Florida has more than 11,00 miles of coastline. Much of it is covered with condos and hotels but there are still stretches where manatees, bald eagles, and even black bears can be found. Some of the best costal roads are found in an area known as the Nature Coast which stretches from Pasco to Wakulla counties along the Gulf Coast. 

We've selected four coastal byways which run westward from US 19/98. The Ozello Trail is the curviest of the group while you can swim with the manatees at the end of CR 44. Yankeetown was founded in 1923 by a policeman from Indiana and Cedar Key, which was once a small fishing village, is now a tourist getaway desination. 

Road Name - Direction - Miles

1. Start in Crystal River at intersection of US 19/98 and Ozello Trail
2. CR 494/W Ozello Trail - West - 9.2 Miles
3. Ride to bridge at Peck's and return to US 19 - 9.2 Miles
4. US 19/98 - Left (north) - 1.9 Miles
5. CR 44 - Left (west) - 9.2 Miles
6. Ride to boat launch and return to US 19 - 9.2 Miles
7. US 19/98 - Left (north) - 13.2 Miles
8. CR 40 - Left (West) - 7.3 Miles
9. Ride to Yankeetown and return to US 19 - 7.3 Miles
10. US 19/98 - Left (north) - 22.5 Miles
11. SR 24 - Left (west) - 21.4 Miles
12. Now that you're in Cedar Key, relax and enjoy yourself

The Interstate highways will get you up and down the peninsular part of Florida quickly on either coast but the good riding is smack dab in the middle of the state. This ride from Okeechobee to Ocala is a backroad honey hole and includes portions of three designated Scenic Byways; The Ridge is at the start, The Green Mountain winds along Lake Apopka, and the Florida Black Bear takes you through the Ocala National Forest. Ride the full route or pick out a slice along the way to enjoy.

Road Name - Direction - Miles

1. Start in Okeechobee at intersection of SR 70 and US 98
2. US 98 - North 42.2 Miles
3. US 98/US 27 - Right 20.6 Miles
4. SR 17/N Scenic Hwy - Right - 35.0 Miles
5. E Hinson Ave - Right - 0.3 Miles
6. US 17/US 92/SR 700 - Left - 4.1 Miles
7. Magnolia St - Left - 0.1 Miles
8. Polk 547/Lee Jackson Hwy - Right - 6.3 Miles
9. Ron Reagan Pkwy/Polk 54 - Left - 3.7 Miles
10. Champions Gate Blvd - Right - 0.4 Miles
11. Masters Blvd - Left - 0.8 Miles
12. S Goodman Rd - Straight - 4.9 Miles
13. Westside Rd - Right - 2.0 Miles
14. CR 545/Avalon Rd - Right - 16.3 Miles
15. Tildenville School Rd - Straight - 0.3 Miles
16. SR 438/Oakland Ave - Left - 3.1 Miles
17. SR 438 - Right - 0.4 Miles
18. Old County Rd 50 - Straight - 1.9 Miles
19. CR 455 = Straight - .3 Miles
20. CR 455 - Left - 5.5 Miles
21. Traffic Circle straight on CR 455 - 1.7 Miles
22. CR 561 - Right - 8.7 Miles
23. SR 19 - Right - 2.0 Miles
24. SR 19/44/500 Burleigh - Right - 3.0 Miles
25. Ramp for SR 19 - Right - 0.2 Miles
26. SR 19/Bay St - Left - 1.7 Miles
27. SGrove St - Straight - 1.1 Miles
28. SR 19 N - Straight - 22.4 Miles
29. SR 40 - Left - 32.0 Miles
30. Ending point is Ocala

Want strawberries? Go to Plant City. Want spring water? Then it's Zephyrhills. Want a great ride? Follow this route from P-City to Z-hills and back again.

