I would plan on an all day trip.................not sure how long from the beach but takes me about 2.5 hours from Florence to Raleigh taking I-95 up.
From what I hear Chad is real nice about opening up to visitors by appointment. Save up your lunch money.
I have been trying to work out a trip to Dr. Mac's for a while, a buddy of mine's mother lives about 30 min. from Dr. Mac. He has asked me to ride up before, but I couldn't work it around my schedule.
Kevin