There are 4 ways to get from Merced to Santa Cruz by bus (Amtrak), car, bus, or train
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Merced Transpo to Pacheco @ Targetbus Lb
- Take the bus from Los Baños to San Jose - King Rd Pink Elephantbus
- Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus 17
6h 1m$14–37Drive 118.6 mi
- Drive from Merced to Santa Cruzcar 118.6 mi
2h 19m$22–32Bus, Caltrain
- Take the bus from Merced Transpo to Pacheco @ Targetbus Lb
- Take the bus from Los Baños to Gilroybus
- Take the train from Gilroy Caltrain Northbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northboundtrain
- Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus 17
6h 27m$16–38Bus, train
- Take the bus from Merced Bus Stop to Modesto Bus Stopbus
- Take the train from Lathrop/Manteca Station to San Jose Station Diridontrain Ace
- Take the bus from Diridon Station to Ocean & Waterbus 17
6h 36m$22–35
Merced to Santa Cruz by bus and foot
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Merced to Santa Cruz is to bus and Caltrain which costs $15 - $40 and takes 6h 27m.
The fastest way to get from Merced to Santa Cruz is to drive which takes 2h 19m and costs $21 - $35.
No, there is no direct bus from Merced to Santa Cruz. However, there are services departing from Merced Transpo and arriving at Soquel Ave & Front via Los Baños, King & Virginia, Santa Clara & 1st and Diridon Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 1m.
The distance between Merced and Santa Cruz is 154 miles. The road distance is 119.2 miles.
The best way to get from Merced to Santa Cruz without a car is to bus which takes 6h 1m and costs $14 - $40.
It takes approximately 6h 1m to get from Merced to Santa Cruz, including transfers.
Merced to Santa Cruz bus services, operated by The Bus, depart from Merced Transpo station.
Merced to Santa Cruz bus services, operated by The Bus, arrive at Pacheco @ Target station.
Yes, the driving distance between Merced to Santa Cruz is 119 miles. It takes approximately 2h 19m to drive from Merced to Santa Cruz.
There are 160+ hotels available in Santa Cruz.
What companies run services between Merced, CA, USA and Santa Cruz, CA, USA?
You can take a bus from Merced Transpo to Soquel Ave & Front via Pacheco @ Target, Los Baños, San Jose - King Rd Pink Elephant, King & Virginia, Santa Clara & 1st, San Jose Diridon, and Diridon Station in around 6h 1m.
- Phone
- +1 800-660-4287
- Website
- Cal Train
Train from Gilroy Caltrain Northbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound
- One-way Adult
- $7–9
- Phone
- +1 800-411-7245
- Website
- Ace
Train from Lathrop/Manteca Station to San Jose Station Diridon
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 53m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $12–16
- Website
- Ace
- Phone
- +1 833 766 3553
- Website
- Tufesa
Bus from Los Baños to San Jose - King Rd Pink Elephant
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $30–55
- Schedules at
- Tufesa
- Adult One way
- $30–55
Bus from Los Baños to Gilroy
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $29–55
- Schedules at
- Tufesa
- Adult One way
- $29–55
- Phone
- +52 644 410 2444
- [email protected]
- Website
- tufesa.com.mx
Bus from Los Baños to San Jose - King Rd Pink Elephant
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $9–22
- Schedules at
- tufesa.com.mx
- Book at
- tufesa.com.mx
- Plus
- $9–22
- Titanium
- $10–22
Bus from Los Baños to Gilroy
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $5–19
- Schedules at
- tufesa.com.mx
- Book at
- tufesa.com.mx
- Plus
- $5–19
- Titanium
- $6–18
- Phone
- +1 (831) 425-8600
- Website
- Santa Cruz Metro
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 46 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $2–7
- Website
- Santa Cruz Metro
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 46 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $2–7
- Website
- Santa Cruz Metro
Bus from Diridon Station to Ocean & Water
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $2–7
- Website
- Santa Cruz Metro
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 51 min
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 51 min
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Website
- Amtrak
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Merced Bus Stop to Modesto Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 50 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $6–10
- Website
- Greyhound
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