The drive from North Myrtle Beach, SC to Charleston, SC covers 111.6 miles and takes about 2h 36m 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, Highway 17, Ocean Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 56 miles on North Fraser Street.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.45 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
55.8 miles from North Myrtle Beach, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 36m. Total distance: 111.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 36m drive with frequent turns across 111.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
40 ft-2 ft
Total Climb
83 ft
Total Descent
80 ft
Highest Point
40 ft
~15.9 mi in
Elevation Range
42 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near S-26-521 / Hillside Drive South.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 36m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (S-26-521 / Hillside Drive South): Navigation decision point; at 7.9 miles (US 17 / Highway 17): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.5 miles (US 17 / North Fraser Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|S-26-521 / Hillside Drive South
Turn left onto S-26-521 / Hillside Drive South
Navigation decision point
5
7.9 mi into trip|~15m in|US 17 / Highway 17
Turn straight onto US 17 / Highway 17 toward US 17 North: Conway, Georgetown
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward US 17 North: Conway, Georgetown
5
50.5 mi into trip|~1h 13m in|US 17 / North Fraser Street
Turn left onto US 17 / North Fraser Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
109 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Take the exit toward Morrison Drive, East Bay Street
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.
Toward Morrison Drive, East Bay Street
6
110.9 mi into trip|~2h 34m in|S-10-107 / Meeting Street
Turn left onto S-10-107 / Meeting Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 North Myrtle Beach, SC to Charleston, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Georgetown along the way.
Georgetown
7.9 mi in|~15m|via US 17
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Fraser Street
56 mi
1h 14m
Highway 17
22.3 mi
27m
Ocean Highway
17.4 mi
25m
North Kings Highway
3.6 mi
6m
US Highway 17 South
3.2 mi
6m
North Highway 17
2.4 mi
3m
Church Street
1.4 mi
2m
US Highway 17 Bypass South
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
North Fraser Street
— 56 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Myrtle Beach, SC and Charleston, SC.
1
Start on S-26-358
304 ft·13 sec·6th Avenue South
2
Turn left onto S-26-521
0.9 mi·2 min·Hillside Drive South
3
Turn right onto 14th Avenue South
0.2 mi·27 sec·14th Avenue South
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 17
3.2 mi·6 min·US Highway 17 South
5
Continue on US 17
3.6 mi·6 min·North Kings Highway
6
Turn straight onto US 17
12 mi·15 min·Highway 17
Toward US 17 North: Conway, GeorgetownUse the left / straight lanes.
7
Continue on US 17
1.3 mi·1 min·US Highway 17 Bypass South
8
Continue on US 17
11 mi·12 min·Highway 17
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 17
17 mi·25 min·Ocean Highway
10
Continue on US 17
0.3 mi·25 sec·L. H. Siau Bridge
11
Continue on US 17
1.4 mi·2 min·Church Street
12
Turn left onto US 17
56 mi·1 hr 14 min·North Fraser Street
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 17
2.4 mi·3 min·North Highway 17
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Morrison Drive, East Bay StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto US 52 Bus
0.5 mi·1 min·Morrison Drive
16
Turn straight onto East Bay Street
0.8 mi·1 min·East Bay Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto Calhoun Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Calhoun Street
18
Turn left onto S-10-107
0.7 mi·1 min·Meeting Street
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto Broad Street
40 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
20
Arrive at destination
Broad Street
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 55.8 miles from North Myrtle Beach, SC, or about 1h 20m 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 25 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.8 miles or 1h 20m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charleston, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North 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 North Myrtle Beach, SC
This is one driving day of about 111.6 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from North 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 55.8 mi from North Myrtle Beach, SC
· 1h 20m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.45 one way
$34.90 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$19.08
$38.16
premium
$4.70
$20.65
$41.31
diesel
$5.61
$24.64
$49.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.5
0
$11.72
$5.36
Efficient EV
27.9
0
$9.76
$4.46
EV Truck/SUV
44.6
0
$15.62
$7.14
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
North Myrtle Beach, SC
Late night
in North Myrtle Beach on Saturday
Local time
5:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Charleston, SC
Late night
in Charleston on Saturday
Local time
5:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Georgetown, SC
56 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
2 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
2h 36m 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 North Myrtle Beach, SC to Charleston, SC covers 111.6 miles and takes about 2h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Fraser Street, Highway 17, Ocean Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 55.8 miles from North 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 $17.45 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.
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 straightforward 2h 36m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (S-26-521 / Hillside Drive South): Navigation decision point; at 7.9 miles (US 17 / Highway 17): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.5 miles (US 17 / North Fraser Street): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from North Myrtle Beach, SC to Charleston, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Georgetown along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from -2 ft to 40 ft elevation with about 83 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park.
