The Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The Myrtle Beach area and the Grand Strand attract more than 20 million visitors annually, and that massive influx of tourist traffic transforms the region’s roads into some of the most dangerous in South Carolina. Horry County, which encompasses Myrtle Beach, Conway, and Murrells Inlet, consistently ranks among the top counties in the state for total traffic collisions, injuries, and fatalities. Certain roads and intersections along the Grand Strand produce a disproportionate share of those crashes — and the injuries suffered by victims can be life-altering. If you or a loved one has been hurt on one of Myrtle Beach’s most dangerous roads, understanding your legal rights under the law of negligence is the critical first step toward obtaining fair compensation.

Why Myrtle Beach Roads Are So Dangerous

Several factors combine to make the Myrtle Beach area uniquely hazardous for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Tourist traffic volume: The Grand Strand’s population effectively triples during peak summer months. Millions of visitors unfamiliar with local roads are navigating GPS directions, searching for beachfront hotels, and making sudden turns into unfamiliar parking lots — all while sharing the road with local commuters and heavy commercial traffic.

Road design challenges: Many of the Myrtle Beach area’s busiest roads — particularly U.S. 17 (Kings Highway) and U.S. 501 — were not designed to handle their current traffic volumes. These corridors are lined with hundreds of commercial access points, restaurants, attractions, and shopping centers, creating a constant stream of vehicles entering, exiting, and crossing multiple lanes of traffic.

Pedestrian and cyclist vulnerability: The beach tourism economy puts thousands of pedestrians on roadways that lack adequate sidewalks, crosswalks, and lighting. Visitors walking between hotels, restaurants, and the beach often cross busy multilane highways in areas with no pedestrian infrastructure. Pedestrian fatalities along the Grand Strand are a persistent and tragic problem.

Impaired driving: The Myrtle Beach area’s nightlife and entertainment scene contributes to elevated rates of impaired driving, particularly during summer weekends and holiday periods. The stretch of U.S. 17 through the entertainment districts sees a significant number of DUI-related crashes during late-night hours.

The Most Dangerous Intersections in the Myrtle Beach Area

Based on crash data from the South Carolina Highway Patrol and local police departments, these intersections consistently produce the highest numbers of collisions in the Grand Strand region.

1. U.S. 501 and Carolina Forest Boulevard

This intersection has been identified as one of the single most dangerous in the entire Myrtle Beach metropolitan area, producing 65% more car accidents than the second-most hazardous intersection in the region. The explosive residential growth of the Carolina Forest community has pushed commuter traffic volumes at this intersection far beyond its design capacity. Rush-hour gridlock, aggressive driving, and red-light running create a near-constant stream of rear-end collisions, T-bone crashes, and sideswipe accidents. If you have been injured at this intersection, a Myrtle Beach car accident lawyer can investigate the circumstances and fight for the compensation you deserve.

2. U.S. 501 and S.C. Highway 31 (Carolina Bays Parkway)

The convergence of U.S. 501 and the S.C. 31 connector creates one of the Grand Strand’s most complex and hazardous interchange areas. The mixing of highway-speed traffic exiting S.C. 31 with congested surface-street traffic on U.S. 501 produces dangerous speed differentials that lead to high numbers of rear-end collisions and angle crashes. Commercial truck traffic heading to and from the Myrtle Beach area’s hotels and attractions adds another layer of risk to this interchange.

3. Highway 17 Bypass and Farrow Parkway (“The Back Gate”)

Known locally as “The Back Gate,” this intersection near Market Common has been the site of numerous serious and fatal crashes. The intersection handles heavy traffic from the Market Common mixed-use development, the Myrtle Beach International Airport area, and the Highway 17 Bypass, creating constant conflict between through traffic and vehicles making turning movements. Several fatal crashes at this location have drawn community attention and calls for safety improvements.

4. Oak Forest Lane and Pine Island Road

According to City of Myrtle Beach police records, this intersection held the record for the highest number of crashes in the city, with 70 crashes in a three-year period. The residential neighborhood setting can give drivers a false sense of safety, but the intersection’s geometry and sight-line limitations create dangerous conditions, particularly for drivers making left turns.

5. Highway 17 Bypass and Wood Thrush Drive (Murrells Inlet)

This Murrells Inlet intersection has been the site of multiple fatal crashes in recent years. An 83-year-old driver was killed in a two-car crash at this intersection, and months later another person was killed in a hit-and-run at the same location. The intersection’s position along the high-speed Highway 17 Bypass, combined with limited sight distances and vehicles entering from residential side streets, creates extremely dangerous conditions.

6. S.C. Highway 9 and S.C. Highway 57 (Near Little River)

This intersection near Little River recorded the most collisions in the northern Grand Strand area over a recent five-year period, with 49 crashes documented. The rural feel of this intersection belies its danger — the convergence of two state highways with high speed limits and limited traffic controls produces serious angle collisions. Victims of crashes here may suffer traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries that require extensive rehabilitation.

7. Highway 17 Bypass and SC-707 (Murrells Inlet)

Heavy traffic at this Murrells Inlet intersection leaves motorcycle riders particularly vulnerable. Drivers frequently fail to notice or properly judge a motorcycle’s speed and distance when entering or crossing the Highway 17 Bypass, causing devastating broadside collisions. The mix of local traffic and unfamiliar tourists makes this intersection especially unpredictable.

The Grand Strand’s Most Dangerous Highways

U.S. 17 (Kings Highway)

U.S. 17 is ranked as South Carolina’s most dangerous highway for summertime travel. Running through the heart of Myrtle Beach and spanning the entire length of the Grand Strand, Kings Highway is a hotspot for crashes due to its staggering traffic volume, hundreds of commercial intersections, and the constant flow of pedestrians crossing to reach the beach. The Business 17 section through the tourist-heavy core of Myrtle Beach is particularly hazardous, with failure-to-yield crashes, rear-end collisions, and pedestrian strikes occurring at alarming rates during peak season.

