We are driving from NJ/PA to Myrtle Beach this weekend

[tink_n_pooh]

DH and I are driving to Myrtle Beach (technically Surfside Beach) this weekend. It sounds like we are leaving Friday night and we will drive through the night.

We have always gone down I-95 but we are thinking of going another way this time. My father suggested that we take Rt. 81 south from the Harrisburg PA area to avoid the traffic jam we know as I-95. I'm just not sure where which road to take from 81 to Myrtle Beach, maybe I-77?

Any suggestions? I'm not familiar with any of the roads in that area, we have always just taken I-95.

 

[campingdude]

You could take 81 to 77 and hit 20 east in Columbia SC and this would bring you into Florence, SC where you could take 576 east which turns into 501 that runs into downtown MB. You can cut onto HWY 544 about 10 minutes outside myrtle beach and it comes out on Business HWY 17 about 7-8 miles north of surfside beach.

If you use local live maps you can follow this route from PA to MB with aerial views of all the turns you would need to make.

 

[creativeamanda]

You could take 81 to 77 and hit 20 east in Columbia SC and this would bring you into Florence, SC where you could take 576 east which turns into 501 that runs into downtown MB. You can cut onto HWY 544 about 10 minutes outside myrtle beach and it comes out on Business HWY 17 about 7-8 miles north of surfside beach.

I don't think this is the best route. It's close, but not quite.

Take 81 to 77, then cut through on HWY 52 to Future I-74. Take 74 to Lumberton, NC, catch back up with 95 and take exit 93 in Dillon to 501 OR take 74 to mile marker 371 through Orrum. Drive through Orrum and about 2-5 minutes on Creek Road, turn Left on Fair Bluff Road to the end (about 2 miles) and take left on NC Hwy 904 to Tabor City, NC, and catch SC Hwy 9 to Myrtle Beach (the second choice is the fastest) If you want more details, pm me. I drive this all the time and live in the area.

 

[DrCavin]

Check this website, is has a Directions section:
www.funbeaches.com

 

[campingdude]

I don't think this is the best route. It's close, but not quite.

Take 81 to 77, then cut through on HWY 52 to Future I-74. Take 74 to Lumberton, NC, catch back up with 95 and take exit 93 in Dillon to 501 OR take 74 to mile marker 371 through Orrum. Drive through Orrum and about 2-5 minutes on Creek Road, turn Left on Fair Bluff Road to the end (about 2 miles) and take left on NC Hwy 904 to Tabor City, NC, and catch SC Hwy 9 to Myrtle Beach (the second choice is the fastest) If you want more details, pm me. I drive this all the time and live in the area.

I was going for the easist route for a "yankee invader" (just kidding OP). Not the route I'd take either but most direct for someone not from the area.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I was going for the easist route for a "yankee invader" (just kidding OP). Not the route I'd take either but most direct for someone not from the area.

Now I'm all confused...

Ok, I take 81 south to 77 south and then .... turn on my tom-tom and hope that it knows how to get there???

I got excited when creativeamanda wrote 501, I know where 501 is. We are staying at my in-laws condo which is on highway 17 bypass, it's across from a Honda dealer, down the road from Bonefish

Is there usually much traffic on these other ways? Are these roads highways or 2 lane roads? Future 74 - we yanks are afraid of roads that don't even exist yet

 

[NCRedding]

I'd recommend that you follow campingdude's directions--all main roads, with just small portions of two lane on 576, EXCEPT, for where you're going, don't turn onto 544--it won't save you any time. Just plan on going in 501 to 17 bypass.

creativeamanda's route works when you are really familiar with the roads, but does consist of a good number of 2 lane roads, with some twists and turns, particularly around Tabor City. It also brings you in to the far north of Myrtle Beach, coming in through NC--Two weeks ago we drove from Litchfield to Highway 9 and it took us over 1.5 hours using the best roads.

We were just down at Litchfield below Surfside a couple of weeks ago. Have a great trip.

 

[campingdude]

Now I'm all confused...

Ok, I take 81 south to 77 south and then .... turn on my tom-tom and hope that it knows how to get there???

I got excited when creativeamanda wrote 501, I know where 501 is. We are staying at my in-laws condo which is on highway 17 bypass, it's across from a Honda dealer, down the road from Bonefish

Is there usually much traffic on these other ways? Are these roads highways or 2 lane roads? Future 74 - we yanks are afraid of roads that don't even exist yet

Let me simplify my mostly interstate route.

I-81 South to I-77
follow I-77 South to columbia SC
Pickup up I-20 East in Columbia
Follow I20 east until it ends and becomes HWY 76 and then changes name to HWY 576
It eventually changes names to HWY 501 which runs into downtown Myrtle Beach.

Once again google local live maps and you can follow your entire route on an aerial view map and see if this is the way you want to go.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Let me simplify my mostly interstate route.

I-81 South to I-77
follow I-77 South to columbia SC
Pickup up I-20 East in Columbia
Follow I20 east until it ends and becomes HWY 76 and then changes name to HWY 576
It eventually changes names to HWY 501 which runs into downtown Myrtle Beach.

Once again google local live maps and you can follow your entire route on an aerial view map and see if this is the way you want to go.

campingdude - I think you might just be my new best friend