Florida Governor Signs Bill to Rename State Road 80 as 'President Donald J. Trump Highway'

The new designation will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:10pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, abstract painting of a winding highway in warm, vibrant colors, with the faint outline of a presidential seal hovering above, conceptually representing the political nature of renaming a major Florida road.The renaming of State Road 80 as 'President Donald J. Trump Highway' is a politically-charged move that will leave a lasting imprint on Florida's infrastructure.Tallahassee Today

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill to rename State Road 80 as the 'President Donald J. Trump Highway'. The new designation will go into effect on July 1, 2026. The bill also renames Tallahassee International Airport as the 'Bobby Bowden Tallahassee International Airport'.

Why it matters

The renaming of State Road 80 to honor former President Trump is seen as a politically-charged move by the Republican governor, as Trump remains a divisive figure. The decision to rename the airport after legendary Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden is less controversial and aimed at recognizing his significant contributions to the state.

The details

Governor DeSantis signed the bill into law during a public ceremony. The new highway designation will apply to the 80-mile stretch of road that runs from Palm Beach County to Hendry County in southwest Florida. The airport name change will also take effect on July 1, 2026.

  • The bill was signed into law on April 15, 2026.
  • The new highway and airport names will take effect on July 1, 2026.

The players

Ron DeSantis

The current Governor of Florida, a Republican who has been a vocal supporter of former President Trump.

Donald J. Trump

The 45th President of the United States, whose name will now be attached to a major Florida highway.

Bobby Bowden

The legendary former head football coach of Florida State University, who will have Tallahassee's airport named after him.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“President Trump's legacy will live on through this highway, which will serve as a constant reminder of his tremendous impact on our state and nation.”

— Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida

What’s next

The new highway and airport names will officially take effect on July 1, 2026.

The takeaway

This decision to rename major Florida infrastructure after political figures is likely to be a divisive one, as it injects partisan politics into public spaces. While honoring the legacy of a former president or legendary coach may have merit, the move also raises questions about the appropriate role of politics in such naming decisions.