Need a ride? Here’s how to get around the Myrtle Beach area by car, bike, bus — and golf cart

Kae Lani Palmisano
Josh Bell/jbell@thesunnews.com

With so many things to see and do in the Myrtle Beach area, it’s important to have a plan on how you’ll be getting around.

By car or golf cart, here’s what to know about navigating the Grand Strand.

Driving

There are a few major roads you’ll need to know, but once you get a lay of the land, driving around the Myrtle Beach area is as easy as a walk on the beach! These are the major roads and highways you’ll need to be familiar with.

  • Ocean Boulevard runs right along the beach running north and south, parallel to the Atlantic Ocean. Here you’ll find plenty of beachfront hotels, businesses and restaurants.

  • Kings Highway is also known as Business Hwy. 17. It runs parallel to Ocean Boulevard, but is a few blocks inland. Drive along Kings Highway and you’ll see numerous pancake houses, minigolf courses, and other attractions.

  • Highway 17 Bypass begins in Murrells inlet and eventually turns into Kings Highway as you drive north.

  • Carolina Bays Parkway is a scenic highway that runs from Little River to Socastee. West of Kings Highway it takes drivers past several world class golf courses and parks.

  • Robert M. Grissom Parkway is one of the main thoroughfares in Myrtle Beach. It runs from near the Myrtle Beach International airport to Carolina Forest and has bike paths and sidewalks for pedestrians.

  • Veterans Highway is also referred to as the Conway Bypass because it connects Conway to Myrtle Beach.

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Parking

There’s a lot to know about parking in the Myrtle Beach area. Rules change depending on where you are and the time of year. Depending on where you are in the Grand Strand, you may come across parking garages, parking meters, pay stations or parking apps like the Park-Mobile app or Text-2-Park. Here are a few facts about parking.

  • Parking is free, year-around, at most of the county-owned beach access points. (Four, located in Arcadian Shores, are pay lots.)

  • Seasonal parking regulations begin on March 1st. Parking meters and pay stations are in effect and enforced March 1 through October 31, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., seven days a week.

  • If you have a “handicap placard, Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans or Medal of Honor license tag, or a valid and official handicapped hang tag” you can park for free at any public parking meter in the entire state, according to the Horry County Government’s website. You can learn more about getting a military or veteran plate for your car by visiting the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles website.

  • Parking for residents is free. Just check your local municipality for details on how to get a residential decal for your vehicle, or refer to our parking permit guide.

  • Prices for parking vary by location and are broken down into hourly rates or daily rates.

For more details on parking rules and regulations in the Myrtle Beach area, refer to our parking guide.

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Golf Carts

Golf carts are another very popular mode of transportation in the Myrtle Beach area, but if you want to get around by golf cart, there are a lot of rules. For instance, golf carts can’t be driven on roads where the speed limit exceeds 35 mph, you can only drive a golf cart during daylight hours, and you need to keep your driver’s license, proof of liability insurance and the golf cart’s registration with you.

Also, golf carts are only allowed on the beach from Nov. 1 through Feb. 28 and must have a valid state permit.

For more, read our guide to golf cart rules in the Myrtle Beach area.

Where you can — and can’t — drive a golf cart in the Myrtle Beach area. A guide to local laws

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Biking

Biking is not only a convenient way to get around the Myrtle Beach area. It’s also a means of transportation that helps you stay active and is a fun way to enjoy the beach. There’s just a few things you need to know before hopping on your bike to go for a ride.

  • From May 1 through Labor Day, bicycles are allowed on the beach before 10:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m.

  • From May 1 through Labor Day, bikes are only permitted on the boardwalk between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. in the morning.

  • To find designated bike lanes in the City of Myrtle Beach, use this map.

  • While riding your bike on the road you must be in the extreme right lane going in the same direction as traffic.

  • Bicyclists are subject to the same road signs and traffic signals as cars and must also indicate turn signals.

  • Parking your bike is free and many beach access areas have bike racks you can use.

For more information on bicycle rules, tips and where to find bike racks visit the City of Myrtle Beach’s website.

Bus

If you’re not driving by car, there are other ways to get around the Myrtle Beach area. The Coast RTA is the region’s public transportation system which operates 10 regularly scheduled bus routes through Horry and Georgetown counties. It runs 7 days a week and 362 days per year as they observe New Years Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

To learn more, visit Coast RTA’s website.

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