Tamiami Trail Reviews

We were going to travel the tamiami trail through the everglades from Sarasota to Miami. However we were in a hurry to do something in Miami and had been advised that this was a slow road with few services and that it is not a scenic route as we thought.

It is a real shame that we were in a rush because we had time the next day to travel up part of it from Miami to just experience a bit of it... I would have preferred this over the interstate.

It is a clean and tidy road with plenty of stops to see the everglades and enjoy some of its attractions and activities.

I tried to tell my husband June is rainy season in FL. & not the best of times to visit if you're going to the southern extremes but he wanted to go. The mosquitoes were in swarms. We couldn't get out of the car that we weren't attacked. That's when I remembered I had Deet for that very purpose. Most of the tourist places were closed but we still had a great time. We're use to seeing deer crossing signs in our home state but were amazed to see Puma & Panther Crossing signs. It was also somewhat unnerving to see so many buzzards sitting on the guardrails along the roadside. It was hot, humid and plum steamy out there due to the rain but we were laughing like crazy at the younger grandson who decided to cover up with a blanket so nothing could bite him. The road was 2 lane but it was in great shape. At one point we did stop to go inside what I believe was a ranger station. Kids were having a ball in there touching the various items the rangers set up to let them know what leather and so forth felt like. There were 2 ponds full of alligators that we were able to readily see. The ranger was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. There are bathrooms and vending machines and souvenirs of the 'Glades here. There was a lot of places up & down the road to stop and visit if you get that way but I don't think a lot of those places will open up again until winter.

We drive Rt 41 when heading from Tampa to the Keys. We pick it up from Rt. 75 in Naples. You see a lot more wildlife and alligators on this road vs. Rt 75 (nicknamed alligator alley). You can also pull over in Big Cypress National Preserves' viewing areas to see alligators sunning themselves from the boardwalks. Rest rooms at both stops as well. Actually, you can just count them as you drive along the canals on the road side. We have never been disappointed in finding alligators when we drive this road. Could be a challenging drive at night though. Plenty of Everglades airboat ride opportunities, if interested. That is a fun thing to do.

If one is in southern Florida and simply wants to get from one coast to the other quickly, take I-75, “Alligator Alley”; however, if one has a little more time, take scenic US-41, Tamiami Trail, instead but be prepared as the scenic route may turn into hours of adventure and exploration.

Passing through Everglades National Park, Big Cypress Preserve and Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, there are a multitude of places to see and experience the greater Everglades environment; short boardwalks to spot wildlife at, east to west, Big Cypress Oasis Visitor Center, HP Williams Roadside Park, Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center and the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk; side trips to backcountry areas on Loop Road and Turner River Road; the National Park visitor center, tram rides, hiking trails and the observation tower at Shark Valley; a bald cypress swamp at the Kirby Storter Roadside Park; the smallest Post Office in Ochopee; two Indian Villages; and numerous places to take an air boat tour into the glades.

Of course, if you are staying in southern Florida, one can easily plan a day long adventure to suit one’s preferences along Tamiami Trail.

We took the loop in hopes of seeing alligators in the wild and we were not disappointed. Drive slow and look at the banks. We spotted some monsters getting some sun. We were also lucky enough to see a baby riding on its mommas back. Spotted several large birds. It is a dirt road but worth the dust.

Saw lots of gators and the staff in the rest areas are very helpful and informative. This is a must if your crossing between Miami and Naples!

Used the 41 or Tamiami trail to drive from the Keys across to Naples,wow what a great drive,saw lots of wildlife on the way ,not many gas stations so fill up before you leave as there are long stretches of wilderness as you cross the Everglades.lots of trails you can stop and stretch your legs.Also this is the airboat capital of the Everglades as they are not allowed in the national park.Take your time and enjoy the drive.

To do this everglade part of the Tamiami trail to incorporate places like Everglade City - Goodland - Port of the Islands - Capri - Marco Islands - Bonita - Fort Myers Beach - Captiva & Sanibel - Cape Coral - Pine Island - Lovers Key and all the other beautiful places you will need a two weeks, especially with the attractions like the Indian Villages - Air Boats - Shark Valley - Nature trails - Board Walks - the lovely cafe's along the trail - Animal Sanctuary's - and the wonderful people of SW florida. Research and plan your journey, you wont be disappointed with this amazing wild adventure it is for everyone to enjoy.

