Origin
Columbia, SC
Morning in Columbia on Saturday
Local time
6:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, SC to North Myrtle Beach, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 14m
Distance
160.2 mi
258 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 2m
★
6 AM
3h 14m
8 AM
3h 38m
10 AM
3h 22m
12 PM
3h 20m
3 PM
3h 23m
5 PM
3h 36m
8 PM
3h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Myrtle Beach, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Columbia, SC to North Myrtle Beach, SC covers 160.2 miles and takes about 3h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 20, Veterans Highway, West Palmetto Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 70.3 miles on I 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.05 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
80.1 miles from Columbia, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 160.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 14m highway drive covering 160.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 20 and Veterans Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 70.3 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 17 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 70.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Veterans Highway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 76 / Bull Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 160.2 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 0.4 miles (US 76 / Bull Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 76 / Bull Street
Turn left onto US 76 / Bull Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
6.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 East: Florence
5
7.6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
124.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m 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...
5
151.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward SC 31 North: Little River, Wilmington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SC 31 North: Little River, Wilmington
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Columbia, SC and North Myrtle Beach, SC, road signs point toward Myrtle Beach and Wilmington.
Myrtle Beach
124.7 mi in
|
~2h 29m
Wilmington
151.9 mi in
|
~3h 1m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 70.3 mi | 1h 18m |
| Veterans Highway | 26.3 mi | 30m |
| West Palmetto Street | 22.6 mi | 32m |
| US 501 Business | 21 mi | 24m |
| Carolina Bays Parkway | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| SC 576 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| Robert Edge Parkway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 70.3 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, SC and North Myrtle Beach, SC.
1
Start on Gervais Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Gervais Street
2
Turn left onto US 76
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Bull Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on SC 277
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
4
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 20 East: Florence
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 20
70 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn left onto US 76
23 mi
·
32 min
·
West Palmetto Street
7
Continue on SC 576
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
SC 576
8
Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward SC 22 East: North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on SC 22
26 mi
·
30 min
·
Veterans Highway
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward SC 31 North: Little River, Wilmington
12
Merge onto SC 31
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Carolina Bays Parkway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward Robert Edge Pkwy: North Myrtle Beach
14
Turn right onto Robert Edge Parkway
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Robert Edge Parkway
15
Turn right onto US 17
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
US Highway 17 South
16
Turn left onto S-26-358
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Avenue South
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
S-26-358
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 80.1 miles from Columbia, SC, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.3 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 35 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.1 miles or 1h 32m 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 38m
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 Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC
This is one driving day of about 160.2 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Columbia, 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 70.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.1 mi from Columbia, SC · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.1 miles from Columbia, 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 70.3 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.05 one way
$50.10 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $27.39 | $54.78 |
| premium | $4.70 | $29.65 | $59.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.37 | $70.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.1 | 0 | $16.82 | $7.69 |
| Efficient EV | 40.1 | 0 | $14.02 | $6.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.1 | 0 | $22.43 | $10.25 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
North Myrtle Beach, SC
Morning in North Myrtle Beach on Saturday
Local time
6:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Florence, SC
80 mi in
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
6 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
3h 14m 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 Columbia, SC to North Myrtle Beach, SC covers 160.2 miles and takes about 3h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, Veterans Highway, 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 80.1 miles from Columbia, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.05 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 160.2 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 0.4 miles (US 76 / Bull Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Columbia, SC and North Myrtle Beach, SC, road signs point toward Myrtle Beach and Wilmington.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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