Ohio to Surfside Beach (Conway, Little River: how much, restaurants, stores)

[Ninny899]

I'll be driving from Ohio to Surfside in early Sept, the weekend prior to Labor Day weekend, most likely arriving Sunday morning/early afternoon.

I know 501 can be crazy at times. Would it be better to take 701 to 501 to 31 and come in or drop into Little River to 31 and come in? I know it's longer time wise but that's ok. I'm looking to avoid the holiday that IS 501 from Conway.

[TMSRetired]

I would go for the Little River to 31 and then south.

501 is a mess no matter what time of day you are on it. I've yet to find a time where I wasn't inching trying to get back to 31 North so I could go home. I can't imagine what it's like if there's an accident.

I had to go down there recently twice. I tried once at 10am and then again at about 2pm.
I took 31 south to 501 and went into Conway. That was ok. But trying to come back along 501 to get to 31 North was horrible.
I think it might be the lights that cause such a backup of traffic.

I'm only here a year and that's my observations so far. Others might chime in with a better experience.

[Hamiltonjoe1950]

To add to TMSReired, Route 31 is now complete to Routes 544 and 707 should you want to come in further down from 501.

[ozmoe571]

You didn't say exactly where in Ohio you're coming from, but I'm assuming eventually you'll be coming south down I-77. in that case, I suggest the following:

1) About 11 miles south of Mooresville near Charlotte, take Exit 198-A to get onto I-485 North (even though you're going south; it's the way I-485 designates its roads). Go for about 27 miles.
2) Take Exit 51B to get onto US 74 East toward Monroe. After a mile and half, stay left to take 74 Bypass. It's a toll road, but it's well worth the money for how much time you save. Stay on it for about 19 miles before it merges back with 74.
3) Stay on 74 for 111 miles, during which time the road will become I-74 for stretches.
4) Take Exit 233 Chadbourn (NC 130/410 Bladenboro) and go south through Chadbourn on 410 for 15 miles.
5) When 410 ends, take a right onto 701 and follow the bypass around Tabor City, cross the South Carolina state line and go few miles until SC Highway 9. This runs about 5 1/2 miles.
6) After driving under SC 9, take a left onto the highway going east for 19 miles until you hit 31 and head south.

The whole drive will take you about 4 hours, assuming normal traffic patterns and weather. This route is at least four lanes all the way through 31, except for the 20 miles or so from 74 to 9. You will go through a few cities on this path, so expect to slow down for a few stoplights, but not too many. Keep in mind that after 485, the opportunities to get food and gas become very spotty, particularly between Wadesboro and Laurel Hill on 74, Maxton and Chadbourn on 74, and Tabor City and about 5 miles until 31. And 31 is an elevated highway that has few convenience stores and restaurants directly off its exits. Still, apart from any slight congestion between 74 and 9, you'll find it's a much less congested drive than using 501.