Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) & Drive Times

Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is the airport story most relocation buyers don't expect. It's the 2nd-busiest airport in South Carolina, served 3.84 million passengers in 2024 (a 14% year-over-year record), operates 10 airlines, and offers about 60 nonstop destinations after the 2026 route expansion. A brand-new $93.5 million, 6-gate Concourse A opened December 1, 2025.

For relocation buyers, that matters in two ways. One: you can typically fly direct to wherever you're going, especially the major Northeast and Midwest metros that send most of our relocation traffic. Two: family and friends visiting you can also fly direct. The nonstop footprint is a substantial reason the Grand Strand competes with markets like Hilton Head, Wilmington, and even South Florida for relocation buyers.

MYR at a Glance

2024 passengers: 3,837,052 (record, +14% year-over-year). 2nd-busiest airport in South Carolina behind Charleston (CHS).
Airlines (10): Allegiant, American, Avelo, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country, United.
Nonstop destinations: approximately 60, including new 2026 additions.
Peak season: summer. Summer Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest days of the year — arrive earlier than you would in shoulder season.

Where You Can Fly Nonstop

The nonstop footprint is heaviest in the Northeast and Midwest — the metros that send the most tourists and the most relocation buyers. Year-round mainline service runs to major hubs and seasonal routes ramp up significantly in summer. Notable nonstops include New York (LaGuardia, Newark, JFK), Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington (DCA, IAD, BWI), Toronto, Chicago (ORD, MDW), Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Columbus, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Dallas, Charlotte, Atlanta, Nashville, Houston, and more.

New for 2026: Atlantic City, Dayton, Elmira (NY), Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando — reflecting both the growing relocation market and the Florida-snowbird crossover.

For routes MYR doesn't serve nonstop, Charleston (CHS) and Charlotte (CLT) are within 2–3 hours by car and cover most international and long-haul connections that don't flow through Atlanta or the New York hubs.

The New Concourse A (Opened December 2025)

A $93.5 million expansion added 50,000 square feet of terminal space and 6 new gates. Modern jet bridges, expanded TSA capacity, more food and retail concessions, charging stations and improved seating throughout. It's the most significant capacity upgrade at MYR in many years and was designed for the kind of traffic growth the airport has actually delivered (record passenger counts in 2024).

Phase 1 of a major runway reconstruction begins February 2026 and runs about 20 months. The airport will remain open throughout but expect some operational adjustments during the work.

Getting To and From the Airport

MYR is located in Myrtle Beach proper, off Hwy 17. It's 5–10 minutes from most of central Myrtle Beach, 15–25 minutes from Carolina Forest, 20–30 minutes from North Myrtle Beach, 25–35 minutes from Pawleys Island.

Parking: Both garage and surface options, with daily and economy rates. The garage is closest to the terminal. Reservations available online.
Rental cars: All major brands operate on-airport in a consolidated rental facility.
Rideshare: Uber and Lyft operate at MYR with designated pickup zones.
Hotel shuttles: Most major resort properties offer shuttle service to/from MYR.

Drive Times to Major Cities

The drive-time question matters for two reasons: (1) family and friends visiting you can sometimes drive instead of fly, and (2) the Grand Strand is a reasonable day-trip distance to several other Southeast destinations.

Wilmington, NC: about 1 hour 30 minutes (75 miles). Quick day trip; ILM airport is a backup if MYR's schedule doesn't work for you.
Charleston, SC: about 2 hours 5 minutes (95 miles). Easy weekend trip; MUSC Charleston is here for academic medical care. Healthcare page.
Charlotte, NC: about 2 hours 45 minutes (175 miles). CLT international hub; major shopping; weekend destination.
Raleigh, NC: about 3 hours (150 miles). Research Triangle area; RDU airport.
Columbia, SC: about 2 hours 30 minutes. State capital; University of South Carolina; legislative and government business.
Savannah, GA: about 3 hours 30 minutes. Weekend getaway; historic Savannah and Tybee Island.
Atlanta, GA: about 5 hours 30 minutes (353 miles). Major hub for international connections; weekend destinations.
Washington, DC: about 7 hours (425 miles). Doable in a day; better as an overnight trip.
New York City: about 10 hours. Most buyers fly this one.
Orlando, FL: about 8 hours 30 minutes. Direct nonstop from MYR for 2026, so most buyers will fly.

For Relocation Buyers Who Travel Often

If you travel for work or family more than a few times a month, the MYR question matters before you pick a neighborhood. Communities closer to the airport (Market Common, Pine Lakes, central Myrtle Beach) save you 30+ minutes round trip on each flight day. Pawleys Island and Cherry Grove are 30–45 minutes from MYR — manageable for occasional travel, slower if you're on a plane every week.

Several of our relocation buyers have found that the MYR nonstop footprint changed the math on keeping their northern home. If MYR flies direct to your origin city year-round (NYC, Boston, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Chicago, DC), splitting your year is genuinely easy. If your origin city only has seasonal nonstops or no nonstops at all, the math shifts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is Myrtle Beach International Airport?

MYR served 3.84 million passengers in 2024, making it the 2nd-busiest airport in South Carolina behind Charleston. It operates 10 airlines with approximately 60 nonstop destinations. A new $93.5 million, 6-gate Concourse A opened December 2025.

What airlines fly out of MYR?

Allegiant, American, Avelo, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country, and United.

Can you fly nonstop from Myrtle Beach to New York?

Yes — nonstop service operates year-round to LaGuardia, Newark, and JFK depending on carrier and season.

How far is the drive from Myrtle Beach to Charleston?

About 2 hours 5 minutes (95 miles) via Hwy 17 South.

How far is Myrtle Beach from Charlotte?

About 2 hours 45 minutes (175 miles). The drive uses US 501 west and connects to I-74/I-77 or I-95/I-77 depending on route.

Is MYR a good airport for international travel?

Most international travel routes through a connecting hub — Atlanta, Charlotte, JFK, or Newark are the most common connections from MYR. For frequent international travelers, Charlotte (CLT) is 2–3 hours by car and offers more direct international nonstops.

What's the closest major airport to Myrtle Beach if MYR doesn't work?

Wilmington (ILM) is about 1.5 hours away. Charleston (CHS) is about 2 hours. Charlotte (CLT) is about 2.75 hours and offers the largest connecting hub of the three.

Is MYR expanding?

Yes. Concourse A (6 new gates, 50,000 sq ft) opened December 2025. Phase 1 runway reconstruction begins February 2026 (~20 months). New nonstop routes added in 2026: Atlantic City, Dayton, Elmira, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando.

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