If you’ve ever sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic on US-501 during a scorching July Saturday, you know the specific kind of hell that is getting into Myrtle Beach. It's frustrating. You’re staring at the bumper of a minivan from Ohio, wondering why a world-class tourist destination is so hard to reach. That’s essentially the entire sales pitch for Interstate 73 South Carolina.
The dream is a straight shot. Imagine a high-speed interstate highway connecting the Grand Strand directly to the mid-Atlantic and the Midwest. Sounds simple? It’s not. This project has been a political football, an environmentalist's nightmare, and a local business owner's golden ticket for decades. Honestly, it’s one of the most controversial pieces of asphalt in the history of the Palmetto State.
The Vision vs. The Reality of I-73
The original idea for I-73 wasn't just about the beach. It was actually a federal mandate from the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. The goal was to link Michigan to South Carolina. Most states along the route—Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia—have either finished their parts or basically abandoned them. But South Carolina is still grinding away at it.
The proposed path for Interstate 73 South Carolina starts at the North Carolina border near Hamlet and runs south through Marlboro, Dillon, and Marion counties, eventually dumping out near Briarcliffe Acres.
It’s about eighty miles of new road.
Why hasn't it been built yet? Money is the big one. We’re talking billions of dollars. Also, the permits. You can’t just roll a bulldozer through the Little Pee Dee River swamp without a fight. Organizations like the Coastal Conservation League have spent years arguing that the road will destroy thousands of acres of wetlands and that we should just improve existing roads like US-501 or SC-22 instead. They aren't wrong about the environmental impact, but proponents argue that the economic "shot in the arm" for the impoverished Pee Dee region is worth the cost.
Breaking Down the Segments
The project is split into two main chunks. You have the "Northern" section and the "Southern" section.
The Southern segment is the one everyone cares about. It’s the link from I-95 down to the coast. This is the part that would theoretically shave twenty to thirty minutes off the trip for tourists and, more importantly, provide a massive evacuation route for when the next Big One (hurricane-wise) decides to aim for the Grand Strand.
📖 Related: Gomez Palacio Durango Mexico: Why Most People Just Drive Right Through (And Why They’re Wrong)
Governor Henry McMaster has been a huge cheerleader for this. He’s tried to earmark hundreds of millions in state surplus funds to get the ball rolling. He basically says that if the state shows it's serious by putting up its own cash, the federal government will be more likely to hand over the big checks.
But here’s the thing: Myrtle Beach and Horry County have had a bit of a lovers' spat over the funding. For a while, there was a plan to use hospitality tax money to pay for the road. Then there were lawsuits. Then there were more lawsuits. It’s a mess. Currently, the project is in a bit of a "hurry up and wait" phase while they scrape together the remaining billions.
Why Do People Even Want This?
It's about the money. Always.
Myrtle Beach brings in millions of visitors and billions in revenue. The argument is that if you make it easier to get there, more people will come.
- Evacuation Safety: This is the strongest "non-tourist" argument. If a Category 4 hurricane hits, US-501 becomes a parking lot. Having a dedicated interstate would save lives.
- Economic Diversification: The counties between I-95 and the coast—like Marion and Dillon—are some of the poorest in the state. An interstate exit means gas stations, hotels, and distribution centers. It means jobs.
- Reduced Congestion: Locals hate the tourist traffic as much as the tourists hate being in it. Moving those cars off local backroads and onto an interstate helps everyone breathe a little easier.
Some people think the road is a "boondoggle." They argue that by the time it's finished, travel habits might have changed entirely. Plus, there’s the "Grand Strand Expressway" or SC-22, which already exists and is mostly empty half the time because it doesn't connect to anything useful on the northern end yet.
The Environmental Roadblock
You can't talk about Interstate 73 South Carolina without talking about the wetlands. The route crosses the Little Pee Dee River. This isn't just a creek; it's a massive, sensitive ecosystem.
The Army Corps of Engineers gave the go-ahead a few years back, but the legal challenges have been relentless. Environmental groups argue that the "Purpose and Need" statement for the road is flawed. They think the state is exaggerating how much the road will actually help.
There's also the issue of "induced demand." It's a real thing in urban planning. You build a bigger road, more people drive, and within five years, the new road is just as jammed as the old one. Just look at Atlanta.
What’s the Current Status?
As of 2026, we’re seeing some actual movement, but it's slow.
The state has started acquiring some of the rights-of-way. That’s a huge step because once the government owns the land, the project becomes much harder to kill. There’s also been a lot of work on the interchange at I-95.
But don't expect to drive on it this summer. Or next summer.
We are looking at a construction timeline that spans a decade once the full funding is secured. The "Southern" portion will almost certainly be built first because that’s where the political pressure is the highest. The northern connection to North Carolina is a whole other beast because North Carolina doesn't seem nearly as excited about spending their own money to help people get to South Carolina's beaches.
Honestly, the project feels inevitable now, but it’s an inevitability that’s moving at the speed of a glacier.
Actionable Insights for Travelers and Residents
Whether you’re a local or a frequent visitor, the I-73 saga affects you. Here’s what you should actually do with this information:
✨ Don't miss: Garden City Weather SC: What Locals Know That Tourists Usually Miss
1. Watch the Horry County Council Meetings: If you live in the area, this is where the funding rubber meets the road. Local tax allocations are often the "seed money" for federal grants. If the local funding fails, the project stalls.
2. Learn the SC-22 Alternative: If you’re traveling to the northern end of Myrtle Beach (North Myrtle or Little River), stop taking US-501. Use SC-22. It’s essentially what I-73 will be, just already built. It connects US-501 near Aynor to Hwy 17 near the outlets. It’s almost always faster.
3. Real Estate Awareness: If you’re looking to buy land in Marion or Dillon counties, check the proposed I-73 maps. Being near a future exit is a goldmine; having the highway run through your backyard is a nightmare. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has public GIS maps that show the exact proposed path.
4. Don't Count on Shorter Drive Times Yet: For the next several years, expect construction zones rather than open highways. If you’re planning a trip, check the SCDOT 511 app. It’s surprisingly accurate for real-time delays on the existing corridors that I-73 is meant to replace.
5. Stay Informed on Environmental Mitigation: If you care about the Little Pee Dee, look into the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. They often provide perspectives on how these massive infrastructure projects impact local historical sites and land that doesn't always show up on a standard surveyor's map.
The saga of Interstate 73 South Carolina is far from over. It’s a classic case of the "unstoppable force" of development hitting the "immovable object" of environmental conservation and budget deficits. For now, keep your eyes on the orange barrels and your GPS set to avoid US-501 on Saturdays.