Definitely "alligator alley". Do an Everglades airboat tour with Capt Mitch whose staff are knowledgeable and it was a fun and comfortable Eco cruise. Great for bird pictures. Highway was very well maintained and lunch at Everglades city did not slow us down. We drove Naples to Key Largo with lunch and glades tour was about 6 hours. Sweet day trip.

We opted to blaze through the Tamiami Trail rather than Alligator Alley (I-95), and were so glad we did. It may be a wee bit longer, but it's definitely worthwhile. There are plenty of opportunities to see gators, visit Native American shops and restaurants, "hike" through the Everglades, and explore the swamp via air boat. We didn't do all of these, but we saw the gators, attempted to hike along the boardwalk (mosquitoes put a stop to that), ate at a Native American restaurant village (it was mediocre and not worth the cost), and saw the country's smallest post office. Still, it was well worth the trip, even if only to take in the sights from your car. Do yourself a favor, though, and try to stop at the tourist spots along the route. Oh, and make sure you gas up before heading out on the trail. Gas stations are sparse. Pros: There is lots to do and it's very scenic. Cons: Mosquitoes, mosquitoes, mosquitoes. Come prepared if you're venturing in the swampland.

Took a spin down this historic road to see some alligators, and we were not disappointed!
Within 20 minutes we had spotted numerous gators, lots of herons and songbirds, turtles, and an impressive buck whitetail deer, all within a few feet of the canal.

It's hard to believe that the Tamiami Trail was once a mule cart trail used by the Seminole to transport their goods, game and wares from village to village thru the swampy glades of southwest Florida. It was not until the invention of the motor car that it was transfomed into a true gravel road. In fact, the tree stumps were initially cut high to accommodate the ox carts and mule wagons. This presented a problem for motor cars because the axles and chassis sat too low to the ground to clear the stumps, so every stump had to be made lower or totally removed before the gravel road could be built. This new ultra modern path for transportation took years to build by hand. Just try to envision this the next time you drive on this four lane wonder.

This 275 mile engineering marvel takes you from Tampa to Miami. The best part of the route is traversing the Everglades and watching alligators in the lock system.

Suggest you get here early in the Morning for two reasons (1) it gets very hot during the day (2) you want to avoid the bicycle waiting list. The observation tower is limited to the first level. If you are bicycling and you have not done much exercise in a while, you may find the return a bit tiresome. If you are tired alternate with walking. Consider going to the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park afterwards.

Very nice road to travel thru Everglades. We took it leaving Marco Island going to Miami. Its' a 2 lane road and I read somewhere that it's one of the most dangerous roads, but could not figure why. Certainly any 2 lane road is if you are not paying attention and driving fast and looking at scenery. There are nice stops like Big Cypress National Preserve with a beautiful boardwalk leading to a little lake along where we saw huge cypress trees, snakes, frogs, early spring flowers in February, and many different birds. The other exciting attraction was the Loop Road, dirt road that has it's low speed limit, but the whole point of riding it is to go slow and see at least one alligator in every little puddle next to the road. We saw so many of different sizes and in different surroundings that looked like we were driving thru a wildlife park were all these animals were brought to enhance our visit. We were actually driving thru their natural habitat which was amazing.

Very nice casual drive through the everglades. Most of it has a canal on the north side where you see alligators on the bank pretty much every hundred yards or so.

