Choose Myrtle Beach if you want to sleep on the oceanfront and spend most days on the sand. Choose Charleston if you want history, food and walkable streets with beaches a short drive away. From downtown Charleston, Google Maps showed Sullivan's Island 16 minutes and Folly Beach 23 minutes away.
Both are South Carolina coast trips, and both are good ones. They suit different travelers. Below we compare them on facts from the City of Charleston, the City of Myrtle Beach, Charleston County Parks and Google Maps, then show where to stay in Charleston if you want the city and the beach on one trip.
How do Charleston and Myrtle Beach compare?
Charleston is a historic city with beaches on nearby islands. Myrtle Beach is an oceanfront city built around its beach and boardwalk. The two are about 95 miles apart, just under two hours by car.
Charleston | Myrtle Beach | |
Setting | Historic city on a peninsula. The city says it was founded in 1670 and is the oldest and largest city in South Carolina | Oceanfront city on the Atlantic |
Beach | Beaches on nearby islands, 16 to 23 minutes by car from downtown | On the oceanfront |
Signature walk | Walkable downtown streets, with the free DASH shuttle on the peninsula | An oceanfront boardwalk the city describes as 1.3 miles long |
City parking | City-operated garages: $1 per 20 minutes, $24 daily maximum | Beach accesses: $3 an hour or $15 all day. Downtown city meters are free October 1 to February 28 |
Beach parks | Charleston County runs beach parks at Folly Beach and Isle of Palms with restrooms; pay at the park gate | Metered beach accesses and street ends |
Distance apart | 95.1 miles, about 1 hour 51 minutes via US-17 N | Same drive in reverse |
Sources: the City of Charleston history page, the City of Myrtle Beach parking page and the Charleston County Parks beach guide. Charleston garage rates are from the City of Charleston parking page and DASH details from CARTA, all checked November 3 and 4, 2026.
Which is better for your type of trip?
It depends on who is coming and what you want to do most days. Use the table below to match your group to the place, then book the stay that fits.
Your trip | Better fit | Why |
You want to wake up and walk straight onto the sand every day | Myrtle Beach | The city sits on the oceanfront |
Couples who want food, history and evening walks | Charleston | Walkable historic downtown, beaches as a day out |
Families who want city sights and some beach days | Charleston | Stay downtown, drive 16 to 23 minutes to the beach |
A group of 8 to 16 who want one house together | Charleston | CHC homes sleep up to 16 in one booking with off-street parking |
You want to see both on one trip | Charleston as the base | The drive between them is just under two hours each way |
WANT BOTH? PICK A BASE
A day trip from Charleston to Myrtle Beach means close to four hours of driving. If the Grand Strand is a must, split your nights. If a beach day is enough, base in Charleston and use the island beaches nearby.
How far are the beaches from downtown Charleston?
About 16 to 23 minutes by car. From our office at 6 Tully Alley, Google Maps showed Sullivan's Island in 16 minutes, Isle of Palms County Park in 21 and Folly Beach County Park in 23.
Beach | Drive from 6 Tully Alley | Note |
Sullivan's Island (Station 18 Street) | 16 minutes | Town beach |
Isle of Palms County Park | 21 minutes | Charleston County park, pay at the gate |
Folly Beach County Park | 23 minutes | Charleston County park, pay at the gate |
We checked these times in the early morning of Wednesday, November 4, 2026, when traffic was light. Daytime and summer weekend drives take longer, so check live directions before you leave. To weigh a beach rental against a downtown base, read our guide to beachfront vs downtown rentals.
BRING THE CAR, PARK IT FREE AT HOME
The beaches need a car, and downtown city garages charge up to $24 a day. Every CHC listing includes at least one off-street space, so the car stays parked at the home on city days.
How far is Charleston from Myrtle Beach?
About 95 miles. Google Maps showed 95.1 miles and 1 hour 51 minutes from downtown Charleston to Myrtle Beach via US-17 N, checked early on November 4, 2026. Allow more time in daytime traffic.
Is Charleston or Myrtle Beach cheaper to visit?
It depends on your dates, lodging and group size, and no official source compares the two. Parking is one cost you can check: city rates differ, and a home with enough parking for your cars can remove that cost.
Myrtle Beach city meters at beach accesses cost $3 an hour or $15 all day, with free downtown meter parking from October 1 to February 28, according to the city. Charleston's city-operated garages charge up to $24 a day. For taxes, garage math and how a group splits one booking, see what a Charleston trip really costs.
Where should you stay for a Charleston beach and city trip?
Book a downtown CHC home with enough off-street parking for your cars. You walk to dinner at night and drive to the island beaches by day, without paying for a garage.
CHC home | Sleeps | Off-street parking | Good for |
118 President, entire home (A and B together) | 16 | 6 spaces | Big family or friend group with several cars |
179 St. Philip E | 10 | 2 spaces | Two families |
118 President A or B | 8 each | 3 spaces each | A group of 8 |
33 B Cannon | 8 | 1 space | A group of 8 with one car |
3 Tully | 6 | 1 space | Three couples |
18 Carolina | 4 | 2 spaces | A family of four with two cars |
Pool House | 4 | 1 space | A small family or two couples |
Suite 1, Suite 2 or Cannon 407 | 2 | 1 space | A couple |
Bringing everyone? 118 President, the entire home sleeps 16 with six off-street spaces. Couples can browse our one-bedroom rentals for two. Still comparing cities? Read Charleston vs Savannah and Charleston vs New Orleans.
Some spaces have size limits: Suite 2 lists 6.5 by 16.5 feet and Cannon 407 lists 8 by 18 feet. If a car is too big, the listing says you will be directed to the nearest garage.
GROUP STAYS, NOT PARTIES
Every CHC home that sleeps eight or more states that parties are not allowed, and breaking the rule means immediate eviction.
FAQs
If the beach is the whole trip and you want to sleep on the oceanfront, Myrtle Beach fits better. If you want beach days plus history, food and walkable streets, stay in Charleston and drive 16 to 23 minutes to Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms or Folly Beach.
Google Maps showed 95.1 miles and 1 hour 51 minutes from downtown Charleston to Myrtle Beach via US-17 N, early on November 4, 2026, with light traffic. Allow more time during the day. A round trip is close to four hours of driving.
Yes, on nearby islands rather than downtown. Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms and Folly Beach are 16 to 23 minutes by car from downtown, based on our Google Maps check. Charleston County runs beach parks at Isle of Palms and Folly Beach, with restrooms and paid gate entry.
Partly. The City of Myrtle Beach says downtown city meters are free from October 1 to February 28. Paid parking runs 9 a.m. to midnight, March 1 to September 30, and beach accesses cost $3 an hour or $15 all day. Check posted signs.
Book one downtown home with enough off-street parking for your cars. 118 President, the entire home, sleeps 16 with six spaces, and 179 St. Philip E sleeps 10 with two. You walk to dinner and drive to the beach, with no garage fees if the spaces fit your cars.
How do you book a CHC home for your Charleston trip?
Check open dates on the availability page, or call or email the CHC team with your dates, group size and number of cars. CHC Vacation Rentals owns and manages a growing portfolio of boutique rentals across Charleston, from one-bedroom units to a home that sleeps 16.
Call 843.329.2040 or email bookings@chcvacationrentals.com, and we will match you to a home with enough beds and parking for a city and beach trip.