Travelers Rest to Myrtle Beach is 255.9 miles and takes about 5h 12m via I 20 and I 26, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, connecting the Upstate region to the coast. Most of your travel will be on major interstate highways, making for a straightforward drive. You'll spend the majority of your time on the road, so plan for a full day of travel rather than an overnight stop. It's a practical route for reaching the beach without much fuss.
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
128 miles from Travelers Rest, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
79.4 mi
1h 29m
I 26
55.2 mi
1h
US 501 Business
41.9 mi
55m
Golden Strip Freeway
31.6 mi
34m
West Palmetto Street
22.6 mi
32m
I 385
8.3 mi
9m
Poinsett Highway
4.7 mi
7m
North Pleasantburg Drive
4.5 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 79.4 mi, about 1h 29m
Traffic on I-385
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~2,425 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,835
Quietest
2 AM
~95 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
25.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 50 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 Travelers Rest, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC.
1
Start on Center Street
83 ft·9 sec·Center Street
2
Turn left onto US 276
1.3 mi·2 min·South Main Street
3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 276
4.7 mi·7 min·Poinsett Highway
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto SC 253
0.2 mi·24 sec·State Park Road
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on SC 291
3.0 mi·5 min·North Pleasantburg Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on SC 291
1.5 mi·2 min·North Pleasantburg Drive
Use the right lane.
7
Turn left
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 385 South: ColumbiaUse the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 385
8.3 mi·9 min·I 385
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385
32 mi·34 min·Golden Strip Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 26
55 mi·1 hr·I 26
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 107BToward I 20 East: FlorenceUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 20
79 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto US 76
23 mi·32 min·West Palmetto Street
14
Continue on SC 576
3.1 mi·3 min·SC 576
15
Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
42 mi·55 min·US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Use the left lane.
16
Turn straight onto US 501
2.0 mi·3 min·US 501
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North
248 ft·14 sec·8th Avenue North
18
Turn right onto US 17 Business
0.3 mi·40 sec·North Kings Highway
19
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
198 ft·11 sec·5th Avenue North
20
Turn right
196 ft·14 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your stops, but consider breaking up the 79.4-mile stretch on I 20 if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches of highway where services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is around $42, so factor that into your budget. Plan to make your last significant fuel stop before you reach the denser areas around Myrtle Beach.
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 128 miles from Travelers Rest, SC, or about 2h 29m 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 56 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128 miles or 2h 29m 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 9m
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 Travelers Rest, 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 Travelers Rest, SC
This is one driving day of about 255.9 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Travelers Rest, 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 20 for about 79.4 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 106.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in|US 276 / Poinsett Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 276 / Poinsett Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
6 mi into trip|~10m in|SC 253 / State Park Road
Turn left onto SC 253 / State Park Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
10.7 mi into trip|~19m in
Turn left toward I 385 South: Columbia
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 385 South: Columbia
6
19.3 mi into trip|~29m in|I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
106.1 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 107B
Toward I 20 East: Florence
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.78 one way
$75.56 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$41.52
$83.04
premium
$4.49
$45.26
$90.51
diesel
$4.80
$48.32
$96.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.8
0
$26.87
$12.28
Efficient EV
64
0
$22.39
$10.24
EV Truck/SUV
102.4
1
$35.83
$16.38
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Travelers Rest, SC
Night
in Travelers Rest on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
N 2 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:19AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Destination
Myrtle Beach, SC
Night
in Myrtle Beach on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Clear
SW 7 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:19AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
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
7 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 12m 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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 123.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 87% of the route on interstates. You'll encounter a substantial stretch of 79.4 miles on I 20 without needing to exit. The transition to US 501 Business near Myrtle Beach will mark the end of the highway portion, introducing more local traffic and exits. Expect a consistent cruising speed for most of the trip, with the longest uninterrupted highway segment being quite long.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.4 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 26. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near US 276 / Poinsett Highway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 255.9 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 1.3 miles (US 276 / Poinsett Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles (SC 253 / State Park Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
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 12m. Total distance: 255.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.4 miles on I 20. 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 Myrtle Beach, 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 1.3 miles (US 276 / Poinsett Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles (SC 253 / State Park Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Myrtle Beach, SC before the return drive.
