Site Navigation Alabama Florida Georgia Louisiana Mississippi North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee     Interstate 275 South - Hillsborough County Interstate 275 South Interstate 275 begins via a partial "Y" interchange at the Pasco County line. The freeway carries just four lanes southward to Bearss Avenue. Photo taken 10/15/06. Despite the attempts by developers to have an additional interchange built, Interstate 275 continues exit less 7.3 miles from Interstate 75 to Bearss Avenue. This may change if the New Tampa Toll Road is ever built, but the chances of that are low currently. Photo taken 10/15/06. A second reassurance shield for Interstate 275 south posted along the exit less stretch near New Tampa. Presently the only way to access New Tampa is via Bruce B. Downs Boulevard (Hillsborough County 581) from Interstate 75 or Bearss Avenue east. Photo taken 10/15/06. One mile north of the Bearss Avenue (Florida 678) diamond interchange (Exit 53) on Interstate 275 south. Bearss Avenue provides the first access to both U.S. 41 Business (Florida Avenue) and U.S. 41 (Nebraska Avenue), two highways that parallel the freeway without direct access. Photo taken 10/15/06. An upcoming exits overhead highlights the distances to Fletcher Avenue (Hillsborough County 582A / Florida 579) and the first two city of Tampa interchanges along Interstate 275 south. Photo taken 10/15/06. Exit 53 departs Interstate 275 south for Florida 678 (Bearss Avenue). Florida 678 entails Bearss Avenue briefly between U.S. 41 Business (Florida Avenue) and U.S. 41 (Nebraska Avenue) nearby. Otherwise, the east-west arterial joins Exit 53 with Ehrlich Road and Northdale to the west and Bruce B. Downs Road and New Tampa to the east. Photo taken 10/15/06. Fletcher Avenue (Florida 579) crosses paths with the Exit 52 diamond interchange next on Interstate 275 south. Hillsborough County 582A stems east from U.S. 41 (Nebraska Avenue) to the University of South Florida and Temple Terrace. Fletcher Avenue west continues as an unnumbered route toward Carrollwood. Photo taken 10/15/06. Interstate 275 south at the Exit 52 ramp departure to Fletcher Avenue. Florida 579 only entails the stretch of roadway between U.S. 41 Business (Florida Avenue) and U.S. 41. Hillsborough County 582A continues Fletcher Avenue east to Interstate 75 (Exit 266) at Morris Bridge Road (Hillsborough County 579). Photo taken 10/15/06. Florida 582 (Fowler Avenue) meets Interstate 275 at the next interchange (Exit 51). The state road straddles the Tampa city line east from U.S. 41 Business (Florida Avenue) to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard at the University of South Florida. Photo taken 10/15/06. Southbound at the Exit 51 off-ramp to Florida 582 (Fowler Avenue). Florida 582 travels overall between north Tampa and U.S. 301 near Thonotosassa. Photo taken 10/15/06. Florida 580 (Busch Boulevard) meets Interstate 275 at a folded-diamond interchange (Exit 50) near the Sulphur Springs community of Tampa. The state road serves interests to Busch Gardens and Temple Terrace to the east. Photo taken 10/15/06. Florida 580 travels east to Florida 583 (56th Street North) in Temple Terrace and west to U.S. 19 Alternate in Dunedin. Busch Boulevard carries the state road west from Interstate 275 (Exit 50) to Dale Mabry Highway (Florida 597) in Carrollwood. Photo taken 10/15/06. There is no access from southbound Interstate 275 to Bird Street (Exit 49). The following exit along southbound is Exit 48, Sligh Avenue. Sligh Avenue serves the Lowry Park and Sulphur Springs communities. Photo taken 10/15/06. Sulphur Springs Tower west of Interstate 275 at Lowry Park Zoo. The structure was constructed in the 1930s and originally served as a water tower. Photo taken 10/15/06. Interstate 275 crosses the Hillsborough River on the southbound approach to Sligh Avenue. Sligh Avenue spans the river on its westward journey to Lowry Park and Carrollwood. Photo taken 10/15/06. Exit 48 consists of a diamond interchange between Interstate 275 and Sligh Avenue. Sligh Avenue straddles the north end of the working class neighborhood of Seminole Heights to the east. Note the sign changes for Exit 47 and the removal of the "Thru Traffic" pull-through panel. Photos taken 10/15/06 & 12/23/03. One half mile north of the Exit 47 partial-cloverleaf interchange with