In 2026, the Seattle Mariners are projected to fly the most miles in MLB, totaling 50,308 miles. The Oakland Athletics follow with about 2,000 fewer miles as they await their move to Las Vegas.
Key points
Seattle Mariners will travel 50,308 miles in 2026
Oakland Athletics will travel about 48,308 miles
West Coast teams usually have longer flights
Midwest teams benefit from shorter travel distances
Travel is part of life in MLB. Every season, teams cross the country for road trips, division battles, and interleague games. Some clubs spend far more time in the air than others.
For 2026, the numbers are in. According to Baseball Savant’s travel analysis, the Seattle Mariners will once again lead MLB in miles flown. They are set to travel 50,308 miles this season. That is about 2,000 more than the Athletics, who are still playing out of Sacramento while waiting for their move to Las Vegas.
Geography plays a huge role here. West Coast teams usually log the highest totals because of longer flights to East Coast cities. Meanwhile, teams in the Midwest often benefit from shorter trips.
The current balanced MLB schedule also shapes these numbers. Division opponents meet 14 times. Teams also face every club in their own league six times. That creates a steady travel pattern across the season.
Last year, the Dodgers made history by leading MLB in travel miles and winning the World Series. Seattle hopes to follow that path. The Mariners have never reached the Fall Classic, so this season brings another shot.
Here is the ranking of all 30 MLB teams by miles flown in 2026.
Which MLB team will travel the most miles in 2026?
The Seattle Mariners will travel the most miles in 2026, totaling 50,308 miles.
How many miles will the Oakland Athletics travel in 2026?
The Oakland Athletics are expected to travel about 48,308 miles in 2026.
Why do West Coast MLB teams fly more miles than others?
West Coast teams typically log higher travel miles due to longer flights to East Coast cities.
How does the MLB schedule affect team travel distances?
The balanced MLB schedule, with teams facing division opponents 14 times and league opponents six times, creates a consistent travel pattern throughout the season.
Related Articles
NBA·Injury Update
Raptors forward Brandon Ingram doubtful for Game 6 vs. Cavaliers due to heel injury
Brandon Ingram is doubtful for Game 6 against the Cavaliers due to a heel injury.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor’s Legion Sports Bar shuts down in Bellevue
Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor's Legion Sports Bar closes after 3 years in Bellevue.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Did the Iran War help sink LIV Golf? It was one factor
LIV Golf's future is uncertain as financial troubles mount and Saudi funding withdraws.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
2027 New Jersey defensive end names Tennessee football in top schools
2027 DE Jackson Vaughn includes Tennessee in his top nine schools!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
How F1 Changed Its Regulations Ahead of the Miami GP and What Audi's Nico Hülkenberg Thinks of Them
F1 introduces new regulations for the Miami GP amid controversy. What does Audi's Nico Hülkenberg think?
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Transfer
Arthur Melo is now expected to return to Juventus in the summer
Arthur Melo is expected to return to Juventus after a loan at Gremio.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Pittsburgh Pirates - 26,839 Miles
Pittsburgh will travel the fewest miles in baseball this season. That comes down to location. The Pirates sit in the NL Central, where travel is shorter and easier than most divisions.
The Cubs continue the NL Central trend. Chicago is well placed for shorter flights across much of the league. Their total shows how geography can work in a team’s favor.
Milwaukee narrowly avoids finishing last. They travel just 10 fewer miles than Baltimore. The Brewers have the lowest travel total among division leaders in terms of geography.
Baltimore sits just above Milwaukee. East Coast teams often benefit from shorter travel routes. The Orioles have one of the lighter travel loads in the AL.
Detroit is just a little ahead of Cleveland in total travel. The Tigers benefit from being in the Midwest. Most of their road trips are short and easy.
Kansas City stays under 30,000 miles, which is a big advantage over many teams. Their central location helps keep most trips short and manageable. The Royals avoid the long coast-to-coast flights that West Coast teams deal with. This means less time in the air and more time to recover between games.
The Reds benefit from playing in the NL Central, one of the most travel-friendly divisions. Most of their road games are nearby, which keeps travel simple. This setup helps reduce fatigue over the long season. It also shows how much geography helps teams in this division.
21. Chicago White Sox – 29,854 Miles
21. Chicago White Sox - 29,854 Miles
Chicago White Sox - 29,854 Miles
The White Sox close out the teams under 30,000 miles. Chicago’s central position keeps travel balanced throughout the year. They avoid long road stretches and extreme travel spikes. This consistency can help players stay fresh during the season.
Philadelphia begins the group above 30,000 miles. Being on the East Coast helps limit travel distance. Many division rivals are close, which keeps trips shorter. As a result, the Phillies remain in the middle of the pack.
