Wilmington NC to Myrtle Beach drive: Distance, time & best stops
The distance from Wilmington NC to Myrtle Beach SC by car is 78 miles, with a 1h30m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Wilmington to Myrtle Beach drive are Holden Beach, the Ingram Planetarium and the Heritage Shores Nature Preserve.
Planning a Wilmington NC to Myrtle Beach road trip itinerary
The Wilmington to Myrtle Beach drive connects popular coastal vacation spots in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Wilmington NC is a port city that acts as a gateway to the beaches of Cape Fear. Wrightsville Beach is the best known of these. Attractions in the city itself include Battleship North Carolina, which took part in every major WWII Pacific offensive. Visitors can now go on board and explore.
For historic homes, you can try the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens or the Bellamy Mansion. And, on a sunny day, the Airlie Gardens and the Wilmington Riverwalk are a delight.
Good Wilmington experiences include nighttime ghost walks, history and architecture walking tours, e-bike tours and sunset sailing cruises.
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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.
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Wilmington NC to Myrtle Beach distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Wilmington NC to Myrtle Beach SC is 78 miles. You can expect a driving time of around one hour and 30 minutes.
The best stops to add to a Wilmington NC to Myrtle Beach road trip itinerary are Holden Beach, the Ingram Planetarium and the Heritage Shores Nature Preserve.
Best stops between Wilmington NC and Myrtle Beach: Holden Beach
On an eight mile-long barrier island, Holden Beach is a small coastal town with an unpretentious, family-friendly vibe. The main reason for visiting, of course, is the beach. But the intracoastal waterway just behind the island is a good spot for kayaking and paddleboarding, too. There’s a decent chance of spotting dolphins here.
Wilmington NC to Myrtle Beach road trip attractions: Ingram Planetarium
The Ingram Planetarium in Sunset Beach NC aims to show off the wonders of space. There are several different shows projected onto the 40ft domed screen, and not all of them are about space. One, for example, is about the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Check out the schedule if you want to see a particular show, and advance booking is suggested.
Wilmington NC to Myrtle Beach drive: Heritage Shores Nature Preserve
The Heritage Shores Nature Preserve in Cherry Grove Beach SC is a carefully preserved stretch of coastal habitat. A system of boardwalks and observation decks stretches through for a mile, with interpretive signs explaining the wildlife and ecological lynchpins you’re looking at.
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