This 102.5-mile drive from Goose Creek, SC, to Myrtle Beach, SC, will take approximately 2 hours and 22 minutes. It's a straightforward trip within the Southeast region, making it ideal as a single-day excursion. You can expect a fuel cost of around $16 for this journey. The route primarily utilizes US 17 Alternate and Ocean Highway, offering a mixed driving experience. With no specific stops recommended, this drive is best suited for those looking for a relatively quick and uncomplicated transition between these two South Carolina locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.3 miles from Goose Creek, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 102.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (43%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with 43% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches like Goose Creek Boulevard North, US 17 Alternate, and Ocean Highway. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll navigate is 23 miles on US 17 Alternate. While not entirely highway, the drive balances faster sections with more local road characteristics, providing a varied feel behind the wheel as you progress toward your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 17 Alternate is the longest continuous segment at about 23 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Old State Road.
Driving Effort5/10
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 102.5 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (Old State Road): Navigation decision point; at 88 miles (US 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.2 miles (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Old State Road
Turn left onto Old State Road
Navigation decision point
7
88 mi into trip|~2h 2m in|US 17
Take the exit onto US 17 toward US 17 North: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 17 North: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle...
5
102.2 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Turn right onto US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Navigation decision point
5
102.4 mi into trip|~2h 22m in|5th Avenue North
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
5
102.5 mi into trip|~2h 22m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17 Alternate
23 mi
33m
Ocean Highway
17.4 mi
25m
Goose Creek Boulevard North
14.2 mi
16m
Saints Delight Road
13.8 mi
18m
Highmarket Street
9.4 mi
13m
US 17
7.1 mi
8m
Highway 17
7 mi
8m
US 52
3.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 17 Alternate
— 23 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Goose Creek, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC.
1
Start on The Oaks Avenue
38 ft·7 sec·The Oaks Avenue
2
Turn left onto Old State Road
0.2 mi·41 sec·Old State Road
3
Continue on Old State Road
245 ft·16 sec·Old State Road
4
Turn left onto Red Bank Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Red Bank Road
5
Turn slight right onto US 52
14 mi·16 min·Goose Creek Boulevard North
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto US 52
3.7 mi·5 min·US 52
7
Continue on US 17 Alternate
17 mi·24 min·US 17 Alternate
8
Turn left onto US 17 Alternate; SC 41
5.8 mi·8 min·US 17 Alternate; SC 41
9
Turn right onto US 17 Alternate
5.1 mi·7 min·Saints Delight Road
10
Continue on US 17 Alternate
8.6 mi·11 min·Saints Delight Road
11
Turn right onto US 17 Alternate; US 521
9.4 mi·13 min·Highmarket Street
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17 Alternate
1.5 mi·2 min·Church Street
13
Continue on US 17
0.3 mi·25 sec·L. H. Siau Bridge
14
Continue on US 17
17 mi·25 min·Ocean Highway
15
Continue on US 17
3.6 mi·4 min·Highway 17
16
Take the exit onto US 17
7.1 mi·8 min·US 17
Toward US 17 North: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle BeachUse the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 17
1.2 mi·1 min·US Highway 17 Bypass South
18
Continue on US Highway 17 Bypass South
3.4 mi·4 min·US Highway 17 Bypass South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Toward US 501 South: Downtown Myrtle Beach
20
Turn straight onto US 501
2.0 mi·3 min·US 501
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North
248 ft·14 sec·8th Avenue North
22
Turn right onto US 17 Business
0.3 mi·40 sec·North Kings Highway
23
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
198 ft·11 sec·5th Avenue North
24
Turn right
196 ft·14 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 2 hours and 22 minutes, this route from Goose Creek to Myrtle Beach is easily manageable in one day. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $16, and plan for a quick stop if needed, though none are specifically recommended. Consider departing earlier in the day to maximize your time at your destination. A practical tip for this drive is to be aware of the longest stretch of 23 miles on US 17 Alternate, as this section might have more varied traffic patterns compared to typical highway driving.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 51.3 miles from Goose Creek, SC, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23 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 23 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.3 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
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 Goose Creek, 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 Goose Creek, SC
This is one driving day of about 102.5 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Goose Creek, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 17 Alternate for about 23 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 51.3 mi from Goose Creek, SC
· 1h 10m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.03 one way
$32.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$17.53
$35.05
premium
$4.70
$18.97
$37.94
diesel
$5.61
$22.63
$45.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.8
0
$10.76
$4.92
Efficient EV
25.6
0
$8.97
$4.10
EV Truck/SUV
41
0
$14.35
$6.56
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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 as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Goose Creek, SC
Late night
in Goose Creek on Friday
Local time
1:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Myrtle Beach, SC
Late night
in Myrtle Beach on Friday
Local time
1:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Andrews, SC
51 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
23 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
2h 22m 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 Goose Creek, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC covers 102.5 miles and takes about 2h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 17 Alternate, Ocean Highway, Goose Creek Boulevard North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 51.3 miles from Goose Creek, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.03 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 102.5 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (Old State Road): Navigation decision point; at 88 miles (US 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.2 miles (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point.
The route from Goose Creek, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
