Tucked along South Carolina’s South Strand, Surfside Beach is famously known as “The Family Beach” and is easy to reach whether you’re driving in for the weekend or flying down for a longer stay.
This guide covers the main driving routes, distances to nearby attractions, your airport options, and how to get around once you’ve arrived.
By Car: Driving Routes
Surfside Beach sits just off U.S. 17, which runs through the Grand Strand as two parallel routes: U.S. 17 Business (Kings Highway, closer to the ocean) and the U.S. 17 Bypass to the west. Inland traffic typically arrives via U.S. 501, the Carolina Bays Parkway (S.C. 31), and S.C. 544 or S.C. 707, which feed directly into town. Here are the realistic routes from popular starting points:
- From Myrtle Beach (just north): Hop on U.S. 17 Business or the U.S. 17 Bypass south for about a 15-minute drive.
- From Florence and the I-95 corridor: Take U.S. 76/U.S. 501 east toward Conway, then continue on U.S. 501 and exit to S.C. 544 or the U.S. 17 Bypass into Surfside Beach.
- From Charleston: Follow U.S. 17 North along the coast straight into the South Strand.
- From Charlotte: Take U.S. 74 East to S.C. 9, connect to the Carolina Bays Parkway (S.C. 31), then exit to U.S. 501 or S.C. 544 toward Surfside Beach.
- From Columbia: Take U.S. 76/U.S. 378 east to U.S. 501, then continue toward Conway and on to S.C. 544 or the U.S. 17 Bypass.
Routing can vary with traffic and your navigation app, so it’s always smart to double-check live directions before you set out.
How Far Is Surfside Beach?
One of the best things about Surfside Beach is how central it is — you’re within easy reach of the entire Grand Strand and a short drive from some of the Southeast’s favorite cities. Distances and drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
The Grand Strand & Local Attractions
| Destination | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Garden City Beach | ~3 miles | ~10 min |
| Murrells Inlet & the MarshWalk | ~6 miles | ~15 min |
| The Market Common | ~6–8 miles | ~15 min |
| Broadway at the Beach | ~9–10 miles | ~20 min |
| Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade | ~9–10 miles | ~20 min |
| Brookgreen Gardens | ~10 miles | ~15 min |
| Pawleys Island | ~16 miles | ~25 min |
| Conway | ~22 miles | ~30 min |
| Barefoot Landing | ~22–25 miles | ~40 min |
| North Myrtle Beach | ~25 miles | ~35 min |
Nearby Cities & Day Trips
| City | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NC | ~70 miles | ~1.5 hours |
| Charleston, SC | ~90 miles | ~2 hours |
| Columbia, SC | ~150 miles | ~3 hours |
| Charlotte, NC | ~175 miles | ~3.5–4 hours |
| Raleigh, NC | ~190 miles | ~4 hours |
| Atlanta, GA | ~360 miles | ~6 hours |
By Air: Flying into Myrtle Beach International (MYR)
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is the closest airport, located about 8 to 10 miles from Surfside Beach, an easy 15-minute drive. Sitting roughly a mile from the ocean, MYR features a newly expanded terminal and has been recognized by USA Today 10Best as one of the country’s best small airports. A range of carriers serve MYR, including American, Delta, Southwest, United, Allegiant, Frontier, Breeze, Avelo, Sun Country, and Contour, with nonstop service to many cities across the country.
If MYR doesn’t fit your schedule, a few regional airports work as alternates: Florence Regional (FLO) about 70 miles away, Wilmington International (ILM) about 70 miles away, and Charleston International (CHS) about 90 miles away.
Getting Around from the Airport
Once you land at MYR, you have plenty of options for the short trip to Surfside Beach:
- Rental cars: An on-site rental facility houses eight national brands and stays open until midnight daily.
- Rideshare (Uber & Lyft): Pickups happen in the designated commercial lane across from Door 5, in front of the terminal.
- Taxis: Available first-come, first-served outside Door 6 at Baggage Claim; prearranged pickups meet in short-term parking.
- Hotel and resort shuttles: Some properties offer complimentary airport shuttles, so check with your hotel before you arrive.
- Public transit: Coast RTA, the area’s public transit agency, serves the airport via Route 15S from the Jetport Road stop, running daily from about 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Getting Around Town
A car is the most convenient way to explore the Grand Strand, since attractions stretch for miles along the coast. Renting a vehicle gives you the freedom to hop between beaches, restaurants, and shopping with ease. A few tips for arriving visitors:
- Plan around peak season: Traffic along U.S. 17 picks up in summer and on weekends, so allow extra time and consider the U.S. 17 Bypass to skip the busiest stretches.
- Parking: Surfside Beach offers public beach-access parking, though spots fill quickly on warm-weather days, so arrive early.
- Local transit: Coast RTA routes connect Surfside Beach with Myrtle Beach and other Grand Strand communities if you’d rather leave the driving to someone else.
However you choose to arrive, Surfside Beach welcomes you with easy access, friendly streets, and that laid-back family-beach charm, so pack your bags and come see why visitors keep coming back.