Thrifty Car Rental
Myrtle Beach

The Thrifty rental car counter at Myrtle Beach International Airport is conveniently located inside the main terminal building. After collecting your luggage from the baggage claim carousels, simply look for the prominent overhead signs directing you to "Rental Cars." The counters are all grouped together in a dedicated area just a short, indoor walk away, directly across from baggage claim. You do not need to take a shuttle or exit the building, making for a quick and seamless transition from your flight to picking up your vehicle.

For a smooth late-night pickup, the best plan is to head directly to the rental counter after grabbing your bags, as it is located right inside the terminal. Having your reservation details and driver's license ready will expedite the process. Before leaving the airport, enter your hotel's address into your preferred GPS app while you are still in the well-lit parking garage. Late at night, traffic is generally light, so following the navigation's primary route should provide a straightforward drive directly to your accommodation without any unnecessary detours.

When traveling with children and a lot of gear, a good strategy is to have one adult wait with the kids and luggage in the baggage claim area while the other adult proceeds to the rental car counter. This minimizes the need to haul everything through the terminal. Once the rental agreement is complete, the driver can get the car from the garage and drive it around to the terminal's passenger pickup curb. This allows you to load your car seats, luggage, and beach equipment directly from the curb, which is much easier than managing everything in the parking garage.

During peak summer check-in times, especially on a Saturday afternoon, the drive from Myrtle Beach International Airport to North Myrtle Beach can take anywhere from 45 minutes to over an hour. The main route, US-17 Bypass, often experiences significant congestion as many vacationers are heading to their hotels and condos simultaneously. It's wise to build this extra time into your schedule and have snacks and drinks ready for the ride. Using a real-time traffic app can also help you anticipate delays along the way.

To avoid the most congested areas, the least stressful route is often to take Harrelson Boulevard from the airport to US-17 Bypass North. Instead of taking US-17 Business or Kings Highway the entire way, stay on the Bypass until you are closer to your specific destination on Ocean Boulevard. You can then use a cross street like 21st Avenue North or 29th Avenue North to cut over to the oceanfront. This strategy helps you bypass the heaviest traffic around Broadway at the Beach and the central tourist district.

For a first-time visitor, the most straightforward route is to take US-17 Bypass North directly from the airport area. Follow Harrelson Boulevard out of the airport and merge onto US-17 Bypass heading north. You will stay on this main highway for approximately 15 miles. Barefoot Landing has large, clearly marked signs and its own dedicated exit and bridge crossing over the Intracoastal Waterway. This route avoids the frequent stops and turns of Kings Highway (US-17 Business), making for a much simpler drive.

For a first-time visitor, the key to navigating Kings Highway (US-17) is to understand that it splits into a Business route and a Bypass route. The Bypass is a faster-moving highway, while the Business route (often just called Kings Highway) goes through the heart of the commercial and tourist districts with many traffic lights. To avoid confusion, use a GPS and pay close attention to the signs for "US-17 Business" versus "US-17 Bypass." If your destination isn't directly on the Business route, sticking to the Bypass is almost always the simpler and quicker option.

Driving near Broadway at the Beach requires extra attention, especially during evenings and weekends when it's busiest. The complex has multiple entrances, primarily off US-17 Bypass and 21st Avenue North. Congestion is common at the main entrance on 29th Avenue North, so using the entrances on 21st Avenue or off the Bypass can sometimes be easier. Be prepared for heavy pedestrian traffic and be mindful of the dedicated turn lanes, as traffic patterns can be confusing if you are unfamiliar with the layout.

A great strategy for a quick grocery run is to visit a store located away from the main tourist thoroughfares. After leaving the airport, instead of heading directly east toward the ocean, consider using a GPS to find a supermarket west of US-17 Bypass. For example, there are several options along Carolina Forest Boulevard or International Drive. These stores are frequented more by locals and are less likely to have the extreme congestion you'll find at stores closer to the beach, allowing you to stock up and get to your hotel more efficiently.

