Site Navigation Alabama Florida Georgia Louisiana Mississippi North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee     Tampa Bay Area @ SouthEastRoads The Tampa Bay Area includes the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater in the immediate vicinity of Tampa Bay. Served by Interstate 75 to the north and south and by Interstate 4 to the east, the area is crossed by several freeways across town, including Interstate 275, Florida 618 (Crosstown Expressway), Florida 589 (Suncoast Parkway/Veterans Expressway), Interstate 175, and Interstate 375. Visiting the Tampa Bay area? Search for car rentals, cruise trips, flights, and hotel rooms with AARoads and Expedia. Interstate 4 is the major east-west freeway across the Florida peninsula, following the U.S. 92 corridor. It begins at its interchange with Interstate 275 in Tampa, then proceeds in an easterly direction toward Plant City, Lakeland, and Orlando. As of 2000, Interstate 4 was undergoing reconstruction to convert the congested four-lane freeway to six lanes. For more, see Interstate 4 Florida. Approaching the Tampa Bay region from the north and south, Interstate 75 provides the most direct route to Florida's Gulf Coast and Miami to the south. To the north, Interstate 75 connects with Interstate 10 and leads to Atlanta and beyond. The freeway stays east of Tampa, preferring to act as a bypass of the metropolitan area. For more, see Interstate 75 Florida. Interstate 175 is a short east-west spur route leading from Interstate 275 near Tropicana Field into downtown St. Petersburg. It is one of the shortest Interstate highways in the Interstate System. It lies mostly on a viaduct, and it ends at its junction with Florida 687. For more, see Interstate 175 Florida. Interstate 275 is the most direct route from points north and south into the Tampa Bay region. While Interstate 75 avoids most of the urban areas in Tampa Bay, Interstate 275 cuts through the heart of downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg via two impressive bridges: the Howard Frankland and the Sunshine Skyway. For more, see Interstate 275 Florida. Interstate 375 is a second short east-west spur route parallel to Interstate 175 leading from Interstate 275 into downtown St. Petersburg. It even shorter than Interstate 175, and it also lies primarily on a viaduct. Interstate 375 ends at its junction with Florida 687, just shy of the western terminus of U.S. 92. For more, see Interstate 375 Florida. U.S. 19 follows the Gulf Coast from the north, entering the Clearwater and Largo as Alternate U.S. 19 and serving Pinellas Park and St. Petersburg as U.S. 19. Both routes are heavily congested, and they merge onto Interstate 275, the Sunshine Skyway, south of downtown St. Petersburg. Florida 595 provides a direct connection from the southern terminus of Alternate U.S. 19 into downtown St. Petersburg. U.S. 19 merges with Interstate 275 to cross the bay, and it is one of the few cases in Florida where a U.S. route merges onto an Interstate highway. U.S. 19 exits off the freeway at Exit 2, then proceeds south toward Bradenton, but it does not make it. Once in Memphis, just north of Bradenton, U.S. 19 ends at its junction with U.S. 41. For more, see U.S. 19. Tamiami Trail U.S. 41 is the Tamiami Trail, so named for its connection between Tampa and Miami. In the Tampa Bay area, U.S. 41 stays east of the Tampa Bay and remains close to Interstate 75. However, it turns west to enter downtown Tampa, separating into a regular and business route. U.S. 41 leaves Tampa to the north closely hugging Interstate 275. For more, see U.S. 41. U.S. 92 enters the Tampa Bay area from the east, closing paralleling Interstate 4. Upon entering the downtown area, U.S. 92 remains close to the Crosstown Expressway, then joins with the traffic from the Crosstown to cross Tampa Bay via the Gandy Bridge. Upon entering St. Petersburg, U.S. 92 turns due south toward downtown, but terminates at a seemingly arbitrary point before reaching downtown or Interstates 375 or 175. For more, see U.S. 92. Connecting the northeast with the Deep South, U.S. 301 provides a direct route from Delaware south into Florida. Its southern terminus is located in Sarasota, at its intersection with U.S. 41. From that point headed north, U.S. 301 stays east of the metropolitan area, staying east of Interstate 75 except near Brandon. U.S. 301 then veers to the northeast, leaving the metropolitan area toward Jacksonville. For more, see U.S. 301. Florida 60, in keeping with tradition for most two-digit Florida state routes, is a major cross-peninsula route. It starts in Clearwater