Mid-Bay Bridge, Toll bridge in Okaloosa County, Florida, United States
The Mid-Bay Bridge is a toll bridge in northern Florida that links Niceville to Destin by crossing Choctawhatchee Bay. It runs along State Road 293 and passes over the Intracoastal Waterway as it crosses the bay.
The bridge opened in 1993 and gave the Okaloosa County area its first direct road link between the inland and the coastal communities. It was built in response to growing traffic pressure along the Emerald Coast.
Crossing the bridge marks a clear shift from the quieter inland town of Niceville to the busier beach side of Destin. Many locals make this crossing regularly as part of their daily routine, especially during the summer season.
Drivers should be ready to pay a toll, with options available for both cash and electronic payment. Crossing outside peak times, particularly on summer weekends and holidays, helps avoid longer waits.
The bridge is designated as an official evacuation route during hurricanes, and when that happens the toll collection is suspended so vehicles can move through without stopping. This makes it one of the few toll bridges in Florida where the fee can disappear overnight based on weather alerts.
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