[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by John_W

I haven't been down to St. Pete in about a year. At that time I took I-275 all the way, and malfunction junction (I-4 and I-275 meet), was a major mess in Tampa. I read they are trying to fix that area, but I think that started in 2002 and they still not done.

With that in mind, I would try and avoid Tampa as much as possible. I took a AAA bus to a Phillies game in Clearwater in March, and Route 54 at Wesley Chapel to Suncoast Pkwy to Courtney Campbell was the route he took. I figured AAA bus drivers would probably know the best way. So apparently the I-75 construction in Pasco, Hernando and Sumter Counties isn't that bad, and I think most of it is being performed at night. So the latest route you took seems to be the best, and we'll just have to learn that it's a 2 hour ride to Clearwater.

Having grown up in St. Petersburg and later living in Pinellas Park, Largo and Spring Hill, I learned to avoid driving on Hwy 19 as much as possible.

I've driven down to Tampa and St pete several times and you are correct. The I-75 construction is not a major problem. It's once you hit 275 where the insanity begins.

I don't mind if it's two hours. The problem is two hours and easily turn into 4+ hours by taking 275.