Drive to Gulf Coast

[razzor]

As part of our trip we are heading over to stay in Clearwater beach after Disney.

Wondering if anyone has any advice of whether or not to go down to St Petes and then over the Skyway and up to CW rather than going through Tampa. Looks more scenic and even though longer in distance, google maps says only 20-30 mins longer, guessing due to less congestion than hitting traffic around Tampa?

Could do this in reverse and travel down from CW to Skyway and back to MCO on last day if this for some reason might work better?

[Hank]

If you take the I 4 towards Tampa and then take the I 75 towards Naples and then the 275 to St Pete's this will take you over the Sunshine Skyway, however this route will add at least an hour to your Journey. If you go thru Tampa and onto the 275 and go over the Sunshine Skyway and take one of the exits and use it to turn around and do the reverse route to Clearwater that would take you less time. Whatever you decide the Sunshine Skyway is worth the ride.

Hank

[7SeasSailor]

Go down I4 and join I275 this will take you straight over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Immediately you are on the other side there is a Rest Area, take the slip road, you then turn left under the highway and take the slip road to rejoin it and drive straight back over the bridge.
When you come down off the bridge on the north side take the fist exit on junction 19 and turn left towards the coast. You are now on the Pinellas Bayway (35th Avenue which will take you to St Petes. Continue, at the T junction with Gulf Blvd turn right. You will then drive through St. Petes, Treasure Island, John's Pass, Redington Beach to name a few on the way to Clearwater. There are car parks along the way that will only cost a few dollars to park. I have always found the beach facilities to be very clean and free.

[razzor]

Food for thought. Thanks for the info both. Especially the mention of the rest stop at the south end of the Skyway. Hadn't spotted that!

[Johnnyp]

We are heading for St Pete’s on the first night for a beach day before heading back to I-Drive and I’m going I4, 275 and then the 682.

That’s about 2 hours