This 101.7-mile drive from Cheraw, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes. With 89% of the route on highways, you'll find it to be a primarily highway-focused experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $16, making it an economical option for reaching the coast. This route is perfect for a single day's travel, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. Given its relatively short duration and straightforward path, you won't need to worry about overnight stays.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.9 miles from Cheraw, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 501 Business
41.6 mi
55m
State Highway 38
21.7 mi
29m
US 501
14.2 mi
17m
US 1
13 mi
14m
Blenheim Highway
4.5 mi
6m
Cottingham Boulevard North
2.3 mi
2m
Broad Street
1.4 mi
2m
Harris Street
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 501 Business
— 41.6 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cheraw, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC.
1
Start on US 1; US 52; SC 9
0.4 mi·53 sec·2nd Street
2
Turn right onto US 1; SC 9
13 mi·14 min·US 1; SC 9
3
Turn right onto SC 9; SC 38
2.3 mi·2 min·Cottingham Boulevard North
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 15; US 401; SC 9; SC 38
0.9 mi·1 min·Harris Street
5
Turn right onto Broad Street
1.4 mi·2 min·Broad Street
6
Continue on State Highway 38
0.8 mi·1 min·State Highway 38
7
Continue on State Highway 38
4.5 mi·6 min·Blenheim Highway
8
Continue on South Main Street
0.9 mi·1 min·South Main Street
9
Continue on SC 38
21 mi·28 min·State Highway 38
10
Continue on US 501
12 mi·13 min·US 501
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·50 sec
12
Keep slight left at fork
129 ft·5 sec
13
Turn left onto US 501 Business
42 mi·55 min·US 501 Business
Use the left lane.
14
Turn straight onto US 501
2.0 mi·3 min·US 501
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North
248 ft·14 sec·8th Avenue North
16
Turn right onto US 17 Business
0.3 mi·40 sec·North Kings Highway
17
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
198 ft·11 sec·5th Avenue North
18
Turn right
196 ft·14 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 14-minute journey, departing in the morning will help you beat any potential traffic as you approach Myrtle Beach. Since it's a relatively short 101.7-mile trip with no specified stops, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $16, and plan a quick gas stop if needed. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the longest stretch of 41.6 miles on US 501 Business; ensure you have your navigation set correctly before entering this segment to maintain your momentum.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50.9 miles from Cheraw, SC, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.6 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 22 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.9 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 48m
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 Cheraw, 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 Cheraw, SC
This is one driving day of about 101.7 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Cheraw, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 501 Business for about 41.6 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.7 and 101.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
15.7 mi into trip|~18m in|US 15; US 401; SC 9; SC 38 / Harris Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 15; US 401; SC 9; SC 38 / Harris Street
Navigation decision point
4
16.6 mi into trip|~19m in|Broad Street
Turn right onto Broad Street
Navigation decision point
5
101.4 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Turn right onto US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Navigation decision point
5
101.6 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|5th Avenue North
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
5
101.7 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.90 one way
$31.81 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$17.39
$34.78
premium
$4.70
$18.82
$37.65
diesel
$5.61
$22.45
$44.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.5
0
$10.68
$4.88
Efficient EV
25.4
0
$8.90
$4.07
EV Truck/SUV
40.7
0
$14.24
$6.51
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (67% 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 21, 2026
Origin
Cheraw, SC
Late night
in Cheraw on Tuesday
Local time
4:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Myrtle Beach, SC
Late night
in Myrtle Beach on Tuesday
Local time
4:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
85°F
Marion, SC
51 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
23 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 14m 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?
The majority of this drive, 89% to be exact, is spent on highways, offering a consistent and efficient travel experience. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 41.6 miles on US 501 Business, providing a solid block of highway driving. While primarily highway-focused, the route incorporates sections of State Highway 38 and US 501, offering a slight variation in scenery and road type. Expect a steady pace for most of the journey, with minimal interruptions as you make your way towards the coast.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.6 mi on US 501 Business.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 501 Business and State Highway 38. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 15.7 miles in near US 15; US 401; SC 9; SC 38 / Harris Street.
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 101.7 miles you will encounter 11 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 15.7 miles (US 15; US 401; SC 9; SC 38 / Harris Street): Navigation decision point; at 16.6 miles (Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 101.4 miles (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point.
Myrtle Beach is a major tourist destination and the central focus of the Grand Strand coast of South Carolina. It is widely known for its wide beaches, numerous golf courses, seafood restaurants, and outlet-style shopping, as well as one of the highest concentrations of miniature golf courses you'll find anywhere. A popular spring break destination, Myrtle Beach is heavily developed and crowded, in contrast to other Southern beaches, such as the Outer Banks in North Carolina, and attracts a lot of tourists from other Southern states or "Snowbirds" from the North, who may own a condominium or timeshare along the coast.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 101.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.6 miles on US 501 Business. 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 15.7 miles (US 15; US 401; SC 9; SC 38 / Harris Street): Navigation decision point; at 16.6 miles (Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 101.4 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.
