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Trip from Pendleton, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

5h 32m

Distance

269.4 mi

433 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 19m ★
6 AM
5h 33m
8 AM
5h 59m
10 AM
5h 42m
12 PM
5h 39m
3 PM
5h 43m
5 PM
5h 58m
8 PM
5h 25m

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

Downtown Pendleton, SC, SC

Pendleton, SC

cottonbro studio

coastal city in South Carolina, United States

Myrtle Beach, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Pendleton, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC covers 269.4 miles and takes about 5h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 20, I 26, US 501 Business for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 79.4 miles on I 20. 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 Pendleton, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 5h 32m highway drive covering 269.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 20 and I 26. The longest continuous stretch is about 79.4 miles on I 20.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 79.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 26. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 25 miles in near I 185 / Southern Connector.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 269.4 miles you will encounter 16 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: at 25 miles (I 185 / Southern Connector): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.6 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.3 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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
25 mi into trip | ~41m in | I 185 / Southern Connector

Merge onto I 185 / Southern Connector

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
34.6 mi into trip | ~52m in | I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway

Merge onto I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
64.3 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in | I 26

Merge onto I 26

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

Use the slight right lane.
7
119.5 mi into trip | ~2h 25m in

Take the exit toward I 20 East: Florence

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

Use the right lane. Exit 107B Toward I 20 East: Florence
5
119.8 mi into trip | ~2h 25m in | I 20

Merge onto I 20

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 20 79.4 mi 1h 29m
I 26 55.2 mi 1h
US 501 Business 41.9 mi 55m
Golden Strip Freeway 29.8 mi 32m
West Palmetto Street 22.6 mi 32m
Old Greenville Highway 12.4 mi 17m
Southern Connector 8.8 mi 9m
SC 576 3.1 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 20 — 79.4 mi, about 1h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on SC 88

0.3 mi · 39 sec · East Queen Street
2

Turn left onto SC 88

0.9 mi · 1 min · Greenville Street
3

Continue on SC 88

2.7 mi · 3 min · Old Greenville Highway
4

Continue on SC 88

1.2 mi · 1 min · Highway 88
5

Continue on SC 88

2.8 mi · 3 min · Old Greenville Highway
6

Enter roundabout onto SC 88

130 ft · 2 sec · Old Greenville Highway
7

Continue on SC 88

6.9 mi · 9 min · Old Greenville Highway
8

Continue on Moore Road

1.8 mi · 3 min · Moore Road
9

Continue on Major Road

1.2 mi · 2 min · Major Road
10

At end of road, turn right onto SC 86

2.2 mi · 3 min · Highway 86
11

Continue on SC 86

1.0 mi · 1 min · Anderson Street
12

Continue on SC 86

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
13

Turn left onto SC 20

2.7 mi · 4 min · Piedmont Highway
14

Take the ramp

0.7 mi · 1 min
15

Merge onto I 185

8.8 mi · 9 min · Southern Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 385 South: Columbia
17

Merge onto US 276

0.2 mi · 13 sec · US 276
18

Merge onto I 385

30 mi · 32 min · Golden Strip Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Merge onto I 26

55 mi · 1 hr · I 26
Use the slight right lane.
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 107B Toward I 20 East: Florence Use the right lane.
21

Merge onto I 20

79 mi · 1 hr 29 min · I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Turn left onto US 76

23 mi · 32 min · West Palmetto Street
23

Continue on SC 576

3.1 mi · 3 min · SC 576
24

Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate

42 mi · 55 min · US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Use the left lane.
25

Turn straight onto US 501

2.0 mi · 3 min · US 501
Use the straight / right lanes.
26

Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North

248 ft · 14 sec · 8th Avenue North
27

Turn right onto US 17 Business

0.3 mi · 40 sec · North Kings Highway
28

Turn left onto 5th Avenue North

198 ft · 11 sec · 5th Avenue North
29

Turn right

196 ft · 14 sec
30

Arrive at 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 134.7 miles from Pendleton, SC, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.4 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 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 134.7 miles or 2h 42m 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 27m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Pendleton, 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 Pendleton, SC

This is one driving day of about 269.4 miles and 5h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pendleton, 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 I 20 for about 79.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 134.7 mi from Pendleton, SC · 2h 42m 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

Mauldin, SC

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 Pendleton, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.4 miles.

Arriving in Myrtle Beach, SC

The final approach into Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach, 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 4 days ago

Origin

Pendleton, SC

Afternoon in Pendleton on Tuesday

Local time

1:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Myrtle Beach, SC

Afternoon in Myrtle Beach on Tuesday

Local time

1:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°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

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

5h 32m 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 Pendleton, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC covers 269.4 miles and takes about 5h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, I 26, US 501 Business. 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 Pendleton, 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 269.4 miles you will encounter 16 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: at 25 miles (I 185 / Southern Connector): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.6 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.3 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Pendleton, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Myrtle Beach, SC to Pendleton, SC

Plan the drive back the other way.

269.4 mi 5h 34m

Explore more options from Pendleton, SC or browse trips ending in Myrtle Beach, SC.

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