Not to be confused with California Route 1, U.S. Highway 1 will take you all the way to mile marker Zero on Key West, if you let it. The Overseas Highway, as it's called once you leave the mainland, is not a highway for the claustrophobic driver (unless you're looking for some exposure therapy) or for the driver or passenger who cannot handle bridges. It is a highway for a convertible (which, sadly, I did not rent due to budget constraints). And it is also a highway for the most beautiful pure blue ocean driving under the sun. Watch the speed limits as they change frequently based on population, road conditions, endangerd wildlife habitat ("Speed Kills Key Deer"), and whether it's night time. And make cruise control your friend, especially on the bridges. Or don't, and get some Autobahn-style driving in and risk crashing into the concrete barriers just to your right and left. With the ocean surrounding you on the bridges, it's easy to lose perspective and find your foot setting a speed of 80. And did I mention slowing down for Key Deer? Yeah, do it. Because they're endangered, they're tiny, and I totally saw a male Key Deer grazing right next to the road on the outskirts of one of the towns. And apparently there's special Keys marshbunnies around too, so watch out!
Highway 1 on my way back from the Keys. Yep, I drove off the islands and right into a rainstorm.
Driving on the Seven Mile Bridge toward Marathon.
My ride. Chevy Cruse. Not sassy enough to deserve a name. Which is good, because I'm not really a car-namer.
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