Origin
Woodruff, SC
Evening in Woodruff on Sunday
Local time
8:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive 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
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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.
Woodruff, SC
Just a Couple Photos
Myrtle Beach, SC
Junior Bastos
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 .
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Turn left onto US 76 / West Palmetto Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Navigation decision point
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Woodruff, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC.
Start on US 221; SC 146
Continue on US 221; SC 146
Continue on US 221; SC 146
Turn slight left onto SC 146
Take the ramp
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
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 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
$36.06 one way
$72.11 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Woodruff on Sunday
Local time
8:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Myrtle Beach on Sunday
Local time
8:51 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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