The San Francisco 49ers are facing a historically demanding travel itinerary for the upcoming season. The team is slated to kick off their campaign in Australia and will later travel to Mexico City in Week 11. This arrangement makes the 49ers the first franchise in NFL history to navigate two international matchups in the same season during non-consecutive weeks.
Initial projections following the NFL schedule release on May 14 suggested the 49ers would cover a record-breaking 38,105 miles. However, that milestone may remain out of reach. Head coach Kyle Shanahan recently discussed a strategic travel shift for the Mexico City game that could significantly reduce the team’s total flight time and prevent them from surpassing the all-time league record for distance traveled.
The Logistics of High-Altitude Preparation and Its Impact on Team Travel
The Week 11 showdown in Mexico City presents a unique physiological challenge. At 7,350 feet above sea level, the Mexican capital sits much higher than Denver’s 5,280-foot elevation. To combat the thin air, Shanahan indicated that the 49ers plan to utilize a high-altitude training site prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings.
“The primary concern with Mexico City is that it sits 2,000 feet higher than Denver,” Shanahan explained. “Acclimating to that altitude is a priority. We will likely return to Colorado Springs, as we have in the past, to prepare before flying into Mexico City the evening before the game.”
Following their Week 10 game against the Cowboys in Dallas, the 49ers would ideally head straight to Colorado on November 15 rather than returning to the West Coast. While the final decision hasn’t been set in stone, Shanahan noted that a direct flight from Texas to Colorado is the most probable scenario.
Choosing to stay on the road offers a strategic advantage for performance but removes the team from the record books regarding total mileage. If the 49ers were to return to their home base in San Jose between every road trip, their travel load would be significantly higher.
Comparing the Mileage of Traditional vs. Consolidated Travel for Week 10
- San Jose to Dallas: 1,438 miles
- Dallas to San Jose: 1,438 miles
Total for the week: 2,876 miles
Projected Travel Distance for Week 11 International Play
- San Jose to Mexico City: 1,851 miles
- Mexico City to San Jose: 1,851 miles
Total for the week: 3,702 miles
Combined, these two traditional round trips would account for 6,578 miles.
Under the proposed Colorado “pitstop” plan, the itinerary changes to a linear path:
- San Jose to Dallas: 1,438 miles
- Dallas to Colorado Springs: 592 miles
- Colorado Springs to Mexico City: 1,376 miles
- Mexico City to San Jose: 1,851 miles
Consolidated Total: 5,257 miles
By opting to remain in Colorado for altitude training, the 49ers would eliminate approximately 1,321 miles from their season total. This adjustment brings their estimated yearly travel down to 36,784 miles. While still a grueling schedule, it falls short of the 37,086-mile record established by the Los Angeles Chargers last season. Consequently, the Chargers’ mark will likely stand for another year as San Francisco prioritizes player recovery and oxygen levels over historical travel statistics.
Summary of the 49ers’ Strategic Travel Decision
While the San Francisco 49ers’ 2024 schedule is undoubtedly one of the most taxing in league history, their decision to prioritize altitude acclimation in Colorado Springs demonstrates a focus on performance over the novelty of setting travel records. By consolidating their trips to Dallas and Mexico City, the team can save over 1,300 miles of flight time, potentially keeping the players fresher for the late-season playoff push while still successfully navigating a ground-breaking international schedule.
