season pricing makes it appealing, especially in June before hurricane season picks up.
FAQs About Key West Mile Markers
What mile marker is Key West?
Key West begins at Mile Marker 4.1, where the Overseas Highway crosses Cow Key Channel Bridge onto the island, and ends at Mile Marker 0 on Whitehead Street in Old Town — the official end of US Highway 1.
Where exactly is Mile Marker 0 in Key West?
Mile Marker 0 is located at the intersection of Fleming Street and Whitehead Street in Old Town Key West. It marks the southern terminus of US Highway 1, which stretches 2,369 miles north to Fort Kent, Maine.
What is Key West most famous for?
Key West is most famous for being the southernmost city in the continental United States, Duval Street, the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration, the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, the Southernmost Point buoy, and its laid-back Conch Republic culture. It’s also known for key lime pie, world-class sport fishing, and some of the best bar-hopping in Florida.
How far is Key West from Miami?
Key West at Mile Marker 0 is approximately 160 miles from Miami, a drive of roughly 3.5 hours via the Overseas Highway under normal traffic conditions. Allow extra time on holiday weekends.
How far is Key West from Key Largo?
Key Largo begins around Mile Marker 106, so Key West at MM 0 is about 106 miles to the southwest — roughly a 2-hour drive down the Overseas Highway, not counting stops.
What is the Southernmost Point in Key West?
The Southernmost Point buoy is located at the corner of South Street and Whitehead Street in Key West. It marks the southernmost point accessible to the public in the continental United States, just 90 miles from Cuba. It’s one of the most photographed landmarks in Florida.
Is Key West worth visiting for a first-time visitor?
Absolutely. Key West offers a combination of history, outdoor activities, nightlife, and natural beauty that is genuinely unlike anywhere else in Florida or the Southeast. First-time visitors should budget at least two to three days to explore Old Town, get on the water, and experience the Mallory Square sunset. One day is doable as a day trip from Miami or the Upper Keys, but it won’t be enough.
What are the best bars on Duval Street in Key West?
The most iconic bars on Duval Street include Sloppy Joe’s, Captain Tony’s Saloon (the original Sloppy Joe’s location), and Hog’s Breath Saloon. The Green Parrot, just off Duval on Whitehead Street near Mile Marker 0, is a beloved local dive bar. For a full breakdown, see our post on the most iconic bars on Duval Street.
More About Key West
Sign up for our monthly updates and news about Florida travel. Join 21,000 other travelers!
Can’t Find It? Search Florida Travel Blog
Florida Travel Blog is an Amazon Associate and other programs. Should you purchase something from a link, we earn a very small commission at no cost to you.
Latest Posts
Where Is Chattahoochee Florida? A Complete Local Guide
Last Updated September 9, 2026 Chattahoochee, Florida sits in the far northwestern corner of the state, in Gadsden County, just a few miles south of the
What are the Best Beach Destinations in Florida for Families?
We have been traveling Florida for over 40 years. Here are our 24 best beach destinations in Florida. From the far reaches of the Panhandle
Best Beaches on Florida’s West Coast: 21 Gulf Coast Picks (2026)
We’ve visited every beach on this list. Here are the 21 best beaches on Florida’s west coast — from Clearwater south to Marco Island — with parking, tips, and what makes each one worth the trip.
Marco Island, Florida: The Complete Travel Guide
They call it the “Hawaii of the East,” and once you arrive, the nickname makes perfect sense. Marco Island sits at the southern tip of
Florida Travel Guides
Key Largo to Key West Florida Mile By Mile Guide
Key Takeaways Top 10 Stops – Key Largo to Key West John Pennekamp State Park Florida Keys Wild Bird Center Theater of the Sea ROBBIE’S
Best Places in Florida for Young Adults to Vacation (2026 Guide)
Florida isn’t just theme parks and family trips—it’s beaches with a pulse, neighborhoods with art and music until late, and water adventures you can’t get
Clearwater Beach Visitors Guide – Unwind in Paradise
Last Updated April 18, 2026 Clearwater Beach delivers powder-soft sand, calm Gulf water, a walkable marina-to-pier strip, and nightly sunset vibes. As Tampa Bay locals,
Interesting Facts About the Florida Everglades – 100 Of Them!
Our Number One Fact About The Everglades — “The Florida Everglades is one of the most extraordinary ecosystems on Earth! An immense subtropical wetland famous
Guide To Florida Keys: Resident’s Essential Tips
You are about to embark on a journey through the most beautiful tropical islands in the world. This guide to the Florida Keys is a
Florida Travel Blog is an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase something from a link, we earn a very small commission at no cost to you.
