Life is uncertain; eat dessert first. Taking a trip to see your favorite NFL team in a different city can be just what the doctor ordered to renew yourself and add happy shared memories with loved ones. Which road game (which doesn't require a passport) is the best to travel to if you are planning a trip during the 2025 season?

What makes for a good trip?

Stadium Proximity to City Center

This excellent graphic from Jay Cuda shows how far every NFL stadium is from the city center. If the venue for the game is close to the city center, you can take public transportation, take a short, inexpensive car ride, or even walk to the stadium from a downtown hotel. This will give you more time to enjoy the city you are in, and an excuse to get to know the city around the stadium.

Weather

Depending on where you live, you might want to go somewhere cooler in September or warmer in December. A change of pace from the weather where you are can give you a new perspective.

Things to Do/Eat

Let's face it, some cities are just better destinations than others. There are sights to see, food to eat, live music and theatre scenes, and overall culture to make a visit worthwhile.

Walkability/Public Transportation

Not only do walkability and public transportation options increase the amount of the city that is available to you, but they also allow for interesting experiences in parts of the city and with people of the city that you might not have if you are using a car to get around, not to mention relieving the stress of navigating traffic and finding parking in a city. You can also save money on renting and parking a car if the city is walkable with public transportation options.

Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue

As a football fan, there's joy in watching a good team, memorable individual players, or visiting one of the remaining cathedrals to watch the game. There's also joy in seeing your team win.

The earlier you plan your trip, the less worry you have about getting the best/most convenient hotel, cheapest plane fares, and time off work. So, when and where should you go?

Arizona Cardinals Road Trip - Sunday, September 7 at New Orleans

Get ready to see New Orleans listed often. It's the best city to visit on vacation in the United States.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - CHECK. less than one mile
• Weather - CHECK. The highs are still in the triple digits in Arizona in September
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK. History, art, music, the best food in the country, and a never-ending party.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK. You haven't lived until you strolled the French Quarter with a drink in hand and taken a ride on the streetcar.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - EH. The Saints are one of the worst teams in the league, and the Superdome, while venerable, is a cavernous tomb.

Atlanta Falcons Road Trip - Sunday, November 23 at New Orleans

One of the best rivalries in the NFL, and what should be an annual tradition for Falcons fans.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - CHECK.
• Weather - CHECK. New Orleans weather in November can be ideal.
• Things To Do/Eat -  CHECK.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. The Saints are down, so the French Quarter should turn into a Dirty Bird celebration Sunday night.

Baltimore Ravens Road Trip - Thursday, October 30 at Miami

You know you want to go to this game the day before Halloween as Ace Ventura.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - EH. 13 miles away, so you'll need to get a ride.
• Weather - CHECK. The humidity is gone, and the air is pleasant, just when it is getting chilly in Baltimore.
• Things To Do/Eat -  CHECK. South Beach. Some of the best Cuban and Caribbean food outside of the places themselves. If you rent a car, you can drive to the Keys or the Everglades.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK. As long as you stay on South Beach.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - EH. Thursday night games can be trash, but at least the Dolphins are declining.

Buffalo Bills Road Trip - Sunday, November 9 at Miami

Time for a fish fry amidst the sun and fun

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - EH. It's okay, Bills fans are used to driving to the game.
• Weather - CHECK. Get some rays before the deep freeze hits Western New York.
• Things To Do/Eat -  CHECK. Get some Jamaican Jerk Wings and eat them on the beach.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK. Just stay on South Beach.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. Given the down state of the Dolphins, the stadium could be all Bills fans by the fourth quarter.

Carolina Panthers Road Trip - Sunday, December 14 at New Orleans

I promise, I don't work for the New Orleans tourism industry. I just happen to live here and love it.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - CHECK.
• Weather - CHECK.
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK.  
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. Picture a team on the up escalator and a team on the down escalator passing each other.

Chicago Bears Road Trip - Sunday, December 28 at San Francisco

Is there a better time to get out of Chicago than right after Christmas?

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - EH. The stadium is an hour away from downtown San Francisco, but the city makes up for it.
• Weather - CHECK. Foggy/rainy/cool San Francisco weather will seem balmy compared to winter in Chicago.
• Things To Do/Eat -  CHECK. Too many iconic experiences and eats to list, but make sure you get a Mission District Burrito a La Taqueria or El Farolito
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK. One of the most robust public transportation networks this side of New York.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. This game could have playoff implications for one or both teams.

Cincinnati Bengals Road Trip - Sunday, December 21 at Miami

The Bengals should be building momentum just in time for the holidays.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - EH. It's a long drive. Take the scenic route up Collins along the beach.
• Weather - CHECK. You're going from highs in the 40s/lows in the 30s to highs in the 70s/lows in the 60s.
• Things To Do/Eat -  CHECK. As a change of pace from Skyline Chili, you can have Mofongo from Puerto Rico, Ropa Vieja from Cuba, or Chaka from Haiti.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. Hopefully, the Bengals will be ready to clinch a playoff berth by Week 16.