U.S. 92 (Hillsborough Avenue) on Interstate 275 south. U.S. 41 and 92 merge at the adjacent intersection of Hillsborough Avenue and Nebraska Avenue for a 2.25-mile overlap east to 40th Street North. Photo taken 10/15/06. Southbound Interstate 275 reaches Exit 47 to U.S. 92 (Hillsborough Avenue). U.S. 92 travels west along Hillsborough Avenue to junction Florida 580 (Dale Mabry Highway) at Drew Park. Eastbound, U.S. 41 & 92 follow Hillsborough Avenue to Northeast Tampa, with U.S. 92 continue east to Harney and junction Interstate 4 at Eureka Springs. Photo taken 12/23/03. A new sign bridge replaces the one pictured in 2003 at Exit 47 on Interstate 275 south. Florida 45, U.S. 41's hidden counterpart, emerges on its own alignment via Nebraska Avenue south from the merge with U.S. 92 along side the freeway. The state road heads toward La Paloma and downtown Tampa. Photo taken 10/15/06. A former Exit 45B overhead posted along Interstate 275 south at Hillsborough Avenue touted the connection of Interstate 4 east to Interstate 75 south for Naples. Photo taken 12/23/03. The first sign for Interstate 4's western terminus lies 1.5 miles north of the Exit 45B stack interchange. The exit was reconstructed between 2004-07. Photo taken 10/16/07. Auxiliary guide sign posted for the Downtown - West interchange with Ashley Drive. Ashley Drive heads along the west side of the Tampa central business district to the Tampa Convention Center. Photo taken 10/15/06. Meeting Interstate 275 next however is Florida 574 (Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard), an east-west state road linking the freeway with the West Tampa and College Hill communities. Photo taken 10/16/07. Southbound Interstate 275 reaches Exit 46B, Junction Florida 574, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Use Florida 574 west to Hillsborough Community College, Raymond James Stadium, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Practice Facility, and Legends Field. Legends Field is the spring training location for Major League Baseball's American League New York Yankees. Photo taken 12/23/03. The Exit 46B overheads were replaced by 2006 with new panels. Florida 574 travels overall between U.S. 92 (Dale Mabry Highway) at Drew Park and U.S. 92 (Thonotosassa Road) in Plant City. Photo taken 10/16/07. Former one-mile overhead for Interstate 4 with the Interstate 75 south reference. Interstate 4 overall joins Tampa with Plant City, Lakeland, and Orlando. Photo taken 12/23/03. Continuing to within one half mile of Interstate 4's eastbound beginning on Interstate 275 south. Interstate 4 was reconstructed between 2004-07 between Exit 45B and the Tampa city line. The new six to eight lane freeway serves commuting interests in eastern Hillsborough County such as Mango, Seffner, and Dover. Photo taken 10/16/07. Exit 46A consists of a half-diamond interchange utilizing the frontage streets of Elmore Avenue (south) and Taliaferro Avenue (north) to make the connections with Floribraska Avenue. Photo taken 06/23/07. Floribraska Avenue links Interstate 275 with U.S. 41 Business (Florida Avenue) north at Tampa Heights to the west and Florida 45 (Nebraska Avenue) at East 21st Street at La Paloma to the east. The mainline freeway reduces to two overall lanes ahead with the departure of Exits 45B to Interstate 4 east and 45A to Downtown. Photo taken 10/16/07. The previous sign bridge posted at Exit 46A. Photo taken 12/23/03. Ramps for Interstate 4 east and downtown Tampa prepare to depart Interstate 275 south as the freeway crosses over Floribraska Avenue. Interstate 4 ventures east by YBor City to Grant Park and the city line. Exit 45A splits into three prongs serving interests to downtown beyond the Interstate 4 west end. Photo taken 10/16/07. The old sign bridge pictured here is shadowed by its replacement sign bridge (above photobox). Interstate 4 meets Interstate 75 in nine miles. Photo taken 12/23/03. Exit 45A leaves Interstate 275 south with two overall lanes at is passes underneath the Interstate 4 flyovers. The Downtown off-ramp splits into ramps for Jefferson Street south, Doyle Carlton Drive, and Ashley Drive south. Photo taken 06/23/07. This photo shows the original advance signage for Exit 45A (former Exit 26), which has since been removed in favor of the signage seen in the following photoboxes. Photo taken 