How Far Is Myrtle Beach From Atlanta, Georgia? Your Complete Trip Guide

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and dreaming about a quick getaway to the beach, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is one of the closest Atlantic Ocean destinations you can reach by car. Understanding how far it is, the best routes, and what to expect along the way helps you plan a smoother, less stressful trip.

The Distance From Atlanta to Myrtle Beach

From most neighborhoods in metro Atlanta, Myrtle Beach is roughly:

• Distance by car: about 360–380 miles
• Typical drive time: around 6 to 7 hours (without major delays)
• Direction: generally northeast from Atlanta

The exact distance depends on your starting point in the Atlanta area:

• From Downtown Atlanta (Five Points/Centennial Olympic Park area): ~370 miles
• From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): ~380 miles
• From northern suburbs (Sandy Springs, Roswell): often a few miles shorter but similar drive time because of traffic patterns

Main Driving Routes From Atlanta to Myrtle Beach

Most Atlanta drivers use one of two main routes. Both are fairly straightforward and stay on major highways for most of the trip.

1. I‑20 East → I‑95 North Route (Common Choice)

This is one of the most popular and easy-to-navigate options.

Basic path:

1. Take I‑20 East out of Atlanta
2. Continue on I‑20 through Augusta, GA
3. Near Florence, SC, connect to I‑95 North briefly
4. Then transition onto US‑501 East toward Conway and Myrtle Beach

Why Atlanta drivers like this route:

• Stays on interstates most of the way
• Easy to follow for drivers who don’t want many turns
• Plenty of options for gas, food, and rest stops along I‑20

2. I‑85 North → US‑74 → Coastal Highways (More Scenic/Varied)

Some Atlanta residents prefer a northern route that can be a bit more scenic with stretches through North Carolina.

Basic path:

1. Take I‑85 North from Atlanta
2. Connect to US‑74 East in North Carolina
3. Follow US‑74 and regional highways east toward the Myrtle Beach area

Why some choose this route:

• Breaks up the monotony of I‑20
• Passes near Charlotte and other NC towns, giving more varied stopping options

Trade-offs:
This route can sometimes be slightly longer in time or distance, depending on traffic and exact turns, and may require a bit more navigation attention.

Quick Trip Comparison for Atlanta Travelers

Below is a simple summary to help you compare your options at a glance.

Times assume light-to-moderate traffic and no major delays.

How Long Is the Drive Really From Atlanta?

On paper, 6 hours is a common estimate. In real-world Atlanta conditions, your experience can vary:

Factors that affect your total drive time

• Atlanta traffic leaving town:
  • 🕒 Morning rush (6:30–9:30 a.m.) and evening rush (3:30–7:00 p.m.) can add 30–60 minutes, especially if you’re coming from Downtown, Midtown, or the Perimeter (I‑285).
• Weekend and holiday congestion:
  • Fridays, holiday weekends (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day), and school breaks can slow traffic both leaving Atlanta and near Myrtle Beach.
• Weather along I‑20 and coastal areas:
  • Heavy rain or storm systems moving across Georgia and the Carolinas often slow traffic, particularly on open stretches of highway.
• Stops for fuel, food, and rest:
  • Most Atlanta families and groups build in at least 1–2 stops, adding 30–60 minutes.

For many Atlanta drivers, the trip ends up being closer to 7 hours door-to-door, especially if leaving from a congested part of the metro area.

Best Time to Leave Atlanta for Myrtle Beach

Timing your departure from Atlanta can make a significant difference in both stress and travel time.

Helpful timing tips:

• Leave early on weekdays:
  • Aim to be on I‑20 or I‑85 before 6:30 a.m. from Atlanta if possible. This helps you beat the heaviest inbound and outbound rush.
• For Friday departures:
  • If you can’t leave early morning, consider a late-morning or early-afternoon start (around 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.) to avoid the heaviest evening rush.
• Returning to Atlanta:
  • Plan your return so you don’t hit I‑285 or Downtown connectors (I‑75/85) at peak rush hours. Midday or later in the evening is usually smoother.

Flying From Atlanta to Myrtle Beach

If you’d rather skip the drive, you can fly from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR).

What to expect when flying from Atlanta

• Flight time: about 1 to 1.5 hours in the air
• Total trip time (door-to-door): often 3.5–5 hours, considering:
  • Travel to ATL (especially from suburbs like Marietta, Decatur, or Gwinnett)
  • Parking or rideshare drop-off
  • Security screening and boarding
  • Time at Myrtle Beach airport and travel to your hotel or rental

When flying makes sense for Atlanta travelers

Flying may be worth it if:

• You’re taking a short weekend trip and don’t want to spend half of it in the car
• You’re traveling alone or as a couple and can find reasonably priced tickets
• Long drives are difficult for you or someone in your group

Hartsfield-Jackson is located at:
6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
Airport information can be obtained through the main airport information line, which is easily available through local and state travel resources.

