Traffic, closures and checkpoints: stay off these Myrtle Beach roads this July 4th
As locals plan for holiday festivities and visitors pour in, Grand Strand roads will see some of the heaviest traffic of the year this weekend.
For anyone driving into town, visiting friends for a barbecue or making their way to an Independence Day festival this weekend, it’s a good idea to have a plan before braving traffic. Here’s which areas will have road closures, checkpoints and heavy traffic, according to officials.
Fourth of July road closures
Representatives for Conway and Horry County told The Sun News, while heavy traffic is expected, special traffic patterns won’t be in place. However, three municipalities in the county will implement traffic control measures.
North Myrtle Beach
In the north end of the strand, North Myrtle Beach will prohibit parking in the Ocean Boulevard median and enforce special traffic patterns around its free fireworks show from the Cherry Grove Pier Friday night.
During the show, which runs from 9:30 to 10:00 p.m., the city will close the 3500 block of North Ocean Boulevard.
After the show, the North Myrtle Beach Police Department will implement a reverse traffic pattern around Cherry Grove until traffic abates. That will entail:
Ocean Boulevard traffic will be limited to north and southbound traffic, with no turns onto Sea Mountain Highway
Southbound traffic on Duffy Street and Nixon Street will turn right onto Sea Mountain Highway
Eastbound traffic on Sea Mountain Highway will turn right at Duffy Street and proceed to Ocean Boulevard via 22nd Avenue North
Drivers will access Highway 17 North via 11th Avenue North
Myrtle Beach
Heading into the weekend, the Myrtle Beach Police Department will conduct a traffic safety checkpoint on Thursday, July 3.
From 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., police will check driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, insurance compliance, driver impairment and more at the intersection of Robert Grissom Parkway and Granddaddy Drive.
Like all weekends through the season, the city will also reroute traffic downtown with its Summer Emergency Vehicle Access Plan on Friday and Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 2 a.m.
That means the northbound lane on Ocean Boulevard is closed from 9th Avenue North to 16th Avenue North. For the section between 8th and 9th Avenue North, both north and southbound traffic is blocked and re-routed to Kings Highway.
Surfside Beach
On Friday morning, Surfside Beach will close two streets for its Fourth of July Golf Cart Parade. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the town will seal off traffic on 16th Avenue North starting at First Baptist Church through Ocean Boulevard. Along the parade route, Ocean Boulevard will be closed from 16th Avenue North to 16th Avenue South.
As festivities continue through the day, Surfside Beach Police Department Chief Kenny Davis anticipates that Surfside Drive and the town’s Entertainment District around the Surfside Beach Fishing Pier will be especially busy.
Roads you may want to avoid
The Grand Strand’s busiest roads will be especially crowded for the holiday weekend. Those avoiding traffic might want to stay off:
Church Street
Kings Highway
Ocean Boulevard
South Carolina Highway 9
Surfside Drive
U.S. Route 501
Local firework displays
There will be no shortage of dazzling fireworks shows to celebrate July Fourth around the Grand Strand, but the surrounding areas are sure to be packed. To steer clear of traffic, on Friday night watch out around:
Barefoot Landing - 4898 Highway 17 S., North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Broadway at the Beach - 1325 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Cherry Grove Pier - 3500 N. Ocean Blvd., North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Downtown Myrtle Beach - 1000 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
The MarshWalk - 4025 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
A longer rundown of fireworks displays, festivals and parades is available here.