South Carolina Highway 38
Encyclopedia
South Carolina Highway 38 is a state highway that extends from US 501 in Marion County to Marlboro County near Hamlet, North Carolina
. The route runs generally south-to-north across the eastern portion of the state, and is one of the most popular routes to Myrtle Beach
.
and Interstate 95
through Blenheim
and Bennettsville
to end at the North Carolina
state line, where it continues as NC 38
.
and Conway
to Marion
and Latta. The section east of Conway became US 117 in 1932 and later SC 544
, SC 707, and S-28-15. The section north of Conway became US 501 and SC 319
in 1935.
East of Bennettsville, SC 38 originally went through McColl, South Carolina
and entered North Carolina near Laurinburg
. In the mid-1920s SC 30 (now US 401
) replaced the section east of Bennettsville. Then SC 38 was extended to Gibson, North Carolina
around 1930. In 1938, SC 96 became SC 38 north of Bennettsville, and the road followed its current route for the first time in that area. The former SC 38 became SC 79 and later SC 385.
In 1953, the section of SC 38 east of the current I-95 became SC 917, and the former SC 380 became SC 38, giving the road its approximate current route on the south end.
A dangerous intersection at US 301 and the CSX railroad was replaced with an interchange
.
In 1983, a bypass was built around Bennettsville, with the previous SC 38 designated as SC 38 Business.
During a 15-year period starting in the early 90s, SC 38 was widened to four lanes, with medians in some areas and a center turn lane in others, in stages from Bennettsville to US. 501
In 2005, highway officials from North and South Carolina met and passed a resolution designating that Interstate 73
would be built along the route of SC 38. However, a 2008 project map shows the likely I-73 route running east of 38.
Hamlet, North Carolina
Hamlet is a town in Richmond County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 6,018 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hamlet is located at ....
. The route runs generally south-to-north across the eastern portion of the state, and is one of the most popular routes to Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is a coastal city on the east coast of the United States in Horry County, South Carolina. It is situated on the center of a large and continuous stretch of beach known as the Grand Strand in northeastern South Carolina. It is considered to be a major tourist destination in the...
.
Route description
Starting at US 501, SC 38 proceeds in a northerly direction across US 301U.S. Route 301 in South Carolina
U.S. Route 301 runs north–south from the Savannah River southwest of Allendale to Hamer approaching the South of the Border roadside attraction complex.-Route description:...
and Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in South Carolina
Interstate 95 is a major Interstate Highway, running along the East Coast of the United States from Florida to Maine. In South Carolina, I-95 runs approximately parallel to the Atlantic Ocean shore although about inland, from Hardeeville in the south to Dillon in the northeast.-Route...
through Blenheim
Blenheim, South Carolina
Blenheim is a town in Marlboro County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 137 at the 2000 census. It is named for Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England which itself is named for the Battle of Blenheim, a major English victory of the War of the Spanish Succession at what is now...
and Bennettsville
Bennettsville, South Carolina
Bennettsville is a city in and the county seat of Marlboro County, South Carolina, United States. and home to the Bennettsville Historic District...
to end at the North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
state line, where it continues as NC 38
North Carolina Highway 38
NC 38 is a north/south state highway in central North Carolina; it is entirely in Richmond County.-Route description:N.C. 38 begins at the South Carolina border, continuing S.C. 38. It continues northward, becoming Bennettsville Road in Hamlet, to an intersection with U.S. 74 Business....
.
History
SC 38 was one of the first highways in the South Carolina state system, originally running from Myrtle Beach through SocasteeSocastee, South Carolina
Socastee is a census-designated place in Horry County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 14,295 at the 2000 census.-History:...
and Conway
Conway, South Carolina
Conway is a city in Horry County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 16,317 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Horry County and is part of the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area. It is the home of Coastal Carolina University....
to Marion
Marion, South Carolina
Marion is a city in Marion County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 7,042 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Marion County...
and Latta. The section east of Conway became US 117 in 1932 and later SC 544
South Carolina Highway 544
South Carolina Highway 544 is a major four-lane highway in Horry County, South Carolina. The highway is sometimes known as Dick Pond Road near the Socastee area. The route begins at U.S. Highway 17 Business in Surfside Beach, South Carolina and ends at U.S. Highway 501 in Conway, South Carolina...
