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Trip from Myrtle Beach, SC to Winnsboro, SC

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

3h 26m

Distance

165.1 mi

266 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 14m ★
6 AM
3h 26m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 32m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 49m
8 PM
3h 19m

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

town in South Carolina, U.S.A.

Winnsboro, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 165.1-mile drive from Myrtle Beach, SC to Winnsboro, SC is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 26 minutes. With 75% of the journey on highways, you'll find it a straightforward drive through the Southeast region. Budget around $26 for fuel to cover this distance. The route is focused on efficient travel, making it a practical choice for getting between these two South Carolina locations without needing an overnight stay. You'll experience a consistent driving pace for most of the trip.

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

82.5 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 165.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for about 75% of this 165.1-mile route. The majority of your travel will be on roads like the J Strom Thurmond Freeway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 65.8 miles. While there are sections on Church Street and US 76, the overall personality is one of efficient transit rather than winding scenic byways. The road primarily facilitates movement, offering a consistent pace for the bulk of the journey.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 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 65.8 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

535 ft 25 ft

Total Climb

701 ft

Total Descent

191 ft

Highest Point

535 ft

~165.1 mi in

Elevation Range

510 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on J Strom Thurmond Freeway and Church Street. 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.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 165.1 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 137.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 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

8
137.6 mi into trip | ~2h 51m in

Take the exit toward I 77: Charlotte, Charleston

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 76A Toward I 77: Charlotte, Charleston
7
138 mi into trip | ~2h 52m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 77 North: Charlotte

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 77 North: Charlotte
8
155.7 mi into trip | ~3h 12m in

Take the exit toward SC 34: Ridgeway, Winnsboro

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 34 Toward SC 34: Ridgeway, Winnsboro

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from Myrtle Beach, SC to Winnsboro, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Charleston along the way.

Charleston

137.6 mi in | ~2h 51m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
J Strom Thurmond Freeway 65.8 mi 1h 11m
Church Street 31.2 mi 39m
US 76 18.8 mi 24m
Charles F Bolden Freeway 17.4 mi 19m
US 501 10.5 mi 16m
State Highway 34 6.4 mi 8m
SC 576 3.2 mi 3m
West Evans Street 2.4 mi 4m
Longest stretch: J Strom Thurmond Freeway — 65.8 mi, about 1h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

66 mi · 1 hr 11 min · J Strom Thurmond Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Exit 76A Toward I 77: Charlotte, Charleston Use the slight right lane.
19

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 77 North: Charlotte Use the slight right lane.
20

Merge onto I 77

17 mi · 19 min · Charles F Bolden Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 34 Toward SC 34: Ridgeway, Winnsboro Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork

404 ft · 14 sec
23

Turn left onto SC 34

6.3 mi · 8 min · State Highway 34
24

At end of road, turn right onto US 321

0.3 mi · 27 sec · US Highway 321 South Bypass
25

Turn right onto US 321 Business

260 ft · 4 sec · State Highway 34
26

Continue on US 321 Business

1.5 mi · 2 min · Columbia Road
27

Continue on US 321 Business

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Congress Street
28

Arrive at destination

US 321 Business

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 26-minute duration, this route is comfortably completed in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and potential brief stops without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 65.8 miles on the J Strom Thurmond Freeway, as services might be more spaced out in certain sections. The $26 fuel cost is a good estimate to keep in mind for your budget.

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 82.5 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.8 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 36 miles or 50m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 82.5 miles or 1h 51m 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 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winnsboro, 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 165.1 miles and 3h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 65.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 82.5 mi from Myrtle Beach, SC · 1h 51m into the drive

county seat of Florence County, South Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Florence, SC

83 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.

Popular next leg

Florence, SC to Winnsboro, SC

97.9 mi · 1h 55m

Pacing Suggestions

Mullins, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bishopville, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.5 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 65.8 miles.

Arriving in Winnsboro, SC

The final approach into Winnsboro, 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 Winnsboro, 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

$25.82 one way

$51.64 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $28.23 $56.46
premium $4.70 $30.56 $61.11
diesel $5.61 $36.45 $72.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.5 0 $17.34 $7.92
Efficient EV 41.3 0 $14.45 $6.60
EV Truck/SUV 66 0 $23.11 $10.57

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 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 15, 2026

Origin

Myrtle Beach, SC

Late night in Myrtle Beach on Friday

Local time

12:59 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Winnsboro, SC

Late night in Winnsboro on Friday

Local time

12:59 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Florence, SC

83 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

9 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

3h 26m 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 Winnsboro, SC covers 165.1 miles and takes about 3h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are J Strom Thurmond Freeway, Church Street, US 76. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82.5 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 $25.82 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 is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 165.1 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 137.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Myrtle Beach, SC to Winnsboro, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Charleston along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 25 ft to 535 ft elevation with about 701 ft of total climbing.

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