Anyone ever drive to Myrtle Beach from the Orlando area?

[klfrech]

Any tips would be greatly appreciated! I'd like to avoid any traffic as much as possible. Would leaving very early in the morning (traveling on a Wed), be better than leaving the Orlando area at 2-3 p.m.? I like the idea of getting into Myrtle at 11 pm or so with less traffic and being able to check into hotel right away.

 

[kmvand1]

My husband told me to reply to this. DO NOT make the same mistake we made in 2003 when we left Clearwater after visiting Disney and returned for a short vacation to Myrtle Beach on our way home to Virginia. We decided to take the "scenic route" all the way up Rt. 17, I think it was 17. Anyway, STAY ON 95 until you get to 38 in South Carolina. We were miserable and could not find a place to hop back on 95 anywhere. It took us 12 hours to get to Myrtle. We also are not big fans of high bridges and we encountered some very old bridges along the way. Just my advice!

 

[sb1997]

It should only take about 9 hours to get from Orlando to Myrtle Beach. Yahoo maps says it will take 8 hours 8 minutes, but of course with stops it will take a little longer. I agree with KMVand1, stay on I-95 until you get to exit 135, this is Hwy 378. I live near this exit. I don't think traffic will be too bad on a Wednesday going in to Myrtle Beach. There are a lot of new roads that have helped tremendously with traffic flow.

 

[SueEllen]

My husband told me to reply to this. DO NOT make the same mistake we made in 2003 when we left Clearwater after visiting Disney and returned for a short vacation to Myrtle Beach on our way home to Virginia. We decided to take the "scenic route" all the way up Rt. 17, I think it was 17. Anyway, STAY ON 95 until you get to 38 in South Carolina. We were miserable and could not find a place to hop back on 95 anywhere. It took us 12 hours to get to Myrtle. We also are not big fans of high bridges and we encountered some very old bridges along the way. Just my advice!

I had to laugh because I could have written this!!
We vacation in Myrtle every year and a few years ago we were going from our MB vacation to WDW for a few days then back to VA home. We decided we would take 17 as well for the 'scenic' route and relaxation. Well it took FOREVER! It is a nice drive, and pretty, but I recommend just staying on 95 until you get to the exit to head up and over to Myrtle. Especially with gas prices what they are now.

 

[luvdavy]

Hey,
I live in Myrtle Beach and have been to Orlando, so thought I'd reply to this one too.

I don't recall you saying WHEN you were coming, but if it's in the summer, and especially on the weekend, I would advise you to make reservations somewhere. Surely you want to be on the oceanfront?

We have very few hotels left. Everything just about now is a condo-hotel, and most have minimum stays of 4 nights during the season. (June-Sept)

If you aren't making reservations, then I would absolutely say to plan it to get into Myrtle in the daylight hours. Depending on which way you are coming in, the traffic is not going to be that bad except around 5pm or anytime on a Friday after 5pm.

You'd be better off traffic-wise to drive an extra 15 minutes and come in on Highway 9, and stay in North Myrtle Beach. It's better up here anyway, and unless you plan to go to the Hard Rock Park or something on the south end, we've got the same restaurants, less traffic, and prettier, wider, beaches.

In case you didn't know, Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach are 2 different cities, about 15 miles apart. Both have the same streets...there is a 1st through 53rd Ave North in both Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle. So be sure you know which you are going to.

If you come in on Hwy 501, you come directly into downtown Myrtle...but even then if it's not a weekend, you will be ok. You can also come in that way, and take one of our new bypasses (either Hwy 22 or Hwy 31) and pop over to North Myrtle from 501 before you get to the beach. Otherwise, go on till you see Hwy 9.

It's just pretty confusing for tourists with streets and all, so I would advise arriving in the daytime if it's your first time here. And if it's a holiday or weekend arrival, get reservations first...especially if you only stay a few days.

Jan

 

[klfrech]

Actually, our destination is Hard Rock Park for a few days. We already have hotel reservations. We are coming up on a Wed and am not sure whether we should leave very early in the morning (5 am), or later on in the day (2 pm) or so. I'm not crazy about not being able to check into our hotel after such a long drive, so I'm leaning towards leaving in the early afternoon, so that when we arrive, we can check in immediately. Love to hear your thoughts on this plan and thanks for your help!

 

[luvdavy]

It would help to know WHERE you are staying.

Hard Rock Park is not fully into the beach. It's on Hwy 501. So you won't sit in traffic nearly as long as you would to come from the beach.

If you're staying around it...Staybridge Suites, perhaps? Severa Holiday Inns are out there, then I wouldn't worry about it. If you are staying oceanfront in Myrtle, that's another 10 miles past Hard Rock, and then to go to Hard Rock you'd be heading back out.

Tell me where you are staying, and I'll show you a map and pencil it in.
Feel free to email me Jan at MyrtleBeachWebDesign.com

I can't even post an image on this board...:-(

 

[klfrech]

We are actually staying at the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes. I'm still inclinced to leave Orlando around 2pm so that we can check in right away and perhaps around some traffic. Since you are must more familiar with the area that I, what would you suggest?

Thanks for your help.

 

[luvdavy]

If it's a Friday, then the earlier you get there, the better. 2pm would probably be fine. Many people come to the beach after work on a Friday, so the main traffic is worse from 5-9pm, I think.

The Grande Dunes is one of the most expensive places here, it's not oceanfront, and it's very new. It's not going to be crowded and I wouldn't worry about check-in being a problem. I could be wrong, but with the exception of wealthy golfers, I don't think they are going to have all that many people staying there.

