Drive from Tampa airport to Hudson FL

Question

Can anyone tell me how bad the traffic and route is to to from the airport to Gulf Island Beach and tennis club on a Tuesday at around 5:30 PM?

Will be me my niece and great niece so kind of leary of the rush hour and the traffic

Answer

The drive from Tampa International Airport (TPA) to Gulf Island Beach & Tennis Club in Hudson, FL is roughly 40–45 miles and typically takes about 50–60 minutes without heavy traffic. However, leaving at around 5:30 PM on a Tuesday coincides with the Tampa Bay area’s evening rush hour, which can significantly affect travel time.

Traffic considerations:

Primary Route: The most common route is via I-275 North to US-19 North. This is a direct route but I-275 through Tampa can get quite congested during peak hours, particularly near downtown Tampa and over the Howard Frankland Bridge if heading toward the Pinellas side before connecting to US-19.
Alternative Route: Another option is to use FL-60 West toward Clearwater and then merge onto US-19 North. This can sometimes avoid downtown congestion but adds a few miles, and local traffic can still slow you down.
Traffic Expectations: On a typical Tuesday around 5:30 PM, you should expect moderate-to-heavy traffic on I-275 through Tampa. Congestion often eases after 6:30–7:00 PM. The US-19 segment north of Tampa is usually lighter but watch for bottlenecks near major intersections and shopping areas in Clearwater and New Port Richey.

Recommendations for a smoother drive:

Allow extra time, plan for 75–90 minutes in case of heavy traffic.
Use a GPS or traffic app like Google Maps or Waze; they provide real-time traffic updates and can reroute around slowdowns.
If possible, consider leaving slightly earlier, around 4:45–5:00 PM, to avoid the worst of the congestion.
Stay alert for merging traffic, especially near exits and on US-19 where local drivers frequently change lanes.

Overall, the drive is manageable but expect typical Tampa Bay rush hour conditions. With three passengers and luggage, it’s best to plan for a relaxed departure time and keep an eye on live traffic updates to avoid frustration.