The Florida Keys run about 113 nautical miles (roughly 130 statute miles) from Key Largo down to Key West along the chain. From Miami, Key West is about 130 nautical miles by water, a 149 statute mile run that most boats break into a one or two day cruise down Hawk Channel. This guide pulls together the headline Keys routes, the time and fuel each one takes, and the gear that keeps a long Keys run uneventful. Use the links below to drop into the route you are planning.
Florida Keys routes at a glance
| Route | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Miami to Key West | 130 nm / 149 mi | The marquee run, down Hawk Channel |
| Key West to Dry Tortugas | about 70 nm / 81 mi | Open Gulf run to the national park |
| Key West to Cuba (Havana) | about 90 nm / 104 mi | International crossing, clearance required |
| Tampa to Key West | about 200 nm / 230 mi | Gulf-side run, usually a multi-day cruise |
The Keys are a long, thin chain, so almost every Keys route is really a coastal cruise with planned fuel and overnight stops rather than a single open-water hop. Hawk Channel, the protected inside route behind the reef, is the spine of the chain from Miami all the way to Key West. The outside Atlantic route is shorter but exposed, and the Gulf side has its own skinny water to respect.
How long does a Keys run take, and how much fuel
Time and fuel depend almost entirely on your boat. A 24 ft center console at 28 mph covers the Miami to Key West run in about five and a half hours and burns close to a full tank, while a slow trawler turns the same trip into a comfortable overnight cruise. Rather than guess, plug your own boat into the calculator below. Every route post in this cluster carries the exact distance, time, and fuel table for that specific run.
Estimate the fuel for your own boat
The calculator below is pre-loaded with the Miami to Key West run. Change the engine, horsepower, load, cruise speed, and tank to match your boat and it recomputes the fuel, range, and time instantly.
Best season and weather for the Keys
Best window: November through May is the calmest and bug-free season. The summer brings heat, afternoon storms, and the start of hurricane season, though the water is warm and the fishing is strong.
Hawk Channel inside the reef is the protected run, and it is where most cruisers stay. A strong southeast wind makes Hawk Channel lumpy near the bridges, so plan your bridge transits and your open stretches around the forecast. The runs to the Dry Tortugas and to Cuba leave the protection of the chain entirely, so those need a genuine open-water weather window, not just a fair day in the Keys.
Planning notes for the chain
- Hawk Channel: the protected inside route behind the reef is the default cruising path from Miami to Key West. Use it when the Atlantic side is up.
- Fuel stops: Marathon and Vaca Key are the common fuel and overnight stops on the Miami to Key West run. Top off and stage there rather than running the tank low.
- Reef and skinny water: the Keys are coral and shallow banks. Run the marked channels, watch your charts, and pick your light.
- Offshore legs: the Dry Tortugas, Cuba, and the open Tampa run leave the protection of the chain. Treat each as an open-water passage and wait for a clean window.
Gear to sort before a Keys run
- A fuel system you trust: clean filters, a known tank gauge, and a real reserve calculation that accounts for the fuel stops along the chain.
- Ground tackle sized for the open anchorages off the reef and in the backcountry.
- A hull and gelcoat in good repair before a long coastal run; fix the soft spots and chips at the dock, not at sea.
Getting the boat Keys-ready? See our fuel tanks and systems and marine gelcoats for the repair and maintenance supplies that keep a long run uneventful.
Pick your Keys route
Boating the Florida Keys: frequently asked questions
How long is the Florida Keys chain by boat?
The Florida Keys run about 113 nautical miles, roughly 130 statute miles, from Key Largo down to Key West along the chain. Most boats cruise it down Hawk Channel, the protected inside route behind the reef.
How far is Key West from Miami by boat?
Key West is about 130 nautical miles from Miami by water, which is roughly 149 statute miles. A 24 ft center console at about 28 mph covers it in roughly five and a half hours, while a slower trawler makes it a comfortable overnight cruise.
When is the best time of year to boat the Florida Keys?
November through May is the calmest and bug-free window. Summer brings heat, afternoon storms, and the start of hurricane season, though the water is warm and the fishing is strong.
Should I run Hawk Channel or the outside route in the Keys?
Hawk Channel, the protected inside route behind the reef, is the default cruising path and is where most boats stay. The outside Atlantic route is shorter but exposed, so save it for calm conditions.
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