US Route 1

It begins in Fort Kent, Maine and ends at Key West,
Florida, a total of 2,390 miles, and is the most
easterly continuous highway of the Federal Highway
System - US Route 1.

US Route 1 was designated as a national highway in
1926, with parts renumbered from other routes, and is
the most visually diverse highway in the country.

In less than 2,400 miles, a driver can go from below
zero temperatures and snow, to cherry blossoms in
Washington DC to swimming in 78 degree water in South
Miami Beach to visiting Hemingway’s favorite hangouts
in Key West.

If one were to drive continuously, they could make the
trip in 34 hours. Imagine going from a freezing cold,
windy Maine winter to a Florida Keys beach chair
comfortably, while never leaving the ground!

It seems impossible to believe that a person can go
from a jeans, turtleneck shirt, winter coat, mittens
and boots to a bathing suit in just a few hours, but
air travel was created for just that reason.

Packing a bag to go to Florida from Maine in the
winter means packing light; packing to go from Florida
to Maine in January means just the opposite.

Who needs LL Bean boots when you live in Florida? You
only need them if you are traveling by car, via US
Route 1 and might want to sample the trails along the
way north.

There are many opportunities along the way to get off
onto some hiking trails and enjoys areas of the
country that others ride by in the cars.

Don’t be afraid to get off the beaten trail and
explore!