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Tachdriver's avatar
Tachdriver
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014

I-75 vs FL 589 through Tampa

Does anyone have any experience on Fl 589, the toll road between Brooksville and Tampa?


Curious, back in 2012 I travelled the I-75 to I-275 corridor through Tampa to St. Petersburg. There was quite a bit of construction on the highways and was very narrow on the road and lots of traffic. The day was fathers day on a Sunday so maybe I encountered a unique situation, it just seems that particular corridor is quite busy.

I am contemplating my trip down there to get off the highway via Brooksville and south on 589 to avoid that whole cluster.

First I do not mind the detour as I will be on vacation the week before Memorial weekend. Second I do not mind paying tolls in this case as I have the Sun Pass.

Is this toll road an easy drive or going to be a lot of traffic like I-75 and goat rope?
Roads and Routes

8 Replies

  • johnhicks's avatar
    johnhicks
    Explorer
    Feb 20, 2014
    SR 56/54 is quite a bit of traffic all the time. I think I'd just plug along on I-275.
  • sdianel_-acct_c's avatar
    sdianel_-acct_c
    Explorer
    Feb 19, 2014
    We always use the toll road and then US19 instead of I-75. Just don't use the toll road at rush hours. I would bypass Atlanta and come down through Columbus GA, then take US19 south to US98 and catch the toll road there.
  • BillMFl's avatar
    BillMFl
    Explorer
    Feb 19, 2014
    By the time it takes to drive 54 to the toll road you would already be in Tampa. 275 is by far the most direct route. Barring anything unusual like an accident on a Saturday you should only have some slow downs near the I4 merge and once you reach the big bridge the traffic moves very fast
  • trnfla's avatar
    trnfla
    Explorer
    Feb 19, 2014
    Thanks for the Prayers, she is doing great now.

    At that time of day, I would take 75 to 275 then as soon as you pass the MLK exit in Tampa get in the left lane and stay there until you get past the construction. You will have minor stop and go for about 1-2 miles after the I-4 merge.

    Enjoy Ft Desoto, the best park around.
  • Tachdriver's avatar
    Tachdriver
    Explorer
    Feb 18, 2014
    trnfla: I will be praying for your granddaughter....

    All: I will be staying at Ft. Desoto campground.

    Thanks for the comments, glad I did not go that way yet...considering I-75 all the way. The 275 is so congested. I will be hitting it about 2-3pm on Saturday.

    How about I-75 before the I-275 split, off at SR 54 west to the toll road? Maybe the I-75 is good all the way through...

    Let me know and thanks again for the advice.
  • modern_family's avatar
    modern_family
    Explorer
    Feb 18, 2014
    Well, all depends on your timing. It is a fine road after about 9:30 -10. If you get the fast pass you can breeze through most the toll plazas without stopping. I live about 10 minutes from I-75 and you never know what the traffic will be like due to all the construction starting at SR-52 all the way south past Brandon. I-275 is under major construction starting just north of down town. Just about backed up at any time of day.

    What is your destination? St. Pete or further south?

    If st. Pete, take the toll road, just make sure you are after 10.

    If further south (Sarasota) I would take I-75.
  • BillMFl's avatar
    BillMFl
    Explorer
    Feb 18, 2014
    The toll road was great when it first opened. But then they built huge subdivisions at every interchange. Now it is more off an expensive parking lot at the busy hours of the day. We seldom use the toll road any more.
  • trnfla's avatar
    trnfla
    Explorer
    Feb 18, 2014
    I-275 still has a lot of construction just pass where I-4 comes in. But the Veterans expressway has worse construction. Why don't you just stay on I-75 and bypass Tampa completely?

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