NFL Travel Packages Los Angeles: A "Miles & More" Season for the LA Chargers?

"This town ain't big enough for both of us." No need to worry about this classic line from Sergio Leone’s A Fistful of Dollars (1964) or various other spaghetti western movies when planning an NFL trip to Los Angeles. The magnificent SoFi Stadium, nestled in Inglewood just outside the glitzy heart of LA, transforms from the "Rams House" to the home of the "Bolt Fam"—and back again—starting in September!

As of today (August 19), the kickoff to the 2024 NFL season is still two and a half weeks away. Most of the football community sees the current Pre Season as less significant than soccer friendlies. But even now, we can say: Congratulations, LA Chargers! Wait, what? Playoffs? A closer look at the schedule (more about the 2024 NFL schedule highlights) is enough to crown the Californians as the "NFL Travel Champions."

Chargers lead the NFL in travel miles without International Series Game

Throughout the Regular Season, no team will rack up more miles than Justin Herbert, Joey Bosa, and the rest of the Chargers. They'll make three trips to the East Coast, facing the New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, and Pittsburgh Steelers - true "Coast to Coast" matchups, as my American friends would say. Plus, there's the annual visit to the Kansas City Chiefs, whose home is in Missouri, a three-and-a-half-hour flight from California.

If you've ever been hit hard by jet lag during an NFL travel trip, you might want to look away now. On the way to their nine away games, the LA Chargers will cross time zones 36 times! By the time the Bolts wrap up their Week 18 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, their travel meter will hit 26,803 miles. That's more than the Panthers, who will cover 21,288 miles, including their NFL Munich trip.

Only one LA team hosts Playoff parties at SoFi Stadium

Yes, the Jacksonville Jaguars are once again heading to London for two NFL International Series Games. But why does the Florida team still land in the middle of the travel rankings with 22,075 miles? Because, after back-to-back games in Tottenham against the Chicago Bears and in Wembley against the New England Patriots (check out all NFL International Series travel packages), the team stays in the UK before heading back to the Sunshine State in late October.

To put the Chargers’ travel schedule in perspective, their 2024 mileage is enough to circle the globe at the equator (24,901 miles). Will the Chargers add "More" to those miles in terms of success? Back in 2017, the lure of a state-of-the-art stadium brought the then-San Diego Chargers to the City of Angels, where a $5 billion high-tech football temple was build.

Over the years, the Chargers have become a team stuck in the middle (record: 57-58). They’ve only made the playoffs twice, in 2018 and 2022. This wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for a certain team in their own backyard. The Rams, originally from St. Louis, are smarter, more successful, and embody the West Coast vibe both on and off the field under their young head coach, Sean McVay.

House of Reign: Jim Harbaugh’s return could spark a new LA rivalry

With 55 wins in 81 regular-season games, the 38-year-old McVay is one of the best offensive play-callers in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Chargers' attempt to replicate his success by hiring McVay's defensive mastermind, Brandon Staley, hasn't brought lasting success. Yet, the Rams have another Super Bowl ring to show for it. "House of Reign," headlined the Los Angeles Times after their 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals—right in their own backyard, no less—solidifying the Rams' dominance in the LA football hierarchy.

Due to being in different divisions, the LA Rams and LA Chargers only face off every four years, so mark your calendars for 2026. That showdown could feature Jim Harbaugh on the Bolts' sideline, fresh from his return to the NFL from the University of Michigan. For many coaches, moving to College Football is a one-way street, especially once they're past 60. But with a five-year contract and Justin Herbert as his franchise QB, Harbaugh is ready for another shot.

Besides Pete Carroll, now retired, Harbaugh is the only coach to have reached a Super Bowl and a National Championship Game. He led the Michigan Wolverines to an undefeated 15-0 season and a national title earlier this year. Whether Harbaugh can recreate the magic of his first NFL stint with San Francisco—three straight NFC Championship Games—is yet to be seen. But if you're planning an NFL trip to Los Angeles, don't focus solely on the Rams—you might regret it.