Columbia SC to Myrtle Beach: Drive time, distance & best stops

Planning a Columbia SC to Myrtle Beach road trip itinerary

The Columbia to Myrtle Beach drive takes you from South Carolina’s capital to the coast.

Columbia is the capital city of South Carolina. Top attractions include the South Carolina State Museum, which looks at the rich history of the state. It does so in a surprisingly fun way, with a digital planetarium and 4D theater.

But the city’s real appeal is in the numerous parks along the Broad River. These include the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

For well-rated Columbia accommodation options, try the academia-themed Graduate and the characterful Hotel Trundle.

Myrtle Beach is a beach resort city on the Atlantic coast of South Carolina. Good Myrtle Beach experiences include a history, movies and music trolley tour, guided kayaking adventures and Huntington Beach State Park Segway tour.

There are also several shows on offer. Try the Charles Bach Wonders show for magic, Legends in Concert for tribute acts and the Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show for dancing and fire stunts.

It’s worth booking Myrtle Beach accommodation in advance. For the best deals, check here.

Columbia SC to Myrtle Beach distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Columbia SC to Myrtle Beach is 152 miles. That makes for a driving time of around two hours and 35 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-20, US-76 and US-74.

The best stops to add to a Columbia SC to Myrtle Beach road trip itinerary are Lee State Park, Florence SC and the South Carolina Tobacco Museum.

Columbia SC to Myrtle Beach drive: Lee State Park

Lee State Park near Bishopville SC covers 2,839 acres and follows the Lynches River. Kayaking is the primary pursuit here, although there is also a mile of easy-going walking trails. Stop by at the Education Center to learn more about the natural environment – mainly hardwood forest floodplain – or stay at the campsites.

Best stops between Columbia SC and Myrtle Beach: Florence SC

The Florence County Museum offers a good mix of science, art and history. But the Florence Veterans Park is arguably a more impressive cultural attraction. The six-acre park is dedicated to military veterans, and is dotted with grand sculptures and memorials.

Meanwhile, the Lynches River County Park to the south of the city is a popular spot for kayaking and canoeing. There’s also an Environmental Discovery Center, which aims to educate visitors about the local ecosystems.

Columbia SC to Myrtle Beach road trip attractions: South Carolina Tobacco Museum

The town of Mullins SC grew up around the tobacco industry. Inside the former train depot, the South Carolina Tobacco Museum looks at the various stages of the tobacco-making process and the history of the industry. It includes a blacksmith shop, farm kitchen and tobacco barn.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Photo by 1778011.

More Columbia SC road trips

Columbia SC to Asheville | Columbia SC to Atlanta | Columbia SC to Augusta | Columbia SC to Charlotte NC | Columbia SC to Jacksonville | Columbia SC to Nashville | Columbia SC to Orlando | Columbia SC to Raleigh NC | Columbia SC to Tampa | Columbia SC to Wilmington NC.

More Myrtle Beach road trips

Asheville to Myrtle Beach | Atlanta to Myrtle Beach | Augusta GA to Myrtle Beach SC | Baltimore to Myrtle Beach | Boston to Myrtle Beach | Charlotte to Myrtle Beach | Fayetteville NC to Myrtle Beach | Greensboro to Myrtle Beach | Greenville to Myrtle Beach | Nashville to Myrtle Beach | New York City to Myrtle Beach | Orlando to Myrtle Beach | Philadelphia to Myrtle Beach | Pittsburgh to Myrtle Beach | Raleigh to Myrtle Beach | Spartanburg to Myrtle Beach | Tampa to Myrtle Beach | Washington DC to Myrtle Beach | Wilmington NC to Myrtle Beach.