When the 275-mile-long Tamiami Trail opened in 1928, after 13 years of construction at a cost of $8 million and 2.6 million sticks of dynamite, it was considered a major achievement of engineering that was the only route from Tampa to Miami and the southeastern coast of Florida. Not to be confused with Alligator Alley, an 80-mile stretch of I-75 from Naples to Fort Lauderdale that opened in 1968, the Tamiami Trail is an extension of U.S. Highway 41 and once was the only route to cross Everglades National Park and the Big Cypress National Preserve and the quickest way to reach Miami from Florida's West Coast. Unlike I-75, the Tamiami Trail is only one lane in each direction and has no fences to keep wildlife from traversing it. Hence, alligators are a common sight along the scenic road. Meanwhile, the importance of the Tamiami Trail to motorists has lessened significantly since the opening of Alligator Alley. Except for tourists who want to visit the Everglades, traffic has diminished. And many roadside businesses have closed. But fishermen still flock to Florida Bay at the tip of the peninsula, airboat tours are available for tourists and sight-seeing remains a popular avocation. Other attractions include the Miccosukee Casino and Joanne's Blue Crab Cafe, a favorite rest stop for travelers looking for a tasty lunch. In recent years, there have been several governmental proposals to modernize the Tamiami Trail and improve water flow within the wetlands. However, everything has been on hold since COVID. For the time being, if you are in a hurry, drive Alligator Alley or l-75; if not, the Tamiami Trail offers more scenery. But driving in the daytime is highly recommended.

Tamiami Trail is the portion of US Highway 41 between Tampa and Miami in southern Florida. The most scenic portion is between San Marco Blvd. (State Rt. 92) near Naples and Krome Avenue (State Rt. 997) near Miami. In this 74-mile section, the road passes through Fakahatchee Strand Preserve, Big Cypress National Preserve, and the northern boundary of Everglades National Park. It's a two-lane road through marshy wetland, paralleled by a canal inhabited by alligators and wading birds. Speed limit varies from 35 to 65 miles per hour. You can drive across Tamiami Trail in a couple of hours, but there is a lot to see and do along the way so plan ahead and allow plenty of time. There is no toll or entrance fee, however some of the attractions do charge admission.

A list of some of the attractions on Tamiami Trail follows. Location is given in parentheses, with the first number being the distance in miles from Krome Ave. and the second being the distance from San Marco Blvd. Many of these attractions have Tripadvisor pages, so research them separately for additional information.

Miccosukee Casino hotel and restaurant (0/74.3)
Coopertown Air Boat Rides (5/69.3)
Gator Park Air Boat Rides (6.3/68)
Everglades Safari Park and Air Boat Rides (9.1/65.2)
Buffalo Tiger Air Boat Rides (12.5/61.8)
Osceola Gift Shop (15.4/58.9) Snacks
Shark Valley Visitor Center (18/56.3) Everglades tram tour, trails (entrance fee)
Miccosukee Indian Village (18/56) Store, restaurant and air boat rides
Chief Osceola Air Boat Rides (19/55.3)
Loop Road, east end of scenic unpaved detour into Big Cypress (21.8/52.5)
Midway Campground (34.4/39.9)
Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Photography Gallery (36.3/38)
Oasis Visitor Center, Big Cypress Preserve (37.2/37.1) Wildlife viewing, restrooms
Loop Road, west end of scenic unpaved detour into Big Cypress (41.5/32.8)
Monument Lake Campground (42.3/32)
Kirby Storter Roadside Park (44.9/29.4) Picnic area, restrooms, boardwalk trail
Burns Lake Campground (49.7/24.6) Primitive
H.P. Williams Roadside Park (51.9/22.4) Picnic area, wildlife viewing, restrooms
Trail Lakes Campground (53/21.3)
Joanie's Blue Crab Restaurant (54.2/20.1)
Ochopee Post Office Historic Site (54.3/20)
Wildlife Creek Campground (55.1/19.2)
Big Cypress Swamp Visitor Center (56.1/18.2) Information, restrooms, exhibits
Wooten's Air Boat Rides (56.7/17.6)
State Rt. 29 (58.6/15.7) Welcome Center, gas, access Everglades
Jungle Erv's Air Boat Rides (59/15.3)
Everglades Private Air Boat Rides (59.4/14.9)
Picnic Area (64/10.3)
Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk Trail (65.5/8.8) Seminole Gift Shop, restrooms
Port of the Islands Resort (68.6/5.7) Hotel, restaurant, marina
Marsh Trail and Canoe Launch (71.6/2.7)
Corey Billie Air Boat Rides (72.9/1.4)
Picnic Area (73.3/1)
Collier-Seminole State Park (74.2/0.1) Trails, canoe launch & rental, camping (fee)
State Rt. 92 (74.4/0) Access to Marco Island, gas, Lagoona Grille

We recently spent a couple nights camping in the Glades. We drove the Tamiami trail quite a bit while we were there. Absolutely stunning! The scenery and wildlife were extraordinary! There is so much to see but be careful. The locals drive like they are invincible. I can easily see why this is one of the most deadliest roads in the country. There are few places to pull off to enjoy the view.

