Can any FL drivers give us directions from WDW to Pinellas Park?

[frazzled one]

We plan to visit my brother one evening while we're in Florida. He lives in Pinellas Park, which on my map looks as if it's about halfway between Tampa and St. Petersburg (and as if we'll have to go over a long bridge to get there!). We're driving our own car, and hope to leave from the Wilderness Lodge around 2 PM on a Tuesday afternoon. Mapquest said the trip should take about 90 minutes - db just kind of laughed and said to tack on another hour for the traffic.

I plan to ask AAA to include directions on our TripTik, but there's no substitute for first-hand knowledge. Can any FL residents help us out? Many thanks for directions and/or hints!

fraz

 

[frazzled one]

Anyone ..... anyone?

 

[cherylp3]

my friends live in Pinellas. We went to visit them last year.

From disney to tampa should take 2 hrs
Pinellas is right after the bridge from Tampa to Pinellas should take 15 minutes

 

[seastar]

Hello. I will give you general directions to Pinellas Park. You should ask your brother for specific directions to his house because there may be a shorter way depending on where in Pinellas Park he lives.

From the WDW area, take I-4 westbound. This will lead you to the I-275/I-4 junction in Tampa (or malfunction-junction as we locals call it!!!). Take I-275 south. You will go over a long bridge(the Howard Franklin Bridge) so make sure you have plenty of gas. Continue on I-275 south. Exit at the Park Blvd/Pinellas Park exit and head west. I am not sure of the exact exit name or number but that should be pretty close.

The traffic can be brutal esp during rush hour so give yourself plenty of time. There are frequent backups in Tampa.

 

[frazzled one]

Yikes - sounds like a challenging drive! Db just bought a new house and would love for us to see it - but maybe we'll meet him 1/2 way between Orlando and Tampa for dinner, then continue to his house when the worst of the rush hour traffic lets up. Thanks, cherylp3 and seastar, for the info!

fraz

 

[seastar]

That's a good idea if your brother wouldn't mind, Frazzled One. Then you can follow him back to his house. Make sure he takes you to the beach!!!