Beach 2.5 Hours Away???? (Charlotte, Wilmington, Micro: peachtree, map, coastal)

[JakeDog]

Someone claimed in another forum that there was a beach 2.5 hours away from Charlotte. Which beach and how do you get there?

[chuckles34]

Any if you drive 90 mph.

[MysteryMT]

I used Microsoft Streets and Maps 2006 and created a drive time map.

Four Circles were created:
060 Minutes - Red
120 Minutes - Green
180 Minutes - Blue
240 Minutes - Purple



This is assuming a start point right in the middle of Charlotte and "normal" driving speeds.

I haven't driving these routes, but it appears Wilmington (198 miles), Myrtle Beach (201 miles) & Charleston (209 miles) represent the closest beaches to Charlotte.

[Tober138]

OBX is closer to 6 hours...but it is so worth the drive time.

[hooligan]

I can get to *Savannah, GA* in less than 4 hrs without driving like a maniac - I'd suggest that MS Streets is not an accurate guide.

Having said that, there are no beaches that are only 2.5 hrs away. I'd bet Myrtle is the fastest drive.

[coastalgirl]

Mystery, that map is really cool! OP, his map will give you a good guideline, but it's just a bit off. Examples: You can be in Charleston in 3 hours and Hilton Head or Savannah in 4. Myrtle Beach is only about 3 1/2 hours, and I can get way south of Atlanta (Newnan and Peachtree City) in 4 hours.

Bottom line: I don't know of a beach that's only 2 1/2 hours away, but you could definitely make it in 3. And this map would be a great one to save if you want ideas for weekend trips.

[SunnyKayak]

Originally Posted by coastalgirl

Mystery, that map is really cool! OP, his map will give you a good guideline, but it's just a bit off. Examples: You can be in Charleston in 3 hours and Hilton Head or Savannah in 4. Myrtle Beach is only about 3 1/2 hours, and I can get way south of Atlanta (Newnan and Peachtree City) in 4 hours.

Bottom line: I don't know of a beach that's only 2 1/2 hours away, but you could definitely make it in 3. And this map would be a great one to save if you want ideas for weekend trips.

Yes you can be in Charleston in 3 hours but not along the coast
Folly Beach is 3.5
Edisto 4.10

[coastalgirl]

I've gotten to Isle of Palms in 3, but you know traffic can always vary. Especially on 26 - all those dang truckers can block both lanes and drive you mad! Folly Beach is fantastic and worth 3 1/2 hours!

[lumbollo]

Originally Posted by hooligan

.... I'd bet Myrtle is the fastest drive.

You would easily lose this bet. The roads between here and there are horrible. Much easier to get to Charleston.

[MysteryMT]

Oh yes, I definitely agree that the map has extremely conservative times. Google Maps and the Garmin I typically use while driving provide much more reasonable times.

Also there are clearly some odd parts on the map where the 3 and 4 hour lines get awfully close together despite having 95 to travel on. But just fun visuals.

I just really like playing with the software sometimes and it just came free with my work computer, because I don't think Google or Map Quest offer similar type functionality where someone can just say I wanna see what's within 2 hours of Charlotte.