Beach, crosses the Courtney Campbell Bridge, then goes through Tampa and Brandon before leaving the metropolitan area. For more, see Florida 60. Florida 569 joins Florida 60 (Adamo Drive) adjacent to Exit 10 of the Crosstown Expressway (Florida 618 Toll) with U.S. 41 (Melburne Boulevard). The state road (North 40th Street) used to have a diamond interchange with Interstate 4 (Exit 2), but that was removed with the freeway expansion project of 2005-07. Florida 569 South Florida 569 ends at Florida 60, just north of the 39th Street three quarter-diamond interchange with the Crosstown Expressway. Photo taken 01/28/07. Hillsborough County 574 exists along 7th Avenue through YBor City in Tampa. A few shields are posted, but overall the route is unsigned. Hillsborough County 574 East Hillsborough County 574 (7th Avenue) constitutes the main commercial strip through central YBor City. A gateway sign resides beyond the intersection with Nuccio Parkway as the sparsely signed county road approaches the YBor City district. Photo taken 03/19/06. Hillsborough County 576 follows Memorial Highway west from Florida 580 (Hillsborough Avenue) to Florida 589 Toll (Veterans Expressway). The route is only signed at the Exit 3 interchange with the Veterans. Hillsborough County 576 East Memorial Highway (Hillsborough County 576) east at Dana Shores Drive ahead of the split with Independence Parkway. Dana Shores Drive represents an original section of the Memorial Highway. The road encircles Rocky Point Golf Club to Skyway park at George Road. Original Memorial Highway was paved over with the Veterans Expressway east of there. Beyond the freeway, another section of original Memorial Highway was abandoned due to Tampa International Airport. Photo taken 05/27/05. Hillsborough County 579 is a sparsely signed road traveling south from Thonotosassa to Mango in unincorporated parts of the county. Hillsborough County 579 North Hillsborough County 579 ends at this rural intersection in Thonotosassa. U.S. 301 travels northeast to Hillsborough River State Park and Zephyrhills from the Brandon area. Photo taken 11/10/07. A closer look at the U.S. 301 cutouts posted at Hillsborough County 579's north end. Photo taken 11/10/07. Hillsborough County 579 South Hillsborough County 579 is vastly unsigned through the Thonotosassa community. Pictured here is the southbound beginning as the road departs U.S. 301. Photo taken 11/10/07. Southbound at Main Street in Thonotosassa. Main Street leads east to Fort King Highway and Lake Thonotosassa and west to the beginning of Fowler Avenue at Harney Road. Photo taken 11/10/07. Hillsborough County 579 becomes part of Mango Road on the approach to Sligh Avenue and Tampa Gateway Boulevard. Sligh Avenue represents a main east-west street in Tampa, but here its just a segment on the same latitude that spurs west into rural areas. Photo taken 11/10/07. A diamond interchange joins Interstate 4's Exit 10 with Hillsborough County 579 (Mango Road). The interchange is home to the least expensive gas along Interstate 4 between Tampa and Orlando. Interstate 4 next meets Interstate 75, while Mango Road continues south shortly to U.S. 92 (Hillsborough Avenue). Photo taken 11/10/07. Florida 580 runs east from Dunedin to Temple Terrace in the Tampa Bay area. At the west end, there are two alignments, one of which is newer and bypasses downtown Dunedin. The newer bypass is signed. Florida @ SouthEastRoads - Florida 580 Florida 585 stems north from U.S. 41 Business along 21st & 22nd Streets through YBor City before combining into just 22nd Street through to Hillsborough Avenue (U.S. 41 & 92). Unsigned Hillsborough County 585 exists along Rowlett Park Drive north from Sligh Avenue. Florida 585 North Florida 585 (22nd Street) northbound approaches the Exit 1 diamond interchange with Interstate 4 north of YBor City. Photo taken 03/19/06. Interstate 4 connects Tampa and YBor City with Plant City, Lakeland, and Orlando to the east. This scene looks midway during reconstruction of the freeway from its original configuration into a six-lane facility. Photo taken 03/19/06. 17th Avenue provides the westbound movement of Columbus Drive through YBor City. Columbus Drive constitutes a main east-west street through much of Tampa. Photo taken 03/19/06. Florida 585 (22nd Street) combines with 21st Street north of 22nd Avenue. From there drivers continues toward junction Florida 574 (Martin Luther King Jr., Boulevard). Florida 574 follows all of MLK Boulevard from U.S. 92 (Dale Mabry Highway) east to Plant City. Photo taken 03/19/06. Intersecting Florida 585 here is Osborne Avenue within the South Seminole Heights neighborhood of Tampa. Photo taken 03/19/06. Florida 585 draws to a close at junction U.S. 41 & 92 (Hillsborough Avenue) at Seminole Heights in Tampa. U.S. 41 & 92 share pavement east to 40th Street and west to Nebraska Avenue. 