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Trip from Myrtle Beach, SC to Pendleton, SC

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

5h 34m

Distance

269.4 mi

434 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 21m ★
6 AM
5h 34m
8 AM
6h 1m
10 AM
5h 44m
12 PM
5h 41m
3 PM
5h 45m
5 PM
6h 0m
8 PM
5h 26m

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

Downtown Pendleton, SC, SC

Pendleton, SC

cottonbro studio

Trip Overview

The drive from Myrtle Beach, SC to Pendleton, SC covers 269.4 miles and takes about 5h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on J Strom Thurmond Freeway, I 26, Church Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 76.4 miles on J Strom Thurmond Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.13 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

134.7 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 50m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 5h 34m highway drive covering 269.4 miles, with most of the trip on J Strom Thurmond Freeway and I 26. The longest continuous stretch is about 76.4 miles on J Strom Thurmond Freeway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 39 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
J Strom Thurmond Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 76.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on J Strom Thurmond Freeway and I 26. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 17 Business / North Kings Highway.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 269.4 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: near the start (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Alder Street): Navigation decision point; at 148.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 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 | US 17 Business / North Kings Highway

At end of road, turn right onto US 17 Business / North Kings Highway

Navigation decision point

5
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | Alder Street

At end of road, turn right onto Alder Street

Navigation decision point

5
148.2 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in

Take the exit toward I 26 West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 64B Toward I 26 West
9
204.8 mi into trip | ~4h 8m in | I 385

Keep slight left at fork onto I 385 toward I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 51 Toward I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville
6
234.4 mi into trip | ~4h 41m in | US 276

Keep slight right at fork onto US 276 toward I 185, US 276: Atlanta, Mauldin, Anderson

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 185, US 276: Atlanta, Mauldin, Anderso...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Myrtle Beach, SC and Pendleton, SC, road signs point toward Greenville, Mauldin and Anderson.

Greenville

204.8 mi in | ~4h 8m | via I 385

Mauldin

234.4 mi in | ~4h 41m | via US 276

Anderson

234.4 mi in | ~4h 41m | via US 276

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
J Strom Thurmond Freeway 76.4 mi 1h 25m
I 26 54.8 mi 1h
Church Street 31.2 mi 39m
I 385 29.6 mi 32m
US 76 18.8 mi 24m
Old Greenville Highway 12.4 mi 17m
US 501 10.5 mi 16m
Southern Connector 8.8 mi 9m
Longest stretch: J Strom Thurmond Freeway — 76.4 mi, about 1h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

69 ft · 9 sec · this road
2

Turn left

159 ft · 13 sec
3

At end of road, turn right onto US 17 Business

0.1 mi · 20 sec · North Kings Highway
4

Turn left onto 6th Avenue North

489 ft · 21 sec · 6th Avenue North
5

Continue on 6th Avenue North

0.2 mi · 46 sec · 6th Avenue North
6

At end of road, turn right onto Alder Street

154 ft · 6 sec · Alder Street
7

Turn left onto US 501

11 mi · 16 min · US 501
Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Continue on US 501

2.0 mi · 3 min · Highway 501 East
9

Continue on US 501

31 mi · 39 min · Church Street
10

Turn straight onto SC 576

3.2 mi · 3 min · SC 576
11

Continue on US 76

6.7 mi · 7 min · US 76
Use the straight lane.
12

Continue on US 76; US 301

12 mi · 16 min · US 76; US 301
Use the straight lane.
13

Turn slight right onto East Cheves Street

1.7 mi · 3 min · East Cheves Street
14

Turn right onto Warley Street

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Warley Street
15

Turn left onto S-21-31

2.4 mi · 4 min · West Evans Street
16

Turn right onto I 20 Bus

1.5 mi · 2 min · West David H McLeod Boulevard
17

Continue on I 20 Bus

76 mi · 1 hr 25 min · J Strom Thurmond Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

1.7 mi · 3 min
Exit 64B Toward I 26 West
19

Merge onto I 26; US 76

55 mi · 1 hr · I 26; US 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight left at fork onto I 385

30 mi · 32 min · I 385
Exit 51 Toward I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville Use the slight left / straight lanes.
21

Keep slight right at fork onto US 276

0.5 mi · 33 sec · US 276
Toward I 185, US 276: Atlanta, Mauldin, Anderson
22

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 185: Atlanta, Anderson
23

Merge onto I 185

8.8 mi · 9 min · Southern Connector
24

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward SC 20
25

Keep slight left at fork

204 ft · 9 sec
26

Turn left onto SC 20

3.0 mi · 5 min · Piedmont Highway
27

Turn right onto SC 86

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
28

Continue on SC 86

1.0 mi · 1 min · Anderson Street
29

Continue on SC 86

2.2 mi · 3 min · Highway 86
30

Turn left onto Major Road

1.2 mi · 2 min · Major Road
31

Continue on Moore Road

1.8 mi · 3 min · Moore Road
32

Continue on SC 88

6.9 mi · 9 min · Old Greenville Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
33

Enter roundabout onto SC 88

121 ft · 2 sec · Old Greenville Highway
34

Continue on SC 88

2.8 mi · 3 min · Old Greenville Highway
35

Continue on SC 88

1.2 mi · 1 min · Highway 88
36

Continue on SC 88

2.7 mi · 3 min · Old Greenville Highway
37

Continue on SC 88

0.9 mi · 1 min · Greenville Street
38

Continue on SC 88

0.3 mi · 38 sec · East Queen Street
39

Arrive at destination

SC 88

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 134.7 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.4 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 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 134.7 miles or 2h 50m 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 26m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach, SC

This is one driving day of about 269.4 miles and 5h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Myrtle Beach, 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 J Strom Thurmond Freeway for about 76.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 134.7 mi from Myrtle Beach, SC · 2h 50m into the drive

city in and county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charlotte, NC

135 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

Charlotte, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Charlotte, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 134.7 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before J Strom Thurmond Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.4 miles.

Arriving in Pendleton, SC

The final approach into Pendleton, 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 Pendleton, 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

$42.13 one way

$84.26 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 94 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $46.06 $92.13
premium $4.70 $49.86 $99.72
diesel $5.61 $59.48 $118.96

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 94.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 80.8 0 $28.29 $12.93
Efficient EV 67.4 0 $23.57 $10.78
EV Truck/SUV 107.8 1 $37.72 $17.24

Gas CO2

94 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Myrtle Beach, SC

Morning in Myrtle Beach on Wednesday

Local time

6:11 AM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pendleton, SC

Morning in Pendleton on Wednesday

Local time

6:11 AM

EDT

Current temp

74°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

9 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 34m 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 Myrtle Beach, SC to Pendleton, SC covers 269.4 miles and takes about 5h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are J Strom Thurmond Freeway, I 26, Church 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 134.7 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 $42.13 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 20 significant decision points across 269.4 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: near the start (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Alder Street): Navigation decision point; at 148.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Between Myrtle Beach, SC and Pendleton, SC, road signs point toward Greenville, Mauldin and Anderson.

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