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Trip from Spartanburg, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

3h 56m

Distance

243.3 mi

392 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 44m ★
6 AM
3h 57m
8 AM
4h 23m
10 AM
4h 6m
12 PM
4h 3m
3 PM
4h 7m
5 PM
4h 21m
8 PM
3h 49m

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

Downtown Spartanburg, SC, SC

Spartanburg, SC

Wikimedia Commons

coastal city in South Carolina, United States

Myrtle Beach, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Planning a trip from Spartanburg, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC? This 243.3-mile drive takes about 3 hours and 56 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You'll be navigating local roads for the entirety of this journey, so expect a more hands-on driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $39, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout. Consider this a straightforward, turn-heavy drive that’s best tackled when you have a full day to enjoy the journey.

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

121.6 miles from Spartanburg, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This drive is characterized by its frequent turns, as indicated by its 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile and a 0% highway share. You won't encounter long stretches of high-speed interstate here. Instead, prepare for a more engaged experience on roads like Highway 221 and West Palmetto Street, interspersed with I-20 East for a portion of the trip. The longest uninterrupted driving segment isn't specified, suggesting a need to remain attentive to navigation. The journey will feel like a continuous exploration of local byways rather than a blur of highway miles.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 221 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 3h 56m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Spartanburg, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Highway 221 Unavailable Refreshing
I 20 East Unavailable Refreshing
West Palmetto Street Unavailable Refreshing
8th Avenue North Unavailable Refreshing
North Kings Highway Unavailable Refreshing
5th Avenue North Unavailable Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: Highway 221 — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Church Street

6.0 mi · 10 min · North Church Street
2

Continue on Highway 221

2.5 mi · 4 min · Highway 221
3

Turn left

0.2 mi · 23 sec
4

Merge slight left

79 mi · 1 hr 25 min
5

Take the exit slight right toward I 20 East: Florence

0.3 mi · 41 sec · I 20 East: Florence
6

Merge slight left

79 mi · 1 hr 29 min
7

Turn left onto West Palmetto Street

23 mi · 32 min · West Palmetto Street
8

Continue straight

3.1 mi · 3 min
9

Continue straight

42 mi · 55 min
10

Turn straight

2.0 mi · 3 min
11

Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North

249 ft · 15 sec · 8th Avenue North
12

Turn right onto North Kings Highway

0.3 mi · 41 sec · North Kings Highway
13

Turn left onto 5th Avenue North

200 ft · 11 sec · 5th Avenue North
14

Turn right

197 ft · 14 sec
15

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour 56-minute duration and the 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile, it's wise to start your trip from Spartanburg early in the morning to maximize daylight. Plan for at least one stop to break up the drive and refuel, especially since the route consists primarily of local roads. Keep an eye on your GPS, as the numerous turns will require your full attention. The estimated fuel cost of $39 is quite reasonable, but it's always a good idea to have a little extra buffer. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart on your schedule.

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 121.6 miles from Spartanburg, SC, or about 1h 58m 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 80 miles or 1h 17m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 121.6 miles or 1h 58m 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 14m

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 Spartanburg, 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 Spartanburg, SC

This is one driving day of about 243.3 miles and 3h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Spartanburg, 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 121.6 mi from Spartanburg, SC · 1h 58m into the drive

city in and county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charlotte, NC

122 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

Belmont, NC

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 121.6 miles from Spartanburg, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

$38.94 one way

$77.88 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 85 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $42.42 $84.85
premium $4.78 $45.77 $91.53
diesel $5.64 $54.05 $108.11

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 85.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 73 0 $25.55 $11.68
Efficient EV 60.8 0 $21.29 $9.73
EV Truck/SUV 97.3 1 $34.06 $15.57

Gas CO2

85 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (67% 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 1 day ago

Origin

Spartanburg, SC

Morning in Spartanburg on Tuesday

Local time

10:11 AM

EDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Myrtle Beach, SC

Morning in Myrtle Beach on Tuesday

Local time

10:11 AM

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

21 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 56m 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 Spartanburg, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC covers 243.3 miles and takes about 3h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 221, I 20 East, West Palmetto Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 121.6 miles from Spartanburg, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.94 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 is a straightforward 3h 56m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Spartanburg, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Spartanburg, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Myrtle Beach, SC to Spartanburg, SC

Plan the drive back the other way.

236.9 mi 4h 49m

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.

Explore maps for Spartanburg, SC or Myrtle Beach, SC on MapSof.net.