Best day to leave Tampa/St Pete’s ?

Question

We are snowbirds and wondering what traffic is like leaving FL April 1? Will it die down if we wait til April 2?

Answer

Leaving Tampa or St. Pete’s around April 1 can be challenging for snowbirds and spring travelers. Early April coincides with the tail end of spring break for many schools and colleges, which means heavier traffic on major highways like I-275, I-75, and US-19, especially on Fridays and weekends. Snowbirds returning north may also be contributing to congestion around this time.

If you have flexibility, waiting until April 2 could make your drive smoother:

April 1 (Tuesday–Wednesday in 2025): Likely still busy with spring break travelers leaving the area or heading to airports, especially in mid-morning to late afternoon.
April 2 (Wednesday–Thursday): Traffic usually begins to ease as spring breakers return to their home states or finish vacations earlier in the week. Midweek departures tend to be less congested than weekend or Monday/Tuesday travel.

Other tips to consider:

Try leaving early in the morning, before 7 am, to avoid the bulk of traffic around Tampa and St. Petersburg.
Check live traffic apps (Google Maps, Waze) the day of your departure to find the fastest route and avoid delays.
Consider taking less common routes like US-301 or I-4 eastbound depending on your final destination to bypass high-traffic zones.
Weekday departures after rush hour, around 10 am or later, may still be lighter than the main spring break weekend exodus.

In summary, April 2 is generally a better choice for leaving Tampa/St. Pete’s if you want to avoid the peak of spring break congestion. Early departures or mid-morning midweek departures usually offer the smoothest travel experience.