Plan Your Drive

Getting to
Murrells Inlet

Murrells Inlet sits along the South Carolina Grand Strand, easily reachable from across the Southeast.

Where Is Murrells Inlet?

Murrells Inlet is located in Horry and Georgetown Counties, South Carolina — about 12 miles south of Myrtle Beach along US-17. The town sits directly on the tidal marsh, with the Atlantic Ocean just a few minutes east. It's a convenient destination from most Southeast cities.

12 mi
from Myrtle Beach
~3.5 hrs
from Charlotte, NC
~2 hrs
from Columbia, SC

Driving Directions

From Myrtle Beach

~20 minutes

  1. Take US-17 South (Business) from central Myrtle Beach
  2. Drive approximately 12 miles south through Surfside Beach
  3. Enter Murrells Inlet — the Marsh Walk area is along Business 17
  4. Look for parking lots on the west side of Business 17 near the waterfront

Note: US-17 Business (not the bypass) runs right through the heart of Murrells Inlet. The bypass is faster but takes you around it.

From Charlotte, NC

~3.5 hours

  1. Take I-485 or US-74 East toward Monroe, NC
  2. Connect to US-74 East toward Wilmington
  3. Take SC-9 or SC-31 (Grand Strand Expressway) south toward Myrtle Beach
  4. Continue south on US-17 Business to Murrells Inlet

Scenic option: Come down US-74 to US-17 in Brunswick County, NC, for beautiful coastal scenery the whole way down.

From Columbia, SC

~2 hours

  1. Take I-20 East from Columbia toward Florence
  2. At Florence, take I-95 South briefly or head east on US-76
  3. Take US-501 East toward Myrtle Beach
  4. At the coast, take US-17 South for 12 miles to Murrells Inlet

Tip: US-501 is the main corridor from the Midlands — expect heavier traffic on summer weekends. Leave early to beat it.

Road Trip Essentials

Make the drive down the Grand Strand as good as the destination.

Portable Car Cooler

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South Carolina Guide

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Waterproof Beach Bag

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