Origin
Myrtle Beach, SC
Late night in Myrtle Beach on Saturday
Local time
5:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Myrtle Beach, SC to West Columbia, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 10m
Distance
150.6 mi
242 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 59m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 34m
10 AM
3h 19m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 20m
5 PM
3h 33m
8 PM
3h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Myrtle Beach, SC
Wikimedia Commons
West Columbia, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Myrtle Beach, SC to West Columbia, SC covers 150.6 miles and takes about 3h 10m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Kings Highway, 6th Avenue North, Alder Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.55 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
75.3 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 10m. Total distance: 150.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 10m drive with frequent turns across 150.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Kings Highway 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.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Myrtle Beach, SC to West Columbia, SC is easy. At 3h 10m 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 West Columbia, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Kings Highway | — | — |
| 6th Avenue North | — | — |
| Alder Street | — | — |
| Highway 501 East | — | — |
| Church Street | — | — |
| East Cheves Street | — | — |
| Warley Street | — | — |
| West Evans Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North Kings Highway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Myrtle Beach, SC and West Columbia, SC.
1
Start on the route
69 ft
·
10 sec
·
the route
2
Turn left
161 ft
·
14 sec
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Kings Highway
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Kings Highway
4
Turn left onto 6th Avenue North
489 ft
·
22 sec
·
6th Avenue North
5
Continue on 6th Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
6th Avenue North
6
At the end of the road, turn right onto Alder Street
154 ft
·
7 sec
·
Alder Street
7
Turn left
11 mi
·
16 min
8
Continue on Highway 501 East
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 501 East
9
Continue on Church Street
31 mi
·
39 min
·
Church Street
10
Turn straight
3.2 mi
·
3 min
11
Continue straight
6.7 mi
·
7 min
12
Continue straight
12 mi
·
16 min
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 West Evans Street
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Evans Street
16
Turn right onto West David H McLeod Boulevard
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West David H McLeod Boulevard
17
Continue on J Strom Thurmond Freeway
69 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
J Strom Thurmond Freeway
18
Take the exit slight right toward SC 277 South: Downtown, Columbia
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
SC 277 South: Downtown, Columbia
19
Merge slight left onto I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
20
Continue on Bull Street
0.7 mi
·
56 sec
·
Bull Street
21
Turn right onto Elmwood Avenue
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Elmwood Avenue
22
Take the exit slight left toward US 21, US 176, US 321: Huger Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 21, US 176, US 321: Huger Street
23
Turn right onto Taylor Street
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Taylor Street
24
Continue on Hampton Street
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Hampton Street
25
Continue on Jarvis Klapman Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Jarvis Klapman Boulevard
26
Turn right onto North 12th Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
North 12th Street
27
Turn right
272 ft
·
20 sec
28
Arrive at your destination
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 75.3 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC, or about 1h 35m 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 33 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.3 miles or 1h 35m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Columbia, 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 150.6 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.3 mi from Myrtle Beach, SC · 1h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.3 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in West Columbia, SC
The final approach into West Columbia, 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 West Columbia, 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
$23.55 one way
$47.10 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $25.75 | $51.50 |
| premium | $4.70 | $27.87 | $55.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.25 | $66.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.2 | 0 | $15.81 | $7.23 |
| Efficient EV | 37.7 | 0 | $13.18 | $6.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.2 | 0 | $21.08 | $9.64 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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.
Destination
West Columbia, SC
Late night in West Columbia on Saturday
Local time
5:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Florence, SC
75 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
31 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
3h 10m 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 West Columbia, SC covers 150.6 miles and takes about 3h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Kings Highway, 6th Avenue North, Alder Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.3 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 $23.55 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.
The drive from Myrtle Beach, SC to West Columbia, SC is easy. At 3h 10m 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 West Columbia, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Myrtle Beach, SC to West Columbia, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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Return Trip
West Columbia, SC to Myrtle Beach, SCPlan the drive back the other way.
150.3 mi
3h 10m
Continue From West Columbia, SC
Explore more options from Myrtle Beach, SC or browse trips ending in West Columbia, SC.
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