Myrtle Beach roads to be crowded Memorial Day weekend. Here’s where to avoid a traffic jam

Planning a trip to the Myrtle Beach area this Memorial Day weekend? You’re not alone.

You can expect to be among thousands who will roll into South Carolina’s most popular vacation spot - whether it be for the miles of beaches along the Grand Strand or the annual Atlantic Beach Bike Festival.

And since all those crowds mean crowded streets, you may want to add a traffic app to your packing list.

Myrtle Beach officials have released their traffic congestion management plan. The plan helps the city prepare for the busy weekend, which is packed with many events happening in the area.

“We’re looking forward to the fun-filled holiday weekend enjoying our beaches all while we pay tribute to our military heroes,” said Karen Riordan, president and CEO of Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB in an email. “....Memorial Day weekend is always a busy time, so we encourage everyone to plan for extra time on the roadways, stay alert and be patient.

“Our businesses are geared up for the demand. Gas prices are significantly lower than they were a year ago and AAA is predicting that the weekend will be one of the busiest on record – both on the road and in the air.”

Here’s what you should know about navigating area roadways this weekend.

Expect to see a lot more police as you travel

Residents and visitors will see an increase in police presence, especially on Ocean Boulevard, according to city officials.

Law enforcement are preparing for Black Bike Week that will take place May 26 through 29. The event has been held since 1980 and brings about 350,000 people annually.

Officials said they plan to increase the number of police slightly from last year, but an exact number has not been provided. During last year’s Black Bike Week, 600 officers were part of the 2022 operational plan.

It’s suggested you download an app to help in getting around

Officials are encouraging drivers to use wayfinding apps, such as Waze and Google Maps, to help navigate traffic patterns.

The city will update its traffic patterns that can be accessed on such apps.

City’s busy downtown oceanfront roadway to become one-way

Ocean Boulevard will be handled as a single-lane road, so you may want to prepare for delays.

Traffic will run through a single southbound lane along Ocean Boulevard, with northbound lanes reserved for emergency response vehicles. Specific entry points will be made along Ocean Boulevard to Kings Highway.

Access points will be located at these intersections: 29th Avenue North, 21st Avenue North, Ninth Avenue North, Third Avenue South, Ninth Avenue South and 13th Avenue South.

In addition, law enforcement may divert pedestrian and vehicular traffic whenever needed.

Certain vehicles won’t be allowed downtown

Golf carts and other low-speed vehicles that can be seen cruising along Ocean Boulevard will be prohibited south of the road to 29th Avenue North to the south end of city limits between midnight on May 26 through midnight on May 29.

Mopeds are also barred from the same locations between midnight and 8 a.m. on May 26, between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. May 26 through May 28 and 8 p.m. through the early morning hours of May 29 until all traffic control devices are removed.

Military Appreciation Days events planned

There are several events planned for Myrtle Beach’s Military Appreciation Days, including a parade that will happen at 10:30 a.m. among Farrow Parkway.

The chamber is a sponsor of Military Appreciation Days parade in Market Common, Riordan said.

“We encourage locals and visitors to come out for the festive event and the many other exciting happenings going on that you can find listed on VisitMyrtleBeach.com,” she said.

Hotels and vacation rentals are down from previous years

Looking at data for hotel and vacation rentals, the chamber is seeing about 73% of lodging units booked with the expectation that it will increase as the weekend approaches, Riordan said.

As of May 23, data shows that vacation rental bookings for May 27 is 76% and for May 28, 69%. Data is similar for hotel bookings, Riordan said.

“These numbers have declined from the past two years when we saw very high number of travelers,” Riordan said. “Right now, we’re seeing similar numbers to our 2019 Memorial Day weekend, so it will still be a very busy weekend for the business community.”

No impromptu parties, curfew in place for those under the age of 17

The city reminds visitors that it is illegal to have impromptu parties in both private and public parking areas.

In addition, the city enforces a juvenile curfew for those 17 and younger. Juveniles are required to be off the streets between midnight and 6 a.m.

Penalties for violating the curfew can be as much as $500 or 30 days in jail. Parents can be charged as well.

Exceptions to the juvenile curfew include when a minor is accompanied by the parent or guardian, involved in an emergency, going directly to or from employment, in a vehicle engaged in interstate travel, on the sidewalk abutting the minor’s home, attending an adult-supervised recreational activity sponsored by the city or a similar civic organization, exercising protected First Amendment rights or married or otherwise legally emancipated.

Nationally, make room for more travelers on the road, air

Expect to share the road with more than 37 million travelers projected to hit the roads during the Memorial Day weekend. That’s an increase of 2 million people from last year, according to AAA.

And if you’re flying, don’t be surprised if the airports are a little crowded as well. Air travel is expected to rise this year and AAA is reporting that 3.39 million travelers are expected to fly during the holiday.

Myrtle Beach International Airport saw nearly 300,000 passengers last month, which is an increase from last year. It’s expected that those numbers are an indication that the tourism season will be busy as well.

Gas prices expected to be lower for holiday

Average gas prices in Myrtle Beach for the week of May 22 rose 8.5 cents in the last week, according to GasBuddy’s May 22 survey of Myrtle Beach stations. The average gas price was $3.13 per gallon.

The national average price of gasoline is $3.54 per gallon, according to AAA.

Gas prices for Memorial Day are expected to be more than $1 a gallon lower than last year, averaging $3.53 a gallon, according to GasBuddy.