U.S. 501

U.S. 501 serves as the primary inland access route to Myrtle Beach, and its intersections — particularly at Carolina Forest Boulevard and S.C. 31 — are among the most crash-prone in the region. The highway carries an enormous volume of tourist traffic on weekends and during season transitions, and the long, straight stretches between intersections encourage excessive speed that makes intersection crashes more violent when they occur.

Highway 17 Bypass

The Highway 17 Bypass through Murrells Inlet and the southern Grand Strand combines high-speed travel with numerous intersection crossings, a combination that produces serious crashes. The bypass’s function as a high-speed alternative to the congested Business 17 corridor means drivers are traveling at elevated speeds when they encounter intersections, reducing reaction time and increasing crash severity. Fatal crashes along the bypass are not uncommon.

Seasonal Risks: Why Summer Is the Deadliest Time

Crash data consistently shows that the period from Memorial Day through Labor Day is the most dangerous time to drive in the Myrtle Beach area. The combination of peak tourist traffic, increased pedestrian activity, higher rates of impaired driving, and more motorcycles and bicycles on the road creates conditions where serious crashes spike dramatically.

But risk is not limited to summer. The spring and fall “shoulder seasons” bring significant golf tourism traffic, and major events like Bike Week draw tens of thousands of additional visitors to roads already operating at or above capacity. Even winter months see elevated crash rates compared to similarly sized non-tourist communities because of the area’s retirement population and year-round hospitality industry traffic.

Common Causes of Myrtle Beach Road Accidents

• Distracted driving: Tourists searching for destinations on GPS, photographing the beach, or managing children in the car are frequently distracted at critical moments near intersections.
• Failure to yield: Unfamiliarity with local roads and intersection layouts causes tourists to misjudge right-of-way, particularly when making left turns across multilane highways.
• Red light running: Chronic congestion along U.S. 17 and U.S. 501 breeds frustration, and drivers pushing through yellow and red lights is a leading cause of T-bone crashes.
• Speeding: Speed limits along the Highway 17 Bypass and U.S. 501 encourage higher travel speeds that reduce reaction time at intersections.
• Impaired driving: The Grand Strand’s entertainment economy contributes to elevated rates of DUI crashes, particularly during summer evenings and weekends.
• Pedestrian and bicycle conflicts: Inadequate pedestrian infrastructure forces walkers and cyclists into dangerous crossings on highways designed for high-speed vehicle traffic.

South Carolina and Georgia Laws That Protect Accident Victims

Statute of limitations: Under S.C. Code § 15-3-530, accident victims in South Carolina have three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Georgia’s deadline is shorter — just two years under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Tourists injured in Myrtle Beach who reside in Georgia should be aware of both states’ deadlines.

Comparative fault: South Carolina allows you to recover compensation if you are less than 51% at fault for the accident. Georgia’s threshold is slightly stricter at less than 50% at fault under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. In both states, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

Uninsured motorist coverage: South Carolina requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage under S.C. Code § 38-77-150. This protection is especially critical in the Myrtle Beach area, where out-of-state tourists from states with lower insurance requirements may be underinsured.

Out-of-state visitors: If you are a Georgia resident injured in a Myrtle Beach car accident, you generally file your claim in South Carolina where the accident occurred. However, your Georgia uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may provide additional protection depending on your policy. An attorney experienced in both jurisdictions can evaluate all available coverage.

What to Do After a Car Accident in the Myrtle Beach Area

1. Call 911 and request police and medical response. South Carolina law requires reporting accidents that cause injury, death, or significant property damage.
2. Seek immediate medical attention. Many serious injuries — including traumatic brain injuries and internal injuries — may not produce immediate symptoms. Medical documentation from the day of the crash directly links your injuries to the accident.
3. Document everything. Photograph vehicle damage, the intersection or road, traffic signals, weather conditions, and any visible injuries. If you are a tourist, note the exact location, nearest cross streets, and any nearby business names.
4. Exchange information with all involved drivers and get contact information from witnesses.
5. Do not give recorded statements to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters will attempt to minimize your claim, especially if you are an out-of-state visitor unfamiliar with South Carolina law.
6. Contact a Myrtle Beach car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Roden Law represents accident victims throughout the Grand Strand and can handle your case whether you are a local resident or a visitor.

How a Myrtle Beach Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Crashes on the Grand Strand’s most dangerous roads frequently involve complex liability questions — tourist drivers from other states, commercial vehicle operators, government entities responsible for road maintenance, and aggressive insurance companies all complicate the claims process. A Myrtle Beach car accident lawyer at Roden Law can:

• Investigate the crash thoroughly, including obtaining traffic camera footage, police reports, and witness statements before evidence is lost
• Document the full extent of your injuries and financial losses, including travel expenses for medical treatment if you are an out-of-state victim
• Handle all insurance company negotiations to protect you from lowball offers and comparative fault arguments
• Navigate the jurisdictional complexities that arise when out-of-state residents are injured in South Carolina
• Take your case to trial in Horry County Circuit Court if a fair settlement cannot be reached

Roden Law represents accident victims across Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Conway, Surfside Beach, Pawleys Island, and the entire Grand Strand on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win. With more than $250 million recovered for our clients and a 4.9-star rating from 500+ reviews, we fight aggressively for the results you deserve.

Injured on one of the Grand Strand’s most dangerous roads? Contact Roden Law today for a free consultation. Call (843) 612-1980 or 1-844-RESULTS.

About the Author

Eric Roden

Founding Partner, CEO