Rt. between St. Pete's and Myakka State Park FL.

I75 South is OK, but expect congestions from SR 70 to Fruitville Rd due to construction at the University exit by the new mall.

Red Barn is a large flea market with lots of booths and fresh fruit and produce. If you like flea markets it's nice.

Craig A wrote:
Traffic in Sarasota is TERRIBLE. I don't even like to drive it anytime. If you take 301 south you'll go through downtown Sarasota where it's a 4 to 6 lane road with traffic lights at every corner.

Thanks for the warning. Maybe it is 75 then. I'd like to check out the Red Barn Flea Market in Bradenton. Is it worth the bother?

Traffic in Sarasota is TERRIBLE. I don't even like to drive it anytime. If you take 301 south you'll go through downtown Sarasota where it's a 4 to 6 lane road with traffic lights at every corner.

Craig A wrote:
I drive from Bradenton to Largo every workday and am very familiar with the routes between St. Pete and Bradenton / Sarasota. There's really only one realistic way to get our of St. Pete and go south and that on I275 S over the Sunshine Skyway. From there, you could get off at US19 at Palmetto and follow the signs to go down US 301 to SR 72 in Sarasota. This will take you through Sarasota which is a terrible drive this time of year o you could take US 301 to SR 70 and take it East to almost Arcadia. Turn right onto SR 72 and this will lead to Myakka River State Park. It will take you about 40 miles out of the way, but it is a nice drive.

What about 19 41 south from the 275 Parkway to Bradenton then 301 to 72? Mind you this trip would be on a Wednesday, April 27. How might the traffic be early in the morning?

I drive from Bradenton to Largo every workday and am very familiar with the routes between St. Pete and Bradenton / Sarasota. There's really only one realistic way to get our of St. Pete and go south and that on I275 S over the Sunshine Skyway. From there, you could get off at US19 at Palmetto and follow the signs to go down US 301 to SR 72 in Sarasota. This will take you through Sarasota which is a terrible drive this time of year or you could take US 301 to SR 70 and take it East to almost Arcadia. Turn right onto SR 72 and this will lead to Myakka River State Park. It will take you about 40 miles out of the way, but it is a nice drive.

Florida in that area really lacks much in the way of north-south highways. Something that is being hotly argued right now in terms of I-75 congestion north of Tampa. But I would suggest taking 275 over the Skyway bridge. The get on I-75 south for a short distance to FL Hwy-70 east. At Verna turn south on Verna road which will take you to the back door entrance for the park. Check the park website since I think that entrance is only open on certain days. You can then take FL Hwy 72 back west from the south park entrance to I-75.

The land around Myakka is often described as a lot like the African Veldt country.

The only north-south road is US 17 which is well inland from Tampa and Sarasota.n You could if you have the time take 72 east instead of west and follow it to Arcadia, an old cow town. I went to HS there but I can't say that it currently is very picturesque. And then north on US 17 to Torrey. That will take you thru several old central Florida towns. Brownville, Zolfo Springs and Wauchulla. Then west on FL Hwy 62 for more Florida landscape until you hit US 301. Jog south on that for a few miles and get back on I-75 and then either stay on it or get back on I-275 and back across the Skyway bridge.