Origin
Ridgeland, SC
Late night in Ridgeland on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ridgeland, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 53m
Distance
194 mi
312 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 40m
★
6 AM
3h 53m
8 AM
4h 19m
10 AM
4h 2m
12 PM
3h 59m
3 PM
4h 3m
5 PM
4h 17m
8 PM
3h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ridgeland, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Myrtle Beach, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Ridgeland, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC is 194 miles and takes about 3h 53m via US 17, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within South Carolina, traversing the Southeast region. You'll experience a highway-focused journey that's well-suited for a single day of travel. With a relatively short duration and manageable distance, this route offers a straightforward connection between two points in the Palmetto State. Consider this for a direct trip when you want to reach your destination without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
97 miles from Ridgeland, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 17 | 112.4 mi | 2h |
| Turbeville Highway | 36.1 mi | 43m |
| Highway 378 | 22.9 mi | 32m |
| Highway 501 East | 10.7 mi | 16m |
| Clarence Coker Highway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| US 501 | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Jacob Smart Boulevard | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Church Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 112.4 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ridgeland, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC.
1
Start on US 17; US 278
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
North Jacob Smart Boulevard
2
Take the ramp onto US 17
112 mi
·
2 hr
·
US 17
Toward I 95 North, US 17: Florence
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 378: Turbeville, Sumter
4
Keep slight right at fork
288 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 378 East: Turbeville, Lake City, Myrtle Beach
5
Merge onto US 378
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Myrtle Beach Highway
6
Continue on US 378
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Clarence Coker Highway
7
Continue on US 301; US 378
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
8
Continue on US 301; US 378
36 mi
·
43 min
·
Turbeville Highway
9
Continue on US 378
23 mi
·
32 min
·
Highway 378
10
Continue on US 378
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Wright Boulevard
11
Turn right onto US 501; US 701
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Church Street
12
Continue on US 501
11 mi
·
16 min
·
Highway 501 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto US 501
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 501
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North
248 ft
·
14 sec
·
8th Avenue North
15
Turn right onto US 17 Business
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Kings Highway
16
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
198 ft
·
11 sec
·
5th Avenue North
17
Turn right
196 ft
·
14 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 53m estimated drive time, departing in the morning from Ridgeland will comfortably get you to Myrtle Beach within the same day. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is around $30, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially during the 112.4-mile stretch on US 17. This is a straightforward drive, so focus on enjoying the smooth transit rather than worrying about complex navigation.
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 97 miles from Ridgeland, SC, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.4 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 43 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97 miles or 1h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Myrtle Beach, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ridgeland, 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 Ridgeland, SC
This is one driving day of about 194 miles and 3h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Ridgeland, 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 US 17 for about 112.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 97 miles from Ridgeland, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112.4 miles.
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 95 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 194 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 17
Take the ramp onto US 17 toward I 95 North, US 17: Florence
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North, US 17: Florence
5
114.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward US 378: Turbeville, Sumter
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 378: Turbeville, Sumter
7
114.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 378 East: Turbeville, Lake City, Myrtle Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 378 East: Turbeville, Lake City, Myrt...
5
193.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 51m in
|
US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Turn right onto US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Navigation decision point
5
194 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m in
|
5th Avenue North
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.34 one way
$60.67 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $33.17 | $66.34 |
| premium | $4.70 | $35.91 | $71.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.83 | $85.67 |
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: 67.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.2 | 0 | $20.37 | $9.31 |
| Efficient EV | 48.5 | 0 | $16.97 | $7.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.6 | 0 | $27.16 | $12.42 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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
Myrtle Beach, SC
Late night in Myrtle Beach on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Lake City, SC
97 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
6 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
3h 53m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 80.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway-focused, with 76% of the route utilizing major roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on US 17, experiencing a longest stretch of 112.4 miles on this particular highway. While there are other roads involved like Turbeville Highway and Highway 378, the overall feel is one of steady progress. Expect a consistent driving experience with minimal complexities, making it an efficient way to cover the distance between Ridgeland and Myrtle Beach.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.4 mi on US 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and Turbeville Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near US 17.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 53m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (US 17): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.4 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ridgeland, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC, road signs point toward Sumter and Lake City.
Sumter
114.1 mi in
|
~2h 3m
Lake City
114.4 mi in
|
~2h 3m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 53m. Total distance: 194 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 112.4 miles on US 17. 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: at 1.7 miles (US 17): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Myrtle Beach, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Myrtle Beach, SC
More trips to Myrtle Beach, SC
Explore more options from Ridgeland, SC or browse trips ending in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.