No, Anna Maria Island is not close to Miami; it is located on the opposite coast of Florida. Anna Maria Island is on the Gulf Coast (West Coast), just south of Tampa Bay, while Miami is on the Atlantic Coast (Southeast). The drive between the two covers approximately 250 miles (400 km) and typically takes between 3.5 and 4.5 hours via I-75 (Alligator Alley). For 2026 travelers, this is a significant cross-state journey that effectively moves you from the high-energy, international atmosphere of Miami to the "Old Florida" relaxed vibe of the Gulf. If you are planning to visit both in one trip, it is best to treat them as two separate legs of a Florida tour. A "pro-tip" for 2026 is that while you can fly between Miami (MIA) and Sarasota (SRQ) in about an hour, the total travel time including airport security and the drive to the island often makes driving the more practical and scenic option for a domestic Florida vacation.