Getting Around Tampa

By Car
When approaching St. Petersburg from the north, take I-75 and US 19. I-75, the fast freeway route, merges with other routes in Tampa and becomes I-275 as it heads for St. Petersburg over the Howard Frankland Bridge. Divided US 19 and two-lane US 19A diverge at Tarpon Springs to offer a choice of slower approaches from the northern Gulf Coast.

Coming from the south on I-75, US 19 and I-275, enter St. Petersburg over the mouth of Tampa Bay via the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (toll). Approaching from the east, I-4 provides direct access to the I-275/Howard Frankland Bridge into St. Petersburg.

The major direct route to Tampa from the north is I-75, which traverses Florida's north-central lake district: The 62-mile stretch south of Wildwood is especially scenic. It is roughly paralleled by US 301 on the east and US 41 on the west. North of downtown I-75 changes to I-275, which merges with I-4 in mid-city. I-75 bypasses the city proper to the east, rejoining I-275 north of Bradenton.

Driving into Tampa from the south, US 41 parallels I-75, the main corridor from the southern Gulf Coast. From Daytona Beach in the east, I-4 angles across central Florida through Orlando, while older US 92 runs parallel from Lakeland. SR 60, a four-lane, divided highway, leads from Lake Wales. Running from the Gulf Coast west of Tampa, SR 60 connects to Clearwater, and I-275 travels to St. Petersburg.

Air
Commercial flights entering Tampa land at Tampa International Airport. Several commercial airlines and private planes use St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. Private and corporate planes have access to Albert Whitted Municipal Airport in St. Petersburg and Peter O. Knight Airport in Tampa.

Tampa International Airport is on the city's west side along Old Tampa Bay. To reach downtown Tampa, take I-275 north--though you'll actually be traveling east--and take the Ashley Street exit. Past this exit I-275 turns sharply northward, bisecting the city. Continue along I-275 to reach such destinations as the University of South Florida and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Exit to I-4 east if you're heading for Ybor City, Plant City or Lakeland. Or take a cab: United and Yellow cabs provide service from the airport. Both have a minimum $10 fare; average fare to downtown (about 6 miles) is about $17.

To reach downtown St. Petersburg, take I-275 south. Cross the bay on the 7-mile Howard Frankland Bridge and proceed another 10 miles or so due south. From I-275, take I-375 into the northern half of downtown or I-175 into the southern half. Transportation from Tampa International to St. Petersburg is easily acquired. Supershuttle provides transfers from Tampa International to St. Petersburg and cities in Hernando, Pasco and Sarasota counties; phone (727) 572-1111.

St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is about 10 miles across the bay from Tampa on SR 686 (Roosevelt Boulevard), near the west side of the Howard Frankland Bridge. Airport traffic exits northwest toward Clearwater or south, providing access to St. Petersburg and Tampa. To reach Clearwater, take SR 686 about 3 miles west to US 19, US 19 another 3 miles north to SR 60 (Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard), then SR 60 a mile or so west into town. Downtown St. Petersburg is about 10 miles due south of the airport via I-275. To get to the interstate, exit south from the airport on SR 686 to SR 688 (Ulmerton Road). Go a mile or so east to another segment of SR 686 and take it a mile south to I-275.

Street System
St. Petersburg's street system is essentially a compass-oriented grid. All avenues, terraces and places run east-west; streets and ways run north-south. Central Avenue (CR 150) is the north-south divider; parallel to Tampa Bay is First Street. Numbering of north-south streets begins at the bay and progresses westward 81 blocks to Boca Ciega Bay on the Gulf.

From I-275, I-375 accesses the northern half of downtown St. Petersburg and I-175 the southern half. US 92 (Fourth Street) and SR 689 (Ninth Street) provide downtown access from I-275 as well.

Downtown Tampa is bracketed by water and has only a few major access routes. From I-275, take the Ashley Street exit. Also from the north, Nebraska Avenue SR 45 and one-way US 41 Bus. Rte. lead into downtown. Cass Street approaches from the west. From the east, use SR 60 (John F. Kennedy Boulevard).

Tampa also is laid out in a basic grid, with a few geographic variations. US 41 Bus. Rte. (Florida Avenue) divides east from west; John F. Kennedy Boulevard/Frank Adamo Drive (SR 60) separates north from south. Many streets in the downtown area are one way.

Five major east-west thoroughfares support cross-town traffic: SR 582 (Fowler Avenue), SR 580 (Busch Boulevard), US 92/US 41 (Hillsborough Avenue), SR 574 (Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard), and the Crosstown Expressway (toll). Three others parallel I-275: on the west, SR 597/SR 580/US 92 (Dale Mabry Highway); through the central city, US 41/SR 45 (Nebraska Avenue); and on the east, SR 583 (56th Street).

Besides I-275, US 19 and US 19 Alt. are the main north-south routes on the Pinellas Peninsula. Congested SR 699 (Gulf Boulevard), lined with shops, restaurants and motels, connects the beach communities from Clearwater Beach south to St. Pete Beach. Running east-west are SR 60 (Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard/Courtney Campbell Causeway) to Clearwater, SR 688 (Ulmerton Road) to the beaches, and SR 694/CR 694 (Gandy Boulevard/Park Boulevard) through the communities of Pinellas Park and Seminole to the beaches.

Generally, downtown speed limits for Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Tampa are 30 mph or as posted. Unless otherwise posted, a right turn is allowed on a red light after a complete stop. It is best to avoid taking an unfamiliar route during rush hours (about 7 to 9 a.m. and 4:30 to 6 p.m.).

Parking
Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Tampa all have limited on-street parking in the downtown business sections and along major thoroughfares. Rates for municipal parking garages start at $1.25 per hour and range from $5.40 to $7 for 6-24 hours. Metered lot parking and use of the Fort Brooke parking garage in Tampa cost $1.25 per hour (if using the garage for 6-24 hours, the rate is $7). For downtown parking information phone (813) 221-3686.

Metered parking at the beaches is available on the street and in lots at 25c-$1 per hour; beach parking is not allowed. For additional parking information phone (813) 274-8179.

Taxis and Limousines
Major companies include Tampa-based United Cab Co., (813) 253-2424, and Tampa Taxi, (813) 888-5008; and Yellow Cab Co., (813) 253-0121 in Tampa and (727) 821-7777 in St. Petersburg.

Taxis are metered. Most cabs in Clearwater and St. Petersburg charge $1.50 to enter and $1.60 per mile; most Tampa cabs are $2 to enter and $2 per mile. A taxi ride between Tampa International Airport and downtown Tampa, the Ybor City area and the cruise terminals costs a flat rate of $20 in either direction. Limousine service averages $65 per hour in the Tampa Bay area.

Public Transportation
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority serves St. Petersburg and Pinellas County; for bus fares and schedules phone (727) 530-9911. HARTline serves Tampa and its immediate suburbs, including shopping malls and area attractions. The In-Town Connector provides free transportation around downtown Tampa. Service also includes the TECO Line Streetcar System, which makes 11 stops along a 2.3-mile track between downtown Tampa and Ybor City. For HARTline bus and streetcar fares and schedules, phone (813) 254-4278.

St. Petersburg, Clearwater and the beach communities have three trolley systems for visitors. Suncoast Beach Trolley, operated by PSTA, travels Gulf Boulevard north to Clearwater's Sand Key and south to St. Pete Beach; phone (727) 530-9911. The Looper circles downtown St. Petersburg, and the Jolley Trolley route covers Clearwater and Clearwater Beach.