Trip from Woodruff, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC

Drive Time

4h 35m

Distance

225.3 mi

363 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 22m ★
6 AM
4h 35m
8 AM
5h 2m
10 AM
4h 45m
12 PM
4h 42m
3 PM
4h 46m
5 PM
5h 1m
8 PM
4h 27m

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

Downtown Woodruff, SC, SC

Woodruff, SC

Just a Couple Photos

Downtown Myrtle Beach, SC, SC

Myrtle Beach, SC

Junior Bastos

Trip Overview

Traveling from Woodruff to Myrtle Beach covers 225.3 miles across the South Carolina landscape. You can expect a drive time of roughly 4 hours and 35 minutes, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $36, it is an economical way to reach the coast. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares including I-20, I-26, and US 501 Business. Since the entire journey stays within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you head toward the Atlantic. It is an ideal weekend getaway route that provides a straightforward connection between the Upstate and the beach.

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

112.7 miles from Woodruff, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience, as 87% of this trip takes place on high-speed roads. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the interstates, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 79.4 miles on I-20. The journey transitions from the inland terrain of Woodruff to the coastal plains as you approach the coast via US 501 Business. While the interstate segments offer efficient, fast-paced driving, you should be prepared for the change in pace when you eventually transition onto local business routes. Overall, the road personality is functional and efficient rather than technical, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.6 miles in near I 26.

Route Complexity 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 225.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 6.6 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
6.6 mi into trip | ~12m in | I 26

Merge onto I 26

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

Use the none lane.
7
75.5 mi into trip | ~1h 27m 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
75.8 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in | I 20

Merge onto I 20

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

Use the none lane.
5
155.2 mi into trip | ~2h 58m in | US 76 / West Palmetto Street

Turn left onto US 76 / West Palmetto Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
5
225 mi into trip | ~4h 34m in | US 17 Business / North Kings Highway

Turn right onto US 17 Business / North Kings Highway

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 20 79.4 mi 1h 29m
I 26 68.9 mi 1h 15m
US 501 Business 41.9 mi 55m
West Palmetto Street 22.6 mi 32m
Cross Anchor Road 5.8 mi 10m
SC 576 3.1 mi 3m
US 501 2 mi 3m
South Main Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 20 — 79.4 mi, about 1h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 221; SC 146

0.3 mi · 47 sec · South Main Street
2

Continue on US 221; SC 146

159 ft · 5 sec · South Main Street
3

Continue on US 221; SC 146

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Laurens Road
4

Turn slight left onto SC 146

5.8 mi · 10 min · Cross Anchor Road
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
6

Merge onto I 26

69 mi · 1 hr 15 min · I 26
Use the none lane.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 107B Toward I 20 East: Florence Use the right lane.
8

Merge onto I 20

79 mi · 1 hr 29 min · I 20
Use the none lane.
9

Turn left onto US 76

23 mi · 32 min · West Palmetto Street
Use the none lane.
10

Continue on SC 576

3.1 mi · 3 min · SC 576
11

Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate

42 mi · 55 min · US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Use the none lane.
12

Turn straight onto US 501

2.0 mi · 3 min · US 501
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
13

Turn slight right onto 8th Avenue North

248 ft · 14 sec · 8th Avenue North
14

Turn right onto US 17 Business

0.3 mi · 40 sec · North Kings Highway
15

Turn left onto 5th Avenue North

198 ft · 11 sec · 5th Avenue North
16

Turn right

196 ft · 14 sec
17

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Because this drive is easily completed in one day, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Plan for at least one dedicated stop along the 225.3-mile path to break up the monotony of the interstate segments. Since you are spending about $36 on fuel, it is wise to fill up before leaving Woodruff to avoid paying higher prices near major tourist destinations. Keep a close eye on your navigation when you transition from the interstate system to US 501 Business, as the character of the road changes quickly. By pacing your drive with a single well-timed break, you can arrive in Myrtle Beach feeling refreshed and ready to enjoy your time on the coast.

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 112.7 miles from Woodruff, SC, or about 2h 10m 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 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 112.7 miles or 2h 10m 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 39m

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 Woodruff, 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 Woodruff, SC

This is one driving day of about 225.3 miles and 4h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Woodruff, 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 112.7 mi from Woodruff, SC · 2h 10m into the drive

Downtown Charlotte, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charlotte, NC

113 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 112.7 miles from Woodruff, 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

$36.06 one way

$72.11 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $39.29 $78.57
premium $4.78 $42.38 $84.76
diesel $5.64 $50.05 $100.11

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 78.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 67.6 0 $23.66 $10.81
Efficient EV 56.3 0 $19.71 $9.01
EV Truck/SUV 90.1 1 $31.54 $14.42

Gas CO2

79 kg

EV CO2

26 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 3 days ago

Origin

Woodruff, SC

Evening in Woodruff on Sunday

Local time

8:51 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Myrtle Beach, SC

Evening in Myrtle Beach on Sunday

Local time

8:51 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

3 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

4h 35m 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 Woodruff, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC covers 225.3 miles and takes about 4h 35m 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 112.7 miles from Woodruff, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.06 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 225.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 6.6 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Woodruff, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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