Hollywood/Ft. Lauderdale Airport to Key Largo-Best Route?

[grassyknoll]

Okay, it's been three years since my last trip to the Keys. It has taken me that much time and many hours of intense therapy to repress all the memories of getting lost in Miami. I can still rememeber pulling into one quaint gas station, as I went inside to purchase a map, I quipped to my wife and kids that "I think I remember the episode of Cops they filmed here, so try to look tough" (which is not easy for a sun-burned mom from the suburbs and two pre-pubescent girls wearing pink Hello Kitty T-shirts).
Anyhoo, we all survived but in order to NOT repeat that rather unpleasant event, I thought I would see if I could get some local advice on the best route to take from the airport to the Keys and back.
Quantifiers:
Toll roads are no problem.
Driving down to the Keys at 19:00 on a Monday.
Driving back to Ft. Lauderdale airport at 06:00 on a Friday.


Any route advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Shark Bait!]

I-95 South to 826 East.. you can ride that all the way down to the keys.. but stay on the left (toll road)..

Or you can take 595 (the road coming from ft lauderdale airport) to turnpike south, and stay right after passing hollywood, ad you can take that allthe way down.. both directions take you to the same place.. only traffic will be your enemy.. GL but you should have no problem at that time of night..

 

[grassyknoll]

I-95 South to 826 East.. you can ride that all the way down to the keys.. but stay on the left (toll road)..

Or you can take 595 (the road coming from ft lauderdale airport) to turnpike south, and stay right after passing hollywood, ad you can take that allthe way down.. both directions take you to the same place.. only traffic will be your enemy.. GL but you should have no problem at that time of night..

Thanks Shark Bait.

 

[sportxlh]

the turnpike route suggested by Shark Bait is the better (and faster) route: imho

 

[ONESPEED]

the turnpike route suggested by Shark Bait is the better (and faster) route: imho

Yeah, run screaming from the 826 suggestion, traffic nightmare 24/7.

 

[deepstops]

826 EAST would take you into North Miami Beach/163rd Street. Surely you meant west.

Even then, the 826 route is only if you WANT to waste time in traffic and/or get lost.

From FLL, take I-595 west to the Turnpike south. Follow the Turnpike signs to the Keys until it ends in Florida City where you pick-up US-1.

 

[Shark Bait!]

Correct Deepstops i did mean west. I live in miami gardens, so 826 is easy for me to jump on, and at that time of night, there really isnt much traffic and is actually faster since you dont need to go all the way west. All in all both ways take you to the same place but to be safe, turnpike is the less hassell way....

 

[grassyknoll]

GPS, Tom-Tom, Garmin, MapQuest...nothing beats ScubaBoard!
Now if only I could get one of you to call and give me real-time directions on my speaker phone while I drive "turn left here".....

 

[Shark Bait!]

LMAO.. if done correctly, the only turn you will make is south on florida turnpike from 595 and stay to the right after Hollywood Blvd exit.

 

[DebbyDiver]

BEFORE YOU GET IN THE CAR call 5-1-1- on your Cellphone.

First, say "English".

Then, say "traffic".

Then, say "Broward." You DO need to get out of Broward first! Listen to the prompts.

Then say "Main Menu."

Now "Traffic" then "Miami-Dade". Same drill as Broward.

Then say "Main Menu" then "Traffic" then "Monroe County". You DO need to know if Card Sound Road or Overseas Highway are blocked.

So far as best route, either Turnpike all the way, or I-95 to 836 to Turnpike. Heck, just take the Turnpike, it is easier and less stressfull...unless, of course, 5-1-1 says it is blocked.