My daughter is going to Army basic training at Ft Jackson, in Columbia SC. She is scheduled to graduate at the end of July, so we thought we would fly out for her graduation, and make a vacation out of it. We thought about maybe getting a VRBO in Myrtle Beach, but, having never been to that part of the country, we're open to any suggestions.

Would it be cheaper to to fly into/out of Atlanta?

Thanks for any suggestions.

It's a 3+ hour drive from ATL to CAE, so it would have to be pretty substantial savings to make it work driving the rest (ATL rental cars can be expensive too, so check that out before you settle on tickets). But if you are making a vacation out of it and want to see some of the surround areas in GA, it could work out. Looking at July round trips from SLC to ATL or CAE for a week, flying into ATL looks to save around $100 for each person. Obviously that can and will change between now and then.

Oh, it's gonna be hot and humid too.

Flying into a Charlotte would be easier, it’s closer to Jackson. 90 min run down I-77S.

Key to flying into CLT or ATL, then driving would be ensuring you have a direct flight.

A connection then having to drive or stay the night would be a pain IMO unless you would want to see either area.

Good thing is Delta does direct SLC - ATL and American ALC - CLT.

It's a very pretty drive from Charlotte, NC to Columbia, SC. Yes, it will be hot and humid, but not like Houston or Miami.

flashguy

I live just outside Columbia. We fly from Charlotte to PDX every year and back again. It's much a much easier drive than from Atlanta. That is a horrid drive IMO.
Myrtle Beach will be crowded that time of year just FYI Oh, it will be Hot and Humid....

I would go to Charleston vs Myrtle Beach. Depends on what you like though.

Consider Holden Beach NC. It's a lot sleepier than MB SC. Far less commercialized and far less crowded. You can fly into Wilmington NC. Hobbs Realty rents the housing on the beach for the most part.

Solid Recommendation on Holden Beach. That place is ideal for a relaxing weekend without the crowd. It is a short drive to the mayhem in Myrtle Beach.

I agree, fly into Charlotte not Atlanta.

Another vote for Holden Beach. If you want to relax, it's the place. If you want to be closer to the hustle and bustle of Myrtle, try Cherry Grove or North Myrtle.

Bring extra clothes and towels, if you’re not familiar with humidity, you’re in for a surprise.

I’d second flying into Charlotte over Atlanta, much easier. Would stay away from Myrtle, it’s not the greatest of places. Anywhere on the coast that time of year will be full of tourists. I’m in Mt. Pleasant (Charleston) if you need any info on the area.

North Myrtle at the very least. Anything an hour or so north of the border will be much more relaxed and a lot less touristy.

We've come to really like that part of the country compared to the gulf coast. if I HAVE to go to the beach in the summer any of the little islands between north Myrtle and the barrier islands are nice.

If you want to be on the beach you should start looking for a rental now. It may already be too late.

Did any one mention how f***n' hot and humid it will be in Columbia?

Imho you're heading in the wrong direction. Go west to the Appalachian mountains and enjoy some very beautiful weather there and then.

Avoid Atlanta. Do not get closer than about 75 miles. If you do that you’ll be ok. Otherwise, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

In other words, fly to Charlotte.

3-4 hour drive if you fly into ATL. I would either do CTL (only a 1.5 hour drive) or straight into Columbia. I work about 20 minutes from Ft. Jackson and we see the graduates at lunch on Thursdays quite a bit. P.S. it's hot here, it's like the armpit of the South.

I would fly into Charlotte, but another alternative is to fly into Greenville, SC (GSP). Cola is a 100 mile straight shot down I26. Flights into GSP can be cheaper than Columbia.

I agree with flying into Charlotte, but I would much prefer GSP (Greenville/Spartanburg) if you can find reasonable tickets. Personally, I think the drive to Columbia, or the coast, is better from either Charlotte or Greenville vs from Atlanta.

I've lived in SC all of my life and have been visiting the coast for 50+ years. We generally go there every summer with family and friends. It all depends on what you want to do. If you want to golf...Myrtle Beach. If you need crowds, shopping and "entertainment"...Myrtle Beach.

The older I've gotten, I can't stand Myrtle Beach "proper"...we always stay either south (Surfside, Garden City, Litchfield, Pawley's Island) or north (Atlantic Beach, North Myrtle, Cherry Grove) of Myrtle Beach. It's a little less developed, and more quiet in those areas (more houses, less hotels and condos, but still plenty to do). It can still be packed, but nothing like Myrtle. Traffic on the main Hwy 17 is TERRIBLE in the summertime.

Unless you really want to stay on the beach, I would also vote Charleston, SC...beautiful, historical city with awesome sites and food. The beach is possible there, but you would usually end up having to stay on Sullivan's Island or Isle of Palms (to the north), or Folly Beach or Kiawah (to the south)...none of those are a terrible drive into Charleston. Also, if it makes a difference, Charleston is a straight shot up the interstate (I-26) to C'ola. Myrtle Beach area, not so much.

Regardless of what you choose, try to do something now. Places book up very quickly all along the SC coast that time of year. We actually booked a house last night for Pawley's Island for the week of July 4th. We have 3 families going, and had a heck of a time finding a place that fit our needs and budget.

Lastly, at the risk of offending some of my fellow South Carolinians (I apologize to y'all)...do NOT stay in Columbia unless you absolutely must. It is as hot as Hades there during the summer, hotter than the coast, and you won't miss anything. Full disclosure...I am a lifelong Clemson guy, and UofSC in C'ola is our arch rival!

Fly into Charleston and stay there. Yeah you may have to layover in Atlanta but probably only for an hour or less. Its a 3 Hr drive to Columbia from Atlanta and only a 2 Hr drive to Columbia from Charleston.

IMO, Myrtle Beach kinda sucks. N Myrtle is better but still not great. On the other hand, Charleston is one of my favorite cities and there are good beaches (Folly, Sullivan's I) as well.

We have a hotel going up right across the bridge in Mt Pleasant but it will not be ready for you in July.

I appreciate everyone's feedback. This is exactly the kind of stuff I'm looking for.

The only problem with booking a place right now is my fear that we'd get a place, then my daughter would hurt her pinky in basic training and delay her graduation by 2 weeks or something like that. I think our plans are going to have to be almost last-minute, and if that means renting a place 20 miles from the beach, well, I guess that's what we'll have to do.

That sounds good and makes sense to me. Since you have some time, take a good, long look at Charleston...I bet y'all would love it!