Origin
Blythewood, SC
Morning in Blythewood on Sunday
Local time
7:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Blythewood, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 8m
Distance
150.3 mi
242 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 57m
★
6 AM
3h 9m
8 AM
3h 32m
10 AM
3h 17m
12 PM
3h 14m
3 PM
3h 18m
5 PM
3h 31m
8 PM
3h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Blythewood, SC
Colon Freld
Myrtle Beach, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Blythewood, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC is 150.3 miles and takes about 3h 8m via I 20 and US 501 Business, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, single-day drive primarily within South Carolina, moving from the state's interior towards the coast. Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of your journey, making it a practical choice for a quick getaway or an easy transit day. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient trip without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75.1 miles from Blythewood, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 66.9 mi | 1h 14m |
| US 501 Business | 41.9 mi | 55m |
| West Palmetto Street | 22.6 mi | 32m |
| Charles F Bolden Freeway | 11 mi | 12m |
| SC 576 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| US 501 | 2 mi | 3m |
| Blythewood Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Kings Highway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 66.9 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blythewood, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC.
1
Start on US 21
72 ft
·
5 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto Blythewood Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Blythewood Road
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 77 South: Columbia
4
Merge onto I 77
8.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Charles F Bolden Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Charles F Bolden Freeway
Toward I 77: Charleston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 16A
Toward I 20 East: Florence
Use the right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 20 East: Florence
8
Merge onto I 20
67 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto US 76
23 mi
·
32 min
·
West Palmetto Street
10
Continue on SC 576
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
SC 576
11
Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
42 mi
·
55 min
·
US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Use the left lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 501
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 501
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North
248 ft
·
14 sec
·
8th Avenue North
14
Turn right onto US 17 Business
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Kings Highway
15
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
198 ft
·
11 sec
·
5th Avenue North
16
Turn right
196 ft
·
14 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just over 3 hours, this trip offers excellent flexibility for departure. Leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach Myrtle Beach with daylight to spare, and you can easily make this a same-day excursion. The fuel cost is estimated at $24, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Blythewood, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is nearly 67 miles. While there's only one recommended stop, consider a brief pause for a stretch or a quick snack along I 20 to break up the drive.
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 75.1 miles from Blythewood, SC, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.9 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 33 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.1 miles or 1h 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 2h 30m
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 Blythewood, 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 Blythewood, SC
This is one driving day of about 150.3 miles and 3h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Blythewood, 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 66.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.1 miles from Blythewood, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 12.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 77 South: Columbia
Navigation decision point
Toward I 77 South: Columbia
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway
Merge onto I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
9.1 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway toward I 77: Charleston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 77: Charleston
7
12 mi into trip
|
~14m 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 16A
Toward I 20 East: Florence
5
12.7 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Florence
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 20 East: Florence
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.50 one way
$47.01 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $25.70 | $51.40 |
| premium | $4.70 | $27.82 | $55.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.18 | $66.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.1 | 0 | $15.78 | $7.21 |
| Efficient EV | 37.6 | 0 | $13.15 | $6.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.1 | 0 | $21.04 | $9.62 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Myrtle Beach, SC
Morning in Myrtle Beach on Sunday
Local time
7:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Florence, SC
75 mi in
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
3h 8m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 15.5
Caution: Burn Ban in Effect 4/17
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 83% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion on I 20, including a continuous stretch of 66.9 miles, offering a consistent pace. As you approach your destination, the route transitions onto US 501 Business and West Palmetto Street, introducing a more local road feel. While the majority of the drive is on high-speed roads, be prepared for a shift in environment and traffic patterns as you get closer to Myrtle Beach.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.9 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 501 Business. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 150.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.1 miles (I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 8m. Total distance: 150.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.9 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Myrtle Beach, SC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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 0.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.1 miles (I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Myrtle Beach, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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