During Bike Week, the most difficult areas to drive are US-17 Business through Murrells Inlet and Surfside, as well as Ocean Boulevard in central Myrtle Beach. These areas become heavily congested with slow-moving motorcycle traffic and crowds. The most effective alternate route is SC-31, also known as the Carolina Bays Parkway. This highway runs parallel to US-17 but is much further inland, allowing you to bypass the heaviest event traffic when traveling between the northern and southern parts of the Grand Strand.

On a summer weekend evening, the drive to the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk for dinner can be significantly slower than during the week. US-17 Business, the direct route, becomes very congested with both restaurant-goers and general beach traffic. A 15-minute drive can easily stretch to 30-40 minutes. To mitigate this, plan to leave earlier than you think you need to, especially if you have reservations. Alternatively, check a traffic app to see if taking US-17 Bypass south to SC-707 might offer a slightly less crowded, though longer, alternative.

To get to Brookgreen Gardens while avoiding the worst traffic, your best bet is to use US-17 Bypass South. This route allows you to circumvent the stop-and-go traffic of US-17 Business through Surfside Beach and Garden City. Once you are south of the main beach communities, the Bypass and Business routes merge back together. From there, Brookgreen Gardens is just a few more miles south on your left, with clear signage marking the entrance. This approach is generally faster and much less stressful than taking the Business route the entire way.

For a day trip to Charleston, leaving Myrtle Beach by 7:30 a.m. is ideal. This allows you to get south of the local Grand Strand traffic before it builds up for the day. This early departure also helps you arrive in the Charleston area before its late-morning rush hour fully develops around Mount Pleasant and downtown. For the return trip, leaving Charleston either before 3:00 p.m. or after 6:30 p.m. can help you miss the worst of both Charleston's evening commute and the dinner rush traffic around Pawleys Island and Murrells Inlet.

The most straightforward drive to Wilmington is to take US-17 North for the entire trip. The highway is well-maintained and the route is very direct. As you approach the North Carolina state line, be aware that the speed limit often changes, so keep an eye on the posted signs. The area around Calabash and Shallotte can sometimes have minor traffic slowdowns, especially around mealtimes, but it is generally a smooth drive. Once in North Carolina, continue following US-17 North, which will lead you directly into the Wilmington area.

Driving between Myrtle Beach and Calabash, North Carolina, during peak dining hours can involve some traffic, particularly on US-17. The stretch near the state line and through Little River can get backed up as people head to the famous seafood restaurants. Plan for the drive to take a little longer than a GPS might estimate, perhaps adding an extra 15-20 minutes to your travel time. Leaving a bit earlier, before the main 6:00 p.m. dinner rush, can help you secure a parking spot more easily and avoid the worst of the congestion.

To minimize time spent in traffic, consider staying in an area that offers easy access to SC-31 (Carolina Bays Parkway). Locations in Carolina Forest, or near the northern end of Myrtle Beach close to Grande Dunes, are excellent choices. These areas allow you to use SC-31 to quickly travel north or south to various golf courses without getting stuck on the more congested US-17 Business or Bypass. This strategic location can save you significant driving time, allowing for a more relaxed and enjoyable golf vacation.

On a summer Saturday, you should plan for significant travel time from North Myrtle Beach to MYR. This is the primary check-out day for many vacation rentals, leading to heavy southbound traffic. For a morning flight, it is wise to leave at least 2.5 to 3 hours before your flight's departure time. This accounts for potentially an hour or more of driving time, plus time for returning the car, checking bags, and getting through airport security, which will also be very busy.

You'll find several easily accessible gas stations just minutes from the airport, making the pre-return fill-up very convenient. A number of stations are located right on Harrelson Boulevard, the main road leading into the airport terminal and rental car return area. Additionally, there are multiple options at the major intersection of US-17 Bypass and Harrelson Boulevard. Using any of these stations allows you to quickly refuel and proceed directly to the airport entrance without any complicated detours.

Summer afternoon thunderstorms in Myrtle Beach can bring sudden, heavy downpours that dramatically reduce visibility and create hazardous driving conditions. Key roads like Ocean Boulevard and parts of Kings Highway (US-17 Business) are prone to temporary flooding, especially in lower-lying areas. Traffic slows considerably everywhere as drivers become more cautious. It's best to pull over in a safe location if the rain becomes too intense, or at least slow down, increase your following distance, and avoid driving through standing water.

