Gantt, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC is 246.3 miles and takes about 4h 58m via I 20, I 26, and US 501 Business, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast coast. With an 88% highway share, expect a straightforward drive that's mostly on major interstates. This route is a solid choice for a single-day trip, making it easy to reach the beach without an overnight 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
123.2 miles from Gantt, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m 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
Golden Strip Freeway
29.8 mi
32m
West Palmetto Street
22.6 mi
32m
I 85
4.3 mi
5m
SC 576
3.1 mi
3m
US 276
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 79.4 mi, about 1h 29m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,146 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,576
Quietest
2 AM
~168 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 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 Gantt, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC.
1
Start on SC 20
73 ft·3 sec·Grove Road
2
Turn left onto US 25
0.8 mi·1 min·White Horse Road
3
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 85 North: SpartanburgUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 85
4.3 mi·5 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 48AToward US 276 East: MauldinUse the slight right lane.
6
Turn straight onto US 276
1.4 mi·2 min·Laurens Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Continue on US 276
1.9 mi·3 min·North Main Street
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 276
2.2 mi·3 min·US 276
9
Merge onto I 385
30 mi·32 min·Golden Strip Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 26
55 mi·1 hr·I 26
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 107BToward I 20 East: FlorenceUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 20
79 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto US 76
23 mi·32 min·West Palmetto Street
14
Continue on SC 576
3.1 mi·3 min·SC 576
15
Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
42 mi·55 min·US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Use the left lane.
16
Turn straight onto US 501
2.0 mi·3 min·US 501
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North
248 ft·14 sec·8th Avenue North
18
Turn right onto US 17 Business
0.3 mi·40 sec·North Kings Highway
19
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
198 ft·11 sec·5th Avenue North
20
Turn right
196 ft·14 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 58m drive time, leaving Gantt in the morning will get you to Myrtle Beach well before dark. The route covers 246.3 miles, with the longest stretch between services being 79.4 miles on I 20, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking. While the drive is manageable in one day, the flexibility of a shorter trip means you can stop for a break if needed, perhaps around the 2-hour mark. The transition to US 501 Business will signal the final leg, so be prepared for more local traffic and a reduced speed limit.
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 123.2 miles from Gantt, SC, or about 2h 21m 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 54 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.2 miles or 2h 21m 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 57m
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 Gantt, 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 Gantt, SC
This is one driving day of about 246.3 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Gantt, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 96.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit toward I 85 North: Spartanburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 85 North: Spartanburg
5
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|I 85
Merge onto I 85
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
5.8 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward US 276 East: Mauldin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 48A
Toward US 276 East: Mauldin
5
11.5 mi into trip|~18m in|I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway
Merge onto I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
96.5 mi into trip|~1h 50m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.36 one way
$72.73 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$39.96
$79.92
premium
$4.49
$43.56
$87.12
diesel
$4.80
$46.51
$93.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.9
0
$25.86
$11.82
Efficient EV
61.6
0
$21.55
$9.85
EV Truck/SUV
98.5
1
$34.48
$15.76
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Gantt, SC
Night
in Gantt on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 1 to 9 mph34% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:19AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Destination
Myrtle Beach, SC
Night
in Myrtle Beach on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
S 7 to 18 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:19AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
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
5 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 58m 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 110.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on the highway, with 88% of the 246.3 miles on major roads like I 20 and I 26. The longest continuous stretch on these highways is 79.4 miles on I 20. Around 29.5 miles from your destination, you'll transition to US 501 Business, marking the end of the high-speed interstate cruising. Expect a noticeable increase in exits and local traffic as you approach Myrtle Beach.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 26. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
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 14 significant decision points across 246.3 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 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
985 ft25 ft
Total Climb
46 ft
Total Descent
1,006 ft
Highest Point
985 ft
Elevation Range
960 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 58m. Total distance: 246.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). 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.
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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Myrtle Beach, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
