Origin
Myrtle Beach, SC
Late night in Myrtle Beach on Tuesday
Local time
5:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Myrtle Beach, SC to Charleston, 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
2h 15m
Distance
98.4 mi
158 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 6m
★
6 AM
2h 16m
8 AM
2h 35m
10 AM
2h 22m
12 PM
2h 21m
3 PM
2h 23m
5 PM
2h 34m
8 PM
2h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Myrtle Beach, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Myrtle Beach, SC to Charleston, SC is 98.4 miles and takes about 2h 15m via Highway 17, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within South Carolina, connecting two popular destinations in the Southeast region. Expect a local feel with frequent turns, making it more of an engaging coastal journey than a high-speed dash. With a short drive time and minimal recommended days, this route offers a flexible way to travel between these two scenic South Carolina cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.2 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Fraser Street | 56 mi | 1h 14m |
| Ocean Highway | 17.4 mi | 25m |
| Highway 17 | 14.4 mi | 16m |
| North Highway 17 | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| US 501 | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Church Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| US Highway 17 Bypass South | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| East Bay Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
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 Charleston, 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: Georgetown
Use 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
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North Highway 17
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward Morrison Drive, East Bay Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto US 52 Bus
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Morrison Drive
19
Turn straight onto East Bay Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Bay Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20
Turn right onto Calhoun Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Calhoun Street
21
Turn left onto S-10-107
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Meeting Street
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto Broad Street
40 ft
·
1 sec
·
Broad Street
23
Arrive at destination
Broad Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2h 15m drive time, you have a lot of flexibility for when to depart. Leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach Charleston and settle in, or you could opt for an afternoon departure to enjoy a leisurely morning in Myrtle Beach. Plan for at least one brief stop to stretch your legs, as the "turn-heavy" nature of the drive can be more engaging than a straight highway. When you reach the 56-mile stretch on North Fraser Street, be particularly mindful of speed limits and local traffic patterns to maintain your momentum.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.2 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC, or about 1h 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 22 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.2 miles or 1h 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 1h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charleston, 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 98.4 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.2 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 97.6 — 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
7
95.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward Morrison Drive, East Bay Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Morrison Drive, East Bay Street
6
97.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
|
S-10-107 / Meeting Street
Turn left onto S-10-107 / Meeting Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.39 one way
$30.78 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $16.82 | $33.65 |
| premium | $4.70 | $18.21 | $36.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.73 | $43.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.5 | 0 | $10.33 | $4.72 |
| Efficient EV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.61 | $3.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.4 | 0 | $13.78 | $6.30 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (65% 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
Charleston, SC
Late night in Charleston on Tuesday
Local time
5:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
S 3 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
83°F
Georgetown, SC
49 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
28 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
2h 15m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by its "turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you'll navigate a series of local roads and highways rather than a continuous interstate. Only about 20% of the drive involves highway travel, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 56 miles on North Fraser Street. You'll experience a dynamic driving experience as you transition between different road types, so keep an eye on your navigation. The varied road conditions suggest a need for attentive driving to manage the frequent directional changes.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 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?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 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 98.4 miles you will encounter 13 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.
About the Cities
Starting in Myrtle Beach, SC
Full guide →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.
Arriving in Charleston, SC
Full guide →Charleston is the largest and oldest city in the state of South Carolina in the United States of America. Its historic downtown is on a peninsula formed by two rivers, the Ashley and the Cooper, flowing into the Atlantic, and protected from the open ocean by surrounding islands. Charleston was captured in the American Civil War without much property damage, so the historic part of town has buildings that are hundreds of years old. The current downtown skyline, with practically no tall buildings due to the city's height restriction ordinance, is dominated by church steeples and the stunning Arthur Ravenel cable-stay bridge over the Cooper River. The city is a major port on the eastern seaboard of the U.S. and a popular destination for domestic and international tourists.
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 2h 15m. Total distance: 98.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (20%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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.
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 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Charleston, SC before heading back.
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.
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