We decided to take route 41 - Tamiami trail because it looked scenic and we were not disappointed. We saw gators in the wild - so much better than seeing them in captivity, there are lots of places to stop - great information centres, an Indian village ( we did not stop there though) and a photographic gallery which was very interesting and had some fantastic photographs taken using a box camera which you can see in the gallery too. If you have the time, take the Tamiami trail!

We drove the Tamiami trail as we had plenty of time o get from Naples to Miami. It’s a nice easy drive and quite scenic in places. There is much to see on route with a number of airboat tours available along the route. There are also boardwalks where wildlife can be observed and the country’s smallest post office. We also stopped for lunch at Joanne’s Blue Crab Cafe which is another story in itself. Well worth the diversion from the freeway

This is absolutely the best way to visit the everglades. Take your time across this long road thru the middle of the glades, you can spot lots of wildlife in the canals, on the banks and in the bush. Plus there are millions of birds everywhere = they have come to eat the bugs, which are a never ending supply. Lots of stops along the way, enjoy them all. The best time to see gators is early in the morning or late in the evening. The road runs due East to West, so don't drive into the sun i.e.. travel east in the evenings.

We chose to drive this way to get from Tampa to Miami & were so glad we did. The first siting of an alligator brought many screams of excitement but there were actually heaps of them for a lot of the trail. The smallest post office is also very cool.

This is a very good drive from Naples to Miami. Lots of things to see. From the cypress preserve to the Miccosukee casino. Loop Road was awesome drive the gators 🐊 along the trail were out sunny and many areas and parks to stop and view the surroundings. Worth taking time to do it.

The scenery varies along the road and is at times quite spectacular. Make some stops along the way, we stopped at the earden place about halfway and saw a 'gator from the visitor centre boardwalk.

This drive is definitely an interesting experience. The 1928 iconic route reveals its history in various locations. Many points of interest on its track relate to the historical undertaking of this enormous early 20th century project. Today it is a scenic drive offering many opportunities to pursue everglades waterfun.

Going from Marathon to Naples i decided to go on the 41 rather than 75 as i had been on this road 25 years ago. I was not disappointed low traffic levels across incredible changing things to look at. Even had lunch on a terrace overlooking a sleeping alligator. I was not disappointed.

We drove from Miami through the Everglades, and the first two times we crossed the Everglades we took the interstate, I-75, also known as gator alley. I do not know the story behind the name, but I can't really imagine there being any gators there. It is a fenced off interstate with a lot of traffic, only one rest area, very boring. So, if you are crossing the Everglades, and are not in a hurry, take highway 41, Tamiami Trail. It is truly a scenic drive and you get more of a sense of the Everglades. There are few services here as well, so I recommend stocking up on water and snacks/food. The drive is not too long but it is at least a couple of hours through the Everglades. If you drive west from Miami, there are a lot of places that offer airboat tours in the beginning of the glades. If you have time I recommend to stop and do this, it is very nice to get out in a boat a be closer to the nature. I have heard that driving Tamiami Trail, you can see a lot of gators lying around close to the road. We did not see any but we made the drive in October, it was very hot and rain season. I would guess you get better "luck" if you make this drive in spring time.

We went to Shark Valley and the on down the trail where we found a small road labeled loop road. We took it for a true off the beaten path excursion. It starts out as a residential party of the reservation but then turns into a dirt road. This is where we saw turtles and alligators! Look at the water as you cross small bridges and you may spot them b it was raining so not as much wildlife about but we saw several exotic birds and even a baby hair crosding the road. The last 10 miles of this road is full of rather large potholes so it's slow going. We we're glad to get back to the trail and move on to Carnestown for snacks and bathroom break. This was a fun day trip around a portion of the Everglades and we were so glad we took that little side road.

The Loop Road is a 20 - something mile long loop that connects at both ends to the Tamiami Trail. Much of it is unpaved, but regular passenger cars will do fine. You'll get a look at several different types of surroundings at 15 mph, rather than 60 mph on the TT itself. Much more likely to see wildlife. If you can spend and extra couple of hours on your TT drive, I recommend taking the Loop Road. The park Web page has details.

