Origin
Columbia, SC
Late night in Columbia on Saturday
Local time
5:32 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
8/10
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 Bull Street, I, I 20 East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. 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 37m 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 (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 14m drive with frequent turns across 160.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Bull Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Columbia, SC to North Myrtle Beach, SC is easy. At 3h 14m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Columbia, SC to North Myrtle Beach, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bull Street | — | — |
| I | — | — |
| I 20 East | — | — |
| West Palmetto Street | — | — |
| SC 22 East | — | — |
| Veterans Highway | — | — |
| SC 31 North | — | — |
| Carolina Bays Parkway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Bull Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
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 Bull Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Bull Street
3
Continue on I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
4
Take the exit slight right toward I 20 East: Florence
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 20 East: Florence
5
Merge slight left
70 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
6
Turn left onto West Palmetto Street
23 mi
·
32 min
·
West Palmetto Street
7
Continue straight
3.1 mi
·
3 min
8
Continue straight
21 mi
·
24 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward SC 22 East: North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
SC 22 East: North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach
10
Continue on Veterans Highway
26 mi
·
30 min
·
Veterans Highway
11
Take the exit slight right toward SC 31 North: Little River, Wilmington
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
SC 31 North: Little River, Wilmington
12
Merge slight left onto Carolina Bays Parkway
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Carolina Bays Parkway
13
Take the exit slight right toward Robert Edge Pkwy: North Myrtle Beach
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
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 Highway 17 South
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
US Highway 17 South
16
Turn left onto 6th Avenue South
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Avenue South
17
Arrive at your 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 80.1 miles from Columbia, SC, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.1 miles or 1h 37m 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 39m
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.1 mi from Columbia, SC · 1h 37m 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.
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
Late night in North Myrtle Beach on Saturday
Local time
5:32 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 Bull Street, I, I 20 East. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
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.
The drive from Columbia, SC to North Myrtle Beach, SC is easy. At 3h 14m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Columbia, SC to North Myrtle Beach, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Columbia, SC to North Myrtle Beach, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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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