Oak Forest to Tail of the Dragon and Myrtle Beach Road Trip

Late Morning–Evening Drive

Leave Oak Forest around 10:15 AM for Townsend, taking I-65 S toward Louisville and then I-40 E toward Knoxville before connecting with US-321 through the foothills. Plan on roughly 9–10 hours of driving, making fuel and meal stops along the way; Knoxville is the most practical final fuel-and-rest break before Townsend. Keep snacks and water accessible, and expect the last stretch on US-321 to become darker and more winding after sunset. On arrival around 8–9 PM, park at your hotel and check in before heading to dinner.

Dinner and Evening Orientation

Have a relaxed meal at Calhoun’s Restaurant in Townsend, a convenient riverside stop with hearty Southern fare and regional beer. Dinner generally runs about $20–35 per person, and closing hours can vary by season, so call ahead if you arrive late. Afterward, if you still have energy, take the Little River Scenic Drive for 30–45 minutes through the Great Smoky Mountains foothills. Treat it as an orientation rather than a sightseeing mission: wildlife can be active after dark, roads are unlit, and viewpoints may be closed or difficult to use at night. Return to the hotel promptly for an early night before tomorrow’s mountain drive.

Early Morning: Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap

Leave Townsend around 6:00–6:30 AM so you can reach Deals Gap before the road gets busy. The drive via US-321 and US-129 takes roughly 1½–2 hours; fuel up before leaving, since services are limited around the route. Begin the 11-mile Tail of the Dragon at about 7:30 AM, when visibility is good and traffic is generally lighter. Allow 1–1½ hours for the 318 curves, driving conservatively and using the signed pull-offs rather than stopping in the roadway. Motorcycles, sport cars, and photographers are common, so leave plenty of space and never cross the center line.

Late Morning: Tail of the Dragon Store and Viewing Areas

After completing the route, spend about 30 minutes at the Tail of the Dragon Store in Deals Gap for shirts, stickers, and other route memorabilia. Then use the established viewing areas and pull-offs along US-129 for roughly 45 minutes of photos and watching the traffic negotiate the curves. Keep valuables out of sight and be especially careful around parked vehicles and blind corners. Expect little or no reliable cell service in places, so download maps beforehand.

Lunch and Afternoon: Tapoco Tavern and Cherohala Skyway

Drive toward Robbinsville for lunch at Tapoco Tavern, a scenic stop beside the Cheoah River. Plan on about 1½ hours and $20–35 per person; the riverside setting is the main attraction, and a short walk around the historic property makes a nice break after the drive. From there, take the Cherohala Skyway toward Tellico Plains, allowing 2–3 hours for overlooks and photo stops. This is a remote, high-elevation road with limited services, so carry water, check your fuel, and download offline navigation. In September, afternoon light is excellent over the ridgelines, but return before dusk if you are not comfortable with winding mountain roads; check the day’s road and weather conditions before setting out.

Morning–Afternoon Drive and Arrival

Leave Deals Gap around 8:00 AM for the roughly eight-hour drive to the Myrtle Beach area via US-129, US-74, I-26, and US-17. Build in fuel and lunch stops, and expect the final approach through Murrells Inlet and coastal traffic to add time. Since Brookgreen Gardens closes in the late afternoon—typically around 5:00 PM, with seasonal hours varying—check the official schedule before setting out and aim to arrive no later than about 2:30–3:00 PM. Park in the main visitor lot; admission is generally around $25–$30 for adults, and two to three hours gives you enough time for the sculpture gardens, Lowcountry trails, and wildlife areas without rushing.

Late Afternoon–Evening in Murrells Inlet

After Brookgreen Gardens, drive roughly 10–15 minutes to Murrells Inlet MarshWalk, where the waterfront boardwalk is especially pleasant near sunset. Allow 45–60 minutes to wander, but keep an eye on the tide and sunset time; the boardwalk is free, though restaurant parking can fill quickly. Continue to The Wicked Tuna for dinner overlooking the inlet—allow about 1½ hours and budget approximately $25–$45 per person before drinks and tip. Reservations are worthwhile on a Saturday, particularly for a sunset-facing table.

Evening on the Coast

Finish with an evening walk along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade, about a 25–30-minute drive north from Murrells Inlet depending on traffic. Start around Myrtle Beach Boulevard and stroll the oceanfront toward the main attractions; the public boardwalk is free and remains lively into the evening, while rides and arcades charge separately. Downtown parking is usually metered or paid, so use a garage or central lot rather than circling the busy side streets.

Early Morning: Myrtle Beach State Park and Breakfast

Start earlier than the planned 10:30 departure: leave your hotel around 6:30 AM for Myrtle Beach State Park, where the beach is especially peaceful before the crowds arrive. Spend about an hour walking the shoreline and visiting the fishing-pier area; the park typically opens around 6:00 AM, with parking generally costing a few dollars per vehicle, though hours and fees can vary seasonally. From there, drive roughly 10–15 minutes north to Croissants Bistro & Bakery for breakfast or brunch. Allow an hour and about $15–30 per person, and check its opening time before leaving since early-week schedules can change.

Late Morning: Conway Riverwalk

After breakfast, take US-501 toward Conway, roughly a 25–35-minute drive depending on beach traffic. Stop at the Conway Riverwalk for a relaxed 45-minute stretch along the Waccamaw River, with time to wander the historic downtown blocks nearby. This is a good place to refill water and use the restroom before settling into the long interstate drive; parking near downtown is commonly free, but observe posted time limits.

Afternoon: Columbia Riverfront Park and the Drive Home

Continue inland via US-501 and I-26 toward Columbia, allowing roughly 2–2½ hours from Conway with normal traffic. Take a 45-minute break at Columbia Riverfront Park, a simple riverside stop with walking paths and views near the confluence of the Broad River and Saluda River. It is best treated as a daylight stop—facilities can be limited—so use the restroom and fuel up before arriving. From Columbia, continue on I-26 W to I-40 W, then I-65 N toward Oak Forest; the full drive is approximately 12–13 hours and about 760 miles, with fuel likely running $90–130. A 10:30 AM departure would put you at a very late arrival, so leaving around 6:00–7:00 AM is safer; if fatigue sets in, stop overnight around Knoxville, Nashville, or Louisville rather than pushing through.