Road Name - Direction - Miles

1. Start in Plant City - Intersection of Baker St E & N Wheeler St
2. N Wheeler St - North - 2.2 Miles
3. Sam Allen Road W - Left - 9.9 Miles
4. Becomes Thonotosassa Rd
5. Taylor Rd - Right - 0.5 Miles
6. Knights Griffin Rd - Right - 18.4 Miles
7. N Galloway Rd - Left - 1.3 Miles
8. Kathleen Rd - Left - 5.3 Miles
9. Socrum Loop Rd - Bear Right - 0.3 Miles
10. Old Dade City Rd - Left - 8.2 Miles
11. US 98 - Left - 0.2 Miles
12. CR 54 - Left - 4.4 Miles
13. Old Lakeland Hwy - Right - 3.4 Miles
14. US 98 - Left - 2.8 Miles
15. US 98/US 301- Bear Right - 0.3 Miles
16. Clinton Ave - Left - 3.1 Miles
17. Prospect Rd - Left - 3.8 Miles
18. Curley Rd - Left - 5.9 Miles
19. SR 54 - Left - 4.4 Miles
20. Morris Bridge Rd - Right - 0.7 Miles
21. Chancey Rd - Left - 4.4 Miles
22. SR 39/Buchman Hwy - Right - 13.6 Miles
23. Return to Start

We'll cross that bridge when we come to it and this ride has you crossing all five of Tampa Bay's bridges. This route features some of the best the area has to offer; the palm-lined beaches along the Courtney Campbell Causeway, the unrivaled view from atop the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, the magnificent mansions along Bayshore Boulevard, and the old Florida scenery along US 41. We started our ride in Clearwater, but feel free to pick your own starting point.

Road Name- Direction - Miles

1. Start at the Intersection of SR 60 and McMullen Booth Rd
2. SR 60/Gulf to Bay - East - 4.0 Miles
3. SR 50/Courtney Campbell - Straight - 7.8 Miles
4. Follow signs to I-275 St Petersburg
5. 1-275 - South - 36.6 Miles
6. Sunshine Skyway toll is $1.50 or uses your SunPass
7. Exit 2/US 41 North - North - 28.6 Miles
8. Causeway Blvd - Left - 3.7 Miles
9. SR 60/Adamo Dr - Left - 0.7 Miles
10. Channelside Drive - Left - 0.7 Miles
11. Construction on the Water Street Project may
12. require
13. some detours to get to Bayshore Blvd.
14. Traffic circle/Channelside - Right - 0.3 Miles
15. Union Station St - Right - 0.2 Miles
16. E Borein/e Cumberland - Straight - 0.5 Miles
17. Bayshore Blvd - Left - 4.4 Miles
18. W Gandy Blvd - Right - 12.6 Miles
19. US 19 North - Right - 1.6 Miles
20. CR 611/49th Street - Right - 6.6 Miles
21. Return to the Start.

This ride starts in Apollo Beach and winds southward to Ellenton and back. The roads are mostly flat and straight with new subdivisions crowding out the farmland. At the southern end of this ride is a host of restaurants and such around the outlet mall. Enjoy a break before heading back out into the countryside for the return ride. 

Road Name - Direction - Miles

1. Start at Intersection of US 41 and Big Bend Rd
2. US 41 - South - 15.8 Miles
3. Buckeye Rd - Left - 8.6 Miles
4. US 301 - Right - 3.0 Miles
5. Moccasin Wallow Rd - Right - 6.2 Miles
6. 36" Ave/Ellenton/Gillette - Left - 5.4 Miles
7. US 301 - Left - 3.6 Miles
8. Old Tampa Rd - Right - 3.3 Miles
9. Fort Hamer Rd - Left - 0.6 Miles
10. Golf Course Rd - Right - 3.4 Miles
11. N Rye Rd - Left - 0.5 Miles
12. CR 675/Rutland Rd - Left - 2.8 Miles
13. Spencer Parrish Rd - Right - 0.8 Miles
14. SR 62 - Right - 7.3 Miles
15. Saffold Rd - Left - 7.3 Miles
16. Saffold Rd/Dug Creek - Left - 4.8 Miles
17. US 301 - Right - 3.6 Miles
18. Big Bend Rd - Left - 8.2 Miles
19. Return to starting point