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Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Merced to Santa Barbara. Traveling by bus from Merced to Santa Barbara usually takes around 11 hours and 45 minutes, but some buses might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled depending on traffic conditions.
Distance | 204 mi (328 km) |
Shortest duration | 11h 45m |
Cheapest price | $69.84 |
Most frequent service | Greyhound |
Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Merced to Santa Barbara?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Merced to Santa Barbara. Greyhound is the only company that has bus schedules available to search and book at the moment. It only makes the trip once a day on most days.
Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Greyhound | 1 | 11h 45m | $69.84 |
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 1 bus trips from Merced to Santa Barbara every day, with the average journey taking around 11 hours and 45 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Santa Barbara usually start from $70.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 11 hours and 45 minutes to cover the 204 miles from Merced to Santa Barbara. 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.
There is usually only one bus per day from Merced to Santa Barbara. It leaves the station in Merced at 4:00am each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.
There is usually only one bus per day from Merced to Santa Barbara. However, it is not a direct bus, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to change buses during the trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Merced to Santa Barbara; ticket prices start at $49.00.
City Information
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.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is a major travel destination along the southern coast of California. Dramatically situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara offers incomparable scenery with a comfortably warm climate year-round. White stucco buildings with Mediterranean-style architecture, gorgeous beaches, and upscale local cuisine give Santa Barbara the nickname "The American Riviera."
There are many kinds of vacations to enjoy in Santa Barbara. You can spend days on the soft sand of Leadbetter Beach, surfing in the swells at Rincon Point, or shopping for trinkets along Stearns Wharf. Or embrace the area's history by visiting the Mission Santa Barbara, a Spanish mission founded in 1786. Highlights from the mission include Spanish architecture, a rose garden, a museum, and even crypts.
Santa Barbara Airport, only a few miles from downtown, serves passengers to the region. Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner stops in Santa Barbara on its way from San Diego to San Luis Obispo, with plenty of connections to other SoCal hotspots. Intercity buses, including FlixBus, offer routes from Santa Barbara to destinations like L.A., San Diego, and Las Vegas.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Merced?
Main departure station: Viajes Express - 710 W 16th St
Most buses depart from the main station in Merced.
All bus stations in Merced:
Viajes Express - 710 W 16th St
Where does the bus arrive in Santa Barbara?
Main arrival station: 209 State Street
All buses from Merced arrive at one main station in Santa Barbara.
All bus stations in Santa Barbara:
209 State Street
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