Origin
Murrells Inlet, SC
Late night in Murrells Inlet on Tuesday
Local time
5:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Murrells Inlet, SC to Rock Hill, SC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 47m
Distance
176.5 mi
284 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 35m
★
6 AM
3h 47m
8 AM
4h 13m
10 AM
3h 56m
12 PM
3h 54m
3 PM
3h 57m
5 PM
4h 11m
8 PM
3h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Murrells Inlet, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Rock Hill, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 176.5-mile drive from Murrells Inlet, SC to Rock Hill, SC takes approximately 3 hours and 47 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily navigate on I-20 and US Highway 521, with some time on Ocean Highway. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $28. This route offers a mixed drive experience as you travel within the Southeast region. With just one recommended stop, it's an efficient option for a day trip.
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
88.3 miles from Murrells Inlet, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 28.9 mi | 33m |
| US Highway 521 | 26.8 mi | 30m |
| Ocean Highway | 17.4 mi | 25m |
| North Brooks Street | 15.1 mi | 17m |
| Monticello Road | 12.6 mi | 22m |
| C E Murray Boulevard | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| Highmarket Street | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| Camden Highway | 8.2 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 28.9 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Murrells Inlet, SC and Rock Hill, SC.
1
Start on US 17 BUS
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
US 17 Business
2
Turn right onto S-22-62
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Wachesaw Road
3
Turn left onto US 17
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 17
4
Continue on US 17
17 mi
·
25 min
·
Ocean Highway
5
Continue on US 17
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
L. H. Siau Bridge
6
Continue on US 17
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Church Street
7
Merge onto US 17 Alternate; US 521
9.4 mi
·
12 min
·
Highmarket Street
8
Continue on US 521
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Georgetown Highway
9
Continue on US 521 Bus
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Georgetown Highway
10
Continue on US 521 Bus
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
11
Continue on US 521
27 mi
·
30 min
·
US Highway 521
12
Continue on US 521
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Society Street
13
Continue on US 521
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
Society Street
14
Continue on US 521
12 mi
·
13 min
·
C E Murray Boulevard
15
Turn slight right
336 ft
·
4 sec
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
17
Merge onto US 521; SC 261
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Greeleyville Highway
18
Continue on US 521; SC 261
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
East Boyce Street
19
Turn right onto US 521
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
North Church Street
20
Continue on US 301; US 521
15 mi
·
17 min
·
North Brooks Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left onto US 521
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Guignard Parkway
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 521
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
South Guignard Drive
23
Continue on US 521
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Bultman Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto US 521; US 76 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Broad Street
Use the left lane.
25
Turn slight right onto US 521
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Camden Highway
26
Continue on US 521
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Thomas Sumter Highway
27
Continue on US 521
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Camden Highway
28
Continue on US 521
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Sumter Highway
29
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
30
Merge onto I 20
29 mi
·
33 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 68
Toward SC 215: Monticello Road, Jenkinsville
Use the slight right lane.
32
Turn right onto SC 215
10 mi
·
18 min
·
Monticello Road
33
Keep slight left at fork onto SC 215
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Monticello Road
34
Continue on SC 215
6.4 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 215S
35
Arrive at destination
SC 215
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 47-minute duration for this 176.5-mile trip, you have flexibility with departure times. Aim to leave either early to beat potential traffic or mid-morning to enjoy a more relaxed start, especially since it's a single-day journey. The $28 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's wise to fill up before you leave Murrells Inlet. Watch for the transition points between I-20 and US Highway 521, as these can sometimes involve changes in speed limits and road conditions.
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 88.3 miles from Murrells Inlet, SC, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.9 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 39 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.3 miles or 1h 52m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rock Hill, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Murrells Inlet, 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 Murrells Inlet, SC
This is one driving day of about 176.5 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Murrells Inlet, 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 28.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88.3 miles from Murrells Inlet, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 157.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
S-22-62 / Wachesaw Road
Turn right onto S-22-62 / Wachesaw Road
Navigation decision point
5
80.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
98.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
US 521 / South Guignard Parkway
Turn left onto US 521 / South Guignard Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
128.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
157.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward SC 215: Monticello Road, Jenkinsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 68
Toward SC 215: Monticello Road, Jenkinsville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.60 one way
$55.20 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $30.18 | $60.36 |
| premium | $4.70 | $32.67 | $65.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.97 | $77.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.9 | 0 | $18.53 | $8.47 |
| Efficient EV | 44.1 | 0 | $15.44 | $7.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.6 | 0 | $24.71 | $11.30 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Rock Hill, SC
Late night in Rock Hill on Tuesday
Local time
5:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
29 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
3h 47m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this 176.5-mile route, with 37% of it on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 28.9 miles on I-20, which offers a faster pace. As you transition between major highways like I-20 and local roads such as US Highway 521, the driving experience will vary. This means you'll get a blend of quicker travel segments and more local road driving as you progress toward Rock Hill.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.9 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 0.3 miles in near S-22-62 / Wachesaw Road.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 176.5 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 0.3 miles (S-22-62 / Wachesaw Road): Navigation decision point; at 80.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 98.9 miles (US 521 / South Guignard Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Murrells Inlet, SC to Rock Hill, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Jenkinsville along the way.
Jenkinsville
157.2 mi in
|
~3h 13m
About the Cities
Arriving in Rock Hill, SC
Full guide →Founded 1852
Rock Hill is a small city in the Olde English District of South Carolina approximately 25 miles (40 km) south of Charlotte and 70 miles (110 km) north of Columbia. Rock Hill is essentially a commuter town and not on many tourists' radar, but does offer numerous outdoor activities and dining options.
Top landmarks
- • Rock Hill Downtown Historic District — historic church in South Carolina, United States
- • U.S. Post Office and Courthouse (Rock Hill) — historic building in Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States
- • Withers Building — historic building on Winthrop University campus, Rock Hill, South Carolina, U.S....
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 47m. Total distance: 176.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.9 miles on I 20. 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 Rock Hill, 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 0.3 miles (S-22-62 / Wachesaw Road): Navigation decision point; at 80.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 98.9 miles (US 521 / South Guignard Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Rock Hill, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Rock Hill, SC
Explore more options from Murrells Inlet, SC or browse trips ending in Rock Hill, SC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.