- 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
$135
Average price
$199
Fastest journey
2 d 10 m
Average duration
2 d 3 h 2 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
2512 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis, MO to San Diego, CA will cost around $199 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $135.
Of the 3 buses that leave St. Louis, MO for San Diego, CA on Wed, Jul 22, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jul 22 the direct buses cover the 2512 km distance in an average of 2 d 3 h 2 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 d 10 m .
On Wed, Jul 22 the slowest buses will take 2 d 4 h 35 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 St. Louis, MO to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $145. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 7h 22m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $145, and a train costs an average of $214.
Distance: 1560 miles (2512 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$273 Average price | $276 Average price | $260 Average price Cheapest | $378 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
39h 10m Average total duration 38h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 61h 41m Average total duration 61h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 22m Average total duration Fastest 7h 22m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 26h 33m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from St. Louis, MO to San Diego, CA:
A flight is $13 (€11) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from St. Louis, MO to San Diego, CA costing on average $273 (€225).
A flight is $16 (€13) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from St. Louis, MO to San Diego, CA costing on average $276 (€227).
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 38h 40m.
Train takes on average 61h 11m.
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 06:20AM | Arrival Time 05:15AM | Duration 46h55 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $185 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:20AM | Arrival Time 02:20AM | Duration 43h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $235 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:40PM | Arrival Time 05:35PM | Duration 51h55 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $280 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:10PM | Arrival Time 06:45PM | Duration 52h35 | Departure days Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $135 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:10PM | Arrival Time 08:20PM | Duration 53h10 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $231 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 01:20AM | Duration 52h20 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $180 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 05:15AM | Duration 55h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $257 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 10:40PM | Duration 48h10 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $278 |
The table below shows live departures for St. Louis, MO to San Diego, CA buses for today, Tuesday, July 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:30 PM St. Louis, MO | 49h55 | 11:25 PM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, July 22 | |||||
![]() | 2:10 PM St. Louis, MO | 52h35 | 6:45 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 St. Louis, MO to San Diego, CA run on average 10 times per day, taking around 38h 40m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $135 (€111) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 01:20, the last at 23:30. The fastest bus covers the 1560 miles (2512 km) distance in 43h 0m.
Distance 1560 miles (2512 km) |
Average bus duration 38h 40m |
Cheapest ticket price $135 (€111) |
Buses per day 10 |
Fastest bus 43h 0m |
First bus 1:20 AM |
Last bus 11:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Best time to book 6 days |
Discover the best of San Diego — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Diego 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 St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis, MO to San Diego, CA buses use the St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) to San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park) station pair, with some services arriving at San Diego, West Harbor Drive (The Headquarters at Seaport District). Use this guide to compare St. Louis, MO 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