By Blake Guthrie
Gulf Shores, Alabama
First-time travelers to the
beaches of Northwest Florida who want to get to the beaches of Southeast Alabama often find themselves struggling with the road map to find the way. This is because there is no bridge that crosses the mouth of Pensacola Bay, thereby interrupting the continuous flow of scenic coastal highways the rest of the Emerald Coast in Florida offers. Travelers must make an extended detour from Pensacola
beach--through the city of Pensacola--to get to the sugar white sand beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Instructions
Difficulty: Easy
Things You'll Need:
- $1 for bridge toll
- $1 for bridge toll
Step 1
Make sure you don't have the city of Pensacola confused with the nearby community of Pensacola Beach. Pensacola Beach is located on Santa Rosa Island on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico; the city of Pensacola is located approximately 10 miles to the northwest on the shore of Pensacola Bay.
Step 2
Head northwest on State Highway 399 from Pensacola Beach to merge with U.S. Highway 98, which will take you into the city of Pensacola. You will cross two long bridges on the way into Pensacola, the first of which will require a $1 toll.
Step 3
Follow the signs for U.S. 98 BR once you are across the bay bridge and in Pensacola. BR stands for beach route. If the signs for 98 are missing the BR signification or seem confusing, turn left at the intersection with N. Alcaniz St. on 98 after the long bay bridge, not right.
Step 4
Continue on U.S. 98 BR for about three and a half miles. Look for the signs for State Highway 292. Take a slight left onto Barrancas Avenue (which is Highway 292).
Step 5
Continue on Highway 292 for about 17 miles. At this point, you will cross the state line from Florida into Alabama; Highway 292 will become Alabama State Highway 182. Continue on the same highway. Approximately 11 miles later you will be in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Resources
About the Author:
Blake Guthrie has been a professional journalist since 1996. His articles have been featured in the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution," "Creative Loafing" and on Travels.com. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications from Auburn University.
Photo Credits:
Jody B.
