The cheapest and fastest buses from San Diego, CA to Merced, CA
Cheapest price
$79
Average price
$122
Fastest journey
9 h 45 m
Average duration
9 h 58 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
593 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Diego, CA to Merced, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from San Diego, CA to Merced, CA will cost around $122 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $79.
Of the 3 buses that leave San Diego, CA for Merced, CA on Fri, May 29, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, May 29 the direct buses cover the 593 km distance in an average of 9 h 58 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 9 h 45 m .
On Fri, May 29 the slowest buses will take 10 h 25 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.
6:10 AM9h45San Diego, CA3:55 PMMerced, CA$791One-way0 transfers
5:10 AM9h45San Diego, CA2:55 PMMerced, CA$821One-way0 transfers
2:35 AM10h25San Diego, CA1:00 PMMerced, CA$2051One-way0 transfers
6:10 AM9h45San Diego, CA3:55 PMMerced, CA$791One-way0 transfers
5:10 AM9h45San Diego, CA2:55 PMMerced, CA$821One-way0 transfers
2:35 AM10h25San Diego, CA1:00 PMMerced, CA$2051One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus and train for San Diego, CA to Merced, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Diego, CA to Merced, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $77. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 9h 0m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $77, and a train costs an average of $95.
Distance: 368 miles (593 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$93 Average price Cheapest | $100 Average price | $88 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
10h 4m Average total duration 9h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 30m Average total duration Fastest 9h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 20m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.6 - 1.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from San Diego, CA to Merced, CA:
A bus is $7 (€6) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Diego, CA to Merced, CA costing on average $100 (€81).
Other travel options to Merced, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 9h 34m.
You'll arrive about -4h -14m sooner (9h 34m by bus vs 6h 20m by car) and save roughly $-4.08 (€-3.29) compared to fuel and tolls ($93 (€75) vs $88 (€71)). 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 Infobus.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
San Diego, CA to Merced, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:00AM | Arrival Time 01:05PM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $189 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:35AM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 10h25 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $205 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:35AM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 10h25 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $107 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 05:10AM | Arrival Time 02:55PM | Duration 9h45 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $78 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:10AM | Arrival Time 03:55PM | Duration 9h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:10PM | Arrival Time 01:05PM | Duration 16h55 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:10PM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 16h50 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $94 |
Live departures
San Diego, CA to Merced, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for San Diego, CA to Merced, CA buses for tomorrow, Thursday, May 28. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 2:35 AM San Diego, CA | 10h25 | 1:00 PM Merced, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:10 AM San Diego, CA | 9h45 | 2:55 PM Merced, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:10 AM San Diego, CA | 9h45 | 3:55 PM Merced, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets San Diego, CA to Merced, CA by bus or train
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.
May 28
May 29
May 30
May 31
Jun 01
Jun 02
Jun 03
Why should you book San Diego, CA to Merced, CA buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Greyhound?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Greyhound, but also compare tickets for the likes of Infobus to find the best option for your trip from San Diego, CA to Merced, CA.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Greyhound with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from San Diego, CA to Merced, CA.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu, Busbud or Checkmybus?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from San Diego, CA to Merced, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from San Diego, CA to Merced, CA
Buses from San Diego, CA to Merced, CA run on average 13 times per day, taking around 9h 34m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $77 (€62) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 01:00, the last at 22:40. The fastest bus covers the 368 miles (593 km) distance in 8h 45m.
Distance 368 miles (593 km) |
Average bus duration 9h 34m |
Cheapest ticket price $77 (€62) |
Buses per day 13 |
Fastest bus 8h 45m |
First bus 1:00 AM |
Last bus 10:40 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 1 day |
Bus providers: Greyhound, Infobus from San Diego, CA to Merced, CAYou can travel by bus between San Diego, CA to Merced, CA with Greyhound, Infobus for as low as $77 (€62). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Infobus
Greyhound
FAQs: Bus from San Diego, CA to Merced, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Diego, CA to Merced, 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 Merced, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- Infobus
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Transport for wheelchairs and mobility aids.
- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Infobus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a partial refund. Cancellations within 24 hours may incur a fee.
- Greyhound
- You can cancel your ticket for a refund or exchange up to 24 hours before departure, for a cancellation fee applied.
- Infobus
- One carry-on bag up to 5kg (40x20x25) and one checked bag up to 20kg (50x30x80).
- Greyhound
- One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
- Infobus
- 10€ per additional bag.
- Greyhound
- $15 per additional bag.
- Infobus
- Small pets allowed in carriers
- larger pets may require a separate ticket.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from San Diego, CA to Merced, CA
More options for your journey from San Diego, CA to Merced, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
