Traveling from Gaffney to Myrtle Beach covers approximately 249.8 miles and typically requires about 4 hours and 16 minutes of driving time. Because this journey stays entirely within South Carolina, you will remain in the Southeast region for the duration of your trip. Budget roughly $39 for fuel to complete this distance. Given the total duration, this route is perfectly manageable as a one-day trip, though you might choose to add an overnight stay if you prefer a more leisurely pace. Since the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you should prepare for a drive that demands your full attention.
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
110.5 miles from Gaffney, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 501 Business
41.9 mi
55m
Pageland Highway
19.5 mi
22m
East Palmetto Street
18.9 mi
24m
State Hwy 151 Bypass
18.2 mi
20m
West Bobo Newsome Highway
15.1 mi
21m
State Highway 151
10 mi
12m
Black Highway
9.6 mi
11m
Catawba River Road
8.8 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
US 501 Business
— 41.9 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gaffney, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC.
1
Start on SC 150
111 ft·4 sec·South Limestone Street
2
Continue on SC 150
0.5 mi·1 min·North Limestone Street
3
Turn slight right onto US 29
4.4 mi·6 min·Cherokee Avenue
4
Continue on US 29
4.7 mi·7 min·West Cherokee Street
5
Turn right onto SC 5
1.6 mi·1 min·York Road
6
Continue on SC 5
0.7 mi·49 sec·York Highway
7
Continue on SC 5
3.3 mi·3 min·York Road
8
Continue on SC 5
1.7 mi·1 min·Kings Creek Drive
9
Continue on SC 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Black Highway
10
Turn left onto SC 5
5.3 mi·6 min·Alexander Love Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on SC 5
6.5 mi·7 min·York Highway
12
Continue on SC 5
2.3 mi·3 min·West Main Street
13
Turn right onto SC 901; SC 5
3.4 mi·5 min·Heckle Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
14
At end of road, turn left onto SC 121; SC 5
1.8 mi·2 min·Albright Road
15
Continue on US 21 Business; SC 5; SC 121
0.8 mi·57 sec·East Main Street
16
Continue on US 21; SC 5
8.6 mi·9 min·South Anderson Road
17
Continue on US 21
8.8 mi·10 min·Catawba River Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
501 ft·9 sec
19
Merge onto Texaco Road
487 ft·12 sec·Texaco Road
20
Turn left onto SC 9
3.7 mi·4 min·Lancaster Highway
21
Continue on SC 9
5.3 mi·6 min·Lancaster Bypass
22
Take the exit onto SC 9
0.1 mi·18 sec·SC 9
23
Keep slight right at fork onto SC 9
276 ft·7 sec·SC 9
24
Merge onto SC 9
19 mi·22 min·Pageland Highway
25
Turn right onto Tory Road
2.0 mi·4 min·Tory Road
26
At end of road, turn right onto SC 151 Business
451 ft·9 sec·Pearl Street
27
Merge onto SC 151
4.8 mi·5 min·State Highway 151
28
Continue on SC 151 Bypass
18 mi·20 min·State Hwy 151 Bypass
29
Continue on SC 151
5.2 mi·6 min·State Highway 151
30
Continue on SC 151
15 mi·21 min·West Bobo Newsome Highway
31
Continue on SC 34; SC 151
4.7 mi·5 min·Harry Byrd Highway
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
33
Merge onto US 52; US 401
5.5 mi·6 min·South Governor Williams Highway
34
Continue on US 52
4.6 mi·7 min·West Lucas Street
35
Continue on South Church Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·South Church Street
36
Turn left onto East Cheves Street
0.9 mi·1 min·East Cheves Street
37
At end of road, turn left onto US 76
19 mi·24 min·East Palmetto Street
38
Continue on SC 576
3.1 mi·3 min·SC 576
39
Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
42 mi·55 min·US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Use the left lane.
40
Turn straight onto US 501
2.0 mi·3 min·US 501
Use the straight / right lanes.
41
Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North
248 ft·14 sec·8th Avenue North
42
Turn right onto US 17 Business
0.3 mi·40 sec·North Kings Highway
43
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
198 ft·11 sec·5th Avenue North
44
Turn right
196 ft·14 sec
45
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 249.8-mile drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the local navigation. Since you are avoiding major highways, leave early in the day to ensure you have plenty of daylight for the numerous turns you will encounter. Keep your GPS updated and stay alert, as the local road profile can be more demanding than a standard interstate trek. Given the $39 fuel estimate, consider topping off your tank before departing Gaffney to avoid hunting for stations on smaller, unfamiliar roads. This flexibility allows you to adjust your pace throughout the day without the pressure of a rigid highway schedule.
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 110.5 miles from Gaffney, SC, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.9 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 49 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.5 miles or 2h 17m 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 51m
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 Gaffney, 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 Gaffney, SC
This is one driving day of about 220.9 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Gaffney, 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 US 501 Business for about 41.9 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 26.6 and 95 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
26.6 mi into trip|~34m in|SC 5 / Alexander Love Highway
Turn left onto SC 5 / Alexander Love Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
40.7 mi into trip|~52m in|SC 901; SC 5 / Heckle Boulevard
Turn right onto SC 901; SC 5 / Heckle Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
44.1 mi into trip|~58m in|SC 121; SC 5 / Albright Road
At end of road, turn left onto SC 121; SC 5 / Albright Road
Navigation decision point
5
73.5 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|SC 9
Keep slight right at fork onto SC 9
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
95 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|SC 151 Business / Pearl Street
At end of road, turn right onto SC 151 Business / Pearl Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.54 one way
$69.09 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$37.77
$75.54
premium
$4.70
$40.88
$81.77
diesel
$5.61
$48.77
$97.54
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: 77.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.3
0
$23.19
$10.60
Efficient EV
55.2
0
$19.33
$8.84
EV Truck/SUV
88.4
1
$30.93
$14.14
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Gaffney, SC
Late night
in Gaffney on Sunday
Local time
12:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Myrtle Beach, SC
Late night
in Myrtle Beach on Sunday
Local time
12:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Monroe, NC
110 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
16 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 45m 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.
Cowpens National Battlefield
National Battlefield
A pasturing area at the time of the battle, this Revolutionary War site commemorates the place where Daniel Morgan and his army turned the flanks of Banastre Tarleton's British army. This classic mili...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. Your navigation will rely on local thoroughfares like North Limestone Street, Cherokee Avenue, and West Cherokee Street. Because the route consists entirely of local roads, there is no long-haul stretch to settle into, with the longest uninterrupted segment being 0 miles on North Limestone Street. You will spend the entire 4 hours and 16 minutes navigating local turns, which requires a more active and engaged driving style compared to a high-speed highway transit.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.9 mi on US 501 Business.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.6 miles in near SC 5 / Alexander Love Highway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 220.9 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 26.6 miles (SC 5 / Alexander Love Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 40.7 miles (SC 901; SC 5 / Heckle Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 44.1 miles (SC 121; SC 5 / Albright Road): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
783 ft25 ft
Total Climb
96 ft
Total Descent
854 ft
Highest Point
783 ft
Elevation Range
758 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 220.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.9 miles on US 501 Business. 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 26.6 miles (SC 5 / Alexander Love Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 40.7 miles (SC 901; SC 5 / Heckle Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 44.1 miles (SC 121; SC 5 / Albright Road): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Cowpens National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Myrtle Beach, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
