If the San Francisco 49ers didn’t have enough on their plate in trying to make it through an entire season without suffering multiple catastrophic season-ending injuries, things are about to get even more difficult for them next season. The NFL releases the full schedule for all 32 teams on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET, but those teams already have an idea of just how daunting their schedules will be.
In addition to being the NFL’s most snake-bitten team when it comes to injuries, the 49ers will also travel the most miles of any team in the league next season (38,105). In fact, San Francisco will set an NFL record for the most miles traveled in one season thanks to road games against the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, and Atlanta Falcons, in addition to International Series games against the Los Angeles Rams in Australia and Minnesota Vikings in Mexico City.
The Rams have the second-most daunting travel schedule with 34,847 miles. Nearly 8,000 of those coming from the Australia game against the 49ers.
The Houston Texans (28,470), Dallas Cowboys (27,980), and New England Patriots (27,590) round out the top five. Those teams, plus the Miami Dolphins (27,568), are the only ones who will travel more than 25,000 miles next season.
The full list of most miles traveled in 2026 is below from most to least:
- San Francisco 49ers: 38,105
- Los Angeles Rams: 34,847
- Houston Texans: 28,470
- Dallas Cowboys: 27,980
- New England Patriots: 27,590
- Miami Dolphins: 27,568
- Los Angeles Chargers: 24,816
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 23,392
- Philadelphia Eagles: 22,115
- Seattle Seahawks: 22,056
- New Orleans Saints: 21,892
- Las Vegas Raiders: 21,099
- Buffalo Bills: 19,734
- Denver Broncos: 19,129
- Detroit Lions: 18,958
- Washington Commanders: 18,491
- Kansas City Chiefs: 18,401
- Tennessee Titans: 18,157
- New York Giants: 18,109
- Atlanta Falcons: 17,431
- Baltimore Ravens: 17,422
- Indianapolis Colts: 15,868
- Arizona Cardinals: 15,646
- Cincinnati Bengals: 15,177
- Minnesota Vikings: 14,852
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 14,183
- New York Jets: 14,038
- Green Bay Packers: 12,673
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 12,185
- Chicago Bears: 10,676
- Cleveland Browns: 9,073
- Carolina Panthers: 8,740
This extensive travel schedule poses a significant challenge for the 49ers, especially considering their history of injuries. The team has struggled with key players going down throughout the season, and the added strain of traveling across the country and internationally could exacerbate these issues. The long-distance trips may affect player performance, recovery time, and overall team cohesion.
For other teams on the list, such as the Rams and Texans, the travel load is also considerable. The Rams, in particular, face a grueling schedule that includes a trip to Australia, which adds over 8,000 miles to their total. This could impact their ability to prepare for games, especially if they are playing multiple road games in a short period.
The Cowboys, Patriots, and Dolphins also face challenges due to their high mileage. These teams will need to manage their travel logistics carefully to ensure that their players remain rested and ready for each matchup.
While some teams may benefit from playing in different locations, such as the international games, the logistical hurdles can be overwhelming. Teams must plan ahead to accommodate travel, practice schedules, and rest periods to minimize the impact on their performance.
As the NFL continues to expand its global presence, with more international games and cross-country matchups, the issue of travel fatigue is becoming increasingly relevant. Teams that can adapt to these challenges will have a better chance of maintaining consistency throughout the season.
With the 49ers leading the way in terms of miles traveled, their success next season will depend not only on their talent and strategy but also on their ability to manage the physical and mental toll of constant travel.
