The San Francisco 49ers’ travel distance in 2023 has recently been a part of plenty of discussion on social media. Last week, the 2023 NFL Schedule was released. Based on last season’s records, San Francisco does not have the most difficult strength of schedule. Despite this, they still face plenty of hurdles. Aside from having games on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, the team will be traveling a lot. Luckily, all of their games are in the United States this year. Here is a look at the 49ers’ travel distance and if it will affect them in 2023.
49ers’ Travel Distance 2023
49ers TE George Kittle (85) – Steph Chambers/Getty Images
The away opponents for the 49ers this season are the Rams, Cardinals, Seahawks, Steelers, Browns, Vikings, Jaguars, Eagles, and Commanders. San Francisco has home games three weeks in a row in weeks three, four, and five. Aside from that, there are no other back-to-back home games. With that fact, there will be a lot of traveling often this season.
The plan is not clear as of yet if the 49ers will stay in the area when they play the Browns and Vikings back-to-back. It is highly possible that they will find a location to stay between those two games. Usually, when the team plays back-to-back games on the East Coast they do stay, but so far they have not made a statement on their plans.
It has to be acknowledged that the Seattle Seahawks are the team with the highest travel distance. It is understandable, as they are the furthest away from any other team in the league. The 49ers’ travel distance is second, with a total mileage of 29,958. Despite this not being what 49ers fans want to hear, the success of the Seahawks does help dismiss the idea that the travel distance will hurt San Francisco. If Seattle can find success each year, the 49ers should be fine. The real issue with the 49ers is their lack of rest compared to other teams.
According to Warren Sharp, the San Francisco 49ers have -20 days net rest. This is the lowest of any team in the league. While the 49ers’ travel distance will be rough, they will be facing four teams coming off of their bye week. Week six and on, the 49ers will face five teams coming off of a full bye or a mini-bye. San Francisco also has two Thursday games this season. This is the first year that having two Thursday games for one team is allowed, and the 49ers are one of the teams that this affects.
49ers LB Fred Warner (54) – Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
While having two mini-byes will help, two Thursday Night Football games are rough. It will be nice to have a break before facing the Eagles in Philadelphia, but that again goes along with the 49ers’ travel distance this season. Players across the league have been very open about the toll that Thursday Night Football games have on the body. 49ers tight end George Kittle has been openly against two Thursday Night Games, and advocates for two bye weeks per team now that the league has added an extra game.
When the NFL announced that they would be allowing teams to play in a second Thursday game, Kittle voiced his frustration. The tight end described each game as being hit by a car every Sunday. The recovery time takes a while, and the Thursday Night Games are too soon.
It has yet to be seen how the two Thursday games will affect the 49ers or any other NFL team. The 49ers’ travel distance and two short weeks will probably have an effect, but it should not hurt the team too much. It is still a rough schedule when it comes to the dates and locations, but the 49ers will need to try to attack early and play the clock on the weeks they feel more fatigued. At the end of the day, it is a part of the game. Understanding the Seahawks have done well with the amount of distance they travel each year can help the 49ers, and their fans, rest a bit more.
The 49ers will open up their season in Pittsburgh against the Steelers on September 10th. Hopefully, for San Francisco, the 49ers’ travel distance does not impact them too heavily, and they can start the season strong.
