Originally Posted by nanglgrl:
I'm not from there and I might be wrong but the keys are towards the bottom of Florida and when you are coming in from Texas you will be at the top of Florida so are you planing on coming in from the top, driving down and back up? Maybe it is how I'm reading it but I'm confused.
We just got back from a trip to Florida and went to a beach called Siesta Key, it's a couple of hours from Orlando and it's gorgeous. It was voted best beach in the US last year for good reason. White sand, clear water and really kid friendly. The only thing is you have to get there early if you want free parking, we got there late and paid to park at some guys house. The sand doesn't even get hot because it is all quartz...I wish I could go back. 
Yep. Pensacola to Miami---about ten hours, keys another 7 hours. There is a ferry from Naples to key west.
Siesta Key Rocks!!!! I live here, I would know!