Florida State Road A1A, Coastal highway in Florida, United States
The State Road A1A runs for 338 miles along Florida's Atlantic coast, linking Key West in the south to Fernandina Beach near the Georgia border. It consists of seven separate segments interrupted by waterways and urban areas such as Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale.
The route originated in 1945 and received its current designation A1A to avoid confusion with U.S. Highway 1, which also runs through Florida. Over the decades it was rerouted and extended several times, adding new bridges and coastal sections.
The route officially carries the name Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway since 2024, honoring a musician who captured the coastal lifestyle in his songs. Along the way you see surfers chasing early morning waves and small shops where locals stock up on gear for beach days.
The route provides direct access to many public beaches and runs close to the Intracoastal Waterway, making it easy to reach coastal towns. During summer months and on weekends, traffic can build up, especially near popular swimming spots.
One section near Cape Canaveral passes directly by NASA facilities, so during the drive you occasionally spot rocket launch pads in the distance. Around St. Augustine you cross an old bridge that opens up a wide view over the bay.
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