Driving Times to Expect in Myrtle Beach

As it is a popular tourist destination, commute times across Myrtle Beach, South Carolina vary considerably throughout the year. For the most part, commuters can expect to spend several hours a week traveling to and from all their engagements. They have their choice of traveling by personal vehicle, public transportation, or alternative methods, depending on their needs. Here’s a look at what everyone can expect when commuting across Myrtle Beach.

Common Commute Times in Personal Vehicles

Nearly 80 percent of commuters in Myrtle Beach drive their own vehicles to all their personal and professional activities. Another 12 percent of people hop along for the ride, opting to carpool to save time and money and keep extra vehicles off the roadway.

Across the entire work week, drivers and their carpool buddies will spend a total of about two hours on their commutes. They tend to spend about 16 minutes driving each way, 10 minutes shorter than the average commute times across the rest of the United States.

These Myrtle Beach driving times can be longer during the high tourist and snowbird season, running from January to April. Traffic is thickest from 4-7 pm on weekdays, especially on Highway 501. Highway 17 can also get backed up fairly quickly during peak travel times.

Average Time to Work When Commuting By Bus

Whether they are environmentally conscious, would rather not budget car ownership into their lives, or for any other reason, many people choose public transportation routes for their commutes. The Waccamaw Regional Transportation Authority, also known as Coast RTA, serves these individuals and runs eight routes across the city.

These routes start running bright and early each morning and continue to hit their stops regularly until late in the evening. Most people can make it across town within the hour while riding the bus, though times can vary when the buses fill up.

Popular Alternatives to Commuting in Vehicles

When personal vehicles, carpooling, and buses will not do, commuters can elect to use alternative methods to get where they are going, such as:

Biking

Myrtle Beach is relatively friendly to those who want to take their bicycle everywhere they need to go. This is especially true since they installed a multipurpose path from the Intercoastal Waterway to Murrells Inlet. When traffic is heavy, biking can take far less time than traveling by car; plus, it offers many wellness benefits.

Across the cityscape, bicyclists will also find some bike lanes they can use to move down the roadway quickly. The bike lanes help drivers understand how much room to give bicyclists, helping prevent accidents and other mishaps. When there are no bike lanes, bicyclists can continue riding down the roadway as long as they stay far to the right and signal all turns.

Longboarding

Although not as popular as the other alternative options, longboarding is a viable commute option for those who know how to ride. These boards are built to cruise, allowing commuters to glide to all their engagements without breaking a sweat. They must wear a helmet and abide by the rules of the road to enjoy a safe commute.

Running

Running has become a popular way to move through the city, as it provides many health benefits and is quick. When moving from one point in the city to another, runners can usually make their way to their destination almost as quickly as a car can take them, especially when traffic piles up during the prime months for tourism.

Although these options are all great ideas for those traveling within Myrtle Beach, they can prove tedious when they need to go even further. Thankfully, if residents need to travel outside the city, they can hop on a nearby bus to make quick work of their commutes. The local buses have racks up front for bikes, while longboards can be carried along.

With an understanding of what the Myrtle Beach commute is like, everyone can choose the travel options that work best for them. Then, they can head out confidently to make it to their destinations on time.

Updated November 2023