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.
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.
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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.
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 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. |
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| 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 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
| 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.
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| Eastbound Fowler Street approaches Interstate 275 in Pinellas County. Photo taken 10/28/03.
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| In St. Petersburg, 4th Avenue South approaches Florida 687, which is signed to Interstate 175. Photo taken 10/28/03.
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| Westbound 22nd Avenue reaches Florida 693 (66th Street) in St. Petersburg. Photo taken 10/28/03.
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Page Updated July 18, 2008.
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