Fountain Inn, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC is 228.3 miles and takes about 4h 34m via I 20, I 26, and US 501 Business, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within South Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip that can easily be completed in one day. Given the relatively short duration, you'll have plenty of flexibility for when you want to depart and how often you wish to stop.
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
114.2 miles from Fountain Inn, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m 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
West Palmetto Street
22.6 mi
32m
SC 14
21.2 mi
22m
SC 576
3.1 mi
3m
US 501
2 mi
3m
South Main Street
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 79.4 mi, about 1h 29m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 68 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,135 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,621
Quietest
2 AM
~168 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fountain Inn, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC.
1
Start on SC 14
1.1 mi·2 min·South Main Street
2
Continue on SC 14
0.9 mi·1 min·Laurens Road
3
Take the ramp onto SC 14
21 mi·22 min·SC 14
Use the slight right lane.
4
Merge onto I 26
55 mi·1 hr·I 26
Use the slight right lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 107BToward I 20 East: FlorenceUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 20
79 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn left onto US 76
23 mi·32 min·West Palmetto Street
8
Continue on SC 576
3.1 mi·3 min·SC 576
9
Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
42 mi·55 min·US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Use the left lane.
10
Turn straight onto US 501
2.0 mi·3 min·US 501
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North
248 ft·14 sec·8th Avenue North
12
Turn right onto US 17 Business
0.3 mi·40 sec·North Kings Highway
13
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
198 ft·11 sec·5th Avenue North
14
Turn right
196 ft·14 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this one-day trip, consider an early morning departure from Fountain Inn to bypass potential traffic. With a total drive time of under 5 hours, you likely won't need more than one significant stop for fuel or a meal. The longest continuous driving segment is 79.4 miles on I 20, so plan your break around that if you prefer. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $35 budget is an estimate and prices can fluctuate, especially on longer highway stretches. The shift to US 501 Business will require more active navigation due to increased intersections.
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 114.2 miles from Fountain Inn, SC, or about 2h 7m 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 50 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.2 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 37m
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 Fountain Inn, 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 Fountain Inn, SC
This is one driving day of about 228.3 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Fountain Inn, 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.3 and 228.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
23.3 mi into trip|~26m in|I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
78.5 mi into trip|~1h 26m 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
78.8 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
228 mi into trip|~4h 33m in|US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Turn right onto US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Navigation decision point
5
228.2 mi into trip|~4h 33m in|5th Avenue North
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.98 one way
$69.96 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$38.39
$76.78
premium
$4.64
$41.68
$83.36
diesel
$5.60
$50.32
$100.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.5
0
$23.97
$10.96
Efficient EV
57.1
0
$19.98
$9.13
EV Truck/SUV
91.3
1
$31.96
$14.61
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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 Aug 10, 2026
Origin
Fountain Inn, SC
Evening
in Fountain Inn on Friday
Local time
7:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
WSW 8 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued August 10 at 4:05PM EDT until August 10 at 5:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 10 at 3:58PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Destination
Myrtle Beach, SC
Evening
in Myrtle Beach on Friday
Local time
7:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued August 10 at 4:05PM EDT until August 10 at 5:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 10 at 3:58PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
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
6 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
4h 34m 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 94.5
Caution: Being Prepared for Excessive Heat & Humidity
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is 89% highway, so expect to spend most of your time on interstates. You'll encounter a long stretch of 79.4 miles on I 20 before transitioning. The final part of your drive shifts to US 501 Business, which will introduce more traffic signals and exits as you approach your destination. This segment is where the highway profile ends and you'll be navigating more local traffic.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 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 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 23.3 miles in near I 26.
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 228.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 23.3 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Fountain Inn is a suburban city southeast of the city of Greenville in the Upcountry of South Carolina. Fountain Inn is primarily a commuter town of Greenville, but does have a decent collection of restaurants and boutique shops. The population was estimated at 7,800 in 2010.
Top landmarks
•Cannon Building — building in South Carolina, United States
•Fountain Inn High School — high school in Fountain Inn, South Carolina, United States
•McDowell House — house in Fountain Inn, South Carolina
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.
Top landmarks
•Waikiki Village Motel — Historic motel in South Carolina
•Chesterfield Inn — Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, listed on the NRHP, now demolished
•Myrtle Beach Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Station — historic train station located at Myrtle Beach in Horry County, South Carolina
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 228.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m 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 79.4 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 23.3 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Myrtle Beach, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