22nd Street continues north to the Hillsborough River. Photo taken 03/19/06. 22nd Street North 22nd Street continues north one half mile to Hanna Avenue within Seminole Heights of Tampa. Note the rare 8", 6", 6" Eagle signal. Photo taken 03/19/06. Unsigned Hillsborough County 585 (Rowlett Park Drive) Sligh Avenue westbound at Rowlett Park Drive near the Seminole Heights community. Rowlett Park Drive constitutes a 1.1-mile segment of unsigned Hillsborough County 585 between Sligh Avenue and Waters Avenue in the Sulphur Springs neighborhood. Photo taken 03/19/06. A look at the Rowlett Park Drive bridge over the Hillsborough River. Hillsborough County 585 is not connected to any other county maintained roadway. Photo taken 03/19/06. Unsigned Hillsborough County 585 (Rowlett Park Drive) intersects Mulberry Drive opposite the Hillsborough River. A CSX Railroad line parallels Rowlett Park Drive throughout its routing. Photo taken 03/19/06. The CSX Railroad spans the Hillsborough River parallel to unsigned Hillsborough County 585 along a truss bridge. Photo taken 03/19/06. Florida 589 is the tolled Veterans Expressway from Florida 60 north to Florida 597. The freeway continues as the tolled Suncoast Parkway from that point north to U.S. 98 near Brooksville. For more, see Florida 589. Florida 616 follows a combination of Spruce Street, Boy Scout Boulevard, and Columbus Drive east from Florida 60 (Memorial Highway) and Tampa International Airport to U.S. 92 (Dale Mabry Highway) in Tampa. The four to six-lane arterial replaced Florida 589 when the Veterans Expressway was designated that number. Florida 616 West Jim Walter Boulevard heads west Florida 616 (Columbus Drive) to the International Plaza Mall. Florida 616 meanwhile turns southwest along Boy Scout Boulevard to make the connection with Spruce Street. Photo taken 01/01/06. Florida 616 (Boy Scout Boulevard) west enters the intersection with Lois Avenue. Lois Avenue stems south from the International Plaza Mall entrance to Exit 40B of Interstate 275. Photo taken 01/01/06. Westshore Boulevard crosses paths with Florida 616 just west of its overtaking of Spruce Street. The north-south road carries Hillsborough County 587 south to U.S. 92 (Gandy Boulevard). International Plaza Mall again lies to the north. Florida 616 (Spruce Street) makes its approach to Tampa International Airport and junction Florida 60 (Memorial Drive) west. This stretch of roadway is frequently congested during the evening peak hours. Construction associated with the Tampa Airport interchange should help the traffic woes in the coming years. Photo taken 08/20/06. Florida 616 nears the split with ramps to George J. Bean Parkway north to Tampa International Airport and junction Florida 60 (Memorial Highway) west. Photo taken 08/20/06. The original configuration of Florida 616 west at the George J. Bean Parkway northbound off-ramp. A new ramp sweeps onto the airport access road now; traffic otherwise defaults onto Florida 60 west ahead of its split with Florida 589 Toll (Veterans Expressway) north. Photos taken 01/01/06 & 08/20/06. Florida 616 East Florida 616 begins at the Tampa Airport interchange with Florida 60 (Memorial Highway) and heads east onto Spruce Street. A loop ramp departs the fledgling state road onto George Bean Parkway, the access road to Tampa International Airport. This ramp represents the original airport connection from Florida 60 east, but a high-speed flyover replaces the movement. Photo taken 05/27/05. Florida 616 eastbound reassurance marker posted in the construction zone that rebuilt Spruce Street east from Florida 60 to O'Brien Street. The original frontage road intersection pictured here was removed. Photo taken 01/01/06. Westshore Boulevard crosses paths with Florida 616 (Spruce Street) east. The north-south road carries Hillsborough County 587 south to U.S. 92 (Gandy Boulevard). International Plaza Mall lies to the north. Photo taken 05/27/05. Raymond James Stadium comes into view as Florida 616 (Boy Scout Boulevard) enters the intersection with Lois Avenue. Lois Avenue stems south from the International Plaza Mall entrance to Exit 40B of Interstate 275. Photo taken 01/01/06. Jim Walter Boulevard heads east from the International Plaza Mall to a merge with Florida 616 (Columbus Drive Street). The state road next meets U.S. 92 (Dale Mabry Highway), its eastern terminus. Photo