Must see! Loop road runs parallel to tamiami trail (Rt 41) from about mile 40 to 60. Start and finish not well marked off of Rt 41 but definitely worth looking for. Never knew that there were this many alligators in any one area. Sunning themselves on the side of the road and even on the road, we stopped counting early on at 100. This is definitely the road less traveled. Western portion is unpaved but easily driven. Birders and nature lovers will love this. Not to be missed!

A nice drive through some scenic places...but pretty scary whdn it's lashing down with rain. Not a lot of places to pull over or stop in some places. Decent road surface though and nice clear signage.

A great way to see what old Florida was truly like. The trip took us about the same time to go from Miami to Naples as it would via I-75. The upside was seeing Florida like it truly was over the past many decades.

The traffic was rather light both ways. And the scenery could not have been more eye-catching! The whole family enjoyed the trip immensely.

Literally thousands of Sabal palms (state tree) sited along the way, and a huge assortment of alligators, turtles, and birds. No snakes, though. The Everglades is all its glory.

Will take US-41 (Tamiami Trail) next time, too!

On our way home from Key West, we wanted to avoid the Interstate and the Turnpike, so we opted for the Tamiami Trail to head back toward Naples. We drove at a leisurely pace and took in the scenery. There are stops along the way to explore. We saw at least ten alligators sunning themselves on the banks, and one on the side of the road! Some of the off-roads are dirt roads, so be aware of this should you decide to explore the backcountry. The Indian Village offers a look into the lifestyle of those on the reservation. Be sure to stop at the world's smallest post office in Ochopee (about 3 miles east of the intersection of US 41 and State Road 29). You can buy a postcard and have it postmarked as a souvenir. Wonderful drive. Peaceful.

We drove on the trail for 40 or so miles from Miami before turning back. The trail is in good condition, easy to drive, lots to see, several places to stop. It's an easy trip from Miami on a rainy day and there is very little traffic. Alligators bask on the sides of the canal for you to see, an added benefit :)

From Sarasota to Miami, you can elect to use Hwy 41, the old hwy that meanders through Venice, Punta Gorda, Ft. Myers and Naples. If your going from the west coast to east coast(Miami area), your choice is the newer fourlane hwy further north or hwy 41. Take Hwy 41 at Naples and then across the state. The hwy is very scenic and nearly empty of traffic. There are plenty of place to stop to see gators or take an airboat ride. It takes about 2 hrs to reach the Miami area. Gas up before you leave Naples or Miami. There are few places to eat across. Average speed is 60 mph+. If you use the loop trail, a single gravel graded road, do so in a SUV or truck. In a car, the graded road is just to bumpy as it takes 1.5 hrs at 30 mph.

Just and FYI
Tamiami Trail from Naples to Miami has great places to see along the way. However there have been a (LOT) of car break ins at the following places
#1 Marsh Trail
#2 Big Bend Boardwalk
#3 Wootens Airboat Ride (when you park across from the main building)
#4 Kirby Stoter
#5 Oasis Ranger Station
Just thought I would let you know.
Enjoy the ride.

This is something extraordinary!
Of course, I would recommend anyone to rent a car or take your own and drive the Tamiami Trail.
Do it in the day time and make stops anywhere you feel, but be very careful - the road is narrow and there is no roadside. Well, technically there is kind of a roadside, but its occupied but mostly the predators. This is why you do not want to stop for a pee at night there))

Be sure to stop by Shark Valley Tram, the Great Cypress Visitor Center, Clyde Butcher’s Gallery, and the Loop Road. All are off Tamiami Trail. Sights you will see no place else.

After disembarking our cruise ship in Miami, my husband & I took the Tamiami Trail from Miami to Naples before continuing on up to the Tampa area. It was really cool to see this untouched part of Florida. However, the drive was a bit frustrating, as there was road work going on at various points, which resulted in several road closures (only one lane was open for traffic going both ways). If we didn't encounter that road work, I think our trip through the trail would have been a bit more enjoyable than it was. Perhaps we will stop for an airboat road next time, when we hopefully won't be quite as pressed for time.

