Traveling from North Myrtle Beach to Spartanburg covers approximately 254.5 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 5 minutes. You will primarily navigate via Highway 17 South, Robert Edge Parkway, and US 501. Because this transit is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete the journey without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend around $40 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable option for a direct cross-state transit. Since both locations are within South Carolina, you will remain in the Southeast region throughout the drive. This route is best suited for those who prefer a steady, turn-heavy local drive over the monotony of high-speed interstates.
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 North Myrtle Beach, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
78.3 mi
1h 25m
J Strom Thurmond Freeway
76.4 mi
1h 25m
Veterans Highway
25.9 mi
30m
US 501
21 mi
24m
US 76
18.8 mi
24m
South Church Street
6 mi
10m
Carolina Bays Parkway
4.4 mi
5m
SC 576
3.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 78.3 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Myrtle Beach, SC and Spartanburg, SC.
1
Start on S-26-358
0.7 mi·1 min·6th Avenue South
2
Turn right onto US 17
0.3 mi·40 sec·US Highway 17 South
3
Turn left onto Robert Edge Parkway
1.9 mi·3 min·Robert Edge Parkway
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward SC 31 South: US 501, Myrtle Beach
5
Merge onto SC 31
4.4 mi·5 min·Carolina Bays Parkway
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward SC 22: Myrtle Beach, Conway
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward SC 22 West: Conway
8
Merge onto SC 22
26 mi·30 min·Veterans Highway
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 501 North: Aynor, Marion
10
Merge onto US 501
21 mi·24 min·US 501
11
Turn straight onto SC 576
3.2 mi·3 min·SC 576
12
Continue on US 76
6.7 mi·7 min·US 76
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 76; US 301
12 mi·16 min·US 76; US 301
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn slight right onto East Cheves Street
1.7 mi·3 min·East Cheves Street
15
Turn right onto Warley Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·Warley Street
16
Turn left onto S-21-31
2.4 mi·4 min·West Evans Street
17
Turn right onto I 20 Bus
1.5 mi·2 min·West David H McLeod Boulevard
18
Continue on I 20 Bus
76 mi·1 hr 25 min·J Strom Thurmond Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
1.7 mi·3 min
Exit 64BToward I 26 West
20
Merge onto I 26; US 76
55 mi·1 hr·I 26; US 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26
24 mi·25 min·I 26
Toward SpartanburgUse the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 28Toward US 221: Spartanburg-South, MooreUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn straight onto US 221
2.3 mi·3 min·Highway 221
24
Continue on US 221
6.0 mi·10 min·South Church Street
25
Arrive at destination
US 221; SC 56
Trip Plan
Since this is a 4-hour and 5-minute trek, aim to depart early in the day to avoid peak traffic congestion on local roads. Planning for at least one stop is essential to break up the technical nature of the drive and keep your focus sharp. Given the $40 fuel estimate, ensure your tank is topped off before leaving the coast, as local roads may offer fewer convenient fueling options than major interstates. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; since the total duration is relatively short, you can easily adjust your pace to accommodate rest breaks whenever you feel fatigued. Keep a close eye on your navigation, as the reliance on local roads rather than highways means you will encounter frequent turns throughout the journey.
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 North Myrtle Beach, SC, or about 2h 33m 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 55 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.3 miles or 2h 33m 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 2m
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 North 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 North Myrtle Beach, SC
This is one driving day of about 248.6 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from North 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.9 and 240 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.9 mi into trip|~5m in
Turn left toward SC 31 South: US 501, Myrtle Beach
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SC 31 South: US 501, Myrtle Beach
5
7.7 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward SC 22: Myrtle Beach, Conway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SC 22: Myrtle Beach, Conway
6
34.7 mi into trip|~44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 501 North: Aynor, Marion
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 501 North: Aynor, Marion
7
216.5 mi into trip|~4h 16m 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
240 mi into trip|~4h 41m 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
$38.88 one way
$77.75 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$42.51
$85.01
premium
$4.70
$46.01
$92.02
diesel
$5.61
$54.89
$109.78
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: 87 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.6
0
$26.10
$11.93
Efficient EV
62.2
0
$21.75
$9.94
EV Truck/SUV
99.4
1
$34.80
$15.91
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
North Myrtle Beach, SC
Night
in North Myrtle Beach on Saturday
Local time
9:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Spartanburg, SC
Night
in Spartanburg on Saturday
Local time
9:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live 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 56m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than a standard interstate cruise, as this route consists of a turn-heavy local drive with zero percent highway share. You will not find any long, uninterrupted stretches of road, as the longest segment remains 0 miles on Highway 17 South. This means you will be navigating constant shifts and local road configurations rather than settling into a cruise-control rhythm. The profile is intentionally tactical, requiring your full attention as you move through various local road systems to reach Spartanburg. It is a hands-on driving experience that demands engagement from the driver at every intersection.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and J Strom Thurmond Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 16 significant decision points across 248.6 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: at 2.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from North Myrtle Beach, SC to Spartanburg, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
Marion
34.7 mi in|~44m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 56m. Total distance: 248.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). 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.
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 Spartanburg, 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: at 2.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Spartanburg, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
