Lewes to Myrtle Beach Road Trip: Ultimate Guide

Lewes, Delaware, founded in 1631 by Dutch settlers, is one of the oldest towns in the state. The drive south to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, spans approximately 470 miles via US-13, US-113, US-17, and I-95, taking roughly 8 hours without stops. The route crosses the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel near Virginia Beach, a 17.6-mile engineering marvel with a 28-foot clearance for ships. This guide provides how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities along this coastal corridor.

The primary route combines US-13, US-113, and US-17, with a short I-95 segment in Virginia. Avoid I-95 if possible; it adds tolls and traffic. Total fuel cost for a mid-size car at $3/gallon is about $50. Gas stations are plentiful near towns but sparse in rural stretches like the Delmarva Peninsula.

• Toll on Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel: $15 (one way)
• Rest areas: Maryland House (mile 35 on I-95), Virginia Welcome Center (mile 0 on US-17)
• Best fuel stops: Salisbury, MD (exit 11 on US-13) and Emporia, VA (exit 11A on I-95)

Road quality is generally good, with two-lane highways through farmlands. The CBBT is well-maintained but subject to wind closures. Download offline maps; cell service is spotty in rural North Carolina.

The Delmarva Peninsula features flat farmland and tidal marshes. Look for wild ponies on Chincoteague Island (detour off US-13). Near Emporia, the Meherrin River offers quiet canoeing. In North Carolina, the Croatan National Forest has pine savannas and blackwater creeks.

Local commerce includes wild blueberry farms (seasonal stands on US-13 in Maryland) and seafood markets in Beaufort, NC (exit 97 on US-17). Antique shops cluster in Windsor, NC, and Southport, NC.

• Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge: wild ponies, birdwatching
• Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge: hiking boardwalks
• Myrtle Beach State Park: maritime forest, 1-mile nature trail

Highway 17 in North Carolina is curvy and can be dangerous in rain. Speed limits drop through small towns. Keep an emergency kit; nearest hospitals are in Salisbury, MD (45 mi from Lewes), Norfolk, VA (15 mi from CBBT), and Myrtle Beach, SC. Fatigue can set in after 4 hours; plan breaks every 2 hours.

• Family stop: Salisbury Zoo (free, 15-min detour off US-13)
• Pet-friendly stop: First Landing State Park (beach, trails)
• Rest zones: Virginia Rest Stop (mile 0 US-17) and NC Welcome Center (mile 50)

For hidden off-route spots, drive 10 minutes east on NC-55 to Aurora Fossil Museum, a free attraction with real shark teeth. Kid-friendly and quirky.