Anderson, SC to North Myrtle Beach, SC is 273.6 miles and takes about 5h 31m via I 20, I 26, and Veterans Highway, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily takes you through the Southeast region, staying within South Carolina for the entire journey. It's a straightforward highway-focused drive, making it a solid choice if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without many detours. Given the manageable distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination with time to spare.
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
136.8 miles from Anderson, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 31m. Total distance: 273.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 74% of the journey utilizing major interstates like I 20 and I 26. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 79.4 miles on I 20, offering a sustained period of consistent speed. As you transition to Veterans Highway, expect a change in the road's character, though the majority of your time will be spent on faster-paced, limited-access roads. The drive is designed for efficiency, prioritizing direct travel over scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 79.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 early in the drive near SC 28 Business / South Main Street.
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 18 significant decision points across 273.6 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: near the start (SC 28 Business / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.5 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.4 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SC 28 Business / South Main Street
Turn left onto SC 28 Business / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
33.5 mi into trip|~50m 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
56.4 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
111.6 mi into trip|~2h 15m 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
7
238.1 mi into trip|~4h 46m in
Take the exit toward SC 22 East: North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward SC 22 East: North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle B...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Anderson, SC to North Myrtle Beach, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Myrtle Beach along the way.
Myrtle Beach
238.1 mi in|~4h 46m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
79.4 mi
1h 29m
I 26
55.2 mi
1h
Veterans Highway
26.3 mi
30m
Golden Strip Freeway
22.9 mi
24m
West Palmetto Street
22.6 mi
32m
US 501 Business
21 mi
24m
Highway 418
9.9 mi
14m
Cooley Bridge Road
5.6 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 79.4 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anderson, SC and North Myrtle Beach, SC.
1
Start on East Whitner Street
31 ft·8 sec·East Whitner Street
2
Turn left onto SC 28 Business
0.2 mi·34 sec·South Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 76; US 178
3.9 mi·5 min·East River Street
4
Continue on US 76; US 178
4.7 mi·6 min·Belton Highway
5
Continue on US 76; US 178
2.3 mi·3 min·Anderson Street
6
Turn left onto SC 20
374 ft·14 sec·North Main Street
7
Turn right onto SC 247
1.3 mi·2 min·River Street
8
Continue on SC 247
3.6 mi·4 min·Highway 247
9
Continue on SC 247
5.6 mi·8 min·Cooley Bridge Road
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 25
0.1 mi·13 sec·Augusta Road
11
Turn right onto SC 418
9.9 mi·14 min·Highway 418
12
Continue on SC 418
1.3 mi·2 min·Milacron Drive
13
Continue on SC 418
0.2 mi·19 sec·McCarter Road
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
15
Merge onto I 385
23 mi·24 min·Golden Strip Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 26
55 mi·1 hr·I 26
Use the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 107BToward I 20 East: FlorenceUse the right lane.
18
Merge onto I 20
79 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto US 76
23 mi·32 min·West Palmetto Street
20
Continue on SC 576
3.1 mi·3 min·SC 576
21
Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
21 mi·24 min·US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
22
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward SC 22 East: North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle BeachUse the right lane.
23
Continue on SC 22
26 mi·30 min·Veterans Highway
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward SC 31 North: Little River, Wilmington
25
Merge onto SC 31
5.1 mi·5 min·Carolina Bays Parkway
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Robert Edge Pkwy: North Myrtle Beach
27
Turn right onto Robert Edge Parkway
1.7 mi·2 min·Robert Edge Parkway
28
Turn right onto US 17
0.3 mi·43 sec·US Highway 17 South
29
Turn left onto S-26-358
0.7 mi·1 min·6th Avenue South
Use the left lane.
30
Arrive at destination
S-26-358
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour, 31-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Anderson to avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to North Myrtle Beach. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $43, you can plan your stops strategically. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 79.4 miles on I 20, so ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. Given that this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always wise on highway-focused routes.
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 136.8 miles from Anderson, SC, or about 2h 44m 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 60 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.8 miles or 2h 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 4h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Myrtle Beach, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anderson, 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 Anderson, SC
This is one driving day of about 273.6 miles and 5h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Anderson, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 136.8 mi from Anderson, SC
· 2h 44m into the drive
The midpoint is around 136.8 miles from Anderson, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.4 miles.
Arriving in North Myrtle Beach, SC
The final approach into North Myrtle Beach, SC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around North Myrtle Beach, SC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
K1 Speed - Indoor Go Karts, Food, Games, and Things to Do In Myrtle Beach
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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 122.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.79 one way
$85.57 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$46.78
$93.56
premium
$4.70
$50.64
$101.28
diesel
$5.61
$60.41
$120.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
8 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Blink Charging Station
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Blink
1 DCFC
Circle K Charging Station
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
EV Connect
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
FLO Charging Station
Longs, South Carolina
FLO
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination: 2
Blink: 1
Other: 1
Tesla: 1
EV Connect: 1
ChargePoint: 1
FLO: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.1
1
$28.73
$13.13
Efficient EV
68.4
0
$23.94
$10.94
EV Truck/SUV
109.4
1
$38.30
$17.51
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Anderson, SC
Morning
in Anderson on Saturday
Local time
8:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North Myrtle Beach, SC
Morning
in North Myrtle Beach on Saturday
Local time
8:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
30 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 31m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Anderson, SC to North Myrtle Beach, SC covers 273.6 miles and takes about 5h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, I 26, Veterans Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 136.8 miles from Anderson, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.79 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 273.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SC 28 Business / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.5 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.4 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Anderson, SC to North Myrtle Beach, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Myrtle Beach along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
