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Journey Information
There are 6 intercity buses per day from San Diego to Merced. Traveling by bus from San Diego to Merced usually takes around 10 hours and 12 minutes, but the fastest Autobuses Monarca bus can make the trip in 9 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 368 mi (593 km) |
| Shortest duration | 9h 30m |
| Cheapest price | $62.43 |
| Trips per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | Los Limousines |
| Bus lines | 4 |
What bus companies travel from San Diego to Merced?
There are 4 bus lines from San Diego to Merced available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 4 daily trips, Los Limousines usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autobuses Monarca | 1 | 9h 30m | $110.97 |
| FlixBus US | 2 | 18h 14m | $166.52 |
| Greyhound | 2 | 9h 53m | $100.27 |
| Los Limousines | 4 | 10h 31m | $127.14 |
Book Autobuses Monarca from San Diego to Merced from $109. There are 1 Autobuses Monarca schedules from San Diego to Merced and you can expect on average to pay for a Autobuses Monarca ticket to Merced. In San Diego, Autobuses Monarca departs to Merced from San Ysidro CA and no other station. In Merced, Autobuses Monarca arrives at Viajes Express - 710 W 16th St and no other station.
An average trip on Autobuses Monarca from San Diego to Merced takes 9 hours and 30 minutes .
On weekends, Autobuses Monarca offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Merced.
FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 2 trips per day from San Diego to Merced, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 2 bus trips from San Diego to Merced every day, with the average journey taking around 9 hours and 53 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Merced usually start from $61.
Book Los Limousines from San Diego to Merced from $116. There are 4 Los Limousines schedules from San Diego to Merced and you can expect on average to pay for a Los Limousines ticket to Merced. In San Diego, Los Limousines departs to Merced from San Ysidro Bus Terminal and 1 other station. In Merced, Los Limousines arrives at Viajes Express - 710 W 16th St and no other station.
An average trip on Los Limousines from San Diego to Merced takes 10 hours and 31 minutes , while the fastest available Los Limousines trip will get you to Merced in 9 hours and 30 minutes .
On weekends, Los Limousines offers 4 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Merced.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 10 hours and 12 minutes to cover the 593 kilometers from San Diego to Merced. However, the fastest bus only takes 9 hours and 30 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
"Because many passengers travel from San Diego to Merced at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet."
The first bus leaves at 1:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Diego to Merced, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 6 scheduled buses that travel from San Diego to Merced every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 5 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Diego to Merced; ticket prices start at $72.75.
City Information
San Diego
San Diego is known as "America's Finest City" for its sunny weather, white-sand beaches, and dazzling attractions from Belmont Park to SeaWorld. San Diego's 70 miles of pristine beaches include such gems as Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla Cove, and Coronado Beach. The city's strong surfing culture may even inspire you to rent a surfboard and catch the epic waves, bro.
Visitors can spend days getting lost in Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre cultural hub which features 16 museums, immaculate gardens, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. The historic heart of the city, Old Town, showcases San Diego's heritage and ties to Mexican culture, while other sights like the USS Midway pay tribute to the city's military and maritime history. Leave time for some evening exploring, too! San Diego is rated the #1 best city for craft beer in America, so don't miss out on the bars in the Gaslamp Quarter: 16 walkable blocks packed with nightlife and young crowds.
Two airports, as well as many bus and train options, mean it is easy to get to San Diego from afar or from nearby cities like Tijuana, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.
Merced
Merced is a beautiful city in the Central Valley of California. Nicknamed the Gateway to Yosemite, it’s no shock to learn Merced is only about an hour and a half drive from Yosemite National Park. But if you’d prefer to stay in town, Merced has an abundance of gorgeous parks, winding bike routes, golf courses, hiking, boating, fishing, camping – the list goes on.
For indoor fun, check out the Merced Multicultural Art Centre for art viewing and classes. Or, if you’re on the hunt for a bargain or home decor, visit the Merced Antique Mall with 7500 square feet of antiques and curios. Once you’ve worked up an appetite perusing, head to the Hilmar Cheese Company to tour the factory, watch the packaging process, and, the best part, eat all the free samples. To make it a full charcuterie meal, visit the Merced Fruit Barn. As a sort of farmer’s market, the Fruit Barn has arguably the best fresh and dried fruit in the state and a deli on-site for any and all sandwich needs.
The nearest major airport is Merced Regional Airport. Amtrak has routes through the city to Seattle, Yosemite Valley, and San Francisco, and Greyhound connects LA to Merced.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Diego?
Main departure station: San Ysidro Bus Terminal
Buses to Merced leave from 7 stations in San Diego.
All bus stations in San Diego:
San Ysidro Bus Terminal
Cross Border Xpress CBX
San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop
San Ysidro Transit Center
San Ysidro CA
2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
Where does the bus arrive in Merced?
Main arrival station: Viajes Express - 710 W 16th St
All buses from San Diego arrive at one main station in Merced.
Bus stations in Merced:
Viajes Express - 710 W 16th St
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Merced to San Diego?
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