Buckle up, because the 2026 NFL season is officially going global. With a record-breaking nine international games spanning seven countries-from the season-opening kickoff in Melbourne, Australia, to the first-ever NFL game in Paris-the league is projected to traverse a combined 570,000 miles. Leading the pack and shattering all-time records are the San Francisco 49ers, who will cover 38,105 miles and cross a staggering 58 time zones this year alone. Whether you’re a “road warrior” planning your away game trips or looking for rest-advantage edges in your fantasy league, we’ve ranked every team from the record-setters to the regional staycations. Below is your complete 2026 NFL Travel Miles Hub. We will adjust the tables and articles after the NFL schedule release as required.
Last Updated: May 11, 2026
2026 NFL Travel Miles: All 32 Teams Ranked (May 11th)
The following 2026 NFL travel miles rankings are based on projected matchups and confirmed international venues heading into the official schedule release. All of the projected miles traveled are pre-schedule release. These will adjust a bit as we see which additional teams the NFL pairs up for on the International schedule.
| Rank | Team | Projected Miles | Key Travel Factor |
| 1 | San Francisco 49ers | 38,105 | NFL Record: Australia (Week 1) + Mexico City |
| 2 | L.A. Rams | 31,279 | Australia (Week 1) vs. 49ers |
| 3 | Dallas Cowboys | ~26,500 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Week 3) |
| 4 | Jacksonville Jaguars | ~25,800 | Double London Games (Tottenham & Wembley) |
| 5 | Seattle Seahawks | ~25,500 | Super Bowl 60 Champions “West Coast Tax” |
| 6 | Atlanta Falcons | ~23,400 | Madrid, Spain (hosting at Bernabéu) |
| 7 | New Orleans Saints | ~22,900 | Paris, France (First-ever NFL game in France) |
| 8 | L.A. Chargers | ~22,100 | High volume of East Coast trips |
| 9 | Detroit Lions | ~19,200 | Munich, Germany (hosting at Allianz Arena) |
| 10 | Washington Commanders | ~18,900 | London game at Tottenham |
| 11 | Arizona Cardinals | ~18,500 | Heavy NFC West travel load |
| 12 | Miami Dolphins | ~18,200 | Standard East Coast travel |
| 13 | Baltimore Ravens | ~17,800 | Trip to Rio vs. Cowboys |
| 14 | Las Vegas Raiders | ~17,500 | Western Division travel |
| 15 | N.Y. Giants | ~17,100 | Standard travel |
| 16 | Denver Broncos | ~16,800 | Mountain West travel |
| 17 | Minnesota Vikings | ~16,500 | North-South travel |
| 18 | Kansas City Chiefs | ~16,200 | Central location advantage |
| 19 | Houston Texans | ~15,900 | Standard travel |
| 20 | N.Y. Jets | ~15,600 | Standard travel |
| 21 | Tennessee Titans | ~15,300 | Standard travel |
| 22 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | ~15,000 | Standard travel |
| 23 | Philadelphia Eagles | ~14,700 | Regional focus |
| 24 | Indianapolis Colts | ~14,400 | Central location advantage |
| 25 | New England Patriots | ~14,100 | Regional focus |
| 26 | Carolina Panthers | ~13,800 | Mostly East Coast games |
| 27 | Green Bay Packers | ~13,500 | Standard travel |
| 28 | Chicago Bears | ~13,200 | Central location advantage |
| 29 | Cleveland Browns | ~12,900 | AFC North cluster |
| 30 | Buffalo Bills | ~12,600 | Northeast regional focus |
| 31 | Pittsburgh Steelers | ~12,300 | Compact divisional slate |
| 32 | Cincinnati Bengals | ~10,100 | Easiest Travel: Lowest in NFL |
The “Around the World” Club
Five teams-the 49ers, Rams, Cowboys, Jaguars, and Seahawks-will travel more than the circumference of the Earth (24,901 miles) during the 2026 regular season.
The San Francisco 49ers’ trip to Melbourne, Australia alone (15,738 miles) covers more ground than the entire 17-game season for the Steelers, Browns, or Bengals. This “global gauntlet” creates a significant recovery challenge, as the Niners will cross 58 time zones, breaking the previous record of 42 set in 2025.
