Getting to North Myrtle Beach: Airports, Drive Times & Getting Around

The GPS says 22 minutes from Myrtle Beach International, but you smell the salt air before you even cross the Intracoastal bridge. Windows down, warm pavement humming under the tires, a hand-painted shrimp boat sign blurring past on Highway 17. Then the turn onto Hillside Drive, the Ocean Keyes gate sliding open, and that particular exhale — the one that means vacation has officially started. From wheels-down at the airport to flip-flops on the balcony, it took less time than your morning commute.

Getting to North Myrtle Beach is the easiest part of the whole trip, whether you fly into one of two nearby airports or make the drive from Charlotte, Raleigh, or Atlanta. And once you’re here, everything from the beach to the golf courses to Barefoot Landing is within 15 minutes of our condo at 601 Hillside Dr N. Here’s the insider breakdown.

Two Airports, Two Strategies

North Myrtle Beach sits between two commercial airports, and the right choice depends on your origin city and how far in advance you’re booking.

Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) — The Default Choice

Distance to the condo: ~25 miles, about 30-35 minutes via US-17 N

MYR is the airport most visitors use and for good reason. It’s a modern, easy-to-navigate terminal that expanded significantly in recent years. You land, grab your bags, pick up a rental car, and you’re pulling through the Ocean Keyes gate before the vacation playlist runs out of songs.

Airlines serving MYR: Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Spirit, Sun Country, and United — with direct flights from Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, D.C., and more.

Peak season tip: Summer flights into MYR fill fast. Book 6-8 weeks early for June-August. Shoulder season (March-May, September-October) often has the best fare-to-weather ratio. The rental car lot is steps from baggage claim — no shuttle needed.

Wilmington International Airport (ILM) — The Budget Play

Distance to the condo: ~65 miles, about 75-80 minutes via US-17 S

Wilmington, North Carolina’s airport is smaller and less obvious, but experienced Grand Strand travelers know the secret: ILM sometimes offers significantly lower fares, especially on American and Delta routes from hubs like Charlotte and Atlanta.

When ILM makes sense:
– The fare difference is $100+ per person (it happens more than you’d think)
– You’re coming from a city with better ILM connections
– You want to make a stop in Wilmington — the riverfront downtown, the USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial, and the restaurants along Water Street are worth a few hours

Skip ILM if the fare difference is under $50/person, you’re arriving at night, or you’re traveling with restless kids. The extra 60 minutes of driving isn’t worth it.

The drive from ILM is scenic and straightforward — US-17 South through coastal Carolina, flat roads, pine forests, and little towns like Calabash (where you should absolutely stop for Calabash-style fried seafood if it’s lunchtime).

Driving to North Myrtle Beach

Honestly? Most of our guests drive. The Grand Strand is a road-trip-friendly destination from most of the Eastern Seaboard, and having your own car once you’re here makes everything easier.

Drive Times from Major Cities

Charlotte and Raleigh are the sweet spots — short enough for a Friday-after-work departure that gets you here by dinner. We’ve had plenty of guests say the drive from Charlotte barely feels longer than their daily commute.

Road Trip Tips

• US-501 through Conway is the most common final stretch from I-95, and it bottlenecks on summer Saturdays. If you’re arriving on a Saturday between June and August, consider taking US-17 from the north or SC-22 (the bypass) to avoid the Conway crawl.
• Gas up before your last stretch. Fuel prices on Hwy 17 near the beach tend to run 10-20 cents higher per gallon than inland stations. The Costco in Myrtle Beach (off US-501) is the cheapest fuel around if you have a membership.
• Grocery stop: Hit Kroger on Main Street (2 minutes from the condo) or Walmart Supercenter on Hwy 17 in North Myrtle Beach on your way in. Stock the full kitchen at the condo before you unpack — you’ll thank yourself tomorrow morning when the coffee’s already brewing.

Getting Around North Myrtle Beach

Here’s the honest truth that some travel sites won’t tell you: you need a car in North Myrtle Beach. This isn’t Manhattan or even downtown Charleston. NMB is a spread-out beach community where a car (or golf cart) is how you get from point A to point B.

Why You Need a Car

• Uber and Lyft exist but aren’t reliable. Wait times of 20-40 minutes are common, especially at night, and surge pricing during peak season can be brutal. You might get lucky on a Saturday night — or you might not. Don’t count on it for a dinner reservation.
• There’s no public transit that’s practical for visitors. The Coast RTA bus system covers some routes, but it’s designed for residents and commuters, not vacationers.
• Everything is close by car. Kroger is 2 minutes away on Main Street. Barefoot Landing is 8 minutes. Main Street is 5 minutes. The beach is less than a mile. A car turns “close” into “effortless.”

Parking Is Free (Almost Everywhere)

This is one of NMB’s best-kept advantages over Myrtle Beach proper. Street parking, restaurant parking, attraction parking — almost all of it is free. The condo at 601 Hillside Dr N comes with two dedicated parking spots in the Ocean Keyes community, and you’ll never pay for a parking meter anywhere in North Myrtle Beach.

The only exception: some beach access points in Myrtle Beach (south of NMB) charge for parking during summer months. In North Myrtle Beach itself, beach parking is free at all public access points.

Golf Cart Rentals — The Fun Option

You’ll see them everywhere — families cruising Hwy 17, couples heading to dinner on Main Street, golf groups putting from the links to the restaurant without ever sitting in a car. Golf cart rentals are hugely popular in the NMB area and genuinely useful for short trips.

What to know:
– Several rental companies operate along Hwy 17 — companies like NMB Golf Cart Rentals and A-JAX Golf Carts offer delivery to your door
– Street-legal golf carts can drive on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less
– Rentals run roughly $50-80/day or $250-400/week depending on the cart
– They’re perfect for Main Street runs, quick grocery trips, and mini golf outings
– You cannot take them on Hwy 17 itself where the speed limit exceeds 35 mph — stick to side streets and the residential roads through many NMB communities (note: golf cart use policies vary by community — check with your property manager)

Ride Services That Do Exist

• Uber/Lyft: Available but unreliable — 20-40 minute waits are common. Set your pickup 30+ minutes early if you’re counting on one.
• Local taxi companies: Absolute Taxi and City Cab of Myrtle Beach are sometimes more reliable than apps during peak season.
• Designated driver services: Local companies will drive you home in your own car after a night on Main Street. Ask at restaurants for recommendations.

The Arrival: Your First-Hour Playbook

You’re pulling up to 601 Hillside Dr N and the Ocean Keyes gate is ahead. Check in with Seaside Vacations at their office (501 Main St) — text them when you’re close so keys are ready. Unload and park (two spots, third floor, no elevator — pack accordingly). Hit Kroger on Main Street (2 minutes) or Walmart on Hwy 17 (5 minutes) to stock the full kitchen. Then drop onto the balcony with whatever you brought to drink and let the decompression begin. You’re here. The planning part is over.

For what to pack, when to come, and how to make the most of every day, check out our full North Myrtle Beach trip planning guide.

Ready to Start Planning?

Now that you know how to get here, fill your days with our guides: Golf Courses (13+ within 20 min), Beach Guide (four beaches, best access points), Dining Guide (Calabash-style seafood to waterfront steakhouses), and Things to Do (50+ attractions and day trips).

Our 3-bedroom, 2-bath condo at Ocean Keyes sleeps 8 and puts you minutes from everything — full kitchen, gig-speed WiFi, two parking spots, and no resort fees. Check availability and book your stay at beachgolflife.com/booking/.

We’ll leave the balcony light on.