How far is Columbia, SC from Murrells Inlet, SC?

The driving distance from Columbia, SC to Murrells Inlet, SC is about 145.6 miles (234.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 118.6 miles (190.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
145.65 mi
03h 07m
Flight
118.62 mi
190.9 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbia.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
118.62 mi
Kilometers
190.9 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
145.65 mi
Kilometers
234.4 km
Drive Time
03h 07m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 03h 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Murrells Inlet
Thu, Apr 23, 2:10 AM EDT
Return by in Columbia
Thu, Apr 23, 5:18 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-04-22T23:03
Arrive Murrells Inlet
Thu, Apr 23, 2:10 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:44 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Columbia
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Greeleyville
SC

City in Williamsburg County, South Carolina, United States of America

From Columbia
72.8 mi
01h 33m
To Murrells Inlet
72.9 mi
01h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph SW
Destination
Murrells Inlet Weather
SC
Live fallback forecast
78°F
Wednesday
Using Jackson as the closest live forecast in the Georgetown County weather hub.

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 13 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Murrells Inlet.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Murrells Inlet.

  1. 1

    Start on Gervais Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Gervais Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Millwood Avenue

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Millwood Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on Devine Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Devine Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Garners Ferry Road

    36.2 mi · 46 min · Garners Ferry Road

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on Broad Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Broad Street

  6. 6

    Turn slight right onto Bultman Drive

    1.2 km · 2 min · Bultman Drive

  7. 7

    Continue on North Guignard Drive

    3.6 mi · 4 min · North Guignard Drive

  8. 8

    Continue on South Guignard Parkway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · South Guignard Parkway

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Manning Road

    15.1 mi · 17 min · Manning Road

  10. 10

    Continue on North Church Street

    1.1 km · 51 sec · North Church Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto East Boyce Street

    2023 ft · 57 sec · East Boyce Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Greeleyville Highway

    14.2 mi · 16 min · Greeleyville Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Society Street

    2787 ft · 40 sec · Society Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Society Street

    1.2 km · 53 sec · Society Street

  15. 15

    Continue on US Highway 521

    26.8 mi · 30 min · US Highway 521

  16. 16

    Continue on West Main Street

    1.9 mi · 3 min · West Main Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Georgetown Highway

    7.7 mi · 9 min · Georgetown Highway

  18. 18

    Continue on Highmarket Street

    9.4 mi · 13 min · Highmarket Street

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on Church Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Church Street

  20. 20

    Continue on L. H. Siau Bridge

    1340 ft · 25 sec · L. H. Siau Bridge

  21. 21

    Continue on Ocean Highway

    17.4 mi · 25 min · Ocean Highway

  22. 22

    Continue on Highway 17

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Highway 17

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Wachesaw Road

    1253 ft · 40 sec · Wachesaw Road

  24. 24

    At the end of the road, turn left onto US 17 Business

    1660 ft · 57 sec · US 17 Business

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · US 17 Business

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Murrells Inlet.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
25 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Garners Ferry Road
36.2 mi · 25%
US Highway 521
26.8 mi · 18%
Ocean Highway
17.4 mi · 12%
Manning Road
15.1 mi · 10%
Greeleyville Highway
14.2 mi · 10%
Highmarket Street
9.45 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Garners Ferry Road

Continue on Garners Ferry Road

36.2 mi · 00h 46m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 07m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27 mi
118.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Greeleyville
01h 33m from Columbia
Leave By
10:44 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Murrells Inlet.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Murrells Inlet?

The road trip is about 145.6 miles (234.4 km) and usually takes 03h 07m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Greeleyville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.8 miles from Columbia and 72.9 miles from Murrells Inlet.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 118.6 miles (190.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 27 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:44 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.36 one way or $40.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Murrells Inlet.

Stop Ideas Near Greeleyville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Greeleyville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Greeleyville.

RAIL

Kingstree

17 mi away
101 East Main St.
RAIL

Florence

72 mi away
805 East Day Street
RAIL

Charleston, South Carolina

78 mi away
4565 Gaynor Avenue
RAIL

Camden

95 mi away
1060 West Dekalb Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Murrells Inlet. Straight-line distance: 118.62 mi (190.9 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

The most populous city in South Carolina.

Population132,130
Coordinates34.0007100, -81.0348100
Altitude89
CountryUnited States
Murrells Inlet

#2 Murrells Inlet

Town in Georgetown County and Horry County, South Carolina, United States

Population7,547
Coordinates33.5510000, -79.0414300
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-81.03481, 34.00071)
End: Murrells Inlet (-79.04143, 33.551)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 234 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 49m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.14 gal
19.46 L · about $20.36
Round trip
$40.72
10.28 gal · 38.92 L
Estimated CO2
45.7 kg one way
Round trip: 91.4 kg / 202 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $20.36 $40.72
Mid-grade $4.43 $22.77 $45.53
Premium $4.78 $24.56 $49.12
Diesel $5.62 $28.91 $57.81

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in South Carolina · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbia and Murrells Inlet. The current time is 23:03:06.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.