How far is North Myrtle Beach, SC from Columbia, SC?

The driving distance from North Myrtle Beach, SC to Columbia, SC is about 166 miles (267.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 135.6 miles (218.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
165.94 mi
02h 44m
Flight
135.63 mi
218.27 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North Myrtle Beach.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
135.63 mi
Kilometers
218.27 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
165.94 mi
Kilometers
267.05 km
Drive Time
02h 44m

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 02h 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Sat, Apr 18, 5:08 AM EDT
Return by in North Myrtle Beach
Sat, Apr 18, 7:53 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North Myrtle Beach
2026-04-18T02:24
Arrive Columbia
Sat, Apr 18, 5:08 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:44 AM to 12:44 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:02 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in North Myrtle Beach
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Florence
SC

Civil town in Florence County, Wisconsin

From North Myrtle Beach
80 mi
01h 22m
To Columbia
85.9 mi
01h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph SW
Destination
95°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between North Myrtle Beach and Columbia.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Myrtle Beach and Columbia.

  1. 1

    Start on 6th Avenue South

    1.1 km · 2 min · 6th Avenue South

  2. 2

    Turn right onto US Highway 17 South

    1822 ft · 41 sec · US Highway 17 South

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Robert Edge Parkway

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Robert Edge Parkway

  4. 4

    Turn left onto SC 31 South: US 501, Myrtle Beach

    1749 ft · 42 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Carolina Bays Parkway

    4.4 mi · 5 min · Carolina Bays Parkway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward SC 22: Myrtle Beach, Conway

    2312 ft · 56 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on SC 22 West: Conway

    1.1 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Veterans Highway

    25.9 mi · 30 min · Veterans Highway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on US 501 North: Aynor, Marion

    952 ft · 23 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    21 mi · 24 min

  11. 11

    Turn straight

    3.2 mi · 4 min

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    6.7 mi · 8 min

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    12.1 mi · 17 min

  14. 14

    Turn slight right onto East Cheves Street

    1.7 mi · 4 min · East Cheves Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Warley Street

    644 ft · 18 sec · Warley Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto West Evans Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · West Evans Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West David H McLeod Boulevard

    1.5 mi · 3 min · West David H McLeod Boulevard

  18. 18

    Continue on J Strom Thurmond Freeway

    68.6 mi · 1 hr 15 min · J Strom Thurmond Freeway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward SC 277 South: Downtown, Columbia

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway

    4.8 mi · 5 min · I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway

  21. 21

    Continue on Bull Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Bull Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Gervais Street

    2053 ft · 51 sec · Gervais Street

  23. 23

    Continue on Gervais Street

    71 m · 22 sec · Gervais Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Gervais Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between North Myrtle Beach and Columbia.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
24 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
4 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
J Strom Thurmond Freeway
68.6 mi · 41%
US 501 North
40 mi · 24%
Veterans Highway
25.9 mi · 16%
I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
4.83 mi · 3%
Carolina Bays Parkway
4.43 mi · 3%
West Evans Street
2.35 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

J Strom Thurmond Freeway

Continue on J Strom Thurmond Freeway

68.6 mi · 01h 15m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 44m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.4 mi
135.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Florence
01h 22m from North Myrtle Beach
Leave By
1:02 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving North Myrtle Beach and Mostly Sunny near Columbia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from North Myrtle Beach to Columbia?

The road trip is about 166 miles (267.1 km) and usually takes 02h 44m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Florence is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80 miles from North Myrtle Beach and 85.9 miles from Columbia.

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

The direct path is about 135.6 miles (218.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:02 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.21 one way or $46.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around North Myrtle Beach and Mostly Sunny near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near Florence

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Florence and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town Hall
Food stop 0.8 mi away

Town Hall

Florence , SC
101 W Evans St, Florence, SC 29501
Rating 4.5/5 405 reviews Restaurant
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 0.5 mi away

Florence City Manager

Florence , SC
324 W Evans St, Florence, SC 29501
Rating 3.0/5 2 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Florence

1 mi away
805 East Day Street
RAIL

Dillon

44 mi away
100 North Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Kingstree

59 mi away
101 East Main St.
RAIL

Hamlet

77 mi away
West Main St. and North Bridges St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North Myrtle Beach and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 135.63 mi (218.27 km).

North Myrtle Beach

#1 North Myrtle Beach

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

Population17,280
Coordinates33.8160100, -78.6800200
Altitude2
CountryUnited States
Columbia

#2 Columbia

The most populous city in South Carolina.

Population132,130
Coordinates34.0007100, -81.0348100
Altitude89
CountryUnited States
Start: 6th Avenue South (-78.679999, 33.816018)
End: Gervais Street (-81.034853, 34.000804)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 267 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.86 gal
22.17 L · about $23.21
Round trip
$46.42
11.72 gal · 44.34 L
Estimated CO2
52.1 kg one way
Round trip: 104.2 kg / 230 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $23.21 $46.42
Mid-grade $4.43 $25.95 $51.91
Premium $4.78 $28.00 $56.00
Diesel $5.62 $32.96 $65.91

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between North Myrtle Beach and Columbia. The current time is 02:24:34.

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.