taken 05/27/05. Florida 616 draws to a close at U.S. 92 (Dale Mabry Highway), but Columbus Drive continues east to Interstate 4 at U.S. 41. Raymond James Stadium lies just north of Florida 616. Photo taken 01/01/06. Florida 618 is the tolled Leroy Selmon Crosstown Expressway, taking an east-west path across Tampa. An elevated highway, the route is the fastest way to cross downtown Tampa and connect to the Gandy Bridge along U.S. 92. For more, see Florida 618. Hillsborough County 672 exists in two portions, with an implied overlap along U.S. 301. However with that stated, signage is limited to just to green street signs on the leg leading east from U.S. 301. Signage along Big Bend Road is only posted at U.S. 41. Hillsborough County 672 East Unsigned Hillsborough County 672 (Big Bend Road) leads east from the Big Bend Power Plant and Dickman Road to junction U.S. 41. Photo taken 11/24/07. Hillsborough County 672 is signed on green signs from U.S. 41, but otherwise is not posted along Big Bend Road leading east. The four-lane arterial nears Covington Garden Drive, a road leading south to new subdivisions west of Interstate 75. Photo taken 11/24/07. A north side frontage road ties into Big Bend Road opposite to Covington Garden Drive from new subdivisions and the East Bay High School and Eisenhower Middle School area. Photo taken 11/24/07. A second access point to the nearby schools and frontage road lies ahead of the folded-diamond interchange with Interstate 75. Photo taken 11/24/07. Interstate 75 leads south from Big Bend Road to Bradenton and Sarasota. Photo taken 11/24/07. Hillsborough County 672 (Big Bend Road) east at the Interstate 75 southbound ramp. Interstate 75 next meets Florida 674 (College Avenue) east of Ruskin. Photo taken 11/24/07. A loop ramp carries drivers onto Interstate 75 north to Tampa (via Interstate 4 or Florida 618 Toll west). Photo taken 11/24/07. Nearing the intersection with U.S. 301 on Hillsborough County 672 east. East of U.S. 301, Big Bend Road continues toward Summerfield Crossings and Tropical Acres, large swaths of tract housing. Photo taken 11/24/07. Hillsborough County 672 resumes east of U.S. 301 to the south, but is only signed on green street signs. Photo taken 11/24/07. Florida 674 stretches from U.S. 41 in Ruskin eastward. Florida 674 West A six-ramp partial-cloverleaf interchange joins Interstate 75 with Florida 674 (Sun City Center Boulevard east / College Avenue west) at Exit 240. Pictured here is the approach to the southbound on-ramp to Bradenton and Sarasota. Photo taken 11/24/07. Florida 674 follows College Avenue, a four-lane divided highway, from Interstate 75 west to its end at Ruskin. This shield is posted after the freeway interchange. Photo taken 11/24/07. Westbound at the signalized intersection with 21st Street. 21st Street leads north to Shell Point Road and Hillsborough Community College Southshore and south across Interstate 75 to the Little Manatee River Preserve. Photo taken 11/24/07. Florida 674 (College Avenue) enters the unincorporated town of Ruskin where it meets U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail). College Avenue crosses 2nd Street Southeast in this scene. Photo taken 11/24/07. U.S. 41 overheads hang on span wires above the ending Florida 674. College Avenue continues west into residential areas buffeted by Ruskin Inlet and the Manatee River U.S. 41 continues north to Gibsonton and south to Sun City. Photo taken 11/24/07. There is no end sign for Florida 674 at U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail). Photo taken 11/24/07. Florida 676 continues Causeway Boulevard east from U.S. 41 and U.S. 41 Business to U.S. 301. The road primarily serves industrial interests headed to and from the Port of Tampa via U.S. 41 Business (22nd Street Causeway). Florida 676 West Unsigned Hillsborough County 573 travels along 78th Street between Florida 60 (Adamo Drive) and Riverview Drive. THe north-south highway meets the Crosstown Expressway at a partial interchange (Exit 12) to the north. Photo taken 10/16/07. Westbound reassurance marker posted for Florida 676 after the Causeway Boulevard intersection with 78th Street. The state road travels 3.189 miles. Photo taken 10/16/07. Florida 676 draws to a close at the northbound beginning of U.S. 41 Business at junction U.S. 41 (50th Street). U.S. 41 Business continues Causeway Boulevard northwest between McKay Bay and the East Bay Channel Turning Basin. U.S. 41 enters the scene between Palm River and East Tampa. Photo taken 10/16/07. Florida 676 ends; Florida 45 turns from U.S. 41 north onto U.S. 41 Business in hidden fashion. Florida 