The 2026 NFL season is beginning to take shape, and one of the biggest challenges for several franchises will not just be opponents on the field, but the miles they must cover throughout the year. With the league expanding its global footprint through a record nine international games, travel schedules are expected to play a major role in team preparation, recovery, and overall performance. From Australia to Mexico City and several European destinations, teams will spend more time in the air than ever before during a regular season.
While the full NFL schedule release is still awaited, the home and away opponents are already confirmed. That has allowed analysts, including Bill Speros of Bookies.com, to project the travel distance for every franchise in 2026. The numbers show a major gap between teams at the top and bottom of the list. The San Francisco 49ers are projected to travel more than 38,000 miles, while the Carolina Panthers are expected to stay under 9,000 miles all season. International games, coast-to-coast matchups, and multiple time-zone crossings are set to define the travel landscape for the year ahead.
Advertisement
MORE: Son of Hall of Fame wide receiver joins Green Bay Packers
1. San Francisco 49ers — 38,105 miles
Oct 20, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) walks on the field before the start of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
The 49ers are expected to set an NFL record for miles traveled in a single season. Their schedule includes the league’s first regular-season game in Australia against the Rams in Melbourne and another international matchup in Mexico City. They also travel to New York, Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, Seattle, Arizona, and Los Angeles.
2. Los Angeles Rams — 34,847 miles
Oct 2, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; The Los Angeles Rams logo in the end zone at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Rams rank second mainly because of their Week 1 international game in Melbourne against San Francisco. They also have long road trips to Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Washington, and other East Coast locations during the season.
Advertisement
3. Houston Texans — 28,470 miles
Jan 18, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane (14) reacts after defeating the Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Houston’s schedule includes several long-distance trips along with international travel. The Texans are among the teams participating in the NFL’s expanded overseas slate in 2026.
4. Dallas Cowboys — 27,980 miles
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Dallas will travel close to 28,000 miles in 2026. Trips to NFC East rivals, combined with international obligations and cross-country games, contribute heavily to the Cowboys’ total.
Advertisement
5. New England Patriots — 27,590 miles
Teams with best record in each pro sport
Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel walks off the field as confetti flies through the air after the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII on Feb. 3, 2008. Credit: © Bob Breidenbach / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Patriots face one of the longest travel schedules in the AFC. They are expected to make several westward trips while also taking part in the international schedule.
6. Miami Dolphins — 27,568 miles
11. Bradley Chubb
Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) runs on the field at the start of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Hard Rock Stadium. Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Miami’s season includes a long trip to San Francisco along with multiple cross-country matchups. The Dolphins will spend considerable time traveling between coasts in 2026.
7. Los Angeles Chargers — 24,816 miles
Sep 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (15) celebrates with tight end Hayden Hurst (88) after scoring on a 15-yard touchdown reception against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Chargers continue to face heavy travel demands because of their West Coast location. Road games against East Coast opponents like Miami and Baltimore add major mileage totals this season.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars — 23,392 miles
Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Jacksonville Jaguars)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Jacksonville’s travel schedule includes international commitments along with long domestic flights throughout the season. The Jaguars remain regular participants in overseas games.
9. Philadelphia Eagles — 22,115 miles
May 1, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during rookie minicamp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Eagles are another playoff contender dealing with heavy travel in 2026. International travel and long NFC road games contribute significantly to their total.
10. Seattle Seahawks — 22,056 miles
Feb 11, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) reacts during the Super Bowl LX parade. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
Seattle once again ranks among the league leaders in travel because of its location in the Pacific Northwest. Long trips across the country are unavoidable for the Seahawks.
11. New Orleans Saints — 21,892 miles
Dec 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton talks to quarterback Drew Brees (9) and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, center, in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
The Saints will be part of the NFL’s international schedule this season. Combined with multiple long domestic road trips, New Orleans crosses the 21,000-mile mark.
Air miles each team will travel this season, via @billsperos: pic.twitter.com/oxd4dja4tD
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 13, 2026
12. Las Vegas Raiders — 21,099 miles
May 2, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) speaks during a news conference at the team’s Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
The Raiders have major road trips scheduled to New England, New York, Cleveland, and New Orleans. Their cross-country schedule keeps them near the top half of the rankings.
