Hwy 17 from Mt Pleasant/Charleston to Wilmington NC?

[RVcrazy]

Has anyone gone this route who can offer advise? It looks shorter than going the freeway. Thanks!

[Belgique]

x4 on Seewee restaurant!!! Funny how so many of us know of it esp given that it is very plain on the outside.

OP: yep on 17 all the way. Only traffic is around Myrtle Beach and that isn't bad...you're likely to encounter worse on 95.

[Johno02]

Love the checkered oilcloth (@ Seewee resturant)

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

RVcrazy wrote:
Has anyone gone this route who can offer advise? It looks shorter than going the freeway. Thanks!

Drove it last Saturday (3/28).

No traffic issues or construction problems. There is construction the last few miles before getting to Wilmington. Nothing onerous, just a few miles.

Do take the SC-31 bypass around Myrtle Beach.

Yes, there are stoplights - but good quality four-lane almost the whole way.

BUY FUEL IN SOUTH CAROLINA. Prices jump 25-30 cents per gallon.

Much saner than driving I-95.

[riven1950]

When you say freeway I guess you mean getting on I95 somehow, then I40 to Wilmington? If so that is way out of the way.

I live 1/2 way between MB and Wilmington. Make the drive to Charleston 10-15 times a year at least.

Take 17N to 544 in MB( exit for 31 bypass around MB ) , take 31 to its end, hyway 9 I believe, go about 1/2 mile, take a right ( at the Bell and Bell auto dealership ) on a SC 2 lane road, can't remember the name but there is a sign there I think for Shallotte NC. Take the 2 lane for about 6-7 miles to NC border, another 6-7 miles in NC is 2 lane to 4 lane 17 north. From that point it is all 4 lane to Wilmington. Worst traffic is from just South of MB to the beginning of Hyway 31 bypass. If you need more details let me know and I'll figure a way to plot it out for you. This will bypass some of MB and all of NMB.

[RVcrazy]

Would you believe we just finished dinner at the Seewee restaurant? It was fabulous! (PS: I didn't see your suggestions till after we got back home 🙂 )

[mainetom]

X2. 31 very nice ride and good MB bypass.

[yrusoslo]

17n to 544w to 31n to 9w to 57 n to 17n bypassed MB

[Johno02]

Good easy drive. Try to leave Mt Pleasant ab it before lunch, and be sure to stop up at the SeeWee resturant about 10 miles or so north up US17. It is a sad looking little place on the north side of the highway (southbound lane), and one of the best-kept secrets on that side of town.

[AdirondackJack]

We took Alt 17 and US-17 from Charleston to Virginia Beach awhile back pulling a 38' 5th Wheel and enjoyed it. Much to see and do along the route if you have the time. There is a lot of traffic but a good trade-off for the experience. Myrtle Beach and New Bern are great stopovers. We used Alt-17 (the countryside route) around Charleston because we are not fans of high bridges like the one on 17 over Charleston Harbor - though it is a nice view if you are a fan!

[K_Charles]

I like US17 from one end to the other. It might be a little slower but you'll get there just said fast.

[NCWriter]

Slow-going - expect a lot of traffic and often construction. Bypass Myrtle Beach as much as possible.

When we opt for 95, we usually get off below Lumberton onto 74. Straight shot and much less traffic to Wilmington.

That said, on good weather holidays (like this weekend!) and all summer weekends, you'll have beach traffic out to the coast on all routes.