Traveling from Belton to Myrtle Beach covers 250.3 miles across the South Carolina interior to the coast. You should anticipate roughly 5 hours and 6 minutes of driving time, making this a manageable journey to complete in a single day. The route primarily utilizes I-20, I-26, and US 501 Business to navigate the state. Budgeting about $40 for fuel will get you from the Upstate region to the Atlantic shoreline comfortably. While the trip is straightforward enough to tackle in one go, planning for at least one stop will keep you refreshed behind the wheel. It is an efficient way to transition from the inland areas to the beach without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
125.1 miles from Belton, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
79.4 mi
1h 29m
I 26
55.2 mi
1h
US 501 Business
41.9 mi
55m
Golden Strip Freeway
22.9 mi
24m
West Palmetto Street
22.6 mi
32m
Highway 418
9.9 mi
14m
Cooley Bridge Road
5.6 mi
8m
Highway 247
3.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 79.4 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belton, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC.
1
Start on Breazeale Street
79 ft·4 sec·Breazeale Street
2
Continue on SC 247
1.3 mi·2 min·River Street
3
Continue on SC 247
3.6 mi·4 min·Highway 247
4
Continue on SC 247
5.6 mi·8 min·Cooley Bridge Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 25
0.1 mi·13 sec·Augusta Road
6
Turn right onto SC 418
9.9 mi·14 min·Highway 418
7
Continue on SC 418
1.3 mi·2 min·Milacron Drive
8
Continue on SC 418
0.2 mi·19 sec·McCarter Road
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
10
Merge onto I 385
23 mi·24 min·Golden Strip Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 26
55 mi·1 hr·I 26
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 107BToward I 20 East: FlorenceUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto I 20
79 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto US 76
23 mi·32 min·West Palmetto Street
15
Continue on SC 576
3.1 mi·3 min·SC 576
16
Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
42 mi·55 min·US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Use the left lane.
17
Turn straight onto US 501
2.0 mi·3 min·US 501
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North
248 ft·14 sec·8th Avenue North
19
Turn right onto US 17 Business
0.3 mi·40 sec·North Kings Highway
20
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
198 ft·11 sec·5th Avenue North
21
Turn right
196 ft·14 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan to depart early in the morning to navigate interstate traffic with ease. Since the total duration is just over five hours, one well-timed stop is all you really need to recharge and stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer stretches, though your $40 budget should be more than sufficient for the trip. Because you are relying heavily on I-20 and I-26, check for potential construction or delays before you leave Belton. Taking advantage of the flexibility this one-day route offers allows you to hit the beach by the afternoon, provided you stay consistent with your travel pace.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 125.1 miles from Belton, SC, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 55 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.1 miles or 2h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Myrtle Beach, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Belton, SC so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Belton, SC
This is one driving day of about 250.3 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Belton, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 79.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.4 and 249.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
22.4 mi into trip|~33m in|I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway
Merge onto I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
45.3 mi into trip|~58m in|I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
100.4 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 107B
Toward I 20 East: Florence
5
100.7 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
249.9 mi into trip|~5h 4m in|US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Turn right onto US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.14 one way
$78.28 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$42.80
$85.59
premium
$4.70
$46.33
$92.65
diesel
$5.61
$55.26
$110.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.1
0
$26.28
$12.01
Efficient EV
62.6
0
$21.90
$10.01
EV Truck/SUV
100.1
1
$35.04
$16.02
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Belton, SC
Night
in Belton on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Myrtle Beach, SC
Night
in Myrtle Beach on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 6m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Congaree National Park
National Park
Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Waters from the Congaree and...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 112.2
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
Park Closure: Boardwalk Partially Closed for Construction
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 87% of your trek stays on major thoroughfares. The road feels like a consistent interstate grind, allowing you to maintain steady speeds for most of the transit. You will tackle a significant 79.4-mile stretch on I-20, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the drive. As you transition from the initial highway segments onto US 501 Business, the character of the road shifts from fast-paced interstate travel to more localized traffic flow. This mix ensures you spend the majority of your time cruising, with only the final leg requiring a change in your driving pace.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.4 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 26. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 22.4 miles in near I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 250.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 22.4 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.3 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 250.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.4 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.4 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.3 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Myrtle Beach, SC before the return drive.
