Origin
Clemson, SC
Afternoon in Clemson on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clemson, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC
Drive Time
5h 35m
Distance
275.1 mi
443 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
Clemson, SC
Kelly
Myrtle Beach, SC
Junior Bastos
Trip Overview
Traveling from Clemson to Myrtle Beach covers 275.1 miles across South Carolina, making it a straightforward trek that takes approximately 5 hours and 35 minutes of driving time. Because this route is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete the trip without needing an overnight stay, though you should budget about $44 for fuel. You will primarily utilize I-20, I-26, and US 501 Business to navigate from the Upstate region toward the coast. While the drive is long, the consistent highway access keeps the journey efficient. It is a practical choice if you are looking to get from the inland hills to the Atlantic shoreline in one go.
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
137.6 miles from Clemson, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
This journey is characterized by a heavy focus on high-speed travel, with roughly 79% of the route consisting of highway driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on major interstates, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 79.4 miles on I-20. The road feels like a typical efficient transit route rather than a winding scenic byway, moving you quickly across the state's interior. As you transition onto US 501 Business toward the end of your trip, the pace shifts from interstate cruising to more localized traffic. Expect a steady, predictable experience behind the wheel that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 around 0.6 miles in near US 76; US 123; SC 28 / Tiger Boulevard.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 275.1 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: at 0.6 miles (US 76; US 123; SC 28 / Tiger Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 22 miles (SC 153 / Highway 153): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 76; US 123; SC 28 / Tiger Boulevard
Turn right onto US 76; US 123; SC 28 / Tiger Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
21.9 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
22 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
SC 153 / Highway 153
Merge onto SC 153 / Highway 153
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
28.7 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
I 185 / Southern Connector
Merge onto I 185 / Southern Connector
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
125.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m 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
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 | 29.8 mi | 32m |
| West Palmetto Street | 22.6 mi | 32m |
| Calhoun Memorial Highway | 18.3 mi | 23m |
| Southern Connector | 10.9 mi | 11m |
| Highway 153 | 6.3 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 79.4 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clemson, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC.
1
Start on SC 133
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
College Avenue
Use the none lane.
2
Turn right onto US 76; US 123; SC 28
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Tiger Boulevard
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on US 123
18 mi
·
23 min
·
Calhoun Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
6
Merge onto SC 153
6.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Highway 153
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
8
Merge onto I 185
11 mi
·
11 min
·
Southern Connector
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 385 South: Columbia
10
Merge onto US 276
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
US 276
11
Merge onto I 385
30 mi
·
32 min
·
Golden Strip Freeway
Use the none lane.
12
Merge onto I 26
55 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 26
Use the none / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 107B
Toward I 20 East: Florence
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto I 20
79 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
I 20
Use the none lane.
15
Turn left onto US 76
23 mi
·
32 min
·
West Palmetto Street
Use the none lane.
16
Continue on SC 576
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
SC 576
17
Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
42 mi
·
55 min
·
US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Use the none lane.
18
Turn straight onto US 501
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 501
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
19
Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North
248 ft
·
14 sec
·
8th Avenue North
20
Turn right onto US 17 Business
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Kings Highway
21
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
198 ft
·
11 sec
·
5th Avenue North
22
Turn right
196 ft
·
14 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs during the 5.5-hour journey. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential congestion as you approach the coastal region later in the day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $44 estimated cost assumes steady highway driving conditions. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal energy levels. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor local traffic reports for US 501 Business, as this final segment can fluctuate in travel time depending on the day of the week.
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 137.6 miles from Clemson, SC, or about 2h 41m 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.6 miles or 2h 41m 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 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 Clemson, 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 Clemson, SC
This is one driving day of about 275.1 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clemson, 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 137.6 mi from Clemson, SC · 2h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
138 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 137.6 miles from Clemson, 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
$44.03 one way
$88.05 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $47.97 | $95.94 |
| premium | $4.78 | $51.75 | $103.50 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $61.12 | $122.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.5 | 1 | $28.89 | $13.20 |
| Efficient EV | 68.8 | 0 | $24.07 | $11.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110 | 1 | $38.51 | $17.61 |
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.
Destination
Myrtle Beach, SC
Afternoon in Myrtle Beach on Sunday
Local time
3:04 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
1 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 35m 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 Clemson, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC covers 275.1 miles and takes about 5h 35m 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 137.6 miles from Clemson, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.03 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 17 significant decision points across 275.1 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: at 0.6 miles (US 76; US 123; SC 28 / Tiger Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 22 miles (SC 153 / Highway 153): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Clemson, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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