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Cheap bus tickets from Modesto to San Jose

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Modesto to San Jose Bus Schedule

Bus from Modesto to San Jose: Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Modesto to San Jose. Traveling by bus from Modesto to San Jose usually takes around 10 hours and 58 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 5 minutes.

Distance53 mi (85 km)
Shortest duration3h 5m
Cheapest price$23.00
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Thruway
Bus lines1

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What bus companies travel from Modesto to San Jose?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Modesto to San Jose. Amtrak Thruway is the one bus line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway210h 59m$23.00
  • Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Modesto to San Jose start at $23. On average, there are 2 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Modesto to San Jose

The bus takes an average of 10 hours and 58 minutes to cover the 53 miles from Modesto to San Jose. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 5 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.

The busiest and least busy days to travel on this route tend to change frequently from week to week. Weather, holidays, local events, and other factors can affect how crowded the bus is on any given day.

The first bus leaves at 9:00am and the last bus leaves at 3:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Modesto to San Jose, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Modesto to San Jose. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Modesto to San Jose; ticket prices start at $23.00.

City Information

Modesto

Modesto, CA, US - MOD-0

Image credit: Tom Hilton

Link to image attribution

Modesto is a city in Central Valley, California. The city is known for its large agricultural industry and number of museums. Modesto is home to museums, natural history sites, and planetariums, like the Great Valley Museum and McHenry Museum. It also has different amusement and recreational centers offering playgrounds, rides, go-cart, and more, like Funworks Modesto and Graceada Park. As for nature lovers, Modesto features places for sports, hiking, camping, fishing, and picnics, like Jacob Myers Park and Ceres River Bluff Regional Park. The city is also a fun place for arts with the Graffiti Summer and the Gallo Center for the Arts.

The CA city is ideal for all craft beer and wine lovers, as it has several breweries and wineries to visit. Modesto also has a vibrant nightlife, with different nightclubs, lounges, bars, and restaurants, and is always brimming with pool parties, trance festivals, DJ nights, and more. Downtown Modesto has become a vibrant place for shopping, dining, and parties.

Modesto features several train and bus lines for those in and around the city. The city is easily accessible by Amtrak and Amtrak Gold Runner for trains, while Tufesa Plus offers bus services. The City of Modesto Transit Services powers the city's transportation.

San Jose

San Jose, CA - SJC-0

Image credit: Unsplash

San Jose, CA - SJC-1

Image credit: Unsplash

San Jose, CA - SJC-2

Image credit: Unsplash

San Jose is located in the heart of the world-famous Silicon Valley in California’s Bay Area. It is the largest city in Northern California and, as such, it is the area’s cultural, political and financial center.

While you’re in San Jose, make sure to check out the city’s various museums. Since you’re in the world’s foremost technology hub, the Tech Museum of Innovation is a must-visit. And since you’re on the West Coast, you should stop by the San Jose Museum of Art that features the largest permanent collection of works from West Coast artists.

Thanks to its mild California climate, San Jose is one of the best cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities, and due to its largely younger-leaning population, it offers quite the vibrant nightlife. In fact, San Jose is among the biggest party hubs in America.

San Jose is served by various bus carriers and has several Amtrak stops within its vicinity. In addition, the city’s airport is located right near the downtown area, which makes travel to and from San Jose a breeze.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Modesto?

Main departure station: 1700 Held Dr

Most buses depart from the main station in Modesto.

All bus stations in Modesto:

  • 1700 Held Dr

Where does the bus arrive in San Jose?

Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St - SJCDCS-0

Image credit: SPUR

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Main arrival station: Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St

Diridon Station opened in 1935 with architecture inspired by the Italian Renaissance, and today is a vital part of Silicon Valley’s transportation system. Diridon Station connects Amtrak train service to local commuter service like the Caltrain and VTA Light Rail. The station is also a major hub for bus transit on Amtrak Thruway and Greyhound buses. With paid parking onsite, bicycle racks, and accessible entrances, travelers can easily reach the station from nearby downtown San Jose. As a bonus, food trucks frequently set up outside the station to provide delicious cheap eats for passengers.

All bus stations in San Jose:

  • Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St

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