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Trip from Clearwater, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

4h 21m

Distance

213.5 mi

344 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 8m ★
6 AM
4h 21m
8 AM
4h 48m
10 AM
4h 31m
12 PM
4h 28m
3 PM
4h 32m
5 PM
4h 46m
8 PM
4h 13m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Clearwater, SC, SC

Clearwater, SC

Jared Lung

coastal city in South Carolina, United States

Myrtle Beach, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Clearwater, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC covers 213.5 miles and takes about 4h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 20, US 501 Business, West Palmetto Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 137.5 miles on I 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.39 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

106.8 miles from Clearwater, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 4h 21m highway drive covering 213.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 20 and US 501 Business. The longest continuous stretch is about 137.5 miles on I 20.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 137.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 501 Business. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 213.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 5.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 5.9 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 213.2 miles (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

5
5.2 mi into trip | ~8m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 20 East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 20 East
5
5.9 mi into trip | ~9m in | I 20

Merge onto I 20

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
213.2 mi into trip | ~4h 20m in | US 17 Business / North Kings Highway

Turn right onto US 17 Business / North Kings Highway

Navigation decision point

5
213.4 mi into trip | ~4h 20m in | 5th Avenue North

Turn left onto 5th Avenue North

Navigation decision point

5
213.5 mi into trip | ~4h 21m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 20 137.5 mi 2h 34m
US 501 Business 41.9 mi 55m
West Palmetto Street 22.6 mi 32m
SC 576 3.1 mi 3m
Belvedere-Clearwater Road 2.2 mi 3m
US 501 2 mi 3m
Palmetto Parkway 2 mi 2m
Belvedere Road 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 20 — 137.5 mi, about 2h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on SC 421

37 ft · 2 sec · Augusta Road
2

Turn right onto SC 126

0.6 mi · 1 min · Belvedere Road
3

Continue on SC 126

2.2 mi · 3 min · Belvedere-Clearwater Road
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec
5

Merge onto I 520

2.0 mi · 2 min · Palmetto Parkway
6

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 20 East
7

Merge onto I 20

138 mi · 2 hr 34 min · I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Turn left onto US 76

23 mi · 32 min · West Palmetto Street
9

Continue on SC 576

3.1 mi · 3 min · SC 576
10

Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate

42 mi · 55 min · US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Use the left lane.
11

Turn straight onto US 501

2.0 mi · 3 min · US 501
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North

248 ft · 14 sec · 8th Avenue North
13

Turn right onto US 17 Business

0.3 mi · 40 sec · North Kings Highway
14

Turn left onto 5th Avenue North

198 ft · 11 sec · 5th Avenue North
15

Turn right

196 ft · 14 sec
16

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 106.8 miles from Clearwater, SC, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.5 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 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 106.8 miles or 2h 3m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 28m

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 Clearwater, 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 Clearwater, SC

This is one driving day of about 213.5 miles and 4h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clearwater, 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 137.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 106.8 mi from Clearwater, SC · 2h 3m into the drive

city in and county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charlotte, NC

107 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

Charlotte, NC

Fuel and coffee

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

Charlotte, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 106.8 miles from Clearwater, 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 137.5 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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Congaree National Park

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 81
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
Park Closure: Boardwalk Partially Closed for Construction
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.39 one way

$66.77 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $36.51 $73.01
premium $4.70 $39.51 $79.03
diesel $5.61 $47.14 $94.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 64.1 0 $22.42 $10.25
Efficient EV 53.4 0 $18.68 $8.54
EV Truck/SUV 85.4 1 $29.89 $13.66

Gas CO2

75 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (67% 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 hours ago

Origin

Clearwater, SC

Evening in Clearwater on Tuesday

Local time

8:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

89°F

Sunny

SW 6 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Myrtle Beach, SC

Evening in Myrtle Beach on Tuesday

Local time

8:18 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

24 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

4h 21m 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 Clearwater, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC covers 213.5 miles and takes about 4h 21m 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 106.8 miles from Clearwater, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.39 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 213.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 5.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 5.9 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 213.2 miles (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point.
The route from Clearwater, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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