599 also begins in hidden fashion and travels north with U.S. 41 into the city. The Port of Tampa lies just west of McKay Bay at Hooker Point. Photo taken 10/16/07. Miscellaneous Tampa Bay Area Photos Jefferson Street leads south from U.S. 41 Business & Florida 60 (Kennedy Boulevard/Jackson Street) to Exit 7 of the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway. A direct ramp carries drivers onto Florida 618 Toll east toward Brandon. Brorein Street travels one block west to Morgan Street and the westbound Crosstown on-ramp. Photo taken 01/28/07. The westbound on-ramp to Florida 618 Toll ascends from the intersection of Brorein Street west at Morgan Street. Photo taken 01/28/07. Morgan Street leads south from the central business district to the St. Pete Times Forum, an entertainment venue that is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey franchise. Morgan Street meets Channelside Avenue across from the parking garage entrance to the arena. Photo taken 01/28/07. Channelside Drive Channelside Drive derives itself from Platt Street east of the Hillsborough River parallel to both Garrison and YBor Channels. After passing the St Pete Times Forum arena, Channelside Drive splits with Jefferson Street north to Florida 618 Toll. Photo taken 01/28/07. St. Pete Times Forum Drive encircles the back side of the entertainment venue between Franklin Street and Channelside Drive. Photo taken 01/28/07. Approaching Beneficial Drive south and Meridian Avenue north ahead of the Channelside entertainment district on Channelside Drive east. Meridian Avenue leads north directly to Florida 60 (Kennedy Boulevard) and the elevated lanes of the Crosstown Expressway. Beneficial Drive spans Garrison Channel south onto Harbour Island. Photo taken 01/28/07. Entering the intersection of Beneficial Drive and Meridian Avenue on Channelside Drive east. Channelside is home to a cruise terminal, the Florida Aquarium, the Channelside Shops, and upscale condominiums. Additionally a streetcar line follows Channelside Drive northward from the Tampa Convention Center into YBor City. Photo taken 01/28/07. Variable message signs are posted in and near Channelside for the various cruise ship terminals and their associated parking areas. Photo taken 01/28/07. Leaving the roundabout with Cumberland Avenue, Channelside Drive continues north toward junction Florida 60 (Kennedy Boulevard) and the Crosstown Expressway. Photo taken 01/28/07. One of many new condominium complexes was built at the corner of Channelside Drive and Washington Street in the revitalization effort of downtown. Photo taken 01/28/07. U.S. 41 Business south & Florida 60 east follow Kennedy Boulevard east from Nebraska Avenue (Florida 45) to Channelside Drive north. The overlapped highways use Channelside through to Adamo Drive. Photo taken 01/28/07. See U.S. Highway 41 Business for coverage of the section signed with U.S. 41 Business south & Florida 60 east. Leaving the intersection with Florida 60 (Adamo Drive) and 12th Street, Channelside Drive nears the roundabout with 4th Avenue opposite Nuccio Parkway. Photo taken 03/19/06. Channelside Drive splits into 4th Avenue east into central YBor City and Nuccio Parkway north to Hillsborough County Community College's YBor City campus. Photo taken 03/19/06. Palm Avenue Palm Avenue eastbound at Nuccio Parkway and the YBor City parking garage. Nuccio Parkway leads south to downtown and northeast to Hillsborough County Community College's YBor CIty campus at 15th Street. Photo taken 03/19/06. Florida 585 follows a one-way street couplet of 21st & 22nd Streets through YBor City between the Crosstown Expressway and 22nd Avenue. 22nd Street leads drivers north from Palm Avenue to Exit 1 of Interstate 4. Photo taken 03/19/06. Miscellaneous area streets Nuccio Parkway provides a four-lane gateway into YBor City from downtown Tampa. 7th Avenue (Hillsborough County 574) intersects the parkway west of central YBor City and east of Florida 45 (Nebraska Avenue). Photo taken 03/19/06. Sun bleached trailblazer for the Tampa Crosstown Expressway posted on Manhattan Avenue northbound at Euclid Avenue. Euclid Avenue leads east to the Exit 2 half-diamond interchange with Florida 618 Toll east. Manhattan Avenue was four-laned between U.S. 92 (Gandy Boulevard) and Euclid Avenue during 2006-08. Photo taken 01/03/06. Southbound Ashley Drive approaches Twiggs Street in Tampa. The left lane of Ashley Drive connects to Toll Florida 618 and Florida 60. Photo taken 10/28/03. Eastbound Fowler Street approaches Interstate 275 in Pinellas County. Photo taken 10/28/03. Page Updated August 26, 2008.