12/00. Refurbished flyovers carry Interstate 4 travelers to and from Interstate 275 above the four-lane freeway below. The improvements were made as the first stage in a multi-year project to rebuild Tampa's Interstate system. Photo taken 06/23/07. Interstate 275 turns southwest from Interstate 4 along the northern reaches of the Tampa central business district. High rises from downtown line the southern horizon. Photos taken 10/15/06, 07/05/08, 01/14/08. Exit 45A partitions into Downtown East and West ramps. Jefferson Street ventures southeast to the county courthouse and Channelside while Ashley Drive heads south to the Tampa Convention Center and Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Photo taken 10/15/06. A look at the former approach signage for what was the Tampa downtown west/Ashley Drive and Tampa Street exit. This was not to be confused with "downtown east," which remains the connection to downtown via Jefferson Street. Photos taken 12/23/03 & 05/27/05. Another look at the previous configuration of Interstate 275 south through the downtown area. Photos taken 12/23/03 & 05/27/05. This configuration used to lie at the end of the Exit 45A off-ramp. The new ramp no longer connects with Tampa Avenue and instead provides access to Doyle Carlton Drive at Phil Bourquardez Park. Previously the left two lanes connected directly onto southbound Tampa Street to Channelside Drive. Channelside Drive attractions include the Tampa Convention Center, St. Petersburg Times Forum (arena), Florida Aquarium, and Garrison Cruise Ship Terminals. Use Ashley Drive south to riverfront attractions such as the Tampa Library, Tampa Museum of Art, and Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Photo taken 12/23/03. New signs posted on the Exit 45A ramps adjacent to Interstate 275 south. The Jefferson Street southbound off-ramp merges with Orange Avenue south en route to Pierce Street and the heart of the business district. Photo taken 01/01/06. Curving westward, Interstate 275 spans the Hillsborough River again on the 1.50 mile approach to Exit 42 (Howard & Armenia Avenues). Photos taken 01/14/08. Southbound Interstate 275 approaches Exit 42, Howard Avenue and Armenia Avenue; Exit 41C, Himes Avenue; and Exit 40B, U.S. 92. The Himes Avenue ramps were built specifically for the 1984 Super Bowl. Since construction ran late, the ramp were not finished until after the 1984 Super Bowl was finished. Photo taken 12/00. Sign replacement of the upcoming exits sign posted 0.75 miles east of Howard-Armenia Avenue. This stretch of Interstate 275 leading west from the Downtown interchange to U.S. 92 is under construction from Fall 2006 through 2010. The work will rebuild the freeway onto new four-lane carriageways separated by a wide grassy median. Photo taken 01/01/06. Interstate 275 southbound shield posted along the brief eight lane stretch of freeway between Exits 44 and 42. Photo taken 01/01/06. One half mile out from the Exit 42 off-ramp onto Green Street west for Howard and Armenia Avenues. Armenia Avenue stretches all the way north to Carrollwood outside the city. Howard Avenue stems north from Bayshore Boulevard and the Soho neighborhood. Photo taken 01/01/06. Exit 42 consists of a split-diamond interchange with Armenia Avenue south and Howard Avenue north, a one-way street couplet joining the West Tampa and Hyde Park communities. Photo taken 01/01/06. Passing over Howard Avenue, Interstate 275 south sees an upcoming exits sign for the most congested stretch of freeway, the interchanges with Himes Avenue and U.S. 92. Photo taken 01/01/06. One half mile west of the Green Street westbound on-ramp from Exit 42 is the Exit 41C half diamond interchange with Himes Avenue. Photo taken 12/00. Sign replacements with mile-based exit numbers posted ahead of the Himes Avenue off-ramp. Himes Avenue provides an alternate route north to Raymond James Stadium (home of the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and West Tampa. Photo taken 05/29/06. Exit 41C also serves Legends Fields, MLB's New York Yankees Spring Training facility. Both the stadiums reside along U.S. 92 (Dale Mabry Highway) east within 1.5 miles. Photo taken 05/27/05. Like Exit 42, Exit 41C consists of a slip ramp onto adjacent Green Street for the connection to Himes Avenue. Himes Avenue leads south to Oakdale Park and Florida 685 (Henderson