Origin
West Columbia, SC
Late night in West Columbia on Sunday
Local time
12:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Columbia, 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 10m
Distance
150.3 mi
242 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 58m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 34m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 20m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Columbia, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Myrtle Beach, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a getaway from West Columbia to the coast, you can expect a straightforward 150.3-mile journey to Myrtle Beach. Clocking in at approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes of driving time, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, though staying overnight offers more flexibility for enjoying the beach. You should budget roughly $24 for fuel to cover the distance. Since both the origin and destination are situated within the Southeast, you will notice a consistent regional character throughout the drive. Because the trip is relatively short, you can easily manage the transit in one go without the need for an overnight split. This drive is ideal for those who prefer highway-focused travel over winding backroads.
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
75.1 miles from West Columbia, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 70.3 mi | 1h 18m |
| US 501 Business | 41.9 mi | 55m |
| West Palmetto Street | 22.6 mi | 32m |
| I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| SC 576 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| US 501 | 2 mi | 3m |
| Hampton Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Jarvis Klapman Boulevard | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 70.3 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Columbia, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC.
1
Start on this road
272 ft
·
25 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto SC 35
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
North 12th Street
3
Turn left onto SC 12
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Jarvis Klapman Boulevard
4
Continue on SC 12
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Hampton Street
5
Turn left onto US 76
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Bull Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on SC 277
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 20 East: Florence
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 20
70 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto US 76
23 mi
·
32 min
·
West Palmetto Street
10
Continue on SC 576
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
SC 576
11
Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
42 mi
·
55 min
·
US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Use the left lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 501
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 501
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North
248 ft
·
14 sec
·
8th Avenue North
14
Turn right onto US 17 Business
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Kings Highway
15
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
198 ft
·
11 sec
·
5th Avenue North
16
Turn right
196 ft
·
14 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 10-minute drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion as you approach the coastal areas. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refuel while you are still on the more open stretches of the highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $24 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and current local prices. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of being able to adjust your departure time to suit your personal schedule. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation system active when transitioning from I-20 onto US 501 Business to ensure you stay on the most direct path.
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 75.1 miles from West Columbia, SC, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.3 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 33 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.1 miles or 1h 27m 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 32m
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 West Columbia, 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 West Columbia, SC
This is one driving day of about 150.3 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from West Columbia, 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 70.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.1 miles from West Columbia, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.3 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 150.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SC 35 / North 12th Street
Turn left onto SC 35 / North 12th Street
Navigation decision point
6
9.1 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 East: Florence
5
9.9 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
150 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
|
US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Turn right onto US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Navigation decision point
5
150.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
|
5th Avenue North
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.50 one way
$47.01 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $25.70 | $51.40 |
| premium | $4.70 | $27.82 | $55.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.18 | $66.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.1 | 0 | $15.78 | $7.21 |
| Efficient EV | 37.6 | 0 | $13.15 | $6.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.1 | 0 | $21.04 | $9.62 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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
12:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Florence, SC
75 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
31 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
3h 10m 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.
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
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 15.5
Caution: Burn Ban in Effect 4/17
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is defined by a heavy reliance on major thoroughfares, with highways accounting for 81% of your total travel time. You will spend the bulk of your journey navigating I-20, which features your longest uninterrupted stretch of 70.3 miles. As you progress toward the coast, the road transitions from the interstate onto US 501 Business and West Palmetto Street. Expect a consistent, efficient pace rather than a technical or winding experience. It is a predictable drive that prioritizes speed and directness, making it a reliable choice for travelers who want to reach the Atlantic quickly.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.3 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 501 Business. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near SC 35 / North 12th Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 10m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (SC 35 / North 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 10m. Total distance: 150.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.3 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.
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 0.1 miles (SC 35 / North 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 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.
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