How far is Wilmington, NC from Murrells Inlet, SC?
The driving distance from Wilmington, NC to Murrells Inlet, SC is about 87.7 miles (141.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 78.3 miles (126 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 01h 57m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmington and Murrells Inlet.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmington and Murrells Inlet.
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1
Start on South 3rd Street
113 m · 14 sec · South 3rd Street
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2
Continue on South 3rd Street
155 m · 23 sec · South 3rd Street
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3
Turn right
3.5 mi · 5 min
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4
Take the exit slight right
2844 ft · 41 sec
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5
Continue straight
40.9 mi · 54 min
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6
Turn right
42 m · 3 sec
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7
Turn straight onto Hickman Road Northwest
3.6 mi · 5 min · Hickman Road Northwest
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8
Continue on Highway 57
4.5 mi · 8 min · Highway 57
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9
Turn left onto Highway 9 East
3039 ft · 1 min · Highway 9 East
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10
Take the exit slight right toward SC 31 South: Myrtle Beach, Georgetown
1958 ft · 48 sec
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11
Continue on Carolina Bays Parkway
13.7 mi · 16 min · Carolina Bays Parkway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Grissom Pkwy: Myrtle Beach
1722 ft · 59 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Robert M. Grissom Parkway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Robert M. Grissom Parkway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 17 South: Georgetown
2189 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Highway 17
7.7 mi · 10 min · Highway 17
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16
Continue on US Highway 17 Bypass South
1.3 mi · 2 min · US Highway 17 Bypass South
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17
Continue on Highway 17
8.5 mi · 10 min · Highway 17
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18
Turn left onto Bellamy Avenue
888 ft · 28 sec · Bellamy Avenue
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19
At the end of the road, turn right onto Murrells Inlet Road
1129 ft · 36 sec · Murrells Inlet Road
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20
Turn left onto Vaux Hall Street
964 ft · 47 sec · Vaux Hall Street
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21
Turn left onto US 17 Business
23 m · 3 sec · US 17 Business
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · US 17 Business
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmington and Murrells Inlet.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
South 3rd Street
Continue straight
40.9 mi · 00h 54m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Wilmington and Sunny near Murrells Inlet.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmington to Murrells Inlet?
The road trip is about 87.7 miles (141.2 km) and usually takes 01h 57m 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?
Carolina Shores is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.9 miles from Wilmington and 43.9 miles from Murrells Inlet.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 78.3 miles (126 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 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 2:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.13 one way or $24.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wilmington and Sunny near Murrells Inlet.
Stop Ideas Near Carolina Shores
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Carolina Shores.
Wilmington, NC
Dillon
Florence
Kingstree
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmington and Murrells Inlet. Straight-line distance: 78.29 mi (126 km).
#1 Wilmington
The largest city in the state of North Carolina.
| Population | 124,794 |
| Coordinates | 34.2257300, -77.9447100 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Murrells Inlet
Town in Georgetown County and Horry County, South Carolina, United States
| Population | 7,547 |
| Coordinates | 33.5510000, -79.0414300 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Murrells Inlet (-79.04143, 33.551)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 141 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $12.13 | $24.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.32 | $13.40 | $26.80 |
| Premium | $4.72 | $14.64 | $29.28 |
| Diesel | $5.84 | $18.11 | $36.22 |
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 North Carolina · Oct 13, 2026