19. Washington Nationals – 30,751 Miles
19. Washington Nationals - 30,751 Miles
Washington Nationals - 30,751 Miles
Washington is just behind Philadelphia in total miles. The Nationals benefit from having several nearby NL teams. This reduces the need for long flights. Their travel schedule stays fairly comfortable compared to teams out west.
18. Atlanta Braves – 31,132 Miles
Atlanta’s southern location adds a bit more travel than some East Coast teams. However, most trips are still reasonable. The Braves avoid extreme travel totals. Their schedule remains manageable through the season.
The Yankees benefit from playing in the Northeast. Many AL East teams are close by, which reduces travel time. Shorter trips help limit fatigue. That keeps their total close to Atlanta despite a busy schedule.
Tampa Bay travels a bit more than other AL East teams. Florida’s location means longer flights to division rivals. These extra miles add up over the season. That pushes the Rays slightly higher on the list.
Texas deals with large regional distances. Even nearby games can require longer flights. Playing in the AL West also adds cross-country travel. This combination increases their total miles.
Minnesota’s northern location creates longer travel in some cases. Trips to the coasts can be especially long. Still, they remain well below the teams with the highest totals. Their travel is moderate overall.
13. Toronto Blue Jays – 32,602 Miles
13. Toronto Blue Jays - 32,602 Miles
Toronto Blue Jays - 32,602 Miles
Toronto faces unique challenges with cross-border travel. Flights between Canada and the US add extra steps. Despite that, their total remains in the middle range. Geography still works partly in their favor.
Colorado sees a big jump in travel distance. Denver is far from most MLB cities. This means frequent long trips to both coasts. Those distances quickly add up over a full season.
11. Arizona Diamondbacks – 37,246 Miles
11. Arizona Diamondbacks - 37,246 Miles
Arizona Diamondbacks - 37,246 Miles
Arizona starts the higher travel group. Phoenix is located far from many teams, especially in the East. That leads to more long flights. Their travel load is much heavier than central teams.
Boston has one of the highest totals among East Coast teams. Long trips to the West Coast and Texas increase their mileage. Even with nearby rivals, those cross-country flights push them into the top 10.
The Mets travel slightly more than Boston. Their schedule includes several long-distance series. These cross-country trips increase their total. As a result, they sit close to 39,000 miles.
Houston’s location creates mixed travel. Some trips are short within Texas, but others are long to the coasts. These longer flights add up to the distance. That places them in the upper group.
7. Miami Marlins – 39,638 Miles
7. Miami Marlins - 39,638 Miles
Miami Marlins - 39,638 Miles
Miami has the highest travel among East Coast teams. Being in Florida means longer trips almost everywhere. Every road series requires more distance. This makes their schedule more demanding.
6. Los Angeles Angels – 42,876 Miles
The Angels deal with heavy travel all season. Being on the West Coast means frequent long-distance flights. Many road games involve crossing the country. That makes their travel load one of the highest in MLB.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers – 43,345 Miles
5. Los Angeles Dodgers - 43,345 Miles
Los Angeles Dodgers - 43,345 Miles
The Dodgers did something special last season. They became the first team since 1974 to travel the most miles and still win the World Series. This year, they are again near the top in travel.
San Diego’s location in southern California means they have to travel a lot. The Padres are one of six West Coast teams in the top six, which is not surprising.
3. San Francisco Giants – 46,764 Miles
3. San Francisco Giants - 46,764 Miles
San Francisco Giants - 46,764 Miles
The Giants have been near the top of this list for many years. They have led MLB in travel 13 times. They were number one for the first nine years in the Baseball Savant data. However, they have not finished first since 1992.
The Athletics have a tough travel situation this season. They are playing in Sacramento for now while waiting for their new stadium in Las Vegas. This temporary move makes travel more complicated. They still travel a lot, but not as much as Seattle.
1. Seattle Mariners – 50,308 Miles
1. Seattle Mariners - 50,308 Miles
Seattle Mariners - 50,308 Miles
Seattle is back at the top after four years. The Mariners will travel more than any other team this season. This is the 24th time they have led MLB in total miles, which is impressive for a team that started in 1977. They also hold the record for most travel in one season, with 54,599 miles in 2008.
There’s a bit of history here. Their famous broadcaster once said, “That ball will fly away!” after home runs. Now, the team itself is flying more than anyone else.
Seattle also comes into the season with strong momentum. They reached the ALCS last year but lost to Toronto. The Mariners are still the only MLB team never to have reached the World Series. If they are going the distance in travel, they will hope it finally leads to success on the field, too.
Final Thoughts
Travel shapes every MLB season. In 2026, West Coast teams once again have to travel the most, while NL Central teams have the shortest trips. Seattle is at the top of the list. Now the main question is simple. Can all that travel finally help them reach their first World Series?