Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Myrtle Beach, SC to Barnwell, SC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 59m
Distance
179.9 mi
290 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 46m
★
6 AM
3h 59m
8 AM
4h 25m
10 AM
4h 8m
12 PM
4h 6m
3 PM
4h 9m
5 PM
4h 24m
8 PM
3h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Myrtle Beach, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Barnwell, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Myrtle Beach, SC to Barnwell, SC is 180 miles and takes about 4 hours via I 95 and Highway 378, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within South Carolina, taking you from the coastal Southeast to the interior. The route offers a mix of interstate travel and surface roads, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. Consider this if you're looking for a practical way to connect these two points without extensive planning.
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
90 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 38.1 mi | 40m |
| East Myrtle Beach Highway | 36.1 mi | 43m |
| Highway 378 | 22.9 mi | 32m |
| Five Chop Road | 21.1 mi | 26m |
| Bamberg Road | 12.3 mi | 15m |
| Barnwell Road | 11.8 mi | 20m |
| US 501 | 10.5 mi | 16m |
| Heritage Highway | 6.6 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 38.1 mi, about 40m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,293 veh/hr typical · worst 2,103
Quietest
2 AM
~183 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Myrtle Beach, SC and Barnwell, SC.
1
Start on this road
69 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
159 ft
·
13 sec
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 17 Business
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Kings Highway
4
Turn left onto 6th Avenue North
489 ft
·
21 sec
·
6th Avenue North
5
Continue on 6th Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
6th Avenue North
6
At end of road, turn right onto Alder Street
154 ft
·
6 sec
·
Alder Street
7
Turn left onto US 501
11 mi
·
16 min
·
US 501
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 501
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 501 East
9
Continue on US 501
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Church Street
10
Turn left onto US 378
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Wright Boulevard
11
Continue on US 378
23 mi
·
32 min
·
Highway 378
12
Continue on US 378
36 mi
·
43 min
·
East Myrtle Beach Highway
13
Continue on US 301; US 378
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
14
Turn slight right onto Clarence Coker Highway
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Clarence Coker Highway
15
Continue on US 378
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Myrtle Beach Highway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
17
Merge onto I 95
38 mi
·
40 min
·
I 95
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 301: Orangeburg
19
Keep slight right at fork
325 ft
·
8 sec
20
Merge onto US 15; US 301
21 mi
·
26 min
·
Five Chop Road
21
Turn slight left onto John C Calhoun Drive
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
John C Calhoun Drive
22
Continue on US 301; US 601; SC 4
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Edisto Drive
23
Continue on US 301; US 601
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Bamberg Road
24
Continue on US 301; US 601
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Highway
25
Turn right onto US 78
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Heritage Highway
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn left onto US 321; SC 70
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Carolina Highway
27
Turn right onto SC 70
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Hagood Street
28
Continue on SC 70
12 mi
·
20 min
·
Barnwell Road
29
Continue on SC 70
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
30
Turn right onto SC 70
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Allen Street
31
Turn left onto SC 3
246 ft
·
10 sec
·
Marlboro Avenue
32
Turn left
69 ft
·
7 sec
33
Turn right
220 ft
·
16 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, leaving Myrtle Beach in the morning will allow ample time to reach Barnwell before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off I 95; the estimated fuel cost is around $30. The longest stretch on the interstate is over 38 miles, so plan your stops accordingly before or after this segment.
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 90 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.1 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 40 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90 miles or 2h 1m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barnwell, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach, SC
This is one driving day of about 179.9 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Myrtle Beach, 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 95 for about 38.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 90 miles from Myrtle Beach, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
1.4 mi from route
Rest Area
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 179.9 — 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
|
US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
At end of road, turn right onto US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Navigation decision point
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Alder Street
At end of road, turn right onto Alder Street
Navigation decision point
6
79.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Savannah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
6
159 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
|
US 78 / Heritage Highway
Turn right onto US 78 / Heritage Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
179.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 58m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.61 one way
$57.23 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.41 | $31.20 | $62.40 |
| premium | $4.78 | $33.85 | $67.70 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $37.89 | $75.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54 | 0 | $18.89 | $8.64 |
| Efficient EV | 45 | 0 | $15.74 | $7.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72 | 0 | $25.19 | $11.51 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Myrtle Beach, SC
Afternoon in Myrtle Beach on Wednesday
Local time
3:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 2 to 8 mph
62% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 7:28PM EDT by NWS Columbia SC
Destination
Barnwell, SC
Afternoon in Barnwell on Wednesday
Local time
3:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph
56% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 7:28PM EDT by NWS Columbia 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
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
3h 59m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 136.5
Caution: Paddling Conditions
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
About 41% of this trip is on highways, with the longest continuous stretch at 38.1 miles on I 95. You'll transition from interstate cruising to surface roads after the highway portions conclude. Expect a mixed driving experience, moving from higher-speed travel to more varied road conditions as you approach your destination. The profile is described as mixed highway and surface, indicating a blend of driving environments.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.1 mi on I 95.
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 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 17 Business / North Kings Highway.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 179.9 miles you will encounter 17 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 (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Alder Street): Navigation decision point; at 79.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
241 ft
14 ft
Total Climb
323 ft
Total Descent
130 ft
Highest Point
241 ft
~167.1 mi in
Elevation Range
227 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Myrtle Beach, SC
Full guide →Founded 1936
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
Arriving in Barnwell, SC
Full guide →Founded 1798
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 59m. Total distance: 179.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (41%). 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 38.1 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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.
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 (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Alder Street): Navigation decision point; at 79.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Barnwell, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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