Greer, SC to Surfside Beach, SC is 250.5 miles and takes about 5h 13m via I 20 and I 26, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, moving from the upstate region toward the coast. With 84% of the route on highways, expect a fairly straightforward drive focused on covering ground efficiently. Given the relatively short duration and direct path, this is a solid option for a single-day trip, especially if you're aiming to maximize beach time upon arrival.
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
125.2 miles from Greer, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
79.4 mi
1h 29m
I 26
78.8 mi
1h 25m
US 501 Business
32.7 mi
41m
West Palmetto Street
22.6 mi
32m
SC 544
13.5 mi
23m
West Main Street
6.3 mi
12m
Moore Duncan Highway
6.2 mi
9m
East Poinsett Street
4.3 mi
7m
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 Greer, SC and Surfside 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
33 mi·41 min·US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto SC 544
2.6 mi·5 min·SC 544
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on SC 544
5.0 mi·8 min·SC 544
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto SC 544
5.9 mi·10 min·SC 544
16
Turn right onto US 17 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·US 17 Business
17
Turn left onto Surfside Drive
0.7 mi·1 min·Surfside Drive
18
Arrive at destination
Surfside Drive
Trip Plan
For this roughly 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning from Greer, SC, will allow you to reach Surfside Beach with plenty of daylight. The route includes one recommended stop, and with a longest stretch of 79.4 miles, you can easily plan your break point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially after leaving the main interstate sections, as services can become more spread out. The estimated fuel cost is around $38, so factor that into your budget. Since this is a comfortable one-day drive, you have flexibility with your departure time and stop duration.
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 125.2 miles from Greer, SC, or about 2h 29m 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 55 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.2 miles or 2h 29m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Surfside 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 250.5 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 234.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SC 101; SC 290 / East Poinsett Street
Depart onto SC 101; SC 290 / East Poinsett Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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.
5
234.7 mi into trip|~4h 45m in|SC 544
Turn right onto SC 544
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.79 one way
$79.59 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$43.39
$86.79
premium
$4.78
$47.14
$94.28
diesel
$6.18
$60.94
$121.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
EV Charging Along Route
29 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Columbia, SC - Harbison Boulevard - Tesla Supercharger
Columbia, SC
Tesla
16 DCFC
Greer, SC Rechargery Relay - SC-101
Greer, SC
IONNA
12 DCFC
Columbia, SC - Forest Drive - Tesla Supercharger
Columbia, SC
Tesla
12 DCFC
Columbia, SC - Town Center Place - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.2
0
$26.30
$12.02
Efficient EV
62.6
0
$21.92
$10.02
EV Truck/SUV
100.2
1
$35.07
$16.03
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Greer, SC
Morning
in Greer on Monday
Local time
7:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Clear
NNE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 19 at 2:20AM EDT until October 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:15AM EDT until October 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Destination
Surfside Beach, SC
Morning
in Surfside Beach on Monday
Local time
7:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Clear
N 17 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 19 at 2:20AM EDT until October 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:15AM EDT until October 19 at 8:00PM 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
10 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 13m 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 112.3
Caution: Being Prepared for Excessive Heat & Humidity
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 17.3
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 highways, with 84% of the 250.5-mile trip on interstates. The longest continuous stretch of highway cruising is 79.4 miles on I 20. The transition to US 501 Business signals the end of the primary highway portion of your drive, bringing you into more local traffic and potentially denser exit patterns as you approach the coast. Expect a mix of open highway and more developed areas as you get closer to Surfside Beach.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 26. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SC 101; SC 290 / East Poinsett Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 250.5 miles you will encounter 11 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 (SC 101; SC 290 / East Poinsett Street): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 13m. Total distance: 250.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). 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 Surfside 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: near the start (SC 101; SC 290 / East Poinsett Street): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
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 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Surfside Beach, SC before the return drive.
