Key West is about 90 nautical miles from Naples by water, roughly 104 statute miles or 167 kilometers across the open Gulf of Mexico. A typical on-the-water routing runs about 95 nautical miles. This one is a near straight shot south, but it is an open Gulf crossing with no shelter in the middle, so it asks for more planning than its Hawk Channel cousins down the chain.
Naples to Key West distance
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Straight-line distance | 90 nautical miles |
| Statute miles | 104 miles |
| Kilometers | 167 km |
| Typical on-the-water routing | about 95 nautical miles |
The run leaves Naples through Gordon Pass and tracks nearly due south across the open Gulf to the Northwest Channel, the marked approach into Key West from the Gulf side. There is no inside route here and no bail-out for hours, so this is a committed open-water crossing. Pick up the Northwest Channel markers cleanly and watch the cruise-ship traffic on the harbor 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 90 nautical mile distance at a steady cruise. They assume one continuous run, so treat them as the underway total. 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 | 3 hr 42 min | 64 gal | $287 |
| 38 ft express cruiser (twin gas) | 26 mph | 43.0 | 0.6 | 3 hr 59 min | 171 gal | $771 |
| 50 ft trawler (single diesel) | 10 mph | 21.7 | 0.5 | 10 hr 21 min | 224 gal | $1,010 |
Fuel cost assumes $4.50 per gallon. A center console burns better than half a 120 gallon tank one way on this crossing, so plan your reserve around a round trip or a fuel stop in Key West, not a one-way number. 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 Naples to Key West crossing. 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 crossing
Best window: late fall through spring, when the Gulf is settled and cold fronts are spaced out.
This is an open Gulf crossing with no bail-out for hours, so only go on a settled forecast: light wind, low seas, and no front due in your window. A west or northwest wind builds a nasty chop across the whole route. When in doubt, wait a day; the Gulf rewards patience and punishes a rushed schedule.
Route notes
- Gordon Pass (0 nm): the departure inlet out of Naples. Clear the pass and the nearshore traffic before you settle onto the southbound line.
- Open Gulf of Mexico (about 45 nm): mid-crossing, no shelter. This is the point of commitment, so be sure of your weather before you reach it.
- Northwest Channel (about 85 nm): the marked approach into Key West from the Gulf side. Pick up the markers and hold the channel.
- Key West Harbor (90 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 for an open crossing where there is no fuel stop in the middle.
- Ground tackle sized for the open anchorages and a settled hull you can rely on once you are committed offshore.
- A hull and gelcoat in good repair before a long open-water run; fix the soft spots and chips at the dock, not in the Gulf.
Need to get the boat crossing-ready first? See our fuel tanks and systems and marine gelcoats for the repair and maintenance supplies that keep an offshore run uneventful.
Plan the rest of your trip
Naples to Key West: frequently asked questions
How far is Key West, FL from Naples, FL?
Key West, FL is about 90 nautical miles from Naples, FL, which is roughly 104 statute miles or 167 kilometers in a straight line. A typical on-the-water routing runs about 95 nautical miles.
How long does it take to get from Naples, FL to Key West, FL by boat?
A 24 ft center console (twin 150s) cruising at about 28 mph covers the 90 nautical mile run in roughly 3 hours 42 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 Naples, FL to Key West, FL trip use?
The 24 ft center console (twin 150s) burns about 64 gallons on the 90 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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