Although there are numerous ways to drive to N. Myrtle Beach, I would recommend the following route. It usually takes me 10.5 hours or less from my house to our beach house. The mileage in parentheses listed throughout these directions are equal the total miles from Exit #60-Crafton on I-79. That is where I like to reset the trip counter.

Begin by driving SOUTH on I-79. Deep into West Virginia, about 2.5 hours (160 total miles), take Exit #57-Beckley to 19 SOUTH towards Beckley & Summersville. Be careful once you reach Summersville. The Summersville police are like the Kilbuck police over on Route 65, they are notorious for setting speed traps and tagging out of towners.

Follow 19 SOUTH for 68 miles (228 total miles) to I-77 SOUTH towards Bluefield. I-77 SOUTH will take you all the way into North Carolina. However, you’ll probably need gas before you get there. If you can make it to the Exxon that is located on I-77 in Virginia (4 hrs 45 min or 292 total miles, Exit #58 Bastian), you won’t need gas again until you’re in Myrtle Beach.

After you get gas, be careful around Wytheville, Virginia (310 total miles). I-77 SOUTH will run concurrent with I-81 NORTH for 9 miles. Be sure to follow the signs for I-77 SOUTH to Charlotte.

It should take you 5 ½ hours or so to reach the North Carolina state-line. Once in North Carolina, take the exit for 74 EAST. 74 EAST will become 52 SOUTH towards Winston-Salem.

Once in Winston-Salem you’ll want to take Exit #109A (Business 40 EAST / 421 SOUTH) towards Greensboro.

The hotel we usually stay at (Crestwood Suites) is just before Greensboro. Take exit #210 (NC 68). Turn RIGHT on to 68 SOUTH. Follow 68 SOUTH for ½ mile to Americhase Drive on left.

Approaching Greensboro, you’ll want to follow the signs for I-73 SOUTH/Asheboro. It should be Exit #212A to I-73 SOUTH.  Then, you'll want to take EXIT #96 (220 SOUTH) towards Asheboro. These roads are new, so GPS can get confused in this area.

220 SOUTH (also Future I-73 & I-74) will converge with US 1 SOUTH. About an hour past Asheboro (493 total miles), you’ll want to take the exit for 74 EAST, not Business 74 EAST, you’ll pass that first. Follow 74 EAST for 71 miles or so.

25 miles after crossing over I-95, take 410 SOUTH – Joe Brown Highway (580 total miles) through Chadbourn.

Follow 410 SOUTH to 701 SOUTH. Within a mile of being on 701, keep left on the 701 bypass around Tabor City. Just after you cross the South Carolina State Line, you’ll merge back onto 701 SOUTH. Follow 701 for approximately 4 miles to 9 SOUTH Bypass just before Loris.

Follow 9 SOUTH all the way to HIGHWAY 17. (Highway 17, also called King’s Highway, is the main route in the Myrtle Beach/North Myrtle Beach area. All driving revolves around Highway 17.) If you are going to the Crow Creek Condos, follow 17 NORTH through Little River and into North Carolina. About 2-3 miles after crossing the North Carolina State Line, you’ll see the entrance to Crow Creek on the left.

If you are going to the Beach House in Cherry Grove Beach, you’ll want to merge onto 17 SOUTH to cross the inter-coastal waterway (you’ll still be on 9 SOUTH also). After you cross the bridge, take the exit for Cherry Grove Beach.

Follow 9, also called Sea Mountain Highway, all the way to the coast (only a mile or 2) to Boulineau’s IGA on the corner of 9 and N. Ocean Blvd. 31^st Street North will be to the left, 7 blocks or so on the left.