Traveling from the coast to the Upstate, this 236.9-mile journey across South Carolina connects Myrtle Beach to Spartanburg. You should budget approximately 4 hours and 49 minutes of drive time, making this a manageable one-day trip that doesn't strictly require an overnight stay. Expect to spend about $38 on fuel as you transition from the coastal Southeast region toward the interior. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, including I-26, the J. Strom Thurmond Freeway, and Church Street. Because it is a straightforward highway-focused drive, it offers a reliable way to cross the state without needing to navigate complex secondary roads.
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
118.4 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
78.3 mi
1h 25m
J Strom Thurmond Freeway
76.4 mi
1h 25m
Church Street
31.2 mi
39m
US 76
18.8 mi
24m
US 501
10.5 mi
16m
South Church Street
6 mi
10m
SC 576
3.2 mi
3m
West Evans Street
2.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 78.3 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Myrtle Beach, SC and Spartanburg, 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 right at fork onto I 26
24 mi·25 min·I 26
Toward SpartanburgUse the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 28Toward US 221: Spartanburg-South, MooreUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto US 221
2.3 mi·3 min·Highway 221
23
Continue on US 221
6.0 mi·10 min·South Church Street
24
Arrive at destination
US 221; SC 56
Trip Plan
Since this trek spans nearly five hours, consider departing early in the morning to beat potential congestion and arrive in Spartanburg with plenty of daylight left. Planning for at least one stop is essential to break up the monotony of the long highway stretches and keep your focus sharp. Given the $38 estimated fuel cost, check your tank before merging onto I-26 to ensure you aren't forced to stop at higher-priced stations along the interstate. Because you only have one recommended stop, use that time effectively to stretch and refuel rather than rushing back onto the road. The flexibility of this one-day route allows you to adjust your departure time to suit your personal schedule, but keeping a consistent pace will ensure you reach your destination without unnecessary fatigue.
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 118.4 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.3 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 52 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.4 miles or 2h 31m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spartanburg, 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 236.9 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 26 for about 78.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 228.3 — 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
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
7
204.8 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|I 26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26 toward Spartanburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Spartanburg
8
228.3 mi into trip|~4h 34m in
Take the exit toward US 221: Spartanburg-South, Moore
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 28
Toward US 221: Spartanburg-South, Moore
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.05 one way
$74.09 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$40.51
$81.01
premium
$4.70
$43.85
$87.69
diesel
$5.61
$52.30
$104.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.1
0
$24.87
$11.37
Efficient EV
59.2
0
$20.73
$9.48
EV Truck/SUV
94.8
1
$33.17
$15.16
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Myrtle Beach, SC
Night
in Myrtle Beach on Saturday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Spartanburg, SC
Night
in Spartanburg on Saturday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
SW 2 to 14 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
30 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
4h 49m 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.
Cowpens National Battlefield
National Battlefield
A pasturing area at the time of the battle, this Revolutionary War site commemorates the place where Daniel Morgan and his army turned the flanks of Banastre Tarleton's British army. This classic mili...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 236.9
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
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 138.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 81% of the trip spent on highways, you can expect a high-speed, efficient experience behind the wheel. The journey features a significant 78.3-mile stretch on I-26, which serves as the backbone of your travel and allows for steady, uninterrupted cruising. As you move away from the coast, the road environment remains consistent, prioritizing utility and speed over winding backroads. You will find that the personality of this drive is functional and direct, shifting from freeway travel to local navigation once you hit Church Street near your destination. It is the type of route where you can settle into a rhythm quickly, provided you are comfortable with sustained interstate driving.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.3 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and J Strom Thurmond Freeway. You will hit about 12 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 Effort5/10
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 236.9 miles you will encounter 12 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 148.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 236.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.3 miles on I 26. 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.
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 148.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Cowpens National Battlefield and Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Spartanburg, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