13. Buffalo Bills — 19,734 miles
4. Bruce Smith (1985)
Buffalo Bills defensive end #78 Bruce Smith takes the filed prior to the start of Super Bowl XXVII against the Dallas Cowboys at the Rose Bowl. The Cowboys defeated the Bills 52-17. Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports © Copyright USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo’s travel includes several long AFC road games and international commitments. The Bills remain above the league average in total miles traveled.
14. Denver Broncos — 19,129 miles
The Broncos will travel coast-to-coast multiple times, including games in New England and New York. Denver also faces several time-zone changes this season.
15. Detroit Lions — 18,958 miles
Jan 4, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) runs with the ball against Chicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright (26) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Detroit’s travel schedule is balanced but still includes international and cross-country games that push them near 19,000 miles.
16. Washington Commanders — 18,491 miles
Washington is expected to play internationally in 2026 while also managing multiple long NFC road trips throughout the year.
17. Kansas City Chiefs — 18,401 miles
Nov 23, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Josh Simmons (71) on field against the Indianapolis Colts during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
The Chiefs stay near the middle of the rankings despite several road games outside their division. Their central location helps reduce total travel compared to coastal teams.
18. Tennessee Titans — 18,157 miles
Tennessee’s schedule includes several trips outside the AFC South, leading to a moderate travel total for the year.
19. New York Giants — 18,109 miles
May 9, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants rookies Arvell Reese (52), Colton Hood (12), Malachi Fields (0) and Francis Mauigoa (65) walk off the field after rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
The Giants face major road trips to Los Angeles, Seattle, Houston, and Dallas. Those long flights raise their overall mileage significantly.
20. Atlanta Falcons — 17,431 miles
Atlanta’s travel schedule remains manageable despite a few long NFC road games during the season.
21. Baltimore Ravens — 17,422 miles
All the trade the Baltimore Ravens walked away from and why
Detailed view of the Baltimore Ravens logo at midfield during an AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at M&T Bank Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore’s schedule includes an international matchup along with several long-distance AFC road games in 2026.
22. Indianapolis Colts — 15,868 miles
The Colts remain in the lower half of the rankings thanks to fewer long-distance trips compared to other AFC teams.
23. Arizona Cardinals — 15,646 miles
Arizona avoids excessive travel despite playing in the NFC West. Most of their trips remain within the western half of the country.
24. Cincinnati Bengals — 15,177 miles
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks for hands to shake after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. The Browns kicked a last second field goal to win 20-18.
The Bengals have one of the lighter schedules among playoff-caliber teams. Most of their road games are located in nearby regions.
25. Minnesota Vikings — 14,852 miles
Minnesota’s total remains relatively low, even with an international game in Mexico City against the 49ers.
26. Pittsburgh Steelers — 14,183 miles
Sep 28, 2025; Dublin, Ireland; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts after an NFL International Series game against the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Steelers avoid major coast-to-coast trips for most of the season, helping them remain near the bottom third of the rankings.
27. New York Jets — 14,038 miles
The Jets will travel to Mexico City and several western cities, but their overall mileage still stays below league average.
28. Green Bay Packers — 12,673 miles
Green Bay benefits from a favorable travel schedule in 2026. Their longest road trip comes against the Rams in Los Angeles.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 12,185 miles
Jan 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) and tight end Cade Otton (88) leave the field after defeating the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Buccaneers avoid heavy travel this season with most of their road games located within manageable distances.
30. Chicago Bears — 10,676 miles
Chicago has one of the shortest travel schedules in the NFL this year. Limited cross-country trips help keep their total low.
31. Cleveland Browns — 9,073 miles
The first day of Cleveland Browns rookie minicamp was held May 8, 2026, at Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
The Browns benefit from a schedule centered mainly around nearby AFC and NFC opponents. Their travel demands are among the lightest in the league.
32. Carolina Panthers — 8,740 miles
Mar 30, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Carolina wins the travel lottery in 2026. The Panthers will not travel west of Minneapolis and are expected to cross only six time zones all season.
MORE: NFL on Netflix adding surprising games during Thanksgiving week, late-season matchups and more
Conslusion
The 2026 NFL season will test teams in more ways than one. Beyond roster depth and coaching adjustments, handling long-distance travel and international scheduling could become a key factor in playoff races. Teams like the 49ers and Rams face demanding road calendars, while franchises such as the Panthers and Browns receive a much lighter path in terms of travel management.