Origin
Belton, SC
Afternoon in Belton on Sunday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Belton, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC
Drive Time
5h 6m
Distance
250.3 mi
403 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
Belton, SC
Just a Couple Photos
Myrtle Beach, SC
Junior Bastos
Trip Overview
Traveling from Belton to Myrtle Beach covers 250.3 miles across the South Carolina interior to the coast. You should anticipate roughly 5 hours and 6 minutes of driving time, making this a manageable journey to complete in a single day. The route primarily utilizes I-20, I-26, and US 501 Business to navigate the state. Budgeting about $40 for fuel will get you from the Upstate region to the Atlantic shoreline comfortably. While the trip is straightforward enough to tackle in one go, planning for at least one stop will keep you refreshed behind the wheel. It is an efficient way to transition from the inland areas to the beach without needing an overnight stay.
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
125.1 miles from Belton, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 87% of your trek stays on major thoroughfares. The road feels like a consistent interstate grind, allowing you to maintain steady speeds for most of the transit. You will tackle a significant 79.4-mile stretch on I-20, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the drive. As you transition from the initial highway segments onto US 501 Business, the character of the road shifts from fast-paced interstate travel to more localized traffic flow. This mix ensures you spend the majority of your time cruising, with only the final leg requiring a change in your driving pace.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 22.4 miles in near I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 250.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 22.4 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.3 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
22.4 mi into trip
|
~33m 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 none / slight right lanes.
5
45.3 mi into trip
|
~58m in
|
I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / slight right lanes.
7
100.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m 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
100.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
180.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m in
|
US 76 / West Palmetto Street
Turn left onto US 76 / West Palmetto Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
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 |
| Cooley Bridge Road | 5.6 mi | 8m |
| Highway 247 | 3.6 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 79.4 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belton, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC.
1
Start on Breazeale Street
79 ft
·
4 sec
·
Breazeale Street
2
Continue on SC 247
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
River Street
3
Continue on SC 247
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 247
4
Continue on SC 247
5.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Cooley Bridge Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 25
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Augusta Road
6
Turn right onto SC 418
9.9 mi
·
14 min
·
Highway 418
7
Continue on SC 418
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Milacron Drive
8
Continue on SC 418
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
McCarter Road
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
10
Merge onto I 385
23 mi
·
24 min
·
Golden Strip Freeway
Use the none / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 26
55 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 26
Use the none / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 107B
Toward I 20 East: Florence
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto I 20
79 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
I 20
Use the none lane.
14
Turn left onto US 76
23 mi
·
32 min
·
West Palmetto Street
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on SC 576
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
SC 576
16
Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
42 mi
·
55 min
·
US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Use the none lane.
17
Turn straight onto US 501
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 501
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
18
Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North
248 ft
·
14 sec
·
8th Avenue North
19
Turn right onto US 17 Business
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Kings Highway
20
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
198 ft
·
11 sec
·
5th Avenue North
21
Turn right
196 ft
·
14 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan to depart early in the morning to navigate interstate traffic with ease. Since the total duration is just over five hours, one well-timed stop is all you really need to recharge and stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer stretches, though your $40 budget should be more than sufficient for the trip. Because you are relying heavily on I-20 and I-26, check for potential construction or delays before you leave Belton. Taking advantage of the flexibility this one-day route offers allows you to hit the beach by the afternoon, provided you stay consistent with your travel pace.
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 125.1 miles from Belton, 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.1 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 4h 4m
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 Belton, 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 Belton, SC
This is one driving day of about 250.3 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Belton, 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 125.1 mi from Belton, SC · 2h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 125.1 miles from Belton, 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 79.4 miles.
Arriving in Myrtle Beach, SC
The final approach into 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 Myrtle Beach, SC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.06 one way
$80.12 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $43.64 | $87.29 |
| premium | $4.78 | $47.08 | $94.17 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.61 | $111.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.1 | 0 | $26.28 | $12.01 |
| Efficient EV | 62.6 | 0 | $21.90 | $10.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.1 | 1 | $35.04 | $16.02 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Destination
Myrtle Beach, SC
Afternoon in Myrtle Beach on Sunday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°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
3 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 6m 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 Belton, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC covers 250.3 miles and takes about 5h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, I 26, US 501 Business. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 125.1 miles from Belton, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.06 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 250.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.4 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.3 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Belton, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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