Williamston, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC is 245.8 miles and takes about 5h 1m via I 20 and I 26, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a highway-focused drive that covers a significant portion of the state. It’s a straightforward journey, ideal if you’re looking for an efficient way to get from the western part of South Carolina to the coast. The drive is designed for a single day, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway or a direct transfer.
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
122.9 miles from Williamston, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m 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
22.9 mi
24m
West Palmetto Street
22.6 mi
32m
Highway 418
9.9 mi
14m
Highway 8 East
3.7 mi
5m
SC 576
3.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 79.4 mi, about 1h 29m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,146 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,576
Quietest
2 AM
~168 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Williamston, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC.
1
Start on Spring Park
80 ft·4 sec·Spring Park
2
Turn right onto SC 20
342 ft·7 sec·West Main Street
3
Continue on SC 20
0.3 mi·35 sec·East Main Street
4
Turn slight left onto SC 20
0.7 mi·1 min·Greenville Drive
5
Continue on SC 20
0.1 mi·11 sec·South Carolina 20
6
Turn right onto Courtney Street Extension
1.0 mi·2 min·Courtney Street Extension
7
At end of road, turn right onto SC 8
0.2 mi·24 sec·Lebby Street
8
Continue on SC 8
3.7 mi·5 min·Highway 8 East
9
Continue on SC 418
9.9 mi·14 min·Highway 418
10
Continue on SC 418
1.3 mi·2 min·Milacron Drive
11
Continue on SC 418
0.2 mi·19 sec·McCarter Road
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
13
Merge onto I 385
23 mi·24 min·Golden Strip Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 26
55 mi·1 hr·I 26
Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 107BToward I 20 East: FlorenceUse the right lane.
16
Merge onto I 20
79 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto US 76
23 mi·32 min·West Palmetto Street
18
Continue on SC 576
3.1 mi·3 min·SC 576
19
Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
42 mi·55 min·US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Use the left lane.
20
Turn straight onto US 501
2.0 mi·3 min·US 501
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North
248 ft·14 sec·8th Avenue North
22
Turn right onto US 17 Business
0.3 mi·40 sec·North Kings Highway
23
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
198 ft·11 sec·5th Avenue North
24
Turn right
196 ft·14 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, departing in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to power through or take a brief break as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $38; plan your fill-ups accordingly, especially before longer stretches. For this particular route, consider that the longest uninterrupted drive segment is 79.4 miles, so ensure you’re comfortable with that span before needing a pit stop. Since it’s a single-day trip, you have the advantage of not needing to rush through accommodations.
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 122.9 miles from Williamston, SC, or about 2h 24m 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 54 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.9 miles or 2h 24m 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
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 Williamston, 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 Williamston, SC
This is one driving day of about 245.8 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Williamston, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.9 and 245.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
17.9 mi into trip|~28m in|I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway
Merge onto I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
40.8 mi into trip|~53m in|I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
95.9 mi into trip|~1h 53m 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
5
96.3 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
245.4 mi into trip|~4h 59m in|US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Turn right onto US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.29 one way
$72.58 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$39.88
$79.76
premium
$4.49
$43.47
$86.94
diesel
$4.80
$46.41
$92.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.7
0
$25.81
$11.80
Efficient EV
61.5
0
$21.51
$9.83
EV Truck/SUV
98.3
1
$34.41
$15.73
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Williamston, SC
Late night
in Williamston on Sunday
Local time
5:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 2 to 9 mph27% 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
Late night
in Myrtle Beach on Sunday
Local time
5:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
S 7 to 18 mph4% 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
5 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
5h 1m 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
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 110.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 89% of the journey on major roads. You'll spend a good amount of time on interstates, including a longest stretch of 79.4 miles on I 20, offering a consistent pace. The profile is clearly highway-focused, meaning you'll experience relatively high speeds and fewer traffic lights for extended periods. While the main roads are primarily interstates like I 20 and I 26, the final leg utilizes US 501 Business, which may introduce a slight change in pace as you approach your destination.
89% 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: 79.4 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 26. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 17.9 miles in near I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 245.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 17.9 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.8 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 1m. Total distance: 245.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). 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.
Yes — we found about 16 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.
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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.9 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.8 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 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.
