The 2026 Dallas Cowboys travel miles total approximately 26,500 across the regular season, the 3rd-most travel burden in the NFL. A first-ever trip to Rio de Janeiro for the Week 3 international “home” game against the Baltimore Ravens, paired with cross-country road trips to Seattle and Los Angeles, pushes Dallas past the 24,901-mile circumference of the Earth and into the league’s “Around the World” club. From the Brazil opener stretch to the regional NFC East slate, this guide breaks down the Cowboys’ 2026 mileage, the travel fatigue factors, and the printable tools you can use to track every game.
2026 Dallas Cowboys Travel Snapshot
| Category | Data | NFL Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Total Miles Traveled | ~26,500 miles | #3 of 32 |
| Time Zones Crossed | 6 (with the Brazil round trip) | Top 5 |
| International Games | Yes – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Week 3 vs. Baltimore Ravens) | – |
| Longest Road Trip | at Maracana Stadium (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) | ~9,640 miles RT |
| Shortest Road Trip | at Houston Texans (NRG Stadium) | ~470 miles RT |
The “Road Warrior” Breakdown
The Cowboys enter the 2026 season with the 3rd-heaviest travel itinerary in the league, behind only the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams. Even before the week-by-week dates are finalized, we know the bulk of the Cowboys’ travel burden comes from a single trip: the Week 3 international home game against the Baltimore Ravens at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. That round trip alone covers roughly 9,640 miles, more than the entire 17-game travel total for teams like the Bengals or Steelers.
The “Frequent Flyer” Matchups: Keep an eye on the Cowboys’ visits to the Seattle Seahawks (Lumen Field) and Los Angeles Rams (SoFi Stadium). The Seattle trip alone runs about 3,400 miles round trip, and the L.A. road game adds another 2,460. Combined with the Brazil voyage, Dallas joins the 49ers, Rams, Jaguars, and Seahawks as one of five teams to travel more than the 24,901-mile circumference of the Earth in a single season.
The Global Factor: With the Rio de Janeiro fixture confirmed, the Cowboys will cross two time zones for the international game (Dallas is on CT, Rio is on BRT), plus another two on the Pacific Coast swing to Seattle and Los Angeles. The “jet lag tax” tends to show up in the week after a long-haul flight, so how the league spaces these trips out will matter a lot for the Cowboys’ mid-season rhythm.
What to Watch for Thursday: When the official schedule drops at 8 p.m. ET, the biggest variable for the Cowboys will be the clustering of these long trips. The cleanest scenario is the Brazil game followed by a bye, then a steady cadence of regional NFC East games. The worst case is back-to-back coast-to-coast flights with no rest in between, a factor that could weigh on the defense during the November and December stretch. Confirmed dates and kickoff times will post to the official Dallas Cowboys schedule page as soon as the league locks them in.
2026 NFL Planning Resources
Stay ahead of the schedule release with our full set of 2026 tools:
- 2026 NFL Schedule Central: The main hub for all 32 team schedules and leaks.
- NFL Travel and Mileage Rankings: See how the Cowboys stack up against the rest of the league.
- 2026 NFL Strength of Schedule: Is the Cowboys’ path to the playoffs easy or an uphill battle?
- 2026 NFL Schedule Leaks Tracker: Live confirmations as Thursday’s release approaches.
2026 NFL Travel Guide Cheat Sheet (Quick Data Points)
- 49ers: 38,105 miles (Rank #1) – 58 time zones – record-setting season.
- Rams: 31,279 miles (Rank #2) – Australia (Week 1).
- Cowboys: ~26,500 miles (Rank #3) – Brazil (Week 3).
- Seahawks: ~25,500 miles (Rank #5) – Super Bowl 60 champions.
- Bengals: 10,100 miles (Rank #32) – lowest travel in the NFL.
2026 Dallas Cowboys Travel FAQ
Q: How many miles will the Cowboys travel in 2026?
A: The Dallas Cowboys are projected to travel approximately 26,500 miles during the 2026 regular season. That ranks them #3 in the NFL for overall travel distance, behind only the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams.
Q: What is the longest road trip on the Cowboys’ 2026 schedule?
A: The longest trip is the Week 3 international fixture against the Baltimore Ravens at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a round trip of roughly 9,640 miles. The game is a designated home game for Dallas, but the travel burden is the same.
Q: Does the 2026 Cowboys schedule include international games?
A: Yes. The Cowboys will host the Baltimore Ravens at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, September 27, 2026 (Week 3), as part of the NFL’s record 9-game international slate.
Q: When will the official 2026 NFL schedule with times and dates be released?
A: The NFL will release the full 2026 schedule on Thursday, May 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET. You can track all live leaks and confirmed matchups in our 2026 NFL Schedule Leaks Tracker.
Q: How does travel mileage impact the Cowboys’ performance?
A: Travel fatigue is a documented factor in NFL performance, with research showing defensive efficiency tends to dip the week after a long-haul flight. With the Cowboys crossing roughly 6 time zones across the Brazil trip and the two West Coast road games, managing recovery will be a key storyline for the coaching staff.
Q: Where can I get a printable Cowboys schedule for 2026?
A: You can download our “low-ink” minimalist 2026 Dallas Cowboys Schedule PDF on our Cowboys schedule page. It is printer-friendly and easy to read for the entire season.
