Sunshine Skyway Bridge

The Sunshine Skyway is a dazzling sight by day and even more stunning when seen alight at night. You can drive on the bridge via Interstate 275 or view it from multiple points around the Tampa, Bradenton, and Clearwater areas. More than just an engineering marvel, this toll bridge features a rest area, multiple fishing piers, restrooms, bait shops, kiteboarding shops, and the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park.

• The Sunshine Skyway requires a toll that can be paid by cash or the Florida electronic device, the SunPass.

• Although the nearby beach is public, it’s better suited for adults, not smaller children.

• The Skyway Fishing Pier State Park is a popular sunset viewing point.

• The Sunshine Skyway is open 24/7, though remember that it is always a busy, public road.

You drive onto the Sunshine Skyway Bridge from either side. As part of Interstate 275, you can access it headed south from St. Petersburg on I-275 or head north on I-75 from Sarasota and turn west onto the I-275 exit. It is not accessible via pedestrian walkways or bicycle lanes.

Except for closures for road work, accidents, or extreme weather like high wind speeds and hurricanes, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is open 24/7 all year. Peak traffic times are during rush hour in the mornings between 7:30 am and 9:30 am and between 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Come early, especially on weekends, if you want to visit the beach, state park, or pier, as limited parking is available.

Whether you’re driving across or spending time on the pier, it’s not always convenient to get a great photograph of the Skyway when you’re near it. East Beach is a great place for a photo op with the bridge in the background. Located south of St. Pete Beach in Fort De Soto Park, East Beach showcases the Sunshine Skyway against a vast open sky and blue waters.

Yes, you can fish from the piers that are accessible from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. These piers have dedicated parking lots and are family friendly. There’s a price to access the piers, but they close at sunset. All Florida residents and visitors need a fishing license to cast a line.

Because the Sunshine Skyway Bridge runs north and south, you can see both sunrises and sunsets from the bridge, and because it’s also on the western-facing portion of Florida’s Gulf Coast, it’s an ideal place to watch the sunset. You can also see rockets launch when skies are clear.

Yes, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge has engineering significance, but it’s not an attraction as much as it is a landmark. The drive across is usually fast and it’s more convenient to get between Tampa and Bradenton than taking I-65 to I-4, which is worth it for the time and gas it saves.

No, unfortunately you can’t—all cyclists and pedestrians must find a different route across Lower Tampa Bay. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a toll road that only permits vehicular traffic. However, there are small beaches and piers where drivers can stop and safely get out of their cars for photographs.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge connects the Bradenton/Palmetto area to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, which is four miles (6.4 kilometers). It usually takes between five and ten minutes to drive across the bridge, though that time may increase if there is heavy traffic congestion or car accidents present.

Yes, although the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a year-round commuter roadway, access is restricted in certain circumstances. For instance, when winds in the area reach or exceed 40mph (64kph), the Sunshine Skyway Bridge can be closed by state officials. High winds can happen at any time of the year.