Traffic in Sarasota: How to Get There with Less Stress

The main north-south arterial road in Sarasota is Tamiami Trail (US-41). It's convenient, because it offers easy access to many shops and service businesses. It's tiresome, because it can be busy, especially during season, and not very scenic, even though it's been designated a "Scenic Highway". Well, that's certainly true where it becomes Mound Street as it winds along the Sarasota Bayfront. It's breathtaking there. 

But from its intersection at Hwy 301, to Central Sarasota Parkway and further south, it's mostly commercial.

I like to avoid driving on 41, other than crossing it to get to the other side. And, fortunately, there are lots of parallel roads that will get you there more pleasantly. 

For instance, if you're heading from downtown Sarasota to Siesta Key, you can take Orange Avenue or Osprey Avenue south from Mound Street. (Orange Avenue actually merges with Osprey Avenue at Cunliff Lane/Boyce Street). Turn right from Osprey onto Siesta Drive for a beautiful drive over the Siesta Bridge to Bay Island and Siesta Key.

Or if you need to do some shopping at Gulf Gate or Sarasota Pavilion (intersection of Stickney Rd/Clark Rd and 41), you can head south on Shade Avenue. After the intersection at Bee Ridge Road, continue south until you have to make a right turn, go one block, then turn left onto Riverwood, through a pretty neighborhood, which takes you to Proctor Avenue. Right on Proctor takes you across 41 to the Landings Shopping Center or left on 41 to continue south on 41 to Gulf Gate & Sarasota Pavilion.

Tuttle Avenue, which becomes Swift Rd south of Bee Ridge Rd, is another handy way to parallel and avoid 41, although Tuttle can be busy in one or the other direction during rush hours.

Bahia Vista Street is a nice way to go west towards downtown. After you cross 41, on your way towards Osprey Avenue, it takes you through a beautiful old neighborhood called Avondale.

For another example, if you're heading to Walmart and Home Depot on Cattlemen, the busy-road route is Bee Ridge Road, which I also like to avoid. Instead, you can take Webber Road or Bahia Vista east to Cattlemen Road, then turn right on Cattlemen to get to those stores.

Taking the alternate roads gets you there in the same amount of time. It's just that you'll be more relaxed when you get there, and hopefully nourished by the leafy scenery on the way.