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.
