Key West is about 130 nautical miles from Miami by water, roughly 150 statute miles or 241 kilometers down the chain. A typical on-the-water routing runs about 140 nautical miles because you follow Hawk Channel inside the reef rather than a straight line. In a fast center console it is a long single day; most cruisers split it into an easy overnight with a stop at Marathon. The protected inside route makes this one of the friendliest long runs in South Florida.
Miami to Key West distance
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Straight-line distance | 130 nautical miles |
| Statute miles | 150 miles |
| Kilometers | 241 km |
| Typical on-the-water routing | about 140 nautical miles |
The run leaves Miami through Government Cut, drops into Hawk Channel inside the reef, and follows the chain southwest past Marathon and Vaca Key to Key West Harbor. Hawk Channel is the protected inside route, which is why most boats favor it over the exposed outside Atlantic line. Watch the cruise-ship traffic in the main Key West channel on the final approach.
How long does it take, and how much fuel, by boat type
These are real numbers from the same engine that powers our boat fuel calculator, run over the 130 nautical mile distance at a steady cruise. They assume one continuous run, so treat them as the underway total for the whole trip, not a single sitting. Plug in your own boat in the calculator below to get your exact figure.
| Boat | Cruise | GPH | MPG | Trip time | Fuel | Fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 ft center console (twin 150s) | 28 mph | 17.2 | 1.6 | 5 hr 21 min | 92 gal | $414 |
| 38 ft express cruiser (twin gas) | 26 mph | 43.0 | 0.6 | 5 hr 45 min | 248 gal | $1,114 |
| 50 ft trawler (single diesel) | 10 mph | 21.7 | 0.5 | 14 hr 58 min | 324 gal | $1,459 |
Fuel cost assumes $4.50 per gallon. A center console burns close to its full 120 gallon tank one way, which is exactly why Marathon doubles as a fuel stop. Do not just scale from the table: run your own hull, load, and cruise speed.
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 run
Best window: year round, but November through May is the calmest and bug-free season.
Hawk Channel inside the reef is the protected run; the outside Atlantic route is shorter but exposed. A strong southeast wind makes Hawk Channel lumpy near the bridges, so plan your bridge transits and open stretches around the forecast. Pick a fair window and the run down the chain is one of the easier long cruises in the region.
Route notes
- Government Cut (0 nm): departure inlet out of Miami. Time your exit for slack or fair current at the inlet.
- Hawk Channel (about 10 nm): drop inside the reef onto the protected inside route and follow it down the chain.
- Marathon / Vaca Key (about 80 nm): the common fuel and overnight stop. Top off here and stage for the final leg into Key West.
- Key West Harbor (130 nm): watch the cruise-ship traffic in the main channel and call ahead for a slip in season.
Gear to sort before you go
- A fuel system you trust: clean filters, a known tank gauge, and a real reserve calculation that accounts for the Marathon fuel stop, not a guess.
- 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.
Need to get the boat run-ready first? See our fuel tanks and systems and marine gelcoats for the repair and maintenance supplies that keep a long run uneventful.
Plan the rest of your trip
Miami to Key West: frequently asked questions
How far is Key West, FL from Miami, FL?
Key West, FL is about 130 nautical miles from Miami, FL, which is roughly 150 statute miles or 241 kilometers in a straight line. A typical on-the-water routing runs about 140 nautical miles.
How long does it take to get from Miami, FL to Key West, FL by boat?
A 24 ft center console (twin 150s) cruising at about 28 mph covers the 130 nautical mile run in roughly 5 hours 21 minutes. A slower trawler takes much longer, and a fast express cruiser a little less. Use the fuel calculator on this page to plug in your own boat.
How much fuel does the Miami, FL to Key West, FL trip use?
The 24 ft center console (twin 150s) burns about 92 gallons on the 130 nautical mile run at roughly 17.2 gallons per hour and 1.6 miles per gallon. Your number depends on horsepower, load, and cruise speed, so run your own boat through the calculator below.
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