As others have stated, this is the original crocodile alley & much more fun that the interstate. It even has crocs visible from the car as you drive along. Without doubt the be st way to get cross country from Miami to Naples.
PS also recommend you stop at Gator's Crossroads restaurant & Bar: good food, live music from a 6-piece rock group when we called, and full of atmosphere!

Hmmm, should we choose Alligator Alley (4 lane rt 75) or the Tamiami Trail (2 lane rt 41)?? We used to use 75 when we were in a hurry to get from Tampa to Key West, but we now prefer to get an earlier start and use 41 because it is so much more enjoyable. Traffic moves quite well.

My best advice is to get a good map that will indicate points of interest because there is so much to see along the trail. Alligators will be resting along the canal, and you might see anhingas, cormorants, great blue herons, egrets, and other birds. We once saw an armadillo.

Entering from the western end one soon enters Big Cypress National Preserve. For those who like to visit National Parks and Sites there is a Visitors’ Center for you to get your stamp, etc. Along the road there is a half mile wooden boardwalk, the Smallwood Trading Post Museum, the smallest post office in the USA, a Skunk Ape Research Center with a zoo, an off 41 interesting Loop Road, just to mention a few. The Miccosukee Indians have a gift shop, village, and restaurants where you can try frogs legs and alligator bites as well as a casino, at different locations along the road. Eventually you enter the Everglades National Park with its Shark Valley Visitor Center.

All along the trail are airboat ride opportunities. We have done several when we have guests. We like Wooten’s on the western end where the ride takes you through red mangroves and grasses, and Coopertown on the east end where you are in the thick of the grassy glades. Both have additional features beyond just the ride.

There is an enormous amount to see and do along this road. We have often thought of leaving for Key West a couple of days earlier and just spending more time here on this stretch. Some day....

I took this route from Miami's Little Havana (Calle Ocho) as going West it becomes Rte 41 which is the historic 'Tamiami Trail', a combinatino of the names of the cities of Miami and Tampa. In the East this road is as iconic as Route 66 since its history involves a marathon effort beginning in the early 1900's and taking years to complete, workers dying in swamps and dynamite explosions, etc. The effort was pushed by an industrialist named Collier who believed in the project and in return had the County named after him. As a road it is long, straight and easy to drive across the Everglades from Miami to Naples. Even in a sudden downpour! There are very few places to pull off the road. Be sure you have gas in the car as I only saw one gas station along the way. I took the road all the way from Miami to where it ends in Tampa and although it is slower than the freeway, it is worth taking if you have the time and don't mind in some places driving through urban sprawl.

This is a great road to travel. It takes you through Sarasota which is a must for stopping over if you are travelling the west coast of Florida. Today we drove the Trail through the Everglades. I really hoped we would see some gators and I wasnt disappointed! we saw a couple crossing the highway and I stopped at one of the stopping places and saw one which I video'd for quite a while. It was amazing to get up so close. We also saw a large turtle sauntering along the roadside! As opposed to a lot of our travelling which I just wanted to get from A to B asap, I took my time driving this part of the trail and its quite a quiet road through the Everglades. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and take an airboat ride if the mood takes you and you pass few quite a few indian villages along the route. Naples to Miami was about 100 miles at a guesstimate. Unlike a lot of the highways which are fast and furious, i found this a pleasant unhurried drive - enjoy!

My wife and I decided to take this route instead of the busy highway and I am so glad that we did.

The wildlife and beauty of the swap was amazing. We saw all kinds of animals including alligators. I wish that we would have had time for an airboat tour.

If you have the time do yourself a favor and take the road less traveled!!!!

What a fun adventure with a great deal of education mixed in. We earned the Tamiami trail patch and sticker while having memories to last a lifetime. Highly recommended for all.

