Driving from NY to Myrtle Beach

[Zdog]

I hope I'm not suggesting something blasphemous here, but this year we plan on a non-disney trip to Myrtle Beach. We're coming from upstate NY, and would appreciate any advice on driving (best route--we're looking to get there quickly, but would be willing to make a stop on the way if it's 'vacation worthy', lol), and the most affordable, but least crazy spot to stay along the Grand Strand. I was first looking into The Breakers, but I've seen some people who've posted here who believe North Myrtle is more family friendly and a little less crowded (we'll be heading there end of July).

Any help/advice would be appreciated!

 

[bluesaturn]

I hope I'm not suggesting something blasphemous here, but this year we plan on a non-disney trip to Myrtle Beach. We're coming from upstate NY, and would appreciate any advice on driving (best route--we're looking to get there quickly, but would be willing to make a stop on the way if it's 'vacation worthy', lol), and the most affordable, but least crazy spot to stay along the Grand Strand. I was first looking into The Breakers, but I've seen some people who've posted here who believe North Myrtle is more family friendly and a little less crowded (we'll be heading there end of July).

Any help/advice would be appreciated!

You can take 301 south rather than 95 south to bypass a lot of the Maryland/DC/Northern Virginia traffic. I think you get on 301 south of Baltimore and get back on 95 before Richmond. It's a bit longer but you do miss the entire DC beltway. Hopefully someone can jump on and tell you exactly where to get onto 301, I think it's after the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel though.

When we went as kids we really liked staying in Garden City Beach, it's family friendly and south of main Myrtle Beach. I agree that North Myrtle Beach is also more family friendly.

 

[JDX4]

We've always stayed at the Breakers and we love it. The first time we went the boys were 5 and 7, and they said they liked that vacation more than Disneyworld (the HORROR!!)

I thought the Breakers was pretty family friendly. They have a great lazy river and a pirate ship water area. I've never stayed in North Myrtle Beach, so I can't compare. We usually go towards the end of August, so I don't know what the Breakers is like in July.

As far as driving, we always take 95 from CT, and the traffic is miserable in Virginia. I'm going to look into the 301 tip from the previous poster. I would love to bypass that Virginia traffic.

Whatever you choose, I'm sure that you will have a great trip. Enjoy!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

From Liverpool I would suggest pick up I-81 and follow it all the way to I-64. This bypasses all major cities. Take I-64 to the Ricmond Bypass and pick up I-95 at this point. You will have avoided all heavy traffic and tolls.

Then pick up SC 38 at Exit 181 and go from there.

Be sure to stop at South Of The Border as you enter SC.

 

[dejr_8]

Be sure to stop at South Of The Border as you enter SC.

You are kidding right?

 

[Zdog]

But it does open up some debate. Is a stop at South of the Border such a bad thing? Is there anything else around it for food, or to stretch our legs? I'm not talking about spending a ton of time or cash here...but is it a rip off for food and gas too? Let's remember here..our destination is Myrtle Beach, so kitch isn't out of the question...

 

[quentina]

From Liverpool I would suggest pick up I-81 and follow it all the way to I-64. This bypasses all major cities. Take I-64 to the Ricmond Bypass and pick up I-95 at this point. You will have avoided all heavy traffic and tolls.

Then pick up SC 38 at Exit 181 and go from there.

Be sure to stop at South Of The Border as you enter SC.

Hijacking this thread....sorry Anyway, I want to get to HHI from Allentown. Would this be a feasible route? I want to avoid the DC/beltway backups that I always hit.

 

[lpereira]

Stay in north myrtle beach. Visit the disney outlet store and the trip is no longer sacrilegious. avoid dc but get back on 95. At south of the border stop. How could you not? As yoy leave SOB turn right and ride that road all the way to myrtle beach. Eat at crabby mikes.