Boulevard). Photo taken 05/27/05. Interests to MacDill Air Force Base should follow U.S. 92 (Dale Mabry Highway west (south) directly to the military instillation. Photo taken 05/27/05. A compact six-ramp partial-cloverleaf interchange facilitates the movements between Interstate 275 and U.S. 92 (Dale Mabry Highway) via Exits 41B/A. Northward, U.S. 92 follows the arterial to Drew Park and Hillsborough Avenue (Florida 580). Photo taken 05/27/05. Exit 41A loops onto U.S. 92 (Dale Mabry Highway) south. Dale Mabry Highway represents the main north-south commercial arterial through peninsular Tampa, joining such communities at Interbay, Palma Ceia, and Beach Park. The federal highway continues to Gandy Boulevard west ahead of MacDill A.F.B. Photo taken 05/27/05. The final three Tampa interchanges of Interstate 275 south join the freeway with the International Plaza and West Shore Plaza mall areas starting with Lois Avenue (Exit 40B). Photo taken 05/27/05. A long bridge - check gas sign appears along Interstate 275 south ahead of the Exit 40B off-ramp. Unlike the Pensacola Bay Bridge of U.S. 98, it is not unlawful to run out of gas along the seven-mile long Howard Frankland Bridge and causeway. Exit 40B meanwhile departs for Louis Avenue, a north south through street joining the freeway with Florida 616 (Boy Scout Boulevard) and Florida 60 (Kennedy Boulevard) nearby. Photo taken 05/27/05. A half-diamond interchange joins Interstate 275 with West Shore Boulevard (Hillsborough County 587) at Exit 40A. The interchange used to include ramps west to the west, but those were removed to improve traffic flow. Photo taken 10/15/06. Exit 39 lies ahead of Howard Frankland Bridge with Florida 60 (Memorial Highway). Florida 60 constitutes a heavily congested freeway leading north to Florida 589 Toll (Veterans Expressway). Photo taken 05/27/05. Approaching the Exit 40A off-ramp, which directly connects with Lemon Street in lieu of a return southbound ramp. Photo taken 01/01/06. Exit 40A departs Interstate 275 south for Westshore Boulevard. Hillsborough County 587 follows the four-lane roadway south from Florida 616 (Spruce Street) and International Plaza Mall to Interbay Boulevard near Port Tampa. Much of the route is unsigned however. Photo taken 05/27/05. Interstate 275 south reduces to four overall lanes through the directional-cloverleaf interchange with Florida 60 (Memorial Highway). The choke point is a major problem in both directions during peak hours of travel. Florida 60 turns northwest from Kennedy Boulevard at Westshore Plaza Mall onto a brief section of freeway. The freeway is named Memorial Highway for the road which it replaced. Photo taken 05/27/05. A short, but congested, drive carries Florida 60 west northward to the northbound beginning of the Veterans Expressway. Signed as Florida 589 Toll, the four to eight lane toll road joins Tampa with Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus Counties, providing both a commuter route for the sprawl of Pasco and a long-distance route to U.S. 19 & 98 from Homosassa and Crystal River northward to the Big Bend. Photo taken 05/27/05. Exit 39 consists of a two-lane off-ramp onto Florida 60 (Memorial Highway) west. Florida 60 provides a connection to Tampa International Airport and the Courtney Campbell Causeway west to Clearwater. Presently interchanges between both the airport and causeway are undergoing major upgrades. Photo taken 05/27/05. The brief bottleneck along Interstate 275 yields to a pair of four-lane causeways and bridges over Old Tampa Bay. Known as the Howard Frankland Bridge, the span provides one of three bridges between Tampa and Pinellas County. Photo taken 07/30/06. Southbound mileage sign touting both St. Petersburg and Largo along the north causeway portion of the Howard Frankland Bridge. Largo presents the control point of Florida 688 west, the first Pinellas County exit. Photo taken 07/30/06. Interstate 275's southbound Howard Frankland Bridge span opened in August 1991, doubling the capacity of the busy crossing between Tampa and St. Petersburg. Photo taken 05/27/05. Approaching the navigational channel hump along the Howard Frankland Bridge on Interstate 275 south. Photo taken 05/27/05. The Pinellas County line lies almost midway across the Howard Frankland Bridge. Photo taken 05/27/05. Page Updated August 11, 2008.