News Summary
The Grand Strand area is bracing for significant traffic congestion this weekend due to July 4th festivities. Thousands are expected to visit for celebrations and barbecues. Local officials recommend early planning as no special traffic patterns will be implemented, though temporary parking restrictions will be in place. Safety checkpoints and traffic reroutes are planned to ensure smoother travel during the busy holiday period. Residents and visitors are encouraged to stay patient and use alternate routes to enjoy the celebrations amidst the congestion.
Grand Strand, SC – Heavy Traffic Anticipated on Grand Strand Roads This Weekend Amid July 4th Festivities
This weekend, the Grand Strand area is expected to experience significant traffic congestion, one of the busiest periods of the year, as thousands of visitors flock to enjoy barbecues and Independence Day celebrations. Local officials are advising early planning to help navigate anticipated severe traffic conditions.
Despite the heavy influx of holiday traffic, Conway and Horry County officials have announced that there will be no special traffic patterns implemented to manage the congestion. However, North Myrtle Beach will enforce a temporary no parking policy in the Ocean Boulevard median throughout the holiday weekend to ensure safety and accessibility.
Fireworks Show Traffic Measures
As part of the festivities, a free fireworks show will occur at Cherry Grove Pier from 9:30 to 10:00 p.m. on Friday night. North Myrtle Beach will close the 3500 block of North Ocean Boulevard during this time to accommodate the event. Following the fireworks, police will implement a reverse traffic pattern in the area to facilitate smoother egress until the traffic subsides. This will limit Ocean Boulevard to one-way traffic only, with no turns onto Sea Mountain Highway.
For drivers wishing to navigate the area post-fireworks, southbound traffic on Duffy Street and Nixon Street will be restricted to a right turn onto Sea Mountain Highway. Eastbound vehicles on Sea Mountain Highway will then turn right at Duffy Street to reach Ocean Boulevard via 22nd Avenue North. Additionally, drivers can access Highway 17 North through 11th Avenue North in North Myrtle Beach.
Traffic Safety Measures
Myrtle Beach Police plan to conduct a traffic safety checkpoint on Thursday, July 3, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the intersection of Robert Grissom Parkway and Granddaddy Drive. The purpose of this checkpoint is to ensure compliance with driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, insurance, and sobriety checks.
Further optimizing traffic flow, the Summer Emergency Vehicle Access Plan will reroute vehicles through downtown Myrtle Beach on Friday and Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Under this plan, the northbound lane on Ocean Boulevard will close from 9th Avenue North to 16th Avenue North, while the section between 8th and 9th Avenue will be completely blocked off, redirecting traffic through Kings Highway.
Surfside Beach Celebrations
In Surfside Beach, notable alterations include the closure of 16th Avenue North for the Fourth of July Golf Cart Parade on Friday morning from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. During this event, Ocean Boulevard will also be closed from 16th Avenue North to 16th Avenue South.
Surfside Beach Police Chief has cautioned residents and visitors about the potential for heavy traffic, especially in the Surfside Drive and Entertainment District areas near the Fishing Pier. To mitigate delays during peak times, local authorities suggest that travelers use alternate routes including Church Street, Kings Highway, Ocean Boulevard, South Carolina Highway 9, Surfside Drive, and U.S. Route 501.
Popular Destinations to Avoid
As the weekend unfolds, popular destinations such as Barefoot Landing, Broadway at the Beach, Cherry Grove Pier, Downtown Myrtle Beach, and The MarshWalk are expected to draw large crowds. Consequently, it may be advisable to avoid these areas on Friday night to reduce travel frustrations compounded by heavy foot and vehicular traffic.
Residents and visitors are advised to exercise patience and plan accordingly to fully enjoy the festivities while navigating anticipated congestion throughout the Grand Strand this Independence Day weekend.
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Additional Resources
- WMBF News: When Will Grand Strand Roads be Cleared from Snow?
- Wikipedia: Traffic Congestion
- WBTW: Crash Shuts Down Traffic on Northbound Highway 17
- Google Search: Myrtle Beach traffic accidents
- Myrtle Beach Online: Local News
- Google Scholar: Traffic Management Myrtle Beach
- Post and Courier: Downtown Traffic Myrtle Beach
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Safety
- WMBF News: Multi-Vehicle Crash on Highway 17
- Google News: Myrtle Beach independence day traffic
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
