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Trip from Myrtle Beach, SC to Garden City Beach, SC

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

21m

Distance

11.4 mi

18 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$2

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 6 min
4 AM
0h 20m ★
6 AM
0h 22m
8 AM
0h 26m
10 AM
0h 23m
12 PM
0h 23m
3 PM
0h 23m
5 PM
0h 26m
8 PM
0h 21m

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

coastal city in South Carolina, United States

Myrtle Beach, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Myrtle Beach, SC to Garden City Beach, SC covers 11.4 miles and takes about 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on 4th Avenue North, North Kings Highway, Cypress Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $1.78 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

0 planned breaks

This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.

Midpoint

5.7 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 21m drive with frequent turns across 11.4 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 7 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
4th Avenue North 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.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Myrtle Beach, SC to Garden City Beach, SC is easy. At 21m 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 Myrtle Beach, SC to Garden City Beach, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
4th Avenue North
North Kings Highway
Cypress Avenue
North Waccamaw Drive
Cedar Avenue

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: 4th Avenue North — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on the route

292 ft · 23 sec · the route
2

Turn right onto 4th Avenue North

161 ft · 7 sec · 4th Avenue North
3

Turn left onto North Kings Highway

9.6 mi · 17 min · North Kings Highway
4

Turn left onto Cypress Avenue

0.9 mi · 2 min · Cypress Avenue
5

At the end of the road, turn right onto North Waccamaw Drive

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Waccamaw Drive
6

Turn right onto Cedar Avenue

302 ft · 13 sec · Cedar Avenue
7

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

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 5.7 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC, or about 10m 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 11 miles or 21m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 5.7 miles or 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 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Garden City Beach, SC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Have your navigation ready before leaving Myrtle Beach, SC.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Myrtle Beach, SC

This is one driving day of about 11.4 miles and 21m.

At 11.4 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 5.7 mi from Myrtle Beach, SC · 10m into the drive

Pacing Suggestions

Surfside Beach, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Surfside Beach, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 5.7 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Garden City Beach, SC

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Garden City Beach, SC if you are unfamiliar with the area.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$1.78 one way

$3.57 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 4 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $1.95 $3.90
premium $4.70 $2.11 $4.22
diesel $5.61 $2.52 $5.03

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$27–$52

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 3.4 0 $1.20 $0.55
Efficient EV 2.9 0 $1.00 $0.46
EV Truck/SUV 4.6 0 $1.60 $0.73

Gas CO2

4 kg

EV CO2

1 kg (75% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Myrtle Beach, SC

Evening in Myrtle Beach on Wednesday

Local time

7:17 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Garden City Beach, SC

Evening in Garden City Beach on Wednesday

Local time

7:17 PM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

20 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

21m 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 Myrtle Beach, SC to Garden City Beach, SC covers 11.4 miles and takes about 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 4th Avenue North, North Kings Highway, Cypress Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.7 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.78 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.
The drive from Myrtle Beach, SC to Garden City Beach, SC is easy. At 21m 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 Myrtle Beach, SC to Garden City Beach, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Myrtle Beach, SC to Garden City Beach, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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