Driving Tennessee to North Myrtle Beach

How Far Is Tennessee from the Beach?

How far depends on which part of Tennessee you mean. From Knoxville it is about 390 miles and 6.5 hours; from Nashville, closer to 620 miles and 10 hours. Either way the route runs through the mountains around Asheville before reaching the Carolina coast. Both end at an oceanfront condo on Ocean Drive in North Myrtle Beach.

Here are the routes from East and Middle Tennessee, the mountain miles, and the run to the beach.

From Knoxville: I-40 to Asheville and I-26

East Tennessee has the shorter trip. From Knoxville you take I-40 East into the mountains and through Asheville, North Carolina, then turn onto I-26 East. I-26 drops down the steep Saluda Grade out of the mountains toward South Carolina, passing near Columbia before you head to Florence and the SC-22 Conway Bypass into North Myrtle Beach.

The Saluda Grade and Mountain Driving

The mountains are the part to plan for. I-40 around Asheville and the I-26 Saluda Grade are steep, winding, and prone to fog, and they can see snow or ice in winter. Use a lower gear on the descents, check the forecast, and do the mountain miles in daylight if you can. Rockslides occasionally close stretches of I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge, so glance at conditions before you go.

From Nashville and Middle Tennessee

Middle and West Tennessee drivers have a longer day. From Nashville you first run I-40 East across the state to Knoxville, then join the same Asheville and I-26 route, which pushes the trip near 10 hours. That is a two-day drive for many, with a natural overnight around Asheville or just into South Carolina. From there the approach to the coast is the same.

The Final Run to Ocean Drive

The coast comes after the mountains. From the Columbia area you continue to Florence, then the SC-22 Conway Bypass and Robert Edge Parkway into North Myrtle Beach, arriving at 603 South Ocean Boulevard in the Ocean Drive section. Park in the covered deck on floors one through four. Knoxville and Nashville both connect to Myrtle Beach International (MYR), about 17 miles south. The arrival and parking guide and the what to pack guide help you plan, and the blue haven oceanfront condo page shows your unit.

Tennessee Drive: Common Questions

How far is it from Tennessee?

It depends on the city: about 390 miles and 6.5 hours from Knoxville, or near 620 miles and 10 hours from Nashville.

What route do I take from Knoxville?

I-40 East to Asheville, then I-26 East down the Saluda Grade toward Columbia, then Florence and the SC-22 Conway Bypass into North Myrtle Beach.

How are the mountains near Asheville?

Steep and winding around Asheville and on the I-26 Saluda Grade, with fog common and ice possible in winter. Drive that section in daylight when you can.

One day or two from Tennessee?

From Knoxville, yes, at about 6.5 hours. From Nashville, near 10 hours is usually a two-day drive with an overnight around Asheville.

Do rockslides affect the route?

Occasionally. I-40 through the Pigeon River Gorge near Asheville has seen rockslide closures. Check current conditions before you leave.

Can I fly from Tennessee?

Yes. Knoxville and Nashville both connect to Myrtle Beach International (MYR), about 17 miles south of the building, which beats the longer drives.