You’re staring at a GPS screen in a driveway in Shandon or maybe loading up the SUV near Harbison, wondering exactly how long it’s going to take to smell that salt air. The straight-line distance from Columbia South Carolina to Myrtle Beach is about 125 miles. But nobody flies a Cessna to the Grand Strand for a weekend getaway. You’re driving.
Driving changes everything.
Depending on your lead foot and which part of the bypass you hit, you’re looking at anywhere from 142 to 155 miles of pavement. It’s the quintessential South Carolina road trip. It’s a rite of passage for every college student at UofSC and every family looking to escape the "famously hot" humidity of the capital for a different kind of heat on the coast.
Honestly, the drive is a bit of a psychological game.
The Three Main Paths to the Atlantic
Most people default to I-20 East. It feels like the "official" way. You hop on the interstate, set the cruise control, and blast through the pine curtains of Florence. This route typically clocks in at 150 miles. You take I-20 all the way to Florence, then merge onto Business or Bypass 501.
Wait.
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Before you commit to 501, you should know it’s arguably the most frustrated stretch of asphalt in the Palmetto State. During a Saturday turnover in July, when every rental house in Myrtle Beach is swapping tenants, 501 turns into a parking lot. You’ll see brake lights for miles near Galivants Ferry.
Then there’s the US-378 route.
It’s shorter on paper—around 145 miles—cutting through Sumter and Conway. It’s more "scenic," if your definition of scenic includes small-town stoplights and peach stands. It’s slower. Way slower. Unless there is a massive wreck on I-20, 378 is usually a trap for people who think "shorter distance" means "getting there faster." It doesn't.
Why the Florence Connection Matters
Florence is the halfway point. It’s where the distance from Columbia South Carolina to Myrtle Beach feels like it’s actually shrinking. Roughly 80 miles from Columbia, Florence serves as the Great Decider.
If you’re hungry, stop here. Buc-ee’s opened a massive location right off I-95/I-20 in Florence, and it has fundamentally changed the Columbia-to-Myrtle commute. It’s no longer just a gas stop; it’s a 74,000-square-foot detour. You will lose 45 minutes looking at brisket and beaver nuggets. Factor that into your ETA.
Breaking Down the Travel Time
On a perfect Tuesday in October? You can make the trip in 2 hours and 15 minutes.
On a Friday in July at 4:00 PM? Godspeed. You’re looking at 3 hours and 30 minutes, easily. The bottleneck isn't the distance; it's the infrastructure. Myrtle Beach is one of the most visited destinations on the East Coast, yet it famously lacks a direct interstate connection. You’re funneled from 70 mph highway speeds down to 35 mph "welcome to our small town" speeds very quickly.
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The Secret of SC-22 (The Conway Bypass)
If you take the I-20 to US-501 route, do yourself a massive favor. Look for the exit for SC-22 East. It’s often called the Veterans Highway or the Conway Bypass.
It adds maybe four or five miles to the total distance from Columbia South Carolina to Myrtle Beach, but it bypasses the soul-crushing traffic of downtown Conway. It dumps you out right near the Tanger Outlets on the north end of Myrtle. If you’re staying in Kingston Plantation, Shore Drive, or North Myrtle Beach, this is the only way to go.
Fuel and Logistics
Columbia is generally cheaper for gas than the beach. If you’re starting with a half tank, fill up before you leave the 803 area code.
- Total Gallons Used: For an average SUV getting 22 mpg, you’ll burn about 6.8 gallons one way.
- EV Charging: There are Tesla Superchargers in Columbia, Florence, and Myrtle Beach. If you’re driving a non-Tesla EV, Florence is your mandatory safety net. The Electrify America station at the Walmart in Florence is the most reliable high-speed juice-up between the two cities.
The "Back Way" (For the Adventurous)
Sometimes, Waze gets creative. It might try to send you through Hemingway or Johnsonville via SC-378 and SC-261.
Don't do it at night.
The deer population in the Pee Dee region is no joke. These roads are dark, two-lane, and remote. While the distance from Columbia South Carolina to Myrtle Beach stays roughly the same, the stress of dodging a 200-pound buck in the pitch black of a swampy backroad isn't worth the five minutes you might save.
A Quick Reality Check on Mileage
| Route | Miles | Average Time | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-20 to US-501 | 150 | 2h 30m | The Standard |
| US-378 Direct | 142 | 2h 50m | Small Town |
| I-20 to SC-22 | 155 | 2h 25m | The Pro Move |
Traffic Hotspots to Watch
The most notorious spot is the US-501 bridge over the Waccamaw River in Conway. It’s a bottleneck of historic proportions. If the drawbridge opens (rare but possible) or there’s a minor fender bender, the ripple effect reaches back for miles.
Another "gotcha" is the speed trap in Turbeville if you take the 378 route. Local law enforcement there is legendary for its efficiency. If the sign says 35, go 34.
Beyond the Odometer
You aren't just covering distance; you're transitioning environments. Columbia is the Midlands—red clay, rolling hills, and river rapids. As you push east past Florence, the elevation drops. The trees change from hardwoods to scrub pines and eventually to those iconic moss-draped cypress trees near the Waccamaw.
The air gets heavier. By the time you hit the Horry County line, you can usually feel the humidity shift.
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It’s a flat drive. It’s boring. There are no mountains to look at, just endless stretches of pine trees and the occasional billboard for South of the Border (which is actually north of you, but the signs are everywhere anyway).
Final Strategic Advice for the Drive
If you want to minimize the pain of the distance from Columbia South Carolina to Myrtle Beach, timing is your only weapon.
Leave Columbia at 9:00 AM on a weekday. You’ll miss the morning commute in Lexingon/Columbia and arrive at the beach just in time for a late lunch at Sea Captain's House. If you leave at 5:00 PM on a Friday, you’re essentially volunteering for a stressful evening.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Check the SC DOT '511' App: Before you hit the I-20/I-26 interchange, check for accidents in Florence. One wreck on the I-95 interchange can add an hour to your trip.
- Pin the Florence Buc-ee's: Even if you don't need gas, it's the cleanest bathroom and the best snack selection on the route.
- Choose Your Exit Early: Decide now if you are "South End" (stay on 501) or "North End" (take the 22 bypass). Making this decision at 70 mph while a semi-truck is on your bumper is how people miss their turns and end up in Georgetown by mistake.
Once you hit the bypass and see the first "Welcome to Myrtle Beach" sign, the 150 miles behind you won't matter. You've officially made it from the heart of the state to the edge of the Atlantic.