, SC 707, and S-28-15. The section north of Conway became US 501 and SC 319
South Carolina Highway 319
South Carolina Highway 319 is a route in Horry County, South Carolina that starts from U.S. Highway 701 and ends at U.S. Highway 501 in Aynor.-History:This road was formerly known as the Galivants Ferry Road.-Major intersections:* US 501 in Aynor...
in 1935.
East of Bennettsville, SC 38 originally went through McColl, South Carolina
McColl, South Carolina
McColl is a town in Marlboro County, South Carolina, United States, located within 1.5 miles of the border with North Carolina. The population was 2,498 at the 2000 census.-Geography:McColl is located at ....
and entered North Carolina near Laurinburg
Laurinburg, North Carolina
Laurinburg is a mid-sized city in Scotland County, North Carolina, United States. It is the county seat of Scotland County. Located in southern North Carolina near the South Carolina state border, Laurinburg is southwest of Fayetteville and is home to St. Andrews Presbyterian College...
. In the mid-1920s SC 30 (now US 401
U.S. Route 401
U.S. Route 401 is an north–south United States highway, a spur of U.S. Route 1, that traverses along the fall line from Sumter, South Carolina to Interstate 85 near Wise, North Carolina.-Route description:...
) replaced the section east of Bennettsville. Then SC 38 was extended to Gibson, North Carolina
Gibson, North Carolina
Gibson is a town in Scotland County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 584 at the 2000 census.Elected officials of the town include: Mayor Ronnie Hudson and town commissioners Charles "Freddie" Webb, Randy Pearson, Lula Adelle Cottingham, Stephen Hudson, and Mack "Pete" Wilkins.The...
around 1930. In 1938, SC 96 became SC 38 north of Bennettsville, and the road followed its current route for the first time in that area. The former SC 38 became SC 79 and later SC 385.
In 1953, the section of SC 38 east of the current I-95 became SC 917, and the former SC 380 became SC 38, giving the road its approximate current route on the south end.
A dangerous intersection at US 301 and the CSX railroad was replaced with an interchange
Interchange (road)
In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...
.
In 1983, a bypass was built around Bennettsville, with the previous SC 38 designated as SC 38 Business.
During a 15-year period starting in the early 90s, SC 38 was widened to four lanes, with medians in some areas and a center turn lane in others, in stages from Bennettsville to US. 501
In 2005, highway officials from North and South Carolina met and passed a resolution designating that Interstate 73
Interstate 73
Interstate 73 is a main route of the Interstate Highway System, currently located entirely within the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is part of a longer planned corridor, defined by various Federal laws to run from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to Grayling, Michigan, but only the part south of...
would be built along the route of SC 38. However, a 2008 project map shows the likely I-73 route running east of 38.
Major intersections
| County | Location | Roads Intersected | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | Latta Latta, South Carolina Latta is a town in Dillon County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,410 at the 2000 census. This small town also contains one of the many libraries that were started with funds given by Andrew Carnegie, which is located in the center of town.... |
Southern terminus | |
| Dillon | Latta Latta, South Carolina Latta is a town in Dillon County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,410 at the 2000 census. This small town also contains one of the many libraries that were started with funds given by Andrew Carnegie, which is located in the center of town.... |
||
| Northern terminus of South Carolina 917 | |||
| Marlboro | Brownsville | ||
| Blenheim Blenheim, South Carolina Blenheim is a town in Marlboro County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 137 at the 2000 census. It is named for Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England which itself is named for the Battle of Blenheim, a major English victory of the War of the Spanish Succession at what is now... |
Southern terminus of South Carolina 381 | ||
| Bennettsville Bennettsville, South Carolina Bennettsville is a city in and the county seat of Marlboro County, South Carolina, United States. and home to the Bennettsville Historic District... |
|||
Business Route
External links
- Detailed route log for SC 38
- South Carolina Department of Transportation county road maps for Marlboro,Dillon, Marion