- Must visit
Seattle Art Museum
Major downtown art museum with global collections, rotating exhibitions, and strong Pacific Northwest representation.
Cheapest price
$229
Average price
$229
Fastest journey
18 h 40 m
Average duration
18 h 40 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
1156 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Merced, CA to Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA will cost around $229 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $229.
Of the 1 buses that leave Merced, CA for Seattle, WA on Fri, Jun 05, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jun 05 the direct buses cover the 1156 km distance in an average of 18 h 40 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 18 h 40 m .
On Fri, Jun 05 the slowest buses will take 18 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 train as it is the most popular option from Merced, CA to Seattle, WA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $152. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 17h 55m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $152, and a train costs an average of $171.
Distance: 718 miles (1156 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$207 Average price Cheapest | $311 Average price | $178 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
18h 25m Average total duration Fastest 17h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 23h 55m Average total duration 23h 25m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 13h 23m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Merced, CA to Seattle, WA:
A bus is $104 (€84) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Merced, CA to Seattle, WA costing on average $311 (€251).
Other travel options to Seattle, WA take longer:
Train takes on average 23h 25m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). 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 {directProviders}.
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 01:05PM | Arrival Time 07:50AM | Duration 18h45 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $215 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:10PM | Arrival Time 07:50AM | Duration 18h40 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $178 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:05PM | Arrival Time 08:50AM | Duration 18h45 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $186 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:10PM | Arrival Time 09:20PM | Duration 23h10 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $152 |
The table below shows live departures for Merced, CA to Seattle, WA buses for tomorrow, Friday, June 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1:10 PM Merced, CA | 18h40 | 7:50 AM Seattle, WA | 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 Seattle, WA run on average 3 times per day, taking around 17h 55m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $152 (€122) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 01:00, the last at 22:50. The fastest bus covers the 718 miles (1156 km) distance in 18h 40m.
Distance 718 miles (1156 km) |
Average bus duration 17h 55m |
Cheapest ticket price $152 (€122) |
Buses per day 3 |
Fastest bus 18h 40m |
First bus 1:00 AM |
Last bus 10:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Discover the best of Seattle — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Seattle trip today.
Major downtown art museum with global collections, rotating exhibitions, and strong Pacific Northwest representation.
Bold contemporary museum known for music, film, science fiction, gaming, and immersive pop-culture exhibits.
Immersive museum showcasing Dale Chihuly's dramatic glass installations, glasshouse, and outdoor garden displays.
Trendy neighborhood known for nightlife, independent shops, street life, parks, and strong local culture.
Major cultural campus around the Space Needle with museums, plazas, lawns, and frequent public events.
Classic viewpoint on Queen Anne with one of Seattle's most photographed skyline panoramas.
Pacific salmon roasted on a cedar plank, a Northwest preparation that adds smoky wood aroma and highlights local seafood traditions.
A prized giant Pacific clam from Puget Sound, often served sliced raw or lightly cooked for its sweet, briny flavor and regional identity.
Sweet, tender crab from Pacific Northwest waters, commonly served cracked with butter or in simple preparations that showcase the local catch.
Casual, famous chowder spot near Pike Place Market known for rich seafood chowders and a busy, tourist-friendly atmosphere.
Seattle fine-dining institution with polished service, Pacific Northwest ingredients, and sweeping views in an iconic mid-century space.
Long-running Pike Place restaurant serving Italian-American fare with seafood options in a lively, romantic setting.
Seattle is pricey by U.S. standards, especially for dining and hotels, though casual food and coffee are still manageable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 20%+ for great service. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip delivery drivers 10-20%.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Merced, CA to Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need