Origin
Pendleton, SC
Afternoon in Pendleton on Tuesday
Local time
1:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
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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
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pendleton, SC
cottonbro studio
Myrtle Beach, SC
Wikimedia Commons
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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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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto I 185 / Southern Connector
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Pendleton, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC.
Start on SC 88
Turn left onto SC 88
Continue on SC 88
Continue on SC 88
Continue on SC 88
Enter roundabout onto SC 88
Continue on SC 88
Continue on Moore Road
Continue on Major Road
At end of road, turn right onto SC 86
Continue on SC 86
Continue on SC 86
Turn left onto SC 20
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 185
Take the exit
Merge onto US 276
Merge onto I 385
Merge onto I 26
Take the exit
Merge onto I 20
Turn left onto US 76
Continue on SC 576
Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Turn straight onto US 501
Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North
Turn right onto US 17 Business
Turn left onto 5th Avenue North
Turn right
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.4 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$42.13 one way
$84.26 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Pendleton on Tuesday
Local time
1:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Myrtle Beach on Tuesday
Local time
1:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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