Spanning 189.3 miles across the South Carolina coast, this drive from Myrtle Beach to Bluffton typically takes about 4 hours and 15 minutes. It functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $30 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly way to navigate the Southeast. The route relies on a mix of North Fraser Street, Savannah Highway, and Ocean Highway to bridge the gap between these two coastal hubs. Because the transit is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your itinerary to suit your personal pace.
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
94.6 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Fraser Street
56 mi
1h 14m
Savannah Highway
29.7 mi
43m
Ocean Highway
17.4 mi
25m
Ace Basin Parkway
17.1 mi
22m
Highway 17
14.4 mi
16m
Okatie Highway
12.3 mi
14m
Trask Parkway
12 mi
14m
Fording Island Road
5.8 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
North Fraser Street
— 56 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Myrtle Beach, SC and Bluffton, 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
1.9 mi·3 min·US 501
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward US 17 South: GeorgetownUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto US 17
3.7 mi·4 min·Highway 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 17
1.3 mi·1 min·US Highway 17 Bypass South
11
Continue on US 17
11 mi·12 min·Highway 17
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 17
17 mi·25 min·Ocean Highway
13
Continue on US 17
0.3 mi·25 sec·L. H. Siau Bridge
14
Continue on US 17
1.4 mi·2 min·Church Street
15
Turn left onto US 17
56 mi·1 hr 14 min·North Fraser Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 17
4.2 mi·6 min·North Highway 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 17
0.1 mi·15 sec·Septima P. Clark Parkway
18
Continue on US 17
0.1 mi·13 sec·Spring Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on Spring Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·Spring Street
20
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·20 sec·this road
21
Merge onto US 17
30 mi·43 min·Savannah Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 17
17 mi·22 min·Ace Basin Parkway
23
Continue on US 17
5.6 mi·7 min·Charleston Highway
Use the left lane.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
25
Enter roundabout onto Trask Parkway
207 ft·2 sec·Trask Parkway
26
Continue on Trask Parkway
12 mi·14 min·Trask Parkway
27
Turn right onto US 21
1.2 mi·1 min·Parris Island Gateway
28
Turn slight right onto SC 170
3.5 mi·3 min·Robert Smalls Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on SC 170
1.7 mi·1 min·Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge
30
Continue on SC 170
12 mi·14 min·Okatie Highway
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
32
Merge onto US 278
5.8 mi·6 min·Fording Island Road
33
Turn right onto SC 46
0.8 mi·1 min·Bluffton Road
34
Enter roundabout onto SC 46
170 ft·3 sec·Bluffton Road
35
Continue on SC 46
0.9 mi·1 min·Bluffton Road
36
Turn left onto Bruin Road
87 ft·2 sec·Bruin Road
37
Arrive at destination
Bruin Road
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 4-hour and 15-minute travel time. Since this route involves a significant amount of local driving, keep a close eye on your navigation to handle the frequent turns efficiently. Departing early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential congestion on local thoroughfares. With fuel costs estimated at $30, it is helpful to fill your tank before you leave Myrtle Beach to avoid searching for stations during the turn-heavy sections of the trip. Embrace the flexibility of this one-day itinerary by keeping your schedule light enough to account for the slower pace of local roads.
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 94.6 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56 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 42 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.6 miles or 2h 8m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bluffton, 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 189.3 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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 North Fraser Street for about 56 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 37.3 — 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
2.3 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward US 17 South: Georgetown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 17 South: Georgetown
5
2.6 mi into trip|~5m in|US 17 / Highway 17
Merge onto US 17 / Highway 17
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
37.3 mi into trip|~52m in|US 17 / North Fraser Street
Turn left onto US 17 / North Fraser Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.60 one way
$59.20 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$32.37
$64.73
premium
$4.70
$35.04
$70.07
diesel
$5.61
$41.80
$83.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.8
0
$19.88
$9.09
Efficient EV
47.3
0
$16.56
$7.57
EV Truck/SUV
75.7
0
$26.50
$12.12
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Myrtle Beach, SC
Late night
in Myrtle Beach on Sunday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Clear
S 3 to 9 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bluffton, SC
Late night
in Bluffton on Sunday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Clear
S 3 mph0% chanceLive 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
2 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
4h 15m 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.
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...
The Reconstruction era,1861-1900 the historic period in which the United States grappled with the question of how to integrate millions of newly freed African Americans into social, political, economi...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 163.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as only 29% of this route consists of traditional highways. You will spend much of your time navigating local roads, which keeps the experience engaging if you prefer staying off the major freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, covering 56 miles along North Fraser Street. As the drive progresses, the rhythm shifts from these longer segments to more frequent transitions through local roads. This personality makes the trip feel more connected to the regional landscape than a standard high-speed commute.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56 mi on North Fraser Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 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 189.3 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 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
48 ft-5 ft
Total Climb
140 ft
Total Descent
141 ft
Highest Point
48 ft
~118.3 mi in
Elevation Range
53 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 189.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56 miles on North Fraser Street. 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 Bluffton, 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: near the start (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Alder Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Bluffton, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