Most hotels and resorts along Ocean Boulevard have a designated circular driveway or a covered portico specifically for check-in and loading. The easiest approach is to pull into this designated area to unload your passengers and luggage. This keeps you safely out of the flow of traffic on the main road. After your family and bags are safely at the hotel entrance, you can then proceed to find a permanent parking spot in the hotel's garage or lot.

Attractions like Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing are generally very accessible for those with strollers or mobility needs. They feature vast, free parking lots with numerous handicapped-accessible spaces located close to the main entrances. The Market Common is another excellent choice, offering wide sidewalks and convenient street-level parking. These modern, sprawling complexes were designed with car access in mind, making them much easier to navigate than some of the older, more cramped areas along the oceanfront.

Driving to the Boardwalk in the evening, especially during peak season, involves navigating heavy traffic and searching for parking. Ocean Boulevard becomes very congested with both cars and pedestrians. Parking is available in several paid lots and a few parking garages located a block or two off the oceanfront. It's best to arrive early to find a spot more easily. Be prepared to pay for parking and potentially walk a few blocks to reach the heart of the Boardwalk attractions.

On busy summer days, Myrtle Beach State Park can reach its parking capacity, particularly between late morning and mid-afternoon. When this happens, park staff will temporarily close the entrance to incoming vehicles until enough cars have left. To ensure entry, it's highly recommended to arrive early in the morning, ideally before 10:00 a.m. The drive to the park entrance on US-17 Business is usually straightforward, but be prepared for a potential wait or the possibility of being turned away if you arrive during peak hours.

Getting to The Market Common from the airport is incredibly simple, as it's located just on the other side of US-17 Bypass. From the airport's exit on Harrelson Boulevard, you can practically see the shopping district. The most common entrance for visitors is to cross over US-17 Bypass and enter on Farrow Parkway. This main road will take you directly into the heart of the district, with plenty of street parking and larger lots available throughout the area.

When traveling from Surfside Beach to central Myrtle Beach attractions, the most efficient route is often to use SC-31 (Carolina Bays Parkway). You can access it by taking SC-544 west for a few miles. While this may seem like a longer route on a map, SC-31 is a high-speed, limited-access highway that allows you to bypass the numerous traffic lights and congestion on US-17 Business and Bypass. This can save considerable time and frustration, especially during peak tourist season.

To efficiently plan an evening at the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk, arriving early is the best strategy, ideally before 5:30 p.m. This gives you a much better chance of finding a parking spot in one of the restaurant lots before the main dinner rush. Another option is to look for paid parking in satellite lots nearby, which often have availability when the primary lots are full. Some visitors also use ride-sharing services for their return trip, allowing one person to drop the group off and park further away without pressure.

Traffic around Coastal Grand Mall can be heavy, especially on weekends and rainy days, as it's a major retail hub located right on US-17 Bypass. The main entrances directly off the Bypass can get backed up. For easier access, consider using the entrance on Harrelson Boulevard, near the movie theater. This entrance often has less of a queue than the ones facing the main highway. Navigating the ring road around the mall is generally straightforward once you are inside the complex.

To avoid the last-minute rush for a show at The Carolina Opry, it's a good idea to arrive about 45 minutes to an hour before showtime. The theater is located on US-17 Business, which gets very busy during the pre-show hour as everyone tries to arrive at once. Arriving early allows you to easily pull into the parking lot, find a good spot, and relax before the performance begins. This buffer also protects you from any unexpected traffic delays you might encounter on your way there.

The easiest route from central Myrtle Beach to the Cherry Grove section of North Myrtle Beach is to take US-17 Bypass North. You will stay on the Bypass until you see signs for Cherry Grove, then exit onto Sea Mountain Highway. The main slowdowns typically occur on US-17 itself, especially around the Barefoot Landing and Restaurant Row areas. Once you turn onto Sea Mountain Highway, traffic is generally lighter until you get very close to the oceanfront on North Ocean Boulevard.

