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Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Merced to Tacoma. Traveling by bus from Merced to Tacoma usually takes around 23 hours and 3 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 21 hours and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 695 mi (1118 km) |
| Shortest duration | 21h 45m |
| Cheapest price | $120.51 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Merced to Tacoma?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Merced to Tacoma. Greyhound 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.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greyhound | 2 | 23h 3m | $171.71 |
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 Merced to Tacoma every day, with the average journey taking around 23 hours and 3 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Tacoma usually start from $121.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 23 hours and 3 minutes to cover the 695 miles from Merced to Tacoma. However, the fastest bus only takes 21 hours and 45 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.
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 5:00am. To see the times for all buses from Merced to Tacoma, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from Merced to Tacoma. 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 Merced to Tacoma; ticket prices start at $108.00.
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.
Tacoma
Tacoma has seen some hard times in recent years, but the city is receiving many new revival attempts, turning it into a charming town with its own unique attractions. For those interested in the history of the city, as well as the creativity of its residents, head towards the Museum District, which houses numerous interesting museums such as the Tacoma Art Museum and the Washington State History Museum. While in the area, don’t miss out on the chance to marvel at the architectural ingenuity of the Bridge of Glass. If you wish to enjoy a bit of outdoor air, diving into the cold water of American Lake in Lakewood in the morning is bound to make you happy.
Seafood has always been among Tacoma’s finest offerings, and the best place to enjoy these dishes is Duke’s Chowder House, which features a bay view. For a more exquisite taste, head over to Indochine, a pan-Asian restaurant featuring mouth watering dishes.
The main bus station and the Amtrak train station in Tacoma are both near downtown, just a few blocks from each other. Tacoma is served by Amtrak’s Cascades and Coast Starlight lines. The city’s main airport is Seattle–Tacoma International and it sits 22 miles north of the city.
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 Tacoma?
Image credit: SounderBruce
Link to image attribution
Image credit: SounderBruce
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Bus Terminal - 510 Puyallup Ave
Located not far from the city’s Amtrak Station, the Bus Terminal at 510 Puyallup Ave in Tacoma provides intercity bus services from Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway. The bus station is a part of the larger Tacoma Dome Station complex and offers plenty of parking spaces in the connected Park and Ride. An information desk and restrooms are available inside the bus terminal, and the terminal connects to Freighthouse Square, an indoor shopping mall inside a 1909 railroad building. The bus terminal downtown is a short walk to the Tacoma Dome, several restaurants and bars, and LeMay - America’s Car Museum.
All bus stations in Tacoma:
Bus Terminal - 510 Puyallup Ave
2499 E G St & Puyallup Ave
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