mlbcats

I'm driving from Brooklyn to Myrtle Beach this thanksgiving. I can't beat the early rush so I'm planning on waiting until later in the evening (10 or 11pm) before taking off. I already read the excellent suggestions for the D.C. to Boston trip and a discussion of how to avoid D.C. but I wanted to know in particular whether anyone had any experience driving at around this time of evening for a holiday. I'm taking 295 to help steer clear of the NJ turnpike but other than that any suggestions on routes to take/avoid would be great - Mapquest says the trip will take at least 11.5 hours (normally) but I'd gladly tack on another hour or two if it kept me moving rather than stuck in bad traffic.

Thank you.

stevebarr

One little tip....look at a map and you'll see what I'm talking about....if you get stuck in traffic somehow in the Richmond, Virginia area....Route 10 is a viable alternative....very reminiscent of 295 in Jersey.....if you hit heavy traffic on the Interstate, pop onto 10 and follow it back south of the city.

GoTravel

Even leaving at 10PM expect delays. I-95 is always busy!

I think your best bet is to exit I-40 Wilmington and pick up Highway 17 South and take that to Myrtle Beach.

Where in Myrtle Beach? I'm asking because depending upon where your drive can be shortened.

beach_dweller

I absolutely agree with GoTravel about taking I-40 to Wilmington instead of staying on I-95. The I-40 by-pass (140) is now complete so getting past Wilmington to 17 South is a breeze.

And after you cross into SC on 17 (at Little River), look for Highway 9 (bear right) go a few miles and pick up Hwy 31 (Carolina Bays Parkway)--that's a 6 lane highway that runs parallel to the beach and will get you wherever you are going in MB faster than staying on 17. GoTravel or I can give you the specific exit to take if you let us know where in MB you are staying.

mlbcats

Thanks everyone for the advice. I didn't realize I could expect such detailed Myrtle Beach-area help - I'm actually heading to Sunset Beach, NC but I'll be heading down to Myrtle Beach a lot (probably should've just booked a hotel in MB). Oh well - the things you do for family.

The I-40 bypass is done? Awesome news - is it relatively straightforward how to get to 17 from there - the last time I drove through Wilmington and picked up 17 near the airport and the completed bypass isn't on my maps.

Thanks.

Gretchen

Going to Sunset you will definitely want US17. Have a good time. Watch the rain. IT IS AWFUL!!! And unfortunately I think you are going to have ti the whole way.

GoTravel

Yes, definitely jump off I-95 at I-40. You are actually closer to Wilmington than Myrtle Beach.

frenchtoile

No don't do 40 to 17. It's nightmarish. I just got back from there last week.

Still remain on 95 until you get past Fayetteville.

Also beware and I mean BEWARE of deer at night. I must have seen close to thirty hit on the side of the road.

frenchtoile

I meant to tell you which highways to take. I use to travel NC/SC for work and this is the fastest route to date. I just got back like I said and once again took this route. It was ffast and easy!

95 S to SC 38 (exit 181 toward Marion)
Right onto US 501
Go 501 all the way. It will take your right into Myrtle Beach!

GoTravel

frenchtoil, mlbcats isn't going to Myrtle Beach they are going to Sunset Beach which is North Carolina.

Your directions has them driving way out of their way for Sunset Beach by at least an hour. They would have to drive into Myrtle Beach then another 50 miles North on Highway 17.

Otherwise, we drive the same route.

Gretchen

Not only out of the way , but 'way out of the way as I 95 swings west--or the coast swings out east--furher from 95.

At the point you get off 95 there you are 1 1/2 hours away from MB (let alone Sunset!!!). PLUS the time it took you down 95 to get to it!!
Wilmington to MB (IF he was going to MB) is only 1 1/2 hrs by itself on 17.
Do the 40/17 route. Shorter shorter.

frenchtoile

I didn't even see mention of Sunset! I was thinking Myrtle Beach and south for some reason.

Gretchen

You weren't wrong--he added Sunset as his destination--but said MB in the OP.
All good to go!!

Gretchen

My answer might have sounded more taking you to task--I only meant it as a gauge of the travel time.

mlbcats

Hey everyone - thanks again for the help (and sorry for the "myrtle beach" confusion - I really hadn't expected such area-specific information in so short a time frame).

We ended up taking 40 to 17 on the way down (we got on 40 about 9am thursday morning so no traffic) and decided to make a road-trip of it on the way back and take 17 all the way to 64 and then 13 up to Wilmington - I don't know whether we saved any time (13 hours vs. about 11.5 hours on the way down - w/o any real traffic - I have no idea how 95 was Sunday afternoon but figure we probably wouldn't have gone much faster) but it wasn't a bad trip all things considered.

Anyway, thanks again - next time I won't assume that people won't recognize my destination and avoid the confusion.

beach_dweller

glad you had a safe journey!

17 to 64 through eastern NC is a cool choice (not if you're in a hurry though); New Bern and Washington are neat little water towns.