Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Spartanburg, SC to Murrells Inlet, SC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 57m
Distance
238.6 mi
384 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 44m
★
6 AM
4h 58m
8 AM
5h 25m
10 AM
5h 7m
12 PM
5h 4m
3 PM
5h 8m
5 PM
5h 23m
8 PM
4h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Spartanburg, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Murrells Inlet, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spartanburg, SC to Murrells Inlet, SC is 238.6 miles and takes about 4h 57m via I 26 and US Highway 521, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. You'll experience a mix of highway speeds and surface road cruising, making for a varied but manageable drive. With a recommended duration of one day, this route is well-suited for a direct trip to the coast.
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
119.3 miles from Spartanburg, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 79.4 mi | 1h 26m |
| Garners Ferry Road | 36.2 mi | 45m |
| US Highway 521 | 26.8 mi | 30m |
| Ocean Highway | 17.4 mi | 25m |
| Manning Road | 15.1 mi | 17m |
| Greeleyville Highway | 14.2 mi | 16m |
| Highmarket Street | 9.4 mi | 13m |
| Georgetown Highway | 7.7 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 79.4 mi, about 1h 26m
Traffic on I-26
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 33 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,875 veh/hr typical · worst 2,512
Quietest
2 AM
~142 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Spartanburg, SC and Murrells Inlet, SC.
1
Start on US 221; SC 56
6.0 mi
·
10 min
·
North Church Street
2
Continue on US 221
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 221
3
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
4
Merge onto I 26
79 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 126; US 76
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
I 126; US 76
Toward I 126, US 76: Columbia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Huger Street
Use the slight right lane.
7
Continue on US 21; US 176; US 321
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Huger Street
8
Turn left onto Gervais Street
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Gervais Street
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto US 76; US 378
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Millwood Avenue
10
Continue on US 76; US 378
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Devine Street
11
Continue on US 76; US 378
36 mi
·
45 min
·
Garners Ferry Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 76 Business
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Broad Street
13
Turn slight right onto US 521
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Bultman Drive
14
Continue on US 521
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
North Guignard Drive
15
Continue on US 521
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Guignard Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto US 521
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Manning Road
17
Continue on US 521
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Church Street
18
Turn left onto US 521; SC 261
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
East Boyce Street
19
Continue on US 521; SC 261
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Greeleyville Highway
20
Continue on US 521
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
Society Street
21
Continue on US 521
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Society Street
22
Continue on US 521
27 mi
·
30 min
·
US Highway 521
23
Continue on US 521 Bus
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
24
Continue on US 521 Bus
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Georgetown Highway
25
Continue on US 17 Alternate; US 521
9.4 mi
·
13 min
·
Highmarket Street
26
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17 Alternate
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Church Street
27
Continue on US 17
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
L. H. Siau Bridge
28
Continue on US 17
17 mi
·
25 min
·
Ocean Highway
29
Continue on US 17
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 17
30
Turn right onto S-22-62
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Wachesaw Road
31
At end of road, turn left onto US 17 BUS
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
US 17 Business
32
Arrive at destination
US 17 BUS
Trip Plan
Given the drive is under 5 hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Spartanburg in the morning should allow you to reach Murrells Inlet with ample daylight. Consider a mid-drive stop around the 2-hour mark, perhaps near Columbia, to break up the 79.4-mile highway segment. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $40, this is a straightforward drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition onto US Highway 521, as services might be less frequent than on the interstate.
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 119.3 miles from Spartanburg, SC, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.4 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 52 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.3 miles or 2h 26m 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 Murrells Inlet, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Spartanburg, 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 Spartanburg, SC
This is one driving day of about 238.6 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Spartanburg, 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 79.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 119.3 miles from Spartanburg, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
TA
1.9 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 8.6 and 238.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
8.6 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
88 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
I 126; US 76
Keep slight left at fork onto I 126; US 76 toward I 126, US 76: Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 126, US 76: Columbia
6
91.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward Huger Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Huger Street
4
92.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
Gervais Street
Turn left onto Gervais Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
238.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 56m in
|
US 17 BUS / US 17 Business
At end of road, turn left onto US 17 BUS / US 17 Business
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.23 one way
$70.45 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.12 | $38.71 | $77.42 |
| premium | $4.49 | $42.20 | $84.39 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $45.05 | $90.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.6 | 0 | $25.05 | $11.45 |
| Efficient EV | 59.7 | 0 | $20.88 | $9.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.4 | 1 | $33.40 | $15.27 |
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.
Origin
Spartanburg, SC
Late night in Spartanburg on Sunday
Local time
3:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
98°F
Mostly Sunny
ESE 3 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:58PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:43PM EDT by NWS Columbia SC
Destination
Murrells Inlet, SC
Late night in Murrells Inlet on Sunday
Local time
3:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
S 13 mph
8% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:58PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:43PM EDT by NWS Columbia 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
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 57m 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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 115.2
Caution: Paddling Conditions
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
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
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect about half the trip, 48%, to be on highways. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 79.4 miles on I 26. The route transitions from highway driving to surface roads, indicated by Garners Ferry Road and US Highway 521. You'll notice the change in pace as you move from faster highway travel to more local road conditions.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.4 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.6 miles in near I 26.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 238.6 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 8.6 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 88 miles (I 126; US 76): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
805 ft
8 ft
Total Climb
47 ft
Total Descent
843 ft
Highest Point
805 ft
Elevation Range
796 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Spartanburg, SC
Full guide →Founded 1831
Spartanburg is both a county and city in Upcountry South Carolina.
Top landmarks
- • Spartanburg Historic District — historic district in South Carolina
- • Daniel Morgan Monument — Historic monument in Spartanburg, South Carolina
- • Church of the Advent — church building in Spartanburg, South Carolina
Arriving in Murrells Inlet, SC
Full guide →Once a quiet fishing village, Murrells Inlet is now one of the many popular seaside towns along the Grand Strand of South Carolina. The town is known primary for its salt marshes, seafood restaurants, and the biker bars that line the town's main drag. Compared to heavily commercialized Myrtle Beach just to the north, Murrells Inlet is much quieter, in keeping with its fishing village roots, and lies near the scenic natural reserve of Huntington Beach State Park, which has one of the most pristine, undeveloped stretches of beach on the Grand Strand.
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 4h 57m. Total distance: 238.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.4 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Murrells Inlet, 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.6 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 88 miles (I 126; US 76): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Congaree National Park and Cowpens National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 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 Murrells Inlet, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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