Traveling from Camden to Myrtle Beach covers 118.3 miles across the Southeast, making for a straightforward 2-hour and 32-minute journey. Because the total time is quite manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach the coast without needing an overnight split. You should budget approximately $19 for fuel to complete the transit. The drive primarily utilizes I-20 and US-501 Business, providing a direct link between the interior of South Carolina and the Atlantic shoreline. It is a practical, efficient path for travelers looking to prioritize speed and arrival time over a wandering, scenic detour.
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
59.1 miles from Camden, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
45.4 mi
50m
US 501 Business
41.9 mi
55m
West Palmetto Street
22.6 mi
32m
SC 576
3.1 mi
3m
US 501
2 mi
3m
Sumter Highway
1.4 mi
1m
Broad Street
1.1 mi
2m
North Kings Highway
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 45.4 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camden, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC.
1
Start on US 521; US 601
1.1 mi·2 min·Broad Street
2
Continue on US 521
1.4 mi·1 min·Sumter Highway
3
Turn left
0.3 mi·43 sec
4
Merge onto I 20
45 mi·50 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Turn left onto US 76
23 mi·32 min·West Palmetto Street
6
Continue on SC 576
3.1 mi·3 min·SC 576
7
Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
42 mi·55 min·US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Use the left lane.
8
Turn straight onto US 501
2.0 mi·3 min·US 501
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North
248 ft·14 sec·8th Avenue North
10
Turn right onto US 17 Business
0.3 mi·40 sec·North Kings Highway
11
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
198 ft·11 sec·5th Avenue North
12
Turn right
196 ft·14 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the trip is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for one strategic stop will help break up the drive comfortably. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early on, as the $19 estimate is based on typical transit conditions along the route. Because you are heading toward a popular coastal destination, consider checking traffic reports before turning onto US-501 Business to avoid potential bottlenecks near the coast. Use your single planned stop to stretch your legs after the initial 45.4-mile interstate stretch. Being mindful of these transitions will ensure your arrival in Myrtle Beach remains stress-free.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59.1 miles from Camden, SC, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.4 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 26 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.1 miles or 1h 11m 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 2m
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 Camden, 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 Camden, SC
This is one driving day of about 118.3 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Camden, 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 45.4 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 118.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
2.4 mi into trip|~4m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
2.8 mi into trip|~5m in|I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
117.9 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Turn right onto US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Navigation decision point
5
118.2 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|5th Avenue North
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
5
118.3 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.50 one way
$37.00 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.23
$40.45
premium
$4.70
$21.89
$43.79
diesel
$5.61
$26.12
$52.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.5
0
$12.42
$5.68
Efficient EV
29.6
0
$10.35
$4.73
EV Truck/SUV
47.3
0
$16.56
$7.57
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Camden, SC
Late night
in Camden on Sunday
Local time
4:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Myrtle Beach, SC
Late night
in Myrtle Beach on Sunday
Local time
4:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Marion, SC
59 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
2h 32m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive is dominated by fast-paced travel, with 78% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a mix of interstate efficiency and local navigation as you transition onto West Palmetto Street. The longest uninterrupted stretch lasts for 45.4 miles while you are on I-20, offering a consistent rhythm before you eventually shift into the more localized traffic patterns of the coastal approach. Expect a transition from the inland landscape to the busier corridors leading into Myrtle Beach. It is a functional, no-nonsense route designed to get you to your destination with minimal fuss.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.4 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 501 Business. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Camden, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC is easy. At 2h 32m with 78% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.9 miles (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 118.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 45.4 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.9 miles (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Myrtle Beach, SC before heading back.
