SC 544 is one of the most frequently traversed highways in the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area.

At Socastee, the road followed an east–west direction along the current route of SC 707 through Socastee, continuing through the area that is currently the Myrtle Beach International Airport, and ending near downtown Myrtle Beach on the road that is now Broadway Street.

Public meetings by the South Carolina Department of Transportation took place in September 1999 to discuss the widening of SC 544 to a four-lane highway from US 501 in Conway to the Intracoastal Waterway, including sidewalks and gutters throughout most of the route.

A 90-foot right-of-way was required for the expansion, and the Federal Highway Administration approved the Finding of No Significant Impact report in January 2000.

It travels nearly due north and immediately intersects Cox Ferry Road, which is the western terminus of a separate connector route.

An intersection with the eastern terminus of El Paso Drive leads to Waccamaw Elementary School.

The highway curves to the northeast and reaches its northern terminus, an intersection with US 501 Business (US 501 Bus.).

The highway then travels through a residential area before reaching its eastern terminus, an intersection with U.S. Route 501 (US 501).