How to Get Around the Myrtle Beach Area

The Grand Strand's network of roads has vastly improved. The 28-mile Veterans Highway (S.C. 22), a four-lane road that links U.S. 501 west of Conway and U.S. 17 north of Myrtle Beach, opened in 2001. The Carolina Bays Parkway (S.C. 31), which opened in December 2002, runs from S.C. 9 to U.S. 544; and eventually it will extend to U.S. 17 south of Myrtle Beach. Harrelson Boulevard, a new access road to Myrtle Beach International Airport from U.S. 17 Bypass, also opened in 2002. Other completed projects: Robert M. Grissom Parkway, which runs parallel to U.S. 17 Bypass and provides a passageway through central Myrtle Beach, and extensive improvements to U.S. 501 and S.C. 544, major thoroughfares to Myrtle Beach area.

US 17 Bypass/SC 707 (Backgate) Interchange Project

Visitors to the Myrtle Beach area should be aware that construction is now underway of a grade-separated interchange at the existing US Route 17 Bypass/SC Route 707 intersection near The Market Common at the backgate of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. We'll do our best to keep you informed of construction zone changes on our website as we receive new updates, but keep in mind that you can always call our visitors centers at 843-626-7444 for the most current information and recommended detour routes.

June 2011 - September 2011:

1. Two lanes of traffic along Highway 17 Bypass in both directions will be maintained.
2. Daytime construction will generally occur from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
3. Construction may include some weekends and evenings.
4. Limited single lane closures will only occur in the evenings.
5. Speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph.
6. For safety precautions, message boards will surround the construction project.
7. For current traffic updates, drivers can tune to 1680 AM radio frequency.

Click on the below links to view a map of the construction project, as well as suggested detour routes for visitors to the area.

Watch Myrtle Beach Highways video

Once you arrive, finding your way around the Grand Strand is easy. Ocean Boulevard and Kings Highway (also known as Business Hwy. 17) run north and south along the Grand Strand parallel to the Atlantic Ocean. Highway 17 Bypass, a busy section of highway referred to by locals as simply "the Bypass," is the Grand Strand's westernmost route running parallel to the ocean. The Bypass begins in Murrells Inlet and continues northward until it merges with Kings Highway just before the Restaurant Row district. Mile markers are located on Business and Bypass Hwy. 17 to make navigation easier.

The Carolina Bays Parkway (S.C. 31) is a six-lane scenic highway from S.C. 9 to US 501 near Myrtle Beach Raceway.

The Robert M. Grissom Parkway is a four-lane route from 62nd Avenue North in Myrtle Beach to Harrelson Boulevard near the Myrtle Beach International Airport.

Parking meters between Kings Highway and the Ocean, from 29th Avenue South to 31st Avenue North are in effect from March 15 through September 30.

Want to know how "close" you are to the Myrtle Beach Area? Take a look at these cities and the driving distance.

Getting Around has never been easier – Leave the driving to us!

The Coast RTA - Waccamaw Regional Transportation Authority; (843) 488-0865

Local bus service is available by The Coast RTA. The Coast is affordable bus transportation along major thoroughfares and to and from the Grand Strand and neighboring towns. Schedules are available at all Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau offices. The Coast is a regularly scheduled bus system, consisting of more than 80 vehicles, offers service seven days a week, 365 days a year. Lymo buses travel on 22 routes servicing the Coastal Carolina region, including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Conway, Loris, and Aynor.

Click here for Myrtle Beach Hotels and Motels, another lodging option.

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