 

[golfgal]

You could stop in Washington DC for a couple days along the way

 

[GJM]

I wouldn't stop at South of the Border - I was just keep on going, there is nothing there.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hijacking this thread....sorry Anyway, I want to get to HHI from Allentown. Would this be a feasible route? I want to avoid the DC/beltway backups that I always hit.

Just go West on I-78 to I-81. This will allow you to bypass both Philadelphia as well as the entire Baltimore/Washington Area.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Be sure to stop at South Of The Border as you enter SC.

You are kidding right?

I wouldn't stop at South of the Border - I was just keep on going, there is nothing there.

There is nothing wrong with SOTB, especially if you like tackiness; it sets the World Standard for Tacky!

 

[kacaju]

there is NOTHING to do or see on your way down We just did the trip from NJ last summer. SOTB ia a very tacky place, but it was fun just to say we stopped there. Plus I was on a misson to find very small sombrero for my dd17's black mexican kingsnake It has been a running joke that he needed a sombrero and sure enough I found one there

 

[Snow_White]

Yeah, South of the Border is basically just a big, giant nothing with a gas station, strip club (if I remember right lol), and shops that sell crap. My grandparents live in North Myrtle Beach, so I am partial to it. I absolutely love spending time at Barefoot Landing. I could go there every night and just wander around. It's very pretty and has fun shops and several restaurants. Plus the Tangier outlets are right there too. Tons of great restaurants and it's not quite as touristy as Myrtle Beach (although we do drive down to Broadway at the Beach and Myrtle Waves on occasion!). Such a nice beach.

 

[golfgal]

there is NOTHING to do or see on your way down We just did the trip from NJ last summer. SOTB ia a very tacky place, but it was fun just to say we stopped there. Plus I was on a misson to find very small sombrero for my dd17's black mexican kingsnake It has been a running joke that he needed a sombrero and sure enough I found one there

I am assuming you are joking--stop in Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell, stop in Washington DC to see, well the White House, monuments, Smithsonian, etc.....

 

[kacaju]

I am assuming you are joking--stop in Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell, stop in Washington DC to see, well the White House, monuments, Smithsonian, etc.....

no I am not joking...yes those are all great places to stop if you want to include them as part of your vacation. The op mentioned she wanted to get down there quickly and wanted to know if there were any *vacaton worthy* quick stops you could do on the way down. There are none, I know I just did the trip last year and I looked and looked for a quick stop to break the trip up.

 

[golfgal]

no I am not joking...yes those are all great places to stop if you want to include them as part of your vacation. The op mentioned she wanted to get down there quickly and wanted to know if there were any *vacaton worthy* quick stops you could do on the way down. There are none, I know I just did the trip last year and I looked and looked for a quick stop to break the trip up.

I guess I consider Washington DC "vacation worthy"

 

[Emme]

We have our summer home in NMB and love it down there. Much quieter than MB and much less crowded. Though July is crowded all over the Grand Strand area. Eat dinner early if dining out .

This board is a WEALTH of info and extremely helpful and friendly people http://www.funbeaches.com/forum/

 

[kacaju]

I guess I consider Washington DC "vacation worthy"

You are missing the point. You are right, Washington DC is a GREAT vacation place. BUT it is not something you can hop off the highway go visit quickly and hop back on the HW to Myrtle Beach.

Maybe I missed the point, I took the op question in that she is driving from upstate NY down to Myrtle Beach and was looking for a quick stop to break up the long drive...which is exactly what I was looking for last summer. There are no quick little stops.

 

[golfgal]

You are missing the point. You are right, Washington DC is a GREAT vacation place. BUT it is not something you can hop off the highway go visit quickly and hop back on the HW to Myrtle Beach.

Maybe I missed the point, I took the op question in that she is driving from upstate NY down to Myrtle Beach and was looking for a quick stop to break up the long drive...which is exactly what I was looking for last summer. There are no quick little stops.

Why not??? If you are looking for a place to stop, stop at the Mall, have a picnic, walk around to a few monuments, get in your car and go on your way.