What Atlanta Drivers Should Know About the Route

1. Leaving Metro Atlanta

From different parts of the metro area, your starting highway may change:

• Downtown / Midtown / Westside:
  • Typically use I‑75/85 to reach I‑20 East.
• Eastside suburbs (Decatur, Stone Mountain, Conyers):
  • Easier and quicker access to I‑20 East.
• Northside (Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Roswell):
  • You may take GA‑400, I‑285, or surface streets to connect to I‑20 or I‑85, depending on your route choice.

Atlanta’s complex interstate network means that even if Myrtle Beach is “just” 6–7 hours away, clearing the immediate metro area often sets the tone for the rest of the trip.

2. Fuel and Food Stops Leaving Atlanta

Once you’re on I‑20 East, you’ll pass through or near:

• Conyers / Covington
• Madison
• Augusta

These areas provide plenty of options for:

• Fuel
• Quick meals
• Restroom breaks

Many Atlanta families like to stop around Augusta (about 2–2.5 hours from Atlanta) as a natural halfway stretch break before continuing into South Carolina.

Cost Considerations for Atlanta-to-Myrtle Beach Travel

From Atlanta, you’ll want to balance time vs. cost.

Driving costs

As an Atlanta driver, your main costs will be:

• Gas:
  • Roughly 360–380 miles each way
  • Multiply total miles by your vehicle’s miles-per-gallon and the current gas price around Atlanta or along I‑20.
• Wear and tear on your vehicle
• Parking in Myrtle Beach:
  • Many hotels and rentals include parking, but some beachfront areas may have paid lots or meters.

Flying costs

Main costs when flying from Atlanta:

• Airfare (ATL → MYR round trip)
• Parking at ATL or rideshare/taxi costs from your Atlanta home or hotel
• Ground transportation in Myrtle Beach (rental car, rideshare, or shuttles)

For families or larger groups starting in Atlanta, driving is often more cost-effective, especially if you can share driving duties and travel off-peak to reduce time lost in traffic.

Travel Tips for Atlanta Residents Heading to Myrtle Beach

Here are some practical tips tailored to people traveling from Atlanta and the surrounding metro:

1. Plan around Atlanta’s traffic patterns

• Avoid starting your trip from Inside the Perimeter (ITP) during peak rush if you can. Even leaving 30–45 minutes earlier can make a noticeable difference.
• If you live in outer suburbs like McDonough, Douglasville, Lawrenceville, or Kennesaw, check travel times from your location to I‑20 or I‑85 before you lock in your departure time.

2. Build in a realistic buffer

For Atlanta drivers, it’s wise to assume:

• At least 1 extra hour for:
  • Heavy traffic leaving the metro
  • Construction, weather, or minor delays
  • Restroom/meal stops, especially with kids

This helps if you’re trying to arrive in Myrtle Beach by a certain hotel check-in time.

3. Watch the weather along the route

Weather patterns that affect the Atlanta area often continue through eastern Georgia and into the Carolinas. Storms can:

• Reduce visibility on I‑20
• Slow down driving through smaller towns approaching Myrtle Beach
• Add time if you need to drive more cautiously

Checking the weather not only for Atlanta, but also for Augusta, Florence, and Myrtle Beach before you leave can help you plan safer stops.

Is Myrtle Beach a Practical Weekend Trip From Atlanta?

For many people in Atlanta, Myrtle Beach is just on the edge of what feels reasonable for a weekend.

It’s usually practical when:

• You can leave early Friday and return late Sunday or Monday
• You’re comfortable with 6–7 hours of driving each way
• You plan on spending at least two full days at the destination

It may feel rushed if:

• You can only leave Atlanta late Friday after work and must return Sunday afternoon
• You’re traveling with small children who don’t ride well for long periods
• You tend to hit the worst Atlanta traffic both leaving and returning

If you live in or near eastern suburbs like Conyers or Covington, your driving distance and time can be slightly shorter, making a Myrtle Beach weekend trip more manageable.

Using Atlanta as a Starting Point for Other Beach Options

Understanding that Myrtle Beach is roughly 6–7 hours away from Atlanta also helps you compare other coastal options:

• Savannah / Tybee Island: typically closer in drive time from Atlanta
• Jacksonville area beaches: often comparable in time to Myrtle Beach, depending on traffic
• Florida Panhandle (Destin, Panama City): also within a similar driving range

This gives Atlanta residents flexibility to choose between the South Carolina coast and other coastal regions based on what kind of beach experience they want.

From Atlanta, Georgia to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, you’re generally looking at around 370 miles and 6–7 hours of driving, or a 1–1.5 hour flight from Hartsfield-Jackson. With smart timing around Atlanta traffic, a couple of planned stops along I‑20 or I‑85, and a realistic time buffer, it’s a very doable trip for Atlanta residents and visitors looking to trade city skyline views for the Atlantic shoreline.