Plan Your Snowbird Drive Route to North Myrtle Beach

What Is the Best Route South for Snowbirds?

For snowbirds driving down from the Northeast or Canada, two main corridors lead to North Myrtle Beach: I-95 along the coast and I-77 through the mountains. Which you take depends on where you start and how you feel about winter mountain driving. Either way it is a one to two day trip for many long-stay guests. Here is how the routes compare and what to watch for in winter.

The I-95 Coastal Route

Snowbirds from the Northeast corridor, New England, New York, New Jersey, and the Mid-Atlantic, usually take I-95 South. It is flat the whole way with no mountain driving, which is a real advantage in winter. The trade-off is traffic through the metro areas and around Richmond. Near Florence, South Carolina you leave I-95 for the SC-22 Conway Bypass and Robert Edge Parkway into North Myrtle Beach.

The I-77 Mountain Route

Guests from western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Ontario often funnel onto I-77 South, which is shorter for inland starts but crosses the Appalachians. It runs through Charleston, West Virginia and over the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel and Fancy Gap, where winter brings snow, ice, and fog at elevation. There are tolls on the West Virginia Turnpike. South of the mountains you reach Charlotte, then take US-74 and SC-9 to the SC-31 Carolina Bays Parkway.

Winter Driving and Where to Break It

Winter is the key variable. On the mountain route, check forecasts and drive the high-elevation sections in daylight, since the Big Walker tunnel and Fancy Gap can ice over. On either route, a one-night stop makes a long haul easier; the Virginia line near Wytheville suits the I-77 route, and the Richmond or Fayetteville area suits I-95. Keep an emergency kit in the car for the cold stretch up North.

Arriving for the Season

However you come, the final approach is easy: SC-31 from the north or SC-22 from the west and south deliver you to 603 South Ocean Boulevard, where covered parking on the deck keeps your car out of the weather. Check-in is at 3 PM. The canadian snowbirds guide, the snowbird rentals overview, and the getting here guide have more, and the blue haven oceanfront condo page shows your winter home.

Snowbird Drive: Common Questions

Which route should snowbirds take?

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic guests usually take I-95 down the coast, while western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Ontario drivers often take I-77 through the mountains.

Is I-95 or I-77 better in winter?

I-95 is flat with no mountains, an advantage in winter, though traffic is heavier. I-77 is shorter for inland starts but crosses passes that can ice over.

How long does the drive take?

One to two days for many long-stay guests. Many split it with a single overnight near the Virginia line or in the Richmond area.

What are the mountain hazards on I-77?

The Big Walker Mountain Tunnel and Fancy Gap can bring snow, ice, and fog at elevation. Drive them in daylight and check forecasts first.

Are there tolls?

The I-77 route uses the tolled West Virginia Turnpike between Charleston and Princeton. An E-ZPass works. The I-95 route is largely toll-free in this stretch.

What is the final approach?

SC-31 from the north or the SC-22 Conway Bypass and Robert Edge Parkway from the west and south bring you to 603 South Ocean Boulevard.