Key West Travel Tips for High Season

If you’re heading to Key West for the high season, prepare yourself for construction in paradise. A 2.5-mile-long improvement project is underway on the primary artery in and out of Key West, North Roosevelt Blvd. When finished in 2014, Key West will have a new road, along with new sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting and landscaping, plus an expanded seawall and best of all a waterfront promenade for pedestrians and bicyclists. 

Before You Go: Get the skinny on detours, lane closures and sidewalk closures at the Florida Department of Transportation website. Find updates and printable maps clearly outlining the construction areas. The Visitor/Business locater map pinpoints specific businesses on those roads. Take time to plan your route, and allow extra drive time. If you get lost, don’t worry. The island is only six square miles, and it won’t take you long to find your way back.

Arrival and Departure: Arriving in Key West should be less problematic than leaving, as the two inbound lanes of North Roosevelt Blvd. are open, and the construction doesn’t really affect Old Town, the main visitor area. However, the two outbound lanes are closed. Heading off the island, you’ll need to use alternate routes. Flagler Ave. may be the shortest way, but it's usually more congested. (Note: the speed limit is drastically reduced around Key West High School on Flager Ave. during certain times of the day. You don't want a speeding ticket while on vacation.) South Roosevelt is a longer route, but it's scenic and travels the southern edge of the island's sandy beaches and Atlantic Ocean.

Rush Hour: Believe it or not, Key West does have a rush hour. Sure, it’s nothing compared to major cities, but the construction isn’t helping. Avoid leaving the island between 3 and 6 p.m. You'll have a smoother exit, and the locals will thank you.