- Must visit
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
One of the world’s most visited natural history museums, famous for dinosaur fossils, gemstones, and major family-friendly exhibits on Earth and life sciences.
Cheapest price
$179
Average price
$187
Fastest journey
2 d 15 h 35 m
Average duration
2 d 22 h 8 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
3817 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Sacramento, CA to Washington, DC is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Sacramento, CA to Washington, DC will cost around $187 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $179.
Of the 2 buses that leave Sacramento, CA for Washington, DC on Sat, Jun 06, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 06 the direct buses cover the 3817 km distance in an average of 2 d 22 h 8 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 d 15 h 35 m .
On Sat, Jun 06 the slowest buses will take 3 d 4 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 Sacramento, CA to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $198. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 8h 5m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $198, and a train costs an average of $266.
Distance: 2371 miles (3817 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$311 Average price | $714 Average price | $281 Average price Cheapest | $650 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
73h 23m Average total duration 72h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 67h 57m Average total duration 67h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 11h 5m Average total duration Fastest 8h 5m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 39h 57m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Sacramento, CA to Washington, DC:
A flight is $30 (€24) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Sacramento, CA to Washington, DC costing on average $311 (€250).
A flight is $433 (€348) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Sacramento, CA to Washington, DC costing on average $714 (€574).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Train takes on average 67h 27m.
Bus takes on average 72h 53m.
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 12:00AM | Arrival Time 03:35PM | Duration 63h35 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $168 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:00AM | Arrival Time 04:35PM | Duration 63h35 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $179 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:55AM | Arrival Time 09:35AM | Duration 76h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $195 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:55AM | Arrival Time 06:40AM | Duration 96h45 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $234 |
The table below shows live departures for Sacramento, CA to Washington, DC buses for tomorrow, Sunday, May 31. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1:00 AM Sacramento, CA | 63h35 | 4:35 PM Washington, DC | 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 Sacramento, CA to Washington, DC run on average 5 times per day, taking around 72h 53m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $160 (€129) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 2371 miles (3817 km) distance in 63h 30m.
Distance 2371 miles (3817 km) |
Average bus duration 72h 53m |
Cheapest ticket price $160 (€129) |
Buses per day 5 |
Fastest bus 63h 30m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Discover the best of Washington — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Washington trip today.
One of the world’s most visited natural history museums, famous for dinosaur fossils, gemstones, and major family-friendly exhibits on Earth and life sciences.
Premier art museum with masterworks from the Middle Ages to modern times, plus a celebrated sculpture garden and strong temporary exhibitions.
Iconic Smithsonian museum covering aviation and space exploration, with historic aircraft and spacecraft that make it a top draw in the city.
Washington’s signature civic landscape lined with museums and monuments, ideal for walking and the city’s top first-time visitor area.
Historic waterfront neighborhood known for cobblestone streets, rowhouses, shopping, and scenic walks along the canal and river.
Scenic walking area around the water framed by major memorials, especially famous during cherry blossom season.
Washington’s signature sausage, usually a coarse smoked pork-and-beef link served on a bun with chili, mustard, and onions. It is one of the city’s most iconic street foods.
A sweet, tangy, slightly spicy sauce closely associated with Washington carryout culture, commonly served with fried chicken and fries. It is a distinctive local condiment.
An oversized late-night pizza slice popular in nightlife areas of Washington, especially Adams Morgan. It is a recognizable local fast-food tradition.
An established, upscale-casual saloon near the White House known for oysters, crab cakes, and other classic Washington and Mid-Atlantic dishes.
Acclaimed Indian restaurant known for refined cooking and a polished dining room. A standout for one of Washington’s most celebrated restaurant experiences.
One of Washington’s best-known restaurants, offering classic French bistro fare in an elegant, energetic space that is popular with locals and visitors.
Prices are high by U.S. standards, especially for hotels and dining in central areas, though casual food is still manageable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Tip bartenders USD 1-2 per drink, taxis about 10-15%, and hotel staff a few dollars.
Official public transport app
L'Enfant Plaza, Washington, DC -> Metro Center, Washington, DC
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Sacramento, CA to Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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