- Must visit
San Diego Museum of Art
Major Balboa Park museum with works from Spanish old masters to modern art, plus strong regional and international exhibitions.
Cheapest price
$246
Average price
$246
Fastest journey
2 d 10 h 10 m
Average duration
2 d 10 h 10 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
2794 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Milwaukee, WI to San Diego, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Milwaukee, WI to San Diego, CA will cost around $246 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $246.
Of the 1 buses that leave Milwaukee, WI for San Diego, CA on Wed, Aug 05, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 05 the direct buses cover the 2794 km distance in an average of 2 d 10 h 10 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 d 10 h 10 m .
On Wed, Aug 05 the slowest buses will take 2 d 10 h 10 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 flight as it is the most popular option from Milwaukee, WI to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $195. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 5h 22m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $195, and a train costs an average of $225.
Distance: 1736 miles (2794 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$261 Average price Cheapest | $264 Average price | $348 Average price | $432 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
48h 57m Average total duration 48h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 22m Average total duration Fastest 5h 22m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 47h 52m Average total duration 47h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 30h 30m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Milwaukee, WI to San Diego, CA:
A bus is $2 (€2) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Milwaukee, WI to San Diego, CA costing on average $264 (€215).
A bus is $87 (€71) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Milwaukee, WI to San Diego, CA costing on average $348 (€284).
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 47h 22m.
Bus takes on average 48h 27m.
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 01:05AM | Arrival Time 07:20PM | Duration 66h15 | Departure days Tue, Sat | Cheapest price $195 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:55AM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 64h40 | Departure days Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $281 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 58h10 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $233 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 01:10AM | Duration 60h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $280 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:20PM | Arrival Time 12:10AM | Duration 57h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $239 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 10:40PM | Duration 55h20 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $232 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:10PM | Arrival Time 06:15AM | Duration 59h05 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $271 |
The table below shows live departures for Milwaukee, WI to San Diego, CA buses for today, Tuesday, August 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:30 AM Milwaukee, WI | 58h10 | 9:40 PM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 2:20 PM Milwaukee, WI | 57h50 | 12:10 AM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:20 PM Milwaukee, WI | 55h20 | 10:40 PM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight 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 Milwaukee, WI to San Diego, CA run on average 16 times per day, taking around 48h 27m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $195 (€159) but you can travel from only $165 (€134) by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 03:20, the last at 21:55. The fastest bus covers the 1736 miles (2794 km) distance in 54h 20m.
Distance 1736 miles (2794 km) |
Average bus duration 48h 27m |
Cheapest ticket price $195 (€159) |
Buses per day 16 |
Fastest bus 54h 20m |
First bus 3:20 AM |
Last bus 9:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Best time to book 2 days |
Discover the best of San Diego, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Diego, CA trip today.
Major Balboa Park museum with works from Spanish old masters to modern art, plus strong regional and international exhibitions.
Acclaimed contemporary art museum in La Jolla featuring oceanfront settings, modern works, and rotating global exhibitions.
Museum aboard a historic aircraft carrier with restored aircraft, naval exhibits, and immersive views of life at sea.
Balboa Park is San Diego's grand cultural park, packed with gardens, architecture, museums, and walkable plazas worth lingering in.
Historic Gaslamp Quarter offers Victorian-era streets, nightlife energy, and preserved downtown architecture for an atmospheric walk.
Dramatic seaside cliffs and walking paths in La Jolla, famous for waves, sea lions, and sweeping Pacific views.
A San Diego staple: grilled fish in a soft tortilla with cabbage, crema, and salsa. Popularized by Baja influence and coastal seafood culture.
French fries, carne asada, cheese, guacamole, and crema wrapped in a flour tortilla. A late-night local favorite born in San Diego taquerias.
Fresh local sea urchin served raw, prized for its rich, buttery taste. It reflects San Diego's access to Pacific seafood and sushi culture.
Celebrated sushi restaurant specializing in omakase and pristine seafood, including uni. Intimate, polished, and highly respected by locals.
Iconic casual seafood counter known for fish tacos, smoked fish, and harbor views. A classic stop for San Diego's Baja-inspired seafood style.
Refined fine-dining restaurant showcasing local seafood and seasonal California ingredients. Elegant room with one of the city's strongest reputations.
San Diego is pricey for US travel, with higher hotel rates, dining, and parking than many cities, though casual food and buses stay manageable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 15-20% for taxis or rideshares, and $1-2 for coffee drinks or small cafe orders.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Milwaukee, WI to San Diego, CA 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 San Diego, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Milwaukee, WI to San Diego, CA buses use the Milwaukee, Intermodal Station to San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park) station pair, with some services arriving at San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center. Use this guide to compare Milwaukee, WI and San Diego, CA 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