Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Title says it all. We will be making our first trip to the beach and was wondering what everyone thinks is the best route. My neighbors have all told me they just follow the GPS.
Suggestions?
From Charlotte I go 485 to 218 to 74. That bypasses all the Monroe traffic, and usually has very few people on the road. Then I take SC 9 to North Myrtle Beach, where I usually stay, but you can take 501 right into MB.
I use a GPS too, so basically I can turn right anywhere along 74, and wind through the countryside as I wish.
Just use your GPS. All the routes take the same amount of time.
I can't agree with that due to Google getting involved on Android smartphones. I guess it's basically the same route as their online routes.
Friday before last I took the Google way through my phone and from the NW side of town it was basically 485 to 521 and several backroads before spilling on to I20 then 76 and 501 (I highly recommend the I95 trick).
My standard GPS wanted me to go I77 to I20 which may "feel" safer since you're not in the middle of nowhere and aren't as likely to get hit by a deer which actually happened to me once. I won't take the backway at night and during mating season.
I took "standard" route using mostly using interstates. It took an hour longer and used 45% more fuel!
I recommend seeing what Google thinks is the best route for your particular area of town and adapt as needed.
I can't agree with that due to Google getting involved on Android smartphones. I guess it's basically the same route as their online routes.
Friday before last I took the Google way through my phone and from the NW side of town it was basically 485 to 521 and several backroads before spilling on to I20 then 76 and 501 (I highly recommend the I95 trick).
My standard GPS wanted me to go I77 to I20 which may "feel" safer since you're not in the middle of nowhere and aren't as likely to get hit by a deer which actually happened to me once. I won't take the backway at night and during mating season.
I took "standard" route using mostly using interstates. It took an hour longer and used 45% more fuel!
I recommend seeing what Google thinks is the best route for your particular area of town and adapt as needed.
It definitely depends on where you're leaving from, but I doubt the OP's GPS will take them all the way to 77 when they already live in Indian Trail.
I lived in MB for 7 years, so I know every which way to get there from here. They're all the same. There's really no "best" way, it's just the one you prefer to take.
Just use your GPS. All the routes take the same amount of time.
I completely agree with this.
My advice. Pick your starting point, ending point, and use whatever roads connect best between A & B. All the traffic delay is at either end. The nothingness in the middle is all the same no matter what roads you are on.
Do what you can to avoid Hwy 501 between Aynor & Myrtle Beach and Union county.
Location: livin' the good life on America's favorite island
2,221 posts, read 4,394,149 times
Reputation: 1391
Just came back today from MB. From South CLT I like 74, Rt 9. Take 3.5 hrs. The worst part is going thru Monroe but I find it a pleasant drive from there.
From South Charlotte I take 521 to Lancaster, to Rt 9 and exit to Rt 903 to 151 and follow the signs to 501. Everyone has their favorite way of going and they all get you there within 3-3.5 hours. Last year the Charlotte Observer ran a contest on the quickest way to MB. There weren't really any clear winners because they all have ups & downs. Traffic, small towns, 2 lane roads, etc. Most people hate driving 74 through Monroe which (depending on time of day) can add another 45 minutes to the drive. I stopped going that way in the 80's.
Oh! Take the Conway bypass if you come in on 501. It's Rt 22, just south of Aynor. Traffic really backs up in Conway so try to avoid that if you can. Rt 22 brings you in between North MB and MB. I highly recommend it.
It definitely depends on where you're leaving from, but I doubt the OP's GPS will take them all the way to 77 when they already live in Indian Trail.
I lived in MB for 7 years, so I know every which way to get there from here. They're all the same. There's really no "best" way, it's just the one you prefer to take.
I agree with coastalgirl... Again.
I lived in Surfside for quite a while myself! Went to Socastee Middle and High...
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
