- Must visit
Phoenix Art Museum
The Southwest’s largest art museum, with strong collections in American, Latin American, Asian, European, and contemporary art plus rotating exhibitions.
Cheapest price
$92
Average price
$92
Fastest journey
14 h 40 m
Average duration
14 h 40 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
874 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Merced, CA to Phoenix, AZ is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Merced, CA to Phoenix, AZ will cost around $92 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $92.
Of the 1 buses that leave Merced, CA for Phoenix, AZ on Sat, Jun 20, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct buses cover the 874 km distance in an average of 14 h 40 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 14 h 40 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest buses will take 14 h 40 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.


Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Merced, CA to Phoenix, AZ among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $166. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 13h 59m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $166, and a bus costs an average of $157.
Distance: 543 miles (874 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$205 Average price | $166 Average price Cheapest | $131 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
14h 29m Average total duration Fastest 13h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 17h 37m Average total duration 17h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 17m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Merced, CA to Phoenix, AZ:
A train is $39 (€32) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Merced, CA to Phoenix, AZ costing on average $205 (€168).
Other travel options to Phoenix, AZ take longer:
Train takes on average 17h 7m.
You'll arrive about -5h -42m sooner (13h 59m by bus vs 9h 17m by car) and save roughly $-74.23 (€-60.80) compared to fuel and tolls ($205 (€168) vs $131 (€107)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by ACN Autobuses.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:10AM | Arrival Time 04:15PM | Duration 15h05 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $134 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:10AM | Arrival Time 05:10PM | Duration 16h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $172 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:50AM | Arrival Time 06:30AM | Duration 24h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $164 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 12:10AM | Duration 16h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $253 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 11:15PM | Duration 15h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $157 |
Operator ACN Autobuses | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 02:10AM | Duration 14h40 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $92 |
The table below shows live departures for Merced, CA to Phoenix, AZ buses for tomorrow, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:30 AM Merced, CA | 14h40 | 2:10 AM Phoenix, AZ | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Merced, CA to Phoenix, AZ run on average 5 times per day, taking around 13h 59m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $157 (€129) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 01:00, the last at 22:50. The fastest bus covers the 543 miles (874 km) distance in 15h 15m.
Distance 543 miles (874 km) |
Average bus duration 13h 59m |
Cheapest ticket price $157 (€129) |
Buses per day 5 |
Fastest bus 15h 15m |
First bus 1:00 AM |
Last bus 10:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Discover the best of Phoenix — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Phoenix trip today.
The Southwest’s largest art museum, with strong collections in American, Latin American, Asian, European, and contemporary art plus rotating exhibitions.
A leading museum of Native American art and culture, especially known for Indigenous artists of the Southwest and thoughtful permanent exhibitions.
A widely acclaimed museum showcasing instruments from around the world, with immersive audio displays and a popular hands-on gallery.
A signature Phoenix attraction with exceptional desert plant displays, scenic trails, and seasonal light installations that are highly photogenic.
A large desert park known for red sandstone formations, easy walking trails, and iconic city views near major cultural attractions.
Phoenix’s most famous urban peak, drawing hikers for challenging trails and panoramic valley views; especially popular at sunrise.
A bacon-wrapped hot dog in a bolillo-style bun, typically topped with beans, onions, tomatoes, mustard, mayo, and jalapeño sauce. A defining Phoenix and Arizona borderlands street-food favorite.
An Arizona classic of an open-faced flour tortilla baked until crisp and topped with melted cheese, often finished with green chiles or chorizo. Common in Phoenix Mexican restaurants.
A flour tortilla burrito filled with meat, beans, or cheese and smothered in roasted green chile sauce. It reflects the strong Sonoran and New Mexican influence on Phoenix cooking.
A beloved casual spot specializing in Native American and Southwestern dishes such as fry bread tacos and stews. It is one of Phoenix's most distinctive local eateries.
An old-school Phoenix steakhouse with red-leather booths, classic service, and a strong local reputation for steaks, martinis, and special-occasion dining.
A nationally known Phoenix institution celebrated for wood-fired pizzas, excellent ingredients, and a simple, refined atmosphere in Downtown Phoenix.
Moderate by major U.S. city standards. Hotels vary by season; casual dining and coffee are fairly typical, while upscale dining and resort areas cost more.
Tip 18-20% in restaurants, more for great service. Bartenders: USD 1-2 per drink. Taxis/rideshares: 10-15% or round up. Hotel staff and valet tips are customary.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Merced, CA to Phoenix, AZ by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Phoenix, AZ, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Merced, CA to Phoenix, AZ buses use the Merced, W 16th St (Greyhound Bus Station) to Phoenix, Bus Station (E Buckeye Rd) station pair, with some services arriving at Phoenix, Sky Train Station. Use this guide to compare Merced, CA and Phoenix, AZ bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need