The 2026 NFL schedule is here, and once again, the San Francisco 49ers are racking up frequent flyer miles at an astonishing rate. It's no secret that West Coast teams face grueling travel demands, but this year's projections put the 49ers in a league of their own—and not in a good way.

According to data compiled by @billsperos, the 49ers are projected to log a staggering 38,105 air miles in 2026. That's nearly 10,000 miles more than the second-place Los Angeles Rams (34,847 miles), who also benefit from sharing the same California base. The gap becomes even more glaring when you look at the rest of the league: the Houston Texans rank third with 28,470 miles, a full 9,635 miles behind San Francisco.

For context, the 49ers' divisional rivals face far less demanding travel schedules. The Seattle Seahawks check in at 10th with 22,056 miles, while the Arizona Cardinals sit at 23rd with just 15,646 miles. That's a massive competitive advantage for teams that don't have to crisscross the continent—or the globe—every season.

The 49ers' travel burden isn't just about geography; it's compounded by the NFL's international games. San Francisco is slated for two overseas contests in 2026: an away game against the Rams in Australia and a "home" game in Mexico City. Yes, you read that right—a home game played thousands of miles from Levi's Stadium. While one international game per season might be manageable, asking a team already logging the most air miles to travel abroad twice feels like adding insult to injury.

To cope, the 49ers have historically stayed on the road for extended stretches rather than flying back and forth across the country. But even that strategy can't fully offset the physical toll of constant travel. As the NFL continues to expand its global footprint, it's worth asking whether the league is creating an uneven playing field for teams like San Francisco—especially when some divisional opponents are practically staying home.