The cheapest and fastest buses from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA
Cheapest price
$72
Average price
$72
Fastest journey
10 h 45 m
Average duration
10 h 45 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
296 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA will cost around $72 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $72.
Of the 1 buses that leave San Jose, CA for Santa Maria, CA on Mon, Jun 22, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jun 22 the direct buses cover the 296 km distance in an average of 10 h 45 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 10 h 45 m .
On Mon, Jun 22 the slowest buses will take 10 h 45 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.
12:35 PM10h45San Jose, CA11:20 PMSanta Maria, CA$721One-way0 transfers
12:35 PM10h45San Jose, CA11:20 PMSanta Maria, CA$721One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus and train for San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $63. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 5h 50m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $63, and a train costs an average of $81.
Distance: 183 miles (296 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$77 Average price Cheapest | $93 Average price | $43 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 20m Average total duration Fastest 5h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 23m Average total duration 9h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 15m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA:
A bus is $16 (€13) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA costing on average $93 (€76).
Other travel options to Santa Maria, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 9h 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.
San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:45AM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 10h35 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $54 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:20AM | Arrival Time 11:15AM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $92 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 09:25AM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $92 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:35PM | Arrival Time 11:20PM | Duration 10h45 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 03:17PM | Arrival Time 09:20PM | Duration 6h03 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $82 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 04:17PM | Arrival Time 10:20PM | Duration 6h03 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $80 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 04:40AM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $92 |
Live departures
San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA buses for today, Sunday, June 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:35 PM San Jose, CA | 10h45 | 11:20 PM Santa Maria, 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 Jose, CA to Santa Maria, 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.
Jun 22
Jun 23
Jun 24
Jun 25
Jun 26
Jun 27
Jun 28
Why should you book San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?
- 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 FlixBus with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA
Buses from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA run on average 3 times per day, taking around 5h 50m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $63 (€51) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 05:35, the last at 23:35. The fastest bus covers the 183 miles (296 km) distance in 6h 3m.
Distance 183 miles (296 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 50m |
Cheapest ticket price $63 (€51) |
Buses per day 3 |
Fastest bus 6h 3m |
First bus 5:35 AM |
Last bus 11:35 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Bus providers: FlixBus from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CAYou can travel by bus between San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA with FlixBus for as low as $63 (€51). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
FAQs: Bus from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA
Most popular bus connections from San Jose, CA
More options for your journey from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
