Myrtle Beach, SC to Piedmont, SC is 248.5 miles and takes about 5h via J Strom Thurmond Freeway, I 26, and Church Street, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within South Carolina, moving from the Southeast coast toward the western part of the state. Given its highway-heavy profile and single-day recommendation, this trip is best suited for those looking for a straightforward transit rather than a leisurely exploration. You can expect a mostly efficient drive with a clear destination in mind.
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
124.3 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
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 Myrtle Beach, SC and Piedmont, 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
31 mi·39 min·Church Street
10
Turn straight onto SC 576
3.2 mi·3 min·SC 576
11
Continue on US 76
6.7 mi·7 min·US 76
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 76; US 301
12 mi·16 min·US 76; US 301
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn slight right onto East Cheves Street
1.7 mi·3 min·East Cheves Street
14
Turn right onto Warley Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·Warley Street
15
Turn left onto S-21-31
2.4 mi·4 min·West Evans Street
16
Turn right onto I 20 Bus
1.5 mi·2 min·West David H McLeod Boulevard
17
Continue on I 20 Bus
76 mi·1 hr 25 min·J Strom Thurmond Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
1.7 mi·3 min
Exit 64BToward I 26 West
19
Merge onto I 26; US 76
55 mi·1 hr·I 26; US 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385
30 mi·32 min·I 385
Exit 51Toward I 385 North: Laurens, GreenvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 276
0.5 mi·33 sec·US 276
Toward I 185, US 276: Atlanta, Mauldin, Anderson
22
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 185: Atlanta, Anderson
23
Merge onto I 185
8.8 mi·9 min·Southern Connector
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward SC 20
25
Keep slight left at fork
204 ft·9 sec
26
Turn left onto SC 20
3.0 mi·5 min·Piedmont Highway
27
Turn right onto SC 86
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
28
Continue on SC 86
0.2 mi·21 sec·Anderson Street
29
Turn slight left onto Iler Street
180 ft·7 sec·Iler Street
30
Arrive at destination
Iler Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and take advantage of a single day. With only one recommended stop, you can be flexible with your timing, perhaps pausing around the halfway point or when you feel ready. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $39, and plan to refuel before embarking or at a convenient point along the J Strom Thurmond Freeway if needed. Since this is a manageable single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart later if your schedule requires it.
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 124.3 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.4 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 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.3 miles or 2h 38m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Piedmont, 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 248.5 miles and 5h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 J Strom Thurmond Freeway for about 76.4 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 234.4 — 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
5
148.2 mi into trip|~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 26 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 64B
Toward I 26 West
9
204.8 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|I 385
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385 toward I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 51
Toward I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville
6
234.4 mi into trip|~4h 41m in|US 276
Keep slight right at fork onto US 276 toward I 185, US 276: Atlanta, Mauldin, Anderson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 185, US 276: Atlanta, Mauldin, Anderso...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.48 one way
$78.95 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$43.05
$86.09
premium
$4.78
$46.76
$93.53
diesel
$6.18
$60.45
$120.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.6
0
$26.09
$11.93
Efficient EV
62.1
0
$21.74
$9.94
EV Truck/SUV
99.4
1
$34.79
$15.90
Gas CO2
87 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
Myrtle Beach, SC
Morning
in Myrtle Beach on Tuesday
Local time
7:04 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
Destination
Piedmont, SC
Morning
in Piedmont on Tuesday
Local time
7:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny
NE 7 to 13 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
18 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 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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 137.1
Caution: Being Prepared for Excessive Heat & Humidity
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The majority of this 248.5-mile route, about 79%, is highway driving. You'll encounter a long stretch of 76.4 miles on the J Strom Thurmond Freeway, which means extended periods of consistent speed. As you transition off the main highways, expect more frequent intersections and a change in pace on roads like Church Street. The density of exits will likely increase as you approach your destination.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.4 mi on J Strom Thurmond Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on J Strom Thurmond Freeway and I 26. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 17 Business / North Kings Highway.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 248.5 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: near the start (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Alder Street): Navigation decision point; at 148.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
845 ft25 ft
Total Climb
896 ft
Total Descent
135 ft
Highest Point
845 ft
~230.8 mi in
Elevation Range
820 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Myrtle Beach, SC and Piedmont, SC, road signs point toward Greenville, Mauldin and Anderson.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h. Total distance: 248.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.4 miles on J Strom Thurmond Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 Piedmont, 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 148.2 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Piedmont, SC before the return drive.
