The cheapest and fastest buses from Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA
Cheapest price
$137
Average price
$137
Fastest journey
8 h 40 m
Average duration
8 h 40 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
461 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA will cost around $137 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $137.
Of the 1 buses that leave Santa Ana, CA for Merced, CA on Sat, Jun 27, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 27 the direct buses cover the 461 km distance in an average of 8 h 40 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h 40 m .
On Sat, Jun 27 the slowest buses will take 8 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.
4:20 AM8h40Santa Ana, CA1:00 PMMerced, CA$1371One-way0 transfers
4:20 AM8h40Santa Ana, CA1:00 PMMerced, CA$1371One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus and train for Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $76. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 6h 55m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $76, and a bus costs an average of $62.
Distance: 286 miles (461 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$103 Average price | $78 Average price Cheapest | $61 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 56m Average total duration 8h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 25m Average total duration Fastest 6h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 51m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA:
A train is $25 (€21) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA costing on average $103 (€85).
Other travel options to Merced, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 8h 26m.
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.
Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:20AM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 8h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $137 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:20AM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 8h40 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $135 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:15AM | Arrival Time 02:55PM | Duration 7h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $62 |
Operator Greyhound USA | Departure Time 08:45AM | Arrival Time 11:25AM | Duration 26h40 | Departure days Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $93 |
Operator Greyhound Mexico | Departure Time 09:20PM | Arrival Time 06:00AM | Duration 8h40 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $91 |
Live departures
Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA buses for today, Thursday, June 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:15 AM Santa Ana, CA | 7h40 | 2:55 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 Santa Ana, 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.
Jun 26
Jun 27
Jun 28
Jun 29
Jun 30
Jul 01
Jul 02
Why should you book Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Greyhound?
- 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 Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA
Buses from Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA run on average 5 times per day, taking around 8h 26m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $62 (€51) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:30. The fastest bus covers the 286 miles (461 km) distance in 7h 40m.
Distance 286 miles (461 km) |
Average bus duration 8h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price $62 (€51) |
Buses per day 5 |
Fastest bus 7h 40m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:30 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Bus providers: Greyhound from Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CAYou can travel by bus between Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA with Greyhound for as low as $62 (€51). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Greyhound
FAQs: Bus from Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Ana, 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.

- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Greyhound
- You can cancel your ticket for a refund or exchange up to 24 hours before departure, for a cancellation fee applied.
- Greyhound
- One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
- Greyhound
- $15 per additional bag.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA
Most Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA buses use the Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station) to Merced, W 16th St (Greyhound Bus Station) station pair. Use this guide to compare Santa Ana, CA and Merced, CA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Getting to Merced, W 16th St (Greyhound Bus Station) from Merced city centre
Most popular bus connections from Santa Ana, CA
More options for your journey from Santa Ana, CA to Merced, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

