Going North West from St. Pete route??

[KyDan]

We managed to snag a few days at Ft Desoto county park near St. Pete.
Next stop is Topsail Hill preserve SP in the panhandle.

Two obvious routes- one nearly all interstate- the other no interstate

I75 to I10 then south on 331
Google says 6:49 with no stops or traffic. (There is no such thing as
no stops and no traffic on this route!!)
Bing says 8: hours with normal traffic and we still have to stop for food/fuel.

The western route which is no interstate once we get away from St. Pete
is 60 miles less but longer time.
US 98 to 267 to 20 to park
Bing says 8:30 with light traffic.

I would definitely go with the west route IF I thought those times were
any where near reality.
But I fear that Bing (and google) do not take into consideration all the
stoplights and other times we'd be driving less than the speed limit.

Question-- I really want to get this long drive done.
Which is faster if we hope for "normal" traffic both routes.

If the western route is honestly less than an hour extra we'd go that way
but if it's gonna add 2 hours to the already long drive I'll take the interstate.

Thoughts and comments appreciated!

[windsurfdog]

I'd suggest taking the Veterans Expressway...589...toll road...out of Tampa/St. Pete to 98. Yes, it is a toll road but is very lightly traveled and very nice. Then continue as you mentioned...98/267/20/331 to Topsail. A much nicer drive than interstate over roads that are not traveled as much. 98 west of Perry, 267 and 20 are all 2 lane roads but, for me, a much nicer drive than interstate. And if you have time, a side trip to Wakulla Springs with dinner at the Lodge would be a treat...and directly on the way off of 267. Good luck and enjoy your stay at Topsail.

[siam]

Originally Posted by windsurfdog

I'd suggest taking the Veterans Expressway...589...toll road...out of Tampa/St. Pete to 98. Yes, it is a toll road but is very lightly traveled and very nice. Then continue as you mentioned...98/267/20/331 to Topsail. A much nicer drive than interstate over roads that are not traveled as much. 98 west of Perry, 267 and 20 are all 2 lane roads but, for me, a much nicer drive than interstate. And if you have time, a side trip to Wakulla Springs with dinner at the Lodge would be a treat...and directly on the way off of 267. Good luck and enjoy your stay at Topsail.

X2
Hwy 19 north of St.Pete to Crystal River can be grid lock at this time of year with snowbirds.
Mike

[KyDan]

OK- you talked me into it.
Here's hoping for a drive that's reasonably close to the drive time Bing maps suggested!

FWIW- I bought the SunPass stick on transducer since we're also using the
toll road down near Port St. Lucy.

Topsail Hill will be our last and longest stop. Fingers crossed for decent
weather in the panhandle this coming winter. We seem to be averaging about
50/50 what I'd call good weather when camping that far north in Jan-Feb.
Some years we've biked and walked the beach in shorts.
Some years it was more like this-- see photo

[Bob Vaughn]

We go up there quiet often from Seffner and Go 50/98 up to Perry then west on 98 to Broxton cut off over to 20 then south on 231 I think that goes back to 98 and about 5 miles from Top sail. 20 is a very nice drive....no white knuckle driving. By the way I hate going up 75 ...

[CampingGator]

The fastest rout is I-275 through Tampa, up I-75 to I-10, then west. No stoplights and you make good time in the right lane at 65 mph. Going the other way is scenic, but many two lane roads and can be a grueling trip. It just depends on what you are looking for. If you want to see more of Florida and some of the quirkiness, go the back way. Otherwise, take the interstate.

[ben31]

I 've taken both routes. Unless you are traveling near a holiday weekend, I would take the 75 to 10 route. It ends up taking quite a bit less time. This assumes no major accidents, of course. If it looks like the I-75/FL Turnpike interchange is a mess (check google maps or the Florida traffic site), then take the west route.

Lastly, you might want to consider coming into Destin on the Mid-Bay Bridge. Yes, you will pay a significant toll, but US331 is still a mess!

Good luck!

[Life Without Whine]

Out of Fort deSoto on 275 then

Originally Posted by windsurfdog

I'd suggest taking the Veterans Expressway...589...toll road...out of Tampa/St. Pete to 98. Yes, it is a toll road but is very lightly traveled and very nice. Then continue as you mentioned...98/267/20/331 to Topsail. A much nicer drive than interstate over roads that are not traveled as much. 98 west of Perry, 267 and 20 are all 2 lane roads but, for me, a much nicer drive than interstate.

.

The manatee rehab center in Homosassa is worth an overnight, maybe at Chassahowitzka River Campground RV Park Camping Canoeing Kayaking Rentals another county park or go a bit further & spend a night in Cedar Key....great artist community & major clam bed. Around Perry you can start to purchase Apalachicola oysters by the bushel and they are easily roasted on the grill.

Enjoy your time down here ... if you fish Fort deSoto has some great fishing somedays

[mbbutler]

98 over 75 anytime just for the peaceful Pace and mental health.

[Ortep]

If you take the western route, I recommend the Suncoast Parkway to US98. Just be aware that once you get past Crystal River US 19/98 is VERY BORING for sight seeing and fuel availability is limited.

[windsurfdog]

Hey Dan, please update this thread after your trip and let us know of your experiences. Happy Festivus!