April 6, 2017
Posted By : Barrett-Jackson

THE ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP: Cruising the Florida Keys

THE ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP: Cruising the Florida Keys

April 6, 2017
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

SEVEN MILE BRIDGE

The renowned Seven Mile Bridge at Marathon, part of the 127-mile Florida Keys Overseas Highway.

Traveling to the picturesque island of Key West is a bucket-list adventure in itself. For car-lovers, driving the historic, 127-mile Florida Keys Overseas Highway is considered by many to be the trip of a lifetime.

Perfect convertible cruising: Near Key Largo on the southern portion of the 18-Mile Stretch, a  facet of U.S. Highway 1 that connects South Florida with the Florida Keys. (AP Photo/Florida Keys News Bureau, Andy Newman)

Perfect convertible cruising: Near Key Largo on the southern portion of the 18-Mile Stretch, a facet of U.S. Highway 1 that connects South Florida with the Florida Keys. (AP Photo/Florida Keys News Bureau, Andy Newman)

“The highway that went to sea” is Florida’s only federally designated All-American Road, the highest possible recognition under the National Scenic Byways Program. It is one of just 42 All-American Roads in the entire United States.

The highway follows a trail blazed in 1912, when railroad baron Henry Flagler completed the extension of his Florida East Coast Railroad from Miami to Key West. The railway ceased operation after a 1935 hurricane.

The Overseas Highway, completed in 1938, includes 113 miles of actual roadway and 42 bridges. The highway was built of coral bedrock, some original railway spans and specially designed columns. The renowned Seven Mile Bridge at Marathon and 36 other bridges were replaced with wider spans in 1982.

Best seen from a convertible (of course), Route 1 begins at mile marker 127 in Florida City, and ‒ without stopping ‒ leads to mile marker zero and Key West some four hours later. But stop you must: you are on island time now, and it will be difficult to resist breaks for conch fritters, Key lime pie, snorkeling, tarpon fishing and stellar photo ops. Off-the-beaten-path beaches and parks, shops carrying one-of-a-kind Keys-crafted offerings and funky waterfront dining venues serving succulent fresh seafood are not to be missed.

Find the perfect car to cruise the Florida Keys at this year’s Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction, now through Saturday at the South Florida Fairgrounds! Explore the docket HERE.

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