For an early morning sunrise, many of the smaller, numbered beach access points along Ocean Boulevard offer the easiest parking. At that hour, street parking is typically plentiful and often free before a certain time (be sure to check posted signs). Look for the public access points in the less-commercial, more residential stretches of the boulevard in either Myrtle Beach or North Myrtle Beach. Arriving 15-20 minutes before sunrise should give you ample time to park right near a walkway and find a spot on the sand.

While rules can vary, a general principle is that most beach access parking in both cities is paid. Myrtle Beach often uses parking meters or pay station kiosks for street-end access points, and enforcement is very active. North Myrtle Beach also has paid lots and street parking, but they may have different hours or seasonal regulations. It's crucial to always read the signs carefully at any spot you park, as rules regarding payment, time limits, and resident-only areas can differ from one block to the next.

For a trip with bulky gear like fishing rods, coolers, and beach chairs, a mid-size SUV or a minivan is an excellent choice. These vehicle types provide generous cargo space, ensuring you don't have to sacrifice passenger comfort for your equipment. An SUV offers great versatility, while a minivan's sliding doors can be a huge advantage in tight parking spots. Opting for a larger vehicle from the start helps make loading and unloading for your daily excursions much more convenient and stress-free.

The best way to plan this day is to drive to Broadway at the Beach in the morning and park your car once for the entire day. The complex is designed to be walkable, and Ripley's Aquarium is one of its main anchors. You can easily spend hours exploring the aquarium, then walk to the other shops, attractions, and numerous restaurants for dinner. This strategy saves you the significant hassle of trying to find new parking spots and navigating the often-congested lots multiple times.

A simple plan is to visit Huntington Beach State Park in the morning to avoid the biggest crowds and potential park closures due to capacity. After your time at the park, it's a very short and direct drive north on US-17 Business for a few miles to reach Garden City. You can turn east onto Atlantic Avenue, which leads directly to the Garden City Pier. Parking near the pier is mostly in paid lots, which will be busy in the afternoon, but you should be able to find a spot.

During spring break, the most stressful areas to drive are central Ocean Boulevard, the area around Broadway at the Beach, and US-501 near the outlets. These locations see extremely heavy traffic and a high volume of pedestrian activity, especially in the afternoons and evenings. Driving is generally much calmer in the early mornings, before 11 a.m. Using alternate routes like SC-31 (Carolina Bays Parkway) to travel north and south can also help you avoid the worst of the central congestion.

Driving in Myrtle Beach after dark can be challenging for a first-time visitor due to the bright lights, heavy traffic, and high number of pedestrians. On US-17, the multiple lanes and frequent turn-offs can be confusing, while Ocean Boulevard is often crowded with people and slow-moving cars. It's important to drive defensively, reduce your speed, and be extra vigilant for people crossing the street. Using a GPS with voice commands can help you focus on the road instead of trying to read street signs.

In the central Boardwalk district, the road grid can be tricky due to a mix of one-way streets and the constant flow of cars entering and exiting hotel driveways. North Ocean Boulevard and South Ocean Boulevard are separated by the main Boardwalk promenade, and connecting avenues can be one-way. This means you might have to loop around the block to get to a destination that appears close. It's best to drive slowly, yield to cars pulling out, and use your GPS to navigate the specific one-way patterns.

Before your trip, it's wise to ask the condo management or owner about their specific parking policies. Key questions include how many parking passes are provided per unit and whether they can accommodate oversized vehicles if you've rented one. You should also inquire about the location of overflow parking in case the primary lot is full when you arrive. Clarifying these details in advance ensures you won't face any unexpected parking challenges or extra fees upon your arrival.

For safe photo stops, it's essential to find a legal and secure place to park your car completely off the road. Never stop in a travel lane or on the shoulder of a busy highway like US-17. For landmarks like large mini-golf courses or iconic signs, pull fully into their parking lot to take your picture. For beach or pier photos, use a designated public beach access lot. A few extra minutes to park properly ensures your safety and the safety of other drivers.

A great plan is to have the first person to arrive handle the rental car paperwork at the counter. They can then wait for the others in the baggage claim area, which has seating and is easy to find. Once the entire group has arrived and collected their luggage, you can all proceed to the parking garage together to load the vehicle. This prevents anyone from having to wait at the curb and keeps the group and luggage in one convenient location until everyone is ready to leave.