We drove almost the entire tamiami trail. Stayed in everglades city had a fantastic meal at Camilles. Went to skunkape headquarters , also went to coopertown airboat ride people are really nice down here

We decided to take this route on our way from Key West to Naples and it was much more interesting than the alternative, I-75. We found that the signs for upcoming sites did not provide enough notice. We were traveling below the speed limit since we were pulling our travel trailer and still passed places where we wanted to stop. We really regretted missing the Shark Valley Visitor's Center. We also unintentionally passed the HP Williams Roadside Park, but were able to turn around within a short distance and go back. We also stopped at the Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center. We saw alligators, a manatee and turtles and got some information at the welcome center, although understandably the ranger could only answer questions about the Big Cypress National Preserve. We saw a campground in that area and we are going to plan a full Everglades trip now so that we can explore more of this fascinating area.

Great option instead of the highway/turnpike. Didn't see any wildlife, but it was nice to not have a lot of traffic. Stop at the visitor's center because they have a nice small museum and gift shop along with a platformed walk outside in the back. Not many services along this road so make sure you get gas before you start and bring some munchies in the car! The man at the smallest post office was very chatty!

We drove from Sanibel to the Keys and decided to take this route instead of the "boring" 75. We had our family of five and we really enjoyed it. Not much traffic on our day either, which was nice. We saw 2-3 gators in the wet areas near the road which really added to the experience. I would certainly take this route again.

Beautiful, peaceful drive. Stopped at rest area and saw alligators which was nice. Lots of places to stop & things to see. Recommend over I-95.

My husband and I were traveling with another couple and our teen boys and decided to cut into this route from Key West up towards our next stop in Siesta Key and hopefully catch site of a few alligators. They were everywhere. You do have to kind of look for them most of the time, but sometimes they were just all around you. We made quick stops at the Miccosukee Indian Village and Big Cypress to stretch our feet but really wish we would have planned a lot more time to slow down, enjoy the different area oddities and attractions along the way, and maybe do an air boat. We thought we allowed enough time, but there really is a ton to see along the way. We would love to do this again and plan out extra time to see more the next time. We do highly recommend this road trip.

So glad we took this route from Sanibel to Key Largo. So many birds along the way! And Indian Villages! Stopped at Shark Valley - very informative ranger. Walked a bit of the trail there rather than taking the tram - so glad we did! Easily photographed the birds and gators at our leisure. So many different birds tucked in the trees. Had to look closely to spot the gators in the water - or along the trail!

After driving Florida lengthwise from Orlando, through Miami, to Key West, we chose to drive the Tamiami Trail on the way back to Naples. Excellent choice if you are tired of the Interstates with high speed and nothing to see.

We saw alligators, snakes and a lot of different birds in the wild. We also took a small detour through Turner Road which connects the Tamiami Trail and I-75. We drove this halfway and saw a lot of wildlife. NIce experience!

Highly recommended drive!

We used the trail to get to Naples and it was a quiet, pleasant trip. We stopped to see the gators and ave a spot of lunch at Joanies, it was great. The rental company, Dollar, tried to get us to buy a pass for "all of the tolls" as they are "nearly all cash and credit cardless" which is totally untrue. The trail had no tolls and there are only about 5 cashless ones in Florida. We are heading to the Keys later in our trip and I have read reviews that say Dollar told them there was only one way in and out and this was a cashless toll-untrue. We are are staying mostly around Naples and may need to use a toll road or two on our travels but I certainly don't expect to use $250 worth, the price we were quoted for the pass!

Fantastic so many things to do and see, you'll probably not be able to stop and see everything in one day, from Miami to Naples is awesome, straight through the Everglades, wildlife is unbelievable, lots of air-boat rides animal sanctuaries, educational centers, camp sites Everglade city, keep your eyes open for the eateries especial Joanna's Blue Crab Cafe & Miccosukee Indian Restaurant.

We live in Key West and on our way to New Orleans we had a extra time so we took the Tamiami Trail. We had done this before but it was no big deal and we didn't see much wildlife. Let me tell you this must be the season, we had so much fun I set the cruise on 45 and we just drove along watching all the gators and birds. It was a wonder day of driving. We had to have seen 150 gators, all sizes and in and out of the water. I just stayed in the right lane and let the world of cars rushing go around. I don't understand if you take that road why be in a hurry but some were. There are some really nice places to stop but we didn't stop. Mostly because I drove by before I new i could stop. There are tons of places for air boat ride and that looks like fun.
This is a fun drive and kids would go crazy looking at all the gators. If you are close and have the time take Hwy 41 through the Everglades. But don't be in a hurry!