Guides to renting and driving in Tampa
What things actually cost, what the rules actually are, and where to park when you get there.
Dunedin and Tarpon Springs: the day trip north
Two towns, a causeway to one of the best beaches in the state, and a Greek sponge dock. About forty minutes north of Clearwater and worth the whole day.
The Sunshine Skyway toll: what it costs and how it gets paid
How tolling works on the Skyway and the Bayway in a rental car, why the bill can arrive weeks later, and how to avoid the administrative fee that comes with it.
Can you get around St. Petersburg without a car?
Downtown St. Pete is genuinely walkable, which is unusual for Florida. Everything past it is not. An honest look at where the line falls.
The Gulf beaches drive: Clearwater down to Pass-a-Grille
Roughly twenty-five miles of barrier island, six or seven distinct beaches, and one road. What each stop is actually like and how long the drive really takes.
Parking at St. Pete Beach without losing an hour to it
Where the public lots actually are, what they cost, and the times of day when arriving without a plan means circling. A practical guide, not a list of addresses.
Parking in Ybor City and downtown Tampa: what to know before you drive in
Historic streets, a working streetcar, and parking that rewards knowing the area over guessing. What actually works for a visitor with a rental car.
Renting a car for spring training in the Tampa Bay area
The Grapefruit League parks its teams across four separate cities around the bay. One rental car and a real plan for the drive beats relying on getting a ride to each one.
Renting a car in Florida during hurricane season: what to actually know
June through November, every year. It rarely changes your trip, and it's still worth knowing what a rental company can and can't do if a storm does.
Flat rate or pay-per-mile? How Tampa car rental pricing actually works
Two pricing models, one real question: will the number on the counter receipt match the number on the website. Here is how to tell before you book.
Renting a car at St. Pete–Clearwater (PIE): what to expect
PIE is small, and that is the whole point. What arrivals actually looks like, how it compares to flying into Tampa, and when the smaller airport is the better call.
Renting a car after landing at Tampa airport: what to expect
The rental centre is not your only option, and the difference shows up in the queue as much as the price.
Choosing an SUV for a Florida family road trip
Boot space matters more than seat count, and the third row you think you need usually is not the answer.
Do you need a rental car in Tampa? An honest answer
For a downtown conference, probably not. For anything involving a beach, almost certainly. How to tell which trip you are having.
What to bring when you collect a rental car in Florida
Three things, and one of them catches people out more than the other two combined.
Driving to Clearwater Beach from Tampa: parking, tolls and timing
Forty-five minutes on a good day and considerably more on a sunny Saturday. When to leave, which route, and where to actually park.
Monthly car rental vs leasing: which is cheaper under a year?
Under about twelve months, monthly rental usually wins once you count a lease deposit and its exit terms. Past that, leasing pulls ahead.
Renting a car at 21 in Florida: the rules, the fees, and what is actually allowed
Florida law lets you rent at 18. Most companies will not. What the young-driver surcharge is for, and what to check before you book.
Pickup truck rental vs U-Haul for a Tampa move: the real maths
Per-mile pricing wins on short local moves. Flat pricing wins as soon as the day involves real driving. Here is where the line actually falls.