Rome2Rio

How to get fromMadison to San Diegoby plane, bus, train, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound, Amtrak), or car

Find Transport to San Diego

See all options

There are 7 ways to get from Madison to San Diego by plane, bus, train, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound, Amtrak), or car

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field

    best
    1. Fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane MSN - SAN
    7h 6m
    $192–602

  2. Bus to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to O'Hare International Airport - Terminal 1 Departuresbus bus
    2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane ORD - SAN
    8h 19m
    $134–600

  3. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton Stbus bus
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Fullerton Amtrak Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to San Diegotrain train
    2d 3h
    $602–1,416

  4. Bus

    1. Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton Stbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Los Angeles to San Diegobus bus
    2d 8h
    $391–646

  5. Drive  2,019.6 mi

    1. Drive from Madison to San Diegocar car 2,019.6 mi
    32h 9m
    $369–533

  6. Bus to General Mitchell International Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Mitchell Airportbus bus
    2. Fly from General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane MKE - SAN
    7h 20m
    $201–832

  7. Bus to Chicago Midway International Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to O'Hare International Airport - Terminal 1 Departuresbus bus
    2. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane MDW - SAN
    9h 35m
    $188–760

Madison to San Diego by bus and train

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration2d 3hAverage Duration
Ticket$602Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Madison to San Diego.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,676.1 mi
  • Duration: 7h 6m

What companies run services between Madison, WI, USA and San Diego, CA, USA?

American Airlines, United Airlines, and two other airlines fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to San Diego via W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St, Chicago Bus Station, St Louis Bus Station, Los Angeles Union Station, and Los Angeles in around 2d 8h.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around United States

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound

Booking & Getting There