Best route from Columbia, SC to Myrtle Beach? (Conway, Turbeville: college, live)

[swanie1]

We come from Illinois to Myrtle Beach each October and, always, travel 20/76/501 from Columbia, SC (http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUrl?from=ShowTopic&url=%2FTourism-g54184-Columbia_South_Carolina-Vacations.html - broken link) to MB. In looking at the map, I see a route 378 from Columbia to Conway which looks like a more direct route than the other. Has anybody traveled that route and how is it and is it shorter?

[Teddyterp]

Route 378 from Columbia to Conway is a direct route. It is mainly 2 lane road and has an occasional stop light. It is fairly rural, but somewhat scenic. I would suggest having a full gas tank before setting out as gas stations along 378 are limited. You can probably average 55 mph. In Conway, RT. 378 intersects with Rt. 501 which will lead you into Myrtle Beach.

[blueherons]

I was born and raised in Myrtle Beach and went to college at USC and have driven Columbia to MB probably 1000 times.

378 definitely but be careful, Turbeville is a speed trap.

There are gas stations everywhere.

Your biggest PIAs will be farm equipment on 378 holding up traffic.

[Wes06]

Gas stations are okay, and the farm equipment assessment is dead on. Worse in the earlier hours than the afternoon. I live on the Southeast side of Columbia (directly off 378) and it takes me about 2 hours to get to Ocean Blvd from my driveway....and that's driving the posted 55 MPH. Much better also now that they've opened up a lot of the roads to 4 lanes.

But definitely listen to what blueherons said about Turbeville. They will pull and maximum ticket you, especially out-of-staters, for going just 1 mile over the speed limit. It's not an exaggeration. Town is dirt poor and they will pull anybody they can to generate revenue.