- Must visit
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Leading regional art museum with American, Asian and European works, plus rotating exhibitions in a downtown setting.
Cheapest price
$92
Average price
$92
Fastest journey
12 h 40 m
Average duration
12 h 40 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
418 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Stockton, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Stockton, CA to Santa Barbara, CA will cost around $92 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $92.
Of the 1 buses that leave Stockton, CA for Santa Barbara, CA on Tue, Jun 23, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Jun 23 the direct buses cover the 418 km distance in an average of 12 h 40 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 12 h 40 m .
On Tue, Jun 23 the slowest buses will take 12 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 Stockton, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $64. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 5h 58m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $64, and a flight costs an average of $353.
Distance: 259 miles (418 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$78 Average price Cheapest | $81 Average price | $386 Average price |
10h 30m Average total duration 10h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 31m Average total duration 8h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 58m Average total duration Fastest 5h 58m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Stockton, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
A bus is $2 (€2) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Stockton, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $81 (€66).
A bus is $307 (€252) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Stockton, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $386 (€316).
Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 8h 1m.
Bus takes on average 10h 0m.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 12h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 08:55AM | Arrival Time 06:30AM | Duration 21h35 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $150 |
Operator San Joaquin Regional Transit | Departure Time 07:39PM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 23h51 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $111 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 08:20PM | Arrival Time 04:45AM | Duration 8h25 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $80 |
Operator San Joaquin Regional Transit | Departure Time 09:33PM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 21h57 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $111 |
Operator Greyhound USA | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 20h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $105 |
The table below shows live departures for Stockton, CA to Santa Barbara, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:00 AM Stockton, CA | 12h40 | 7:40 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:20 PM Stockton, CA | 8h25 | 4:45 AM Santa Barbara, 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 Stockton, CA to Santa Barbara, CA run on average 3 times per day, taking around 10h 0m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $64 (€52) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 06:39, the last at 23:25. The fastest bus covers the 259 miles (418 km) distance in 8h 25m.
Distance 259 miles (418 km) |
Average bus duration 10h 0m |
Cheapest ticket price $64 (€52) |
Buses per day 3 |
Fastest bus 8h 25m |
First bus 6:39 AM |
Last bus 11:25 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Discover the best of Santa Barbara — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Santa Barbara trip today.
Leading regional art museum with American, Asian and European works, plus rotating exhibitions in a downtown setting.
Hands-on science and technology museum popular with families, known for interactive exhibits and a rooftop experience.
Museum on local history with adobe-era collections, archives and exhibits focused on the city and county.
Historic pier with ocean views, strolling, marine exhibits and easy access to the waterfront.
Main downtown corridor lined with shops, historic buildings and public spaces, ideal for walking and people-watching.
Scenic coastal area spanning the harbor and beachfront, popular for walking, biking and sunset views.
Regional Central Coast barbecue, usually tri-tip grilled over red oak and served with salsa, pinquito beans, garlic bread, and salad. It is one of the area’s most iconic local food traditions.
Sea urchin from the Santa Barbara Channel is a local delicacy, prized for its sweet, briny flavor. It often appears in simple pasta dishes that highlight the freshness of the seafood.
Fresh local fish in tacos reflects Santa Barbara’s coastal location and strong California-Mexican food culture. They are commonly served grilled or battered with cabbage, salsa, and lime.
Popular New American restaurant in the Funk Zone, known for seasonal Central Coast ingredients and polished but relaxed dining.
Stylish Spanish restaurant known for tapas, paella, and a lively upscale atmosphere near the waterfront.
Established harbor seafood restaurant popular for clam chowder, oysters, and marina views in a casual setting.
Santa Barbara is pricier than many U.S. cities, especially for hotels and dining near the coast.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 20%+ for excellent service, USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up or tip 10-15% for taxis, and USD 2-5 for hotel staff as appropriate.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Stockton, CA to Santa Barbara, 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 Barbara, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Stockton, CA to Santa Barbara, CA buses use the Stockton, Greyhound Bus Station to Santa Barbara, Bus station station pair. Use this guide to compare Stockton, CA and Santa Barbara, 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