Initially ending at Florida State Road 20 west of where they intersect today, SR 293 has served as a very important bypass to the Niceville community, and as a hurricane evacuation route.

SR 293 turns slightly east as it passes by Turnberry Harbor and Destin Middle School.

From here, SR 293 continues north, developing the name of the Walter Francis Spence Parkway as it sharply turns northeast at the Lakeshore Drive Interchange.

It extends for another two miles as a four-lane freeway, traveling northward around the Bluewater Bay community and intersects Florida State Road 20 with a single point urban interchange.

Motorists attempted to use local roadways as alternative routes to the delay, but the high demand for access created additional congestion.

Also, variable-message signs were placed north of Florida State Road 20 in summer 2017 to inform drivers that the exits provide local access only and are not to be used as detours.