Sarasota vs. Tampa Commute (Bradenton, Fruitville: construction, live, moving to)

[sugarat]

Does anyone do the Sarasota to Tampa commute. I'm a teacher considering moving to Sarasota and commuting to Tampa. It seems the traffic isn't too bad coming through Manatee and shouthern Hillsborough, just Sarasota may get congested. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[ElijahD]

The I-75 traffic through this corridor has become crazy at times. Depending when you leave, etc... Sarasota is VERY congested almost any time, especially around the Fruitville exit.

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by sugarat

Does anyone do the Sarasota to Tampa commute. I'm a teacher considering moving to Sarasota and commuting to Tampa. It seems the traffic isn't too bad coming through Manatee and shouthern Hillsborough, just Sarasota may get congested. Any thoughts? Thanks.

You should stay overnight one weeknight in Sarasota in January. You will see how the drive to Sarasota is in the afternoon when you leave Tamp and do the I-75 ride south & when you leave in the morning from Sarasota, you will be able to see whether you can deal with the congestion/accidents. Otherwise, you have nothing to base your assumptions on.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by sugarat

Does anyone do the Sarasota to Tampa commute. I'm a teacher considering moving to Sarasota and commuting to Tampa. It seems the traffic isn't too bad coming through Manatee and shouthern Hillsborough, just Sarasota may get congested. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Twelve years ago my husband used to drive from downtown Sarasota to USF in Tampa, getting on at Fruitville, and I-75 all the way up. Back then it was MINIMUM one hour and fifteen minutes, that was if no traffic or accidents. It is one hellacious commute and it about killed him. Did that for 3 years, and then we moved just north of Tampa. I would seriously reconsider doing this I think you will be very, very sorry.

[Racelady88]

The Sarasota to Bradenton commute is bad enough. I have seen traffic on I-75 in and around Tampa. You couldn't pay me to make that commute.

Depending on where is Sarasota to where in Tampa you are looking at a potential hour and a half to two hours each way. That is without construction or accidents.

[sugarat]

OUCH!!! These sound pretty bad. I think the idea of stayinng a night in Sarasota and driving the distance is a great idea. My parents live off of Clark Rd. and I could try the drive to Apollo Beach area. Still can't imagine it being that bad 35-40 miles and the poulation isn't very high after Bradenton but that area is the big question mark.

[Racelady88]

It took me 45 minutes to go less than 15 miles today from Bradenton to Sarasota. This time of year the traffic is just insane. Of course if you are used to driving on the Capitol Beltway or in & out of Manhattan it might not seem bad to you.

[sugarat]

Tried going in to Sarasota from Riverview and it wasn't too bad. Guess it does depend on where your going.

[INeedAChange]

I think this commute is very doable. Alls you need to do is get your employer to let you work flextime (i.e. you come in from 11 - 7 instead of 9-5).

[pragmatic1]

The Fruitville exit is currently under construction, and that causes a headache without accidents. However, it's the only pain you may have to endure.

What area of Tampa are you headed to? If it's the West Side, you may consider picking up I-275... but wait... now that I think of it, that's been a bigger headache than Fruitville Road.