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Trip from Myrtle Beach, SC to Beaufort, SC

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 48m

Distance

166.4 mi

268 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 38 min
4 AM
3h 36m ★
6 AM
3h 49m
8 AM
4h 14m
10 AM
3h 58m
12 PM
3h 55m
3 PM
3h 59m
5 PM
4h 13m
8 PM
3h 41m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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coastal city in South Carolina, United States

Myrtle Beach, SC

Wikimedia Commons

city in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States

Beaufort, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Myrtle Beach, SC to Beaufort, SC covers 166.4 miles and takes about 3h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on North Fraser Street, Savannah Highway, Ocean Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 56 miles on North Fraser Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.02 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

83.2 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 166.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (31%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Myrtle Beach, SC to Beaufort, SC covers 166.4 miles and takes about 3h 48m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Fraser Street is the longest continuous segment at about 56 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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 17 Business / North Kings Highway.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 166.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Alder Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 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

6
2.3 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the exit toward US 17 South: Georgetown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward US 17 South: Georgetown
5
2.6 mi into trip | ~5m in | US 17 / Highway 17

Merge onto US 17 / Highway 17

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
37.3 mi into trip | ~52m in | US 17 / North Fraser Street

Turn left onto US 17 / North Fraser Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Fraser Street 56 mi 1h 14m
Savannah Highway 29.7 mi 43m
Ocean Highway 17.4 mi 25m
Ace Basin Parkway 17.1 mi 22m
Highway 17 14.4 mi 16m
Trask Parkway 12 mi 14m
Charleston Highway 5.6 mi 7m
North Highway 17 4.2 mi 6m
Longest stretch: North Fraser Street — 56 mi, about 1h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1.9 mi · 3 min · US 501
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward US 17 South: Georgetown Use the right lane.
9

Merge onto US 17

3.7 mi · 4 min · Highway 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on US 17

1.3 mi · 1 min · US Highway 17 Bypass South
11

Continue on US 17

11 mi · 12 min · Highway 17
Use the straight lane.
12

Continue on US 17

17 mi · 25 min · Ocean Highway
13

Continue on US 17

0.3 mi · 25 sec · L. H. Siau Bridge
14

Continue on US 17

1.4 mi · 2 min · Church Street
15

Turn left onto US 17

56 mi · 1 hr 14 min · North Fraser Street
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on US 17

4.2 mi · 6 min · North Highway 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on US 17

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Septima P. Clark Parkway
18

Continue on US 17

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Spring Street
Use the straight lane.
19

Continue on Spring Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Spring Street
20

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 20 sec · this road
21

Merge onto US 17

30 mi · 43 min · Savannah Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Continue on US 17

17 mi · 22 min · Ace Basin Parkway
23

Continue on US 17

5.6 mi · 7 min · Charleston Highway
Use the left lane.
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
25

Enter roundabout onto Trask Parkway

207 ft · 2 sec · Trask Parkway
26

Continue on Trask Parkway

12 mi · 14 min · Trask Parkway
27

Continue on US 21

3.0 mi · 4 min · Boundary Street
28

Continue on US 21 Business

0.5 mi · 54 sec · Carteret Street
29

Turn left onto Port Republic Street

39 ft · 1 sec · Port Republic Street
30

Arrive at destination

Port Republic Street

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 83.2 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56 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 37 miles or 52m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 83.2 miles or 1h 53m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beaufort, 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 166.4 miles and 3h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 North Fraser Street for about 56 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 83.2 mi from Myrtle Beach, SC · 1h 53m into the drive

town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mount Pleasant, 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Georgetown, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Isle of Palms, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 83.2 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Beaufort, SC

The final approach into Beaufort, 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 Beaufort, SC.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The Reconstruction era,1861-1900 the historic period in which the United States grappled with the question of how to integrate millions of newly freed African Americans into social, political, economi...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 166.4
View on nps.gov
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Two forts stand at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. Patriots inside a palmetto log fort, later named Fort Moultrie, defeated the Royal Navy in 1776. As Charleston blazed a path towards secession to...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 near mile 91.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.02 one way

$52.04 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $28.45 $56.90
premium $4.70 $30.80 $61.59
diesel $5.61 $36.74 $73.48

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: 58.2 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 49.9 0 $17.47 $7.99
Efficient EV 41.6 0 $14.56 $6.66
EV Truck/SUV 66.6 0 $23.30 $10.65

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

Afternoon in Myrtle Beach on Friday

Local time

1:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Beaufort, SC

Afternoon in Beaufort on Friday

Local time

1:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°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

1 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 48m 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 Beaufort, SC covers 166.4 miles and takes about 3h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are North Fraser Street, Savannah Highway, Ocean Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 83.2 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 $26.02 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 166.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Alder Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Myrtle Beach, SC to Beaufort, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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