International Reach: 7 Countries, 9 Games
The 2026 season marks the largest international expansion in league history. Key highlights include:
- Australia: The season opener between the Rams and 49ers in Melbourne (Sept 10).
- France: The first-ever NFL game in Paris, hosted by the Saints.
- Spain: The Atlanta Falcons hosting at the iconic Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid.
- Brazil: The Cowboys and Ravens head to Rio de Janeiro in Week 3.
2026 NFL Planning Resources
Use our minimalist, “low-ink” tools to track your team’s path to Super Bowl 61 and plan your away game trips.
- NFL Schedule Hub: The central portal for every 2026 revealed matchup and leak.
- Printable Team Schedules: Individual PDF schedules for all 32 teams.
- 2026 NFL Schedule Grid: A single-page PDF view of the entire league schedule.
- 2026 NFL Strength of Schedule (SoS): See which teams have the hardest and easiest paths to the playoffs.
Team-Specific Travel Guides
Click on your team below to see a deep dive into their 2026 mileage, travel windows, and away game planning guides:
(Individual team links will be added here as they are published)
| AFC NORTH | NFC NORTH |
| Baltimore Ravens | Chicago Bears |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Detroit Lions |
| Cleveland Browns | Green Bay Packers |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Minnesota Vikings |
| AFC EAST | NFC EAST |
| Buffalo Bills | Dallas Cowboys |
| Miami Dolphins | New York Giants |
| New England Patriots | Philadelphia Eagles |
| New York Jets | Washington Commanders |
| AFC SOUTH | NFC SOUTH |
| Houston Texans | Atlanta Falcons |
| Indianapolis Colts | Carolina Panthers |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | New Orleans Saints |
| Tennessee Titans | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| AFC WEST | NFC WEST |
| Denver Broncos | Arizona Cardinals |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Los Angeles Rams |
| Las Vegas Raiders | San Francisco 49ers |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Seattle Seahawks |
Author’s Note: While travel mileage is a factor in performance, keep an eye on the New England Patriots. Despite a favorable travel schedule, the team is navigating significant off-field storylines involving Head Coach Mike Vrabel and recent media reports. Follow our NFL Schedule Leaks tracker for real-time updates through the Thursday night release.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for 2026 NFL Miles Traveled
Which NFL team travels the most miles in 2026? The San Francisco 49ers hold the 2026 record, covering a staggering 38,105 miles. This is the highest total ever recorded in a single NFL regular season, largely due to their opening game in Australia and an international “home” game in Mexico City.
Which team travels the fewest miles in 2026? The Cincinnati Bengals have the easiest travel slate this year, projected to cover only about 10,100 miles. Their schedule is heavily concentrated in the regional Midwest and the compact AFC North corridor.
How many international games are in the 2026 NFL season? The NFL will play a record nine international games across seven countries in 2026: Australia, Brazil, England (London), France (Paris), Germany (Munich), Mexico (Mexico City), and Spain (Madrid).
Does travel distance actually affect NFL team performance? Yes. Research indicates that “travel fatigue” and jet lag can impact a team’s win probability. Studies have shown that for every 1,000 kilometers (~621 miles) traveled, the visiting team’s winning odds can decrease by roughly 3.5%. Defensive units are often cited as being more susceptible to fatigue during long-distance road trips.
What is the longest single road trip of the 2026 season? The round-trip flight for the San Francisco 49ers and L.A. Rams to Melbourne, Australia, is the longest, totaling approximately 15,738 linear miles. This single trip is longer than the entire 17-game season mileage for teams like the Bengals, Steelers, and Browns.
How many time zones will the 49ers cross this year? The 49ers will cross a record 58 time zones round-trip throughout the 2026 season, shattering the previous NFL record of 42.
Are there any “around the world” teams in 2026? Yes. Five teams will travel more than the circumference of the Earth (24,901 miles) this season: the 49ers, Rams, Cowboys, Jaguars, and Seahawks.
Quick Tips for “Road Warriors”
- Rest Advantage: Keep an eye on teams coming off a “Bye Week” following an international trip.
- Fantasy Tip: High-mileage teams often see a dip in defensive efficiency in the week immediately following a cross-continental flight.
