Chicago to Key West

Day 8: Daytona Beach FL to Florida City FL

Day 8: Daytona Beach FL to Florida City FL

Postcard from Florida City, Florida.

Avoiding the highways meant the 300 miles in and out the scenic A1A from Daytona to Fort Lauderdale lasted over 8h. But they were pleasant, relaxing and enjoyable, boosting some incredible views over a multi-shades-of-blue ocean.

The remaining 40 miles from Fort Lauderdale to Miami were an awful, disheartening, deplorable shit-show. 3h stuck in traffic swearing pointlessly at everyone and everything just waiting for the next traffic light to turn red exactly in front of my crying face. On the flip side it has been a great rage relief moment. Peace now.

Note: I’ve returned the uber-reliable Volvo I’ve driven since Chicago and picked up a new car in Miami cause a grand finale deserves a grand vehicle…




Driving from Daytona Beach to Florida City Cheat Sheet

Accommodation in Florida City:

  • Best Western Gateway To The Keys, 411 S Krome Ave, Florida City, FL 33034. A nice, clean motel that screams “Florida” from everywhere. Florida City is not Miami and there is pretty much nothing around but it is very convenient to beat the morning traffic coming from Miami to the Keys

Where to eat and what to see between Daytona Beach FL and Florida City FL

  • Avalon State ParkFlorida A1A, Fort Pierce, FL 34949 Beautiful sandy beach and blue waters.  Perfect to swim, snorkel, sunbath…


Driving from Daytona Beach to Florida City FAQ

How many miles are from Daytona Beach to Florida City?

There are about 294 miles from Daytona Beach to Florida City. I drove for 370 miles in total cause I wanted to avoid the superfast highways and drive in and out the scenic A1A by the water.

How long does it take to drive from Daytona Beach to Florida City?

Using the fastest option you can drive from Daytona Beach to Florida City in 4 hours. Due to my itinerary and the car change in Miami took me about 13 hours to get from Daytona Beach to the motel in Florida City.

What’s the best thing about driving from Daytona Beach to Florida City?

You drive for hundreds of miles on the A1A enjoying some incredible views over the ocean.

What are the major attractions along the way in a road trip from Daytona Beach to Florida City?

The beautiful beaches, some heavenly empty and spacious like in Avalon State Park, some more urban like in West Palm Beach.

What type of car is best to drive from Daytona Beach to Florida City?

A convertible. Easy. Unless you are in hurricane season, driving on these roads with the roof down is a beautiful experience (that I didn’t do till Miami, unfortunately).


My itinerary on a road trip from Chicago to Key West



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