Trip from Camden, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC

Drive Time

2h 32m

Distance

118.3 mi

190 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 22m ★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 39m
12 PM
2h 37m
3 PM
2h 40m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 26m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Camden, SC, SC

Camden, SC

Kevin Yang

Downtown Myrtle Beach, SC, SC

Myrtle Beach, SC

Junior Bastos

Trip Overview

Traveling from Camden to Myrtle Beach covers 118.3 miles across the Southeast, making for a straightforward 2-hour and 32-minute journey. Because the total time is quite manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach the coast without needing an overnight split. You should budget approximately $19 for fuel to complete the transit. The drive primarily utilizes I-20 and US-501 Business, providing a direct link between the interior of South Carolina and the Atlantic shoreline. It is a practical, efficient path for travelers looking to prioritize speed and arrival time over a wandering, scenic detour.

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

59.1 miles from Camden, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .

Drive Character

This highway-focused drive is dominated by fast-paced travel, with 78% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a mix of interstate efficiency and local navigation as you transition onto West Palmetto Street. The longest uninterrupted stretch lasts for 45.4 miles while you are on I-20, offering a consistent rhythm before you eventually shift into the more localized traffic patterns of the coastal approach. Expect a transition from the inland landscape to the busier corridors leading into Myrtle Beach. It is a functional, no-nonsense route designed to get you to your destination with minimal fuss.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 45.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 501 Business. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in near I 20.

Route Complexity 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Camden, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC is easy. At 2h 32m with 78% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.2 miles (US 76 / West Palmetto Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 117.9 miles (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
2.8 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 20

Merge onto I 20

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
48.2 mi into trip | ~55m in | US 76 / West Palmetto Street

Turn left onto US 76 / West Palmetto Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
5
117.9 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | US 17 Business / North Kings Highway

Turn right onto US 17 Business / North Kings Highway

Navigation decision point

5
118.2 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | 5th Avenue North

Turn left onto 5th Avenue North

Navigation decision point

5
118.3 mi into trip | ~2h 32m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 20 45.4 mi 50m
US 501 Business 41.9 mi 55m
West Palmetto Street 22.6 mi 32m
SC 576 3.1 mi 3m
US 501 2 mi 3m
Sumter Highway 1.4 mi 1m
Broad Street 1.1 mi 2m
North Kings Highway 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 20 — 45.4 mi, about 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Camden, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC.

1

Start on US 521; US 601

1.1 mi · 2 min · Broad Street
2

Continue on US 521

1.4 mi · 1 min · Sumter Highway
3

Turn left

0.3 mi · 43 sec
4

Merge onto I 20

45 mi · 50 min · I 20
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5

Turn left onto US 76

23 mi · 32 min · West Palmetto Street
Use the none lane.
6

Continue on SC 576

3.1 mi · 3 min · SC 576
7

Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate

42 mi · 55 min · US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Use the none lane.
8

Turn straight onto US 501

2.0 mi · 3 min · US 501
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
9

Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North

248 ft · 14 sec · 8th Avenue North
10

Turn right onto US 17 Business

0.3 mi · 40 sec · North Kings Highway
11

Turn left onto 5th Avenue North

198 ft · 11 sec · 5th Avenue North
12

Turn right

196 ft · 14 sec
13

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since the trip is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for one strategic stop will help break up the drive comfortably. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early on, as the $19 estimate is based on typical transit conditions along the route. Because you are heading toward a popular coastal destination, consider checking traffic reports before turning onto US-501 Business to avoid potential bottlenecks near the coast. Use your single planned stop to stretch your legs after the initial 45.4-mile interstate stretch. Being mindful of these transitions will ensure your arrival in Myrtle Beach remains stress-free.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59.1 miles from Camden, SC, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.4 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 39m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 59.1 miles or 1h 11m 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 2m

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 Camden, 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 Camden, SC

This is one driving day of about 118.3 miles and 2h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Camden, 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 45.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 59.1 mi from Camden, SC · 1h 11m into the drive

Downtown Fayetteville, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fayetteville, NC

59 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

Fayetteville, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fayetteville, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59.1 miles from Camden, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

$18.93 one way

$37.87 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $20.63 $41.26
premium $4.78 $22.25 $44.51
diesel $5.64 $26.28 $52.56

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.5 0 $12.42 $5.68
Efficient EV 29.6 0 $10.35 $4.73
EV Truck/SUV 47.3 0 $16.56 $7.57

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Camden, SC

Evening in Camden on Sunday

Local time

6:34 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Myrtle Beach, SC

Evening in Myrtle Beach on Sunday

Local time

6:34 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

2h 32m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Camden, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC covers 118.3 miles and takes about 2h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, US 501 Business, West Palmetto Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.1 miles from Camden, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.93 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Camden, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC is easy. At 2h 32m with 78% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.2 miles (US 76 / West Palmetto Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 117.9 miles (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point.
The route from Camden, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Camden, SC or browse trips ending in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.

Explore maps for Camden, SC or Myrtle Beach, SC on MapSof.net.