Look. Most people think the drive from Charleston to Myrtle Beach is just a quick hop up the coast. It’s not. It is essentially a 95-mile psychological test through the Lowcountry. If you time it right, you’re cruising past ancient oaks and roadside boiled peanut stands. If you time it wrong? You are staring at the brake lights of a log truck in Mount Pleasant for forty-five minutes.
Getting to Myrtle Beach from Charleston SC is technically a straight shot up US-17, but that simplicity is deceptive. You aren’t taking an interstate. There is no I-95 here to save you. Instead, you get a patchwork of four-lane highways, small-town speed traps, and some of the most beautiful marsh views in the United States.
The drive usually takes about two hours. Usually. But honestly, if there’s a wreck on the Cooper River Bridge or a seasonal festival in McClellanville, you might as well pack a lunch.
The US-17 Corridor: What Nobody Tells You
The route is basically one long artery called the Ocean Highway. It’s iconic. It’s also frustrating. Once you clear the sprawl of Mount Pleasant, the scenery shifts dramatically. You enter the Francis Marion National Forest.
It's massive. Over 250,000 acres of pine stand and swamp.
While the forest is gorgeous, it’s also a cell phone dead zone in certain patches. If you’re relying on a streaming playlist that isn’t downloaded, prepare for silence. This stretch is where you’ll see the "Basket Ladies"—local artisans selling authentic Gullah Sweetgrass baskets. These aren't cheap souvenirs; they are legitimate pieces of art made from indigenous bulrush and sweetgrass. If you see a stand that catches your eye, pull over. You won't find the same patterns twice.
Many travelers make the mistake of speeding through Awendaw. Don't. Local law enforcement takes the speed limits here very seriously. Plus, you’d miss the Center for Birds of Prey. It’s one of the most underrated spots in the state. They do flight demonstrations that will actually blow your mind. Seeing a Mississippi Kite or an Eagle dive at 100 miles per hour right in front of you beats any "attraction" on the Myrtle Beach boardwalk.
Georgetown: The Halfway Hurdle
Georgetown is the fork in the road. It’s the third-oldest city in South Carolina. It smells like paper. Seriously. The International Paper mill is a massive part of the local economy, and depending on the wind, you’ll know you’re approaching Georgetown before you see the steel bridges.
The historic district is worth a detour if you have twenty minutes. Front Street has these massive, crumbling brick buildings and a harbor walk that’s actually peaceful. Most folks just stay on 17, which bypasses the heart of the town, but if you need gas or a bathroom break, this is your last "real" city before the Grand Strand sprawl begins.
Navigating Traffic in Myrtle Beach from Charleston SC
Once you cross the Waccamaw River bridge leaving Georgetown, the vibe changes. You’ve officially entered the "Grand Strand" orbit. Pawleys Island comes first. It’s "arrogantly shabby," as the locals say. No high-rises. Just old beach houses and the Hammock Shops.
Then comes the traffic.
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By the time you hit Murrells Inlet and Garden City, the stoplights become frequent. This is the Seafood Capital of South Carolina. If you’re hungry, the MarshWalk in Murrells Inlet is a mandatory stop. It’s a boardwalk overlooking a saltwater marsh filled with goats (literally, there is a Goat Island) and some of the best hushpuppies on the Atlantic coast.
The "bypass" vs. "business" 17 debate is a real thing here.
- Business 17 (Kings Highway): Takes you right through the heart of the tourist district. It’s slow. It’s neon. It’s where the mini-golf courses live.
- US-17 Bypass: It’s supposed to be faster. Often, it’s just a different kind of slow. It takes you past Broadway at the Beach and the Coastal Grand Mall.
If your destination is North Myrtle Beach, stay on the Bypass. If you’re staying at a resort on the oceanfront in the 20s or 30s avenues, Business 17 is your best bet despite the lights.
Hidden Stops and Lowcountry Secrets
Most tourists stick to the pavement. Big mistake.
Between the two cities lies the Santee Coastal Reserve. It’s out of the way. You have to drive down a long, gravel road that feels like it’s leading to nowhere. But at the end? You get 10,000 acres of managed wetlands. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise. It’s hauntingly quiet.
Then there’s Hampton Plantation State Historic Site. It’s a Georgian-style mansion that survived the Civil War and the collapse of the rice economy. It’s tucked away near McClellanville. The "Washington Oak" there is so big it’s hard to capture in a photo. Legend says Eliza Lucas Pinckney (the woman who basically invented the indigo industry in SC) showed the tree to George Washington, and he told her not to cut it down.
McClellanville itself is a tiny fishing village. It’s where the shrimp boats dock. If you want shrimp that was in the ocean three hours ago, find a local dock here. It’s far superior to the frozen stuff you’ll find in the big-box restaurants further north.
The Seasonal Shift
Timing is everything. From June to August, this drive is a gauntlet. Saturday is "changeover day" for beach rentals.
Avoid driving on Saturdays if you value your sanity.
The 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM window on a summer Saturday will turn a two-hour drive into a four-hour crawl. Conversely, a Tuesday morning in October is glorious. The humidity has dropped, the crowds are gone, and the marsh grass is turning that beautiful golden-brown color.
Key Practical Realities
Let's talk logistics.
- Fuel: Gas up in Mount Pleasant or Georgetown. The stretches through the National Forest are sparse.
- Speed: The limit drops from 60 to 45 or 35 abruptly in towns like McClellanville and Georgetown. The transitions are quick. Pay attention to the signs.
- Public Transit: There basically isn't any. You can take a Greyhound, but it’s a hassle. There is no train. You need a car.
- Wildlife: Deer are a massive problem on US-17, especially through the Francis Marion forest at dusk. Do not cruise at 70 mph after the sun goes down. A collision with a whitetail deer will end your vacation before it starts.
South Carolina roads are also notorious for "recovering" from storms. Check the SCDOT (South Carolina Department of Transportation) website if there has been heavy rain recently. Low-lying areas near the Santee River can occasionally flood, forcing long detours toward Moncks Corner.
Why This Drive Still Matters
In a world of homogenized interstates, the trek to Myrtle Beach from Charleston SC is a rare survivor. It’s a road that still has character. It’s a transition from the refined, historic, slightly-stuffy atmosphere of Charleston to the neon-soaked, pancake-house-filled, high-energy world of Myrtle Beach.
You’re moving from "The Holy City" to "The Sun Fun Capital."
It’s a culture shock in under 100 miles. You see the transition in the architecture, the food, and even the people. Charleston is about the past; Myrtle Beach is about the weekend. Crossing that bridge into Horry County (pronounced "O-ree," by the way—don't say the 'H') feels like crossing a border.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are planning this trip, here is the smart way to do it:
- Check the Tide: If you’re stopping at the marshes or Murrells Inlet, a high tide is much prettier than a low tide mudflat.
- Download Offline Maps: Google Maps will fail you in the middle of the Francis Marion National Forest.
- Stop at See Wee Outpost: It’s in Awendaw. It’s a general store/restaurant/tackle shop. Get the pie. Any pie. Just trust me.
- Use the Carolina Connector: If the traffic on 17 is reported as a total standstill near Mount Pleasant, look at Highway 41 as a potential bypass, though it adds mileage.
- Plan for Georgetown: Use the Georgetown bypass (the high bridge) if you're in a hurry, but take the "Business" route through town if you want to actually see the waterfront.
- Time your Arrival: Aim to hit Myrtle Beach before 2:00 PM or after 7:00 PM during peak summer months to avoid the heaviest congestion on the bypass.