As you are coming in on 501, take the exit for Hwy 17 BYPASS NORTH, which will say goes to North Myrtle Beach. You aren't going that far, though...only probably about 2-3 miles on it, and Grande Dunes will be on your left, also the Dolly Parton Dixie Stampede is on the right. The hospital is also close by there on the right. It's around 84th Ave, I would guess. You'll see this nice big highrise, and you cross this really cool looking bridge to get to it. It looks out onto the intracoastal waterway, and the bridge goes up over the waterway.

Be sure you don't go all the way to Hwy 17 Business (also called Kings Hwy) before you turn left, or you won't see it. It's about 4 miles north on 17 Bypass.

Getting there at 1-2pm should be perfect. Checkin time may be 3...but I'll bet the room will already be clean. You can always call them that morning and ask, too.

 

[klfrech]

Thanks for your help! We are actually arriving on a Wednesday and my plan is to leave Orlando at about 2pm, arriving in Myrtle at about 11pm. What can we anticipate as far as traffic goes?

 

[WDWBoundAgain]

Thanks for your help! We are actually arriving on a Wednesday and my plan is to leave Orlando at about 2pm, arriving in Myrtle at about 11pm. What can we anticipate as far as traffic goes?

I am not a local but visit the coast along Myrtle Beach area often and have been all my life. I suggest you arrive earlier. Traffic will not be that bad. You might run into some perhaps. Arriving earlier will give you an evening to venture out to check out the area and grab something to eat. Enjoy your trip.

 

[luvdavy]

Thanks for your help! We are actually arriving on a Wednesday and my plan is to leave Orlando at about 2pm, arriving in Myrtle at about 11pm. What can we anticipate as far as traffic goes?

As I said before, and WDW is seconding, I suggest you arrive here in the daytime. It's just too hard to navigate after dark. Sometimes the hotel offices are unmanned that late, although in the summer there probably will be someone there. But you would be much better off to get here while you can still see where you're going.

Stop worrying about the traffic. Trying to find your way in the dark is harder than going slow for a mile or two.

Just my recommendation, though.

jan

 

[PLibster]

JMO, leave early so you can take your time and not be in traffic. I would take HWY. 22 and go around HWY 501 business. HWY 22 will drop you onto Hwy 17 south to Myrtle Beach. Your hotel is not far and if you want you can shop at the Tanger Outlet while you wait for your room to be ready. As others have said take I-95. We travel to Disney every year. We leave Disney by 6am and are home between 2-3pm. That is with stops and lunch. We live on HWY 9 in North Myrtle Beach and always come in on Hwy 22 and then take Hwy 31 home. No traffic at all on HWY 22. Good luck and have fun!

 

[luvdavy]

Hmmm...I don't think I can agree with this. They are not going south on the Bypass from 501...they are going north. But they are not going anywhere near as far north as Hwy 22 comes out there at restaurant row, either.

Plus, they might want to see the entrance of Hard Rock as they are coming in, so they will know how far and where they need to go to go there.

I would just come straight in on 501 and go north 2-3 miles on the bypass 17, and Grande Dunes will be right there. They could get on Hwy 31 and come in on the Bypass at 48th Ave, too...but that is so confusing for someone who doesn't live here.

If they are coming in the daytime on a Wednesday, I don't think the traffic will be bad at all. Condo rentals are from Sat-Sat or Sun-Sunday, and the weekend traffic comes in late Thursday or Friday. Wednesday is an excellent day to come in.

JMO, of course.

 

[luvdavy]

JMO, leave early so you can take your time and not be in traffic. I would take HWY. 22 and go around HWY 501 business. HWY 22 will drop you onto Hwy 17 south to Myrtle Beach. Your hotel is not far and if you want you can shop at the Tanger Outlet while you wait for your room to be ready. As others have said take I-95. We travel to Disney every year. We leave Disney by 6am and are home between 2-3pm. That is with stops and lunch. We live on HWY 9 in North Myrtle Beach and always come in on Hwy 22 and then take Hwy 31 home. No traffic at all on HWY 22. Good luck and have fun!

Actually, Hwy 22 will drop them NORTH of Myrtle Beach. That's what threw me off. They would have to backtrack about 4 miles back towards Myrtle to get to Grande Dunes.

I think I can post a photo now. I'm going to try it, anyway.

Jan

 

[PLibster]

Again, JMO! I know that they will come North of Myrtle Beach. Thats the whole idea. Hwy 22 drops off only 5 miles north of the Grande Dunes. You living here should know that HWY 501 is a nightmare all summer long. I am trying to cut out the traffic factor. Either way they will get here. The OP wanted opinions, so that was mine.
To the OP: Sorry if I caused any confusion. Here is a map that you can look at. You can see how close Hwy 22 is and where Hwy 501 is. Hope this helps.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=...3.786567,-78.810425&spn=0.24311,0.422974&z=11

 

[luvdavy]

Here's a map with everything I said explained on it. I noticed Google made a mistake...the Marina Inn is not Oceanfront. There is a Grande Dunes Oceanfront neighborhood, too...but that's not where the hotel is.

Highway 22 exit is before this on Hwy 501, and it comes out past where the map ends. It does look closer on the actual Google map, but that's not taking into account that you don't drive as the crow flies, and the traffic at restaurant row is tough, especially after 5pm.

It IS an alternative though. I just don't go that way (ever) and I feel it might be confusing to a visitor. However, if you want to go that way, it is a viable alternative.

Everyone has an opinion. And I will say that the website for the Marina had Hwy 22 in the directions. Personally, I like uncomplicated, and the traffic on 501 on Wednesday is not going to be bad. So you can choose!