Goose Creek, SC to North Myrtle Beach, SC is 116 miles and takes about 2h 44m via US 17 Alternate and Ocean Highway, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, moving through the Southeast region. Expect a mixed drive that's straightforward and easy to navigate, ideal for a single-day excursion. With a relatively short distance and manageable duration, this route is a convenient option for a quick coastal journey.
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
58 miles from Goose Creek, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17 Alternate
23 mi
33m
Ocean Highway
17.4 mi
25m
Highway 17
15.2 mi
20m
Goose Creek Boulevard North
14.2 mi
16m
Saints Delight Road
13.8 mi
18m
Highmarket Street
9.4 mi
13m
US 17
7.1 mi
8m
US 52
3.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 17 Alternate
— 23 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Goose Creek, SC and North Myrtle Beach, SC.
1
Start on The Oaks Avenue
38 ft·7 sec·The Oaks Avenue
2
Turn left onto Old State Road
0.2 mi·41 sec·Old State Road
3
Continue on Old State Road
245 ft·16 sec·Old State Road
4
Turn left onto Red Bank Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Red Bank Road
5
Turn slight right onto US 52
14 mi·16 min·Goose Creek Boulevard North
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto US 52
3.7 mi·5 min·US 52
7
Continue on US 17 Alternate
17 mi·24 min·US 17 Alternate
8
Turn left onto US 17 Alternate; SC 41
5.8 mi·8 min·US 17 Alternate; SC 41
9
Turn right onto US 17 Alternate
5.1 mi·7 min·Saints Delight Road
10
Continue on US 17 Alternate
8.6 mi·11 min·Saints Delight Road
11
Turn right onto US 17 Alternate; US 521
9.4 mi·13 min·Highmarket Street
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17 Alternate
1.5 mi·2 min·Church Street
13
Continue on US 17
0.3 mi·25 sec·L. H. Siau Bridge
14
Continue on US 17
17 mi·25 min·Ocean Highway
15
Continue on US 17
3.6 mi·4 min·Highway 17
16
Take the exit onto US 17
7.1 mi·8 min·US 17
Toward US 17 North: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle BeachUse the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 17
1.2 mi·1 min·US Highway 17 Bypass South
18
Continue on US Highway 17 Bypass South
12 mi·16 min·US Highway 17 Bypass South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 17
3.7 mi·6 min·North Kings Highway
20
Continue on US 17
3.2 mi·6 min·US Highway 17 South
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn right onto 14th Avenue South
0.2 mi·33 sec·14th Avenue South
22
Turn left onto S-26-360
0.9 mi·2 min·Hillside Drive South
23
Turn right onto S-26-358
304 ft·8 sec·6th Avenue South
24
Arrive at destination
S-26-358
Trip Plan
Given the drive duration of under 3 hours, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid peak rush hour traffic and arrive in North Myrtle Beach with plenty of afternoon daylight. Since the longest stretch without a major change is 23 miles, you won't need to worry about extensive fuel stops, but it's always wise to top off your tank before leaving Goose Creek, especially since the estimated fuel cost is only $18. Keep an eye out for the transition onto Ocean Highway as you get closer to the coast.
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 58 miles from Goose Creek, SC, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58 miles or 1h 19m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Myrtle Beach, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Goose Creek, 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 Goose Creek, SC
This is one driving day of about 116 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Goose Creek, 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 17 Alternate for about 23 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 114.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Old State Road
Turn left onto Old State Road
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip|~1m in|Red Bank Road
Turn left onto Red Bank Road
Navigation decision point
4
65.3 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|US 17 Alternate / Church Street
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17 Alternate / Church Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
88 mi into trip|~2h 2m in|US 17
Take the exit onto US 17 toward US 17 North: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 17 North: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle...
4
114.8 mi into trip|~2h 41m in|14th Avenue South
Turn right onto 14th Avenue South
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.14 one way
$36.28 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$19.83
$39.67
premium
$4.70
$21.47
$42.94
diesel
$5.61
$25.61
$51.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.6 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
34.8
0
$12.18
$5.57
Efficient EV
29
0
$10.15
$4.64
EV Truck/SUV
46.4
0
$16.24
$7.42
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 16, 2026
Origin
Goose Creek, SC
Morning
in Goose Creek on Sunday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North Myrtle Beach, SC
Morning
in North Myrtle Beach on Sunday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Georgetown, SC
58 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
25 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 44m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Two forts stand at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. Patriots inside a palmetto log fort, later named Fort Moultrie, defeated the Royal Navy in 1776. As Charleston blazed a path towards secession to...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive, with 46% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches of US 17 Alternate, which can be a more direct path, interspersed with sections of Ocean Highway and Highway 17. The longest uninterrupted drive is a 23-mile segment on US 17 Alternate, providing a good period of consistent travel. The road character will likely transition from more developed areas to coastal roadside scenery as you approach your destination.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 23 mi on US 17 Alternate.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Old State Road.
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 116 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (Old State Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Red Bank Road): Navigation decision point; at 65.3 miles (US 17 Alternate / Church Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Goose Creek, SC to North Myrtle Beach, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Myrtle Beach along the way.
Myrtle Beach
88 mi in|~2h 2m|via US 17
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 44m. Total distance: 116 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (46%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 23 miles on US 17 Alternate. 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: near the start (Old State Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Red Bank Road): Navigation decision point; at 65.3 miles (US 17 Alternate / Church Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at North Myrtle Beach, SC before heading back.
