Greer, SC to North Myrtle Beach, SC is 258.5 miles and takes about 5h 12m via I 20 and I 26, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, connecting the Southeast region from the upstate to the coast. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that makes for a solid single-day journey. You'll find this route efficient for getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.
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
129.2 miles from Greer, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
79.4 mi
1h 29m
I 26
78.8 mi
1h 25m
Veterans Highway
26.3 mi
30m
West Palmetto Street
22.6 mi
32m
US 501 Business
21 mi
24m
West Main Street
6.3 mi
12m
Moore Duncan Highway
6.2 mi
9m
Carolina Bays Parkway
5.1 mi
5m
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Greer, SC and North Myrtle Beach, SC.
1
Start on SC 101; SC 290
4.3 mi·7 min·East Poinsett Street
Use the left lane.
2
Continue on SC 290
0.4 mi·52 sec·West Main Street
3
Keep slight right at fork onto SC 290
5.9 mi·11 min·West Main Street
4
Continue on SC 290
6.2 mi·9 min·Moore Duncan Highway
5
Turn left onto US 221
0.8 mi·1 min·Highway 221
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
7
Merge onto I 26
79 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 107BToward I 20 East: FlorenceUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 20
79 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto US 76
23 mi·32 min·West Palmetto Street
11
Continue on SC 576
3.1 mi·3 min·SC 576
12
Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
21 mi·24 min·US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
13
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward SC 22 East: North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle BeachUse the right lane.
14
Continue on SC 22
26 mi·30 min·Veterans Highway
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward SC 31 North: Little River, Wilmington
16
Merge onto SC 31
5.1 mi·5 min·Carolina Bays Parkway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Robert Edge Pkwy: North Myrtle Beach
18
Turn right onto Robert Edge Parkway
1.7 mi·2 min·Robert Edge Parkway
19
Turn right onto US 17
0.3 mi·43 sec·US Highway 17 South
20
Turn left onto S-26-358
0.7 mi·1 min·6th Avenue South
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
S-26-358
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a total duration under six hours, you have flexibility. Consider planning your fuel stop strategically around the halfway point, as the longest stretch without an exit is substantial. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 79.4-mile segment on I 20 to ensure a smooth continuation of your journey.
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 129.2 miles from Greer, SC, or about 2h 34m 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 57 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.2 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 15m
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 Greer, 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 Greer, SC
This is one driving day of about 258.5 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Greer, 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 17.7 and 250.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
17.7 mi into trip|~31m in|I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
96.5 mi into trip|~1h 57m 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
96.8 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
223 mi into trip|~4h 27m in
Take the exit toward SC 22 East: North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward SC 22 East: North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle B...
5
250.2 mi into trip|~5h in
Take the exit toward SC 31 North: Little River, Wilmington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SC 31 North: Little River, Wilmington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.16 one way
$76.33 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$41.94
$83.88
premium
$4.49
$45.72
$91.43
diesel
$4.80
$48.81
$97.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.6
0
$27.14
$12.41
Efficient EV
64.6
0
$22.62
$10.34
EV Truck/SUV
103.4
1
$36.19
$16.54
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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
Greer, SC
Night
in Greer on Saturday
Local time
9:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 1 mph2% 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
North Myrtle Beach, SC
Night
in North Myrtle Beach on Saturday
Local time
9:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 6 mph3% 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
87°F
Forest Acres, SC
129 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
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 12m 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
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 115.9
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 17.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 74% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll experience a consistent pace for much of the journey, particularly during the longest stretch of 79.4 miles on I 20. Expect a smooth ride as you transition between I 20 and I 26, and then onto Veterans Highway. The road character remains largely consistent, prioritizing direct travel over varied scenery, making it a predictable and efficient path.
74% 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?
7/10
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 17.7 miles in near I 26.
Driving Effort7/10
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 258.5 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 17.7 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,015 ft7 ft
Total Climb
114 ft
Total Descent
1,122 ft
Highest Point
1,015 ft
Elevation Range
1,008 ft
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 Greer, SC to North Myrtle Beach, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Myrtle Beach along the way.
Greer is a city in South Carolina. It is known for its manufacturing business as it is home to BMW's only manufacturing plant as well as the North American headquarters of Michelin and Mitsubishi Polyester Inc. Greer boasts a downtown area with historic buildings and local charm.
Top landmarks
•Greer Depot — railroad depot listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located in...
•Louie James House — Greer, South Carolina, NRHP-listed
•R. Perry Turner House — historic house in Greer, South Carolina, U.S.A.
North Myrtle Beach is a small town in South Carolina with approximately 15,000 residents. North Myrtle Beach proudly has two claims to fame. It is the birthplace of South Carolina's state dance, the shag. It is also the hometown of Vanna White of "Wheel of Fortune" fame.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 12m. Total distance: 258.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). 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 18 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 North 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.7 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Congaree National Park and Cowpens National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at North Myrtle Beach, SC before the return drive.