Cleveland Browns Road Trip - Sunday, November 23 at Las Vegas

What better place for Browns fans to get away to after working a long shift at the Factory of Sadness?

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - CHECK. Well, from the south end of the strip.
• Weather - CHECK. Las Vegas is actually cool in late November, but still a big upgrade from Cleveland.
• Things To Do/Eat -  CHECK. Vegas has really stepped up its food game in the last 10-20 years and it's an oasis of attractions in the desert.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK. The strip is an optical illusion, but you can still see a lot of different places on foot.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - EH. When you're a Browns fan, the game isn't necessarily the highlight of a road trip.

Dallas Cowboys Road Trip - Sunday, September 21 at Chicago

There are a ton of flights between the two cities, making this an easy trip to pull off on a tight schedule.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - CHECK. You can walk to Soldier Field from the Loop.
• Weather - CHECK. The metroplex is still in the high 80s while Chicago has the pleasant 60s/70s.
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK. One of the best art museums in the country. Take an architecture tour on the Chicago River. The food is amazing as long as you don't care about eating healthy.  
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK. You can take the red line to the White Sox/Padres game on Friday or Saturday!
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. A classic matchup at a football cathedral.

Denver Broncos Road Trip - Sunday, December 7 at Las Vegas

Las Vegas is practically right next door, in Western US distance terms.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - CHECK.
• Weather - CHECK. The lows are getting into the teens in Denver by this time.
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. How sweet would it be to celebrate a Broncos victory in Sin City?

Detroit Lions Road Trip - Sunday, December 14 at LA Rams

These two teams tend to bring out the best in each other.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - EH. It's Los Angeles. You have to take a car to get everywhere.
• Weather - CHECK. It never rains in Southern California. It never gets above 40 in Detroit in December.
• Things To Do/Eat -  CHECK. Hollywood, the beach, Disneyland...Korean, Japanese, and Mexican food...and so much more.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - EH. It's Los Angeles. You have to take a car to get everywhere.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. A decent chance this is a playoff preview and there will be a big Lions contingent in the house.

Green Bay Packers Road Trip - Sunday, October 26 at Pittsburgh

A Sunday night game between two of the most storied franchises in NFL history.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - CHECK. Just across the river on the north shore of the Allegheny
• Weather - EH. The weather in these two places is pretty similar in October. There was no sunny destination on the Packers' November/December schedule.
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK. Get a Primanti Brothers sandwich and have a salad with french fries on it in between a visit to the Warhol museum and a ride on the Duquense or Monogahela Incline.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK. The south side neighborhood is especially fun to walk.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. A Super Bowl rematch that will bring back memories of the last Packers championship.

Houston Texans Road Trip - Monday, October 20 at Seattle

Monday night with the 12th man!

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - CHECK. less than one mile
• Weather - CHECK. Never hurts to get out of Houston during hurricane season.
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK. Space Needle. Pike Place Market. Mt. Rainier/Olympic National Park. Chihuly Garden and Glass. Fresh Seafood. Teriyaki. Pho. Dutch Baby Pancakes
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK. Seattle was ranked as the 9th most walkable large city by WalkScore.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. An early-season tilt as a road fan in one of the loudest stadiums in the league.

Indianapolis Colts Road Trip - Sunday, January 4 at Houston

Ring in the new year with a season-closing divisional tilt.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - EH. At least you can take public transportation (red line) to the game.
• Weather - CHECK. It'll be about 60 degrees in Houston and 34 in Indianapolis.
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK. Lots of museums and Tex-mex and Vietnamese food headline what this continental city has to offer. You might be able to take in a Rockets game too.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK. It's easy to get between downtown, the museum district, and the stadium on public transportation.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - WE'LL SEE. Someone has to win this division.

Jacksonville Jaguars Road Trip - Sunday, November 30 at Tennessee

A fun rivalry renewed in a fun town.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - CHECK. Just under a mile away
• Weather - EH. Jacksonville's weather is better at this time of year.
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK. Music lovers should enjoy a trip to this country music mecca. Nashville Hot Chicken for the win!
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK. Nashville has blown up in the last few decades, but its heart is still beating downtown.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. The Titans are down and they should be out of playoff contention by this point, so tickets will be cheap in a game where the Jaguars should be favored.

Kansas City Chiefs Road Trip - Thursday, November 27 at Dallas

Hey family! Let's do Thanksgiving in the Metroplex! Yes, traveling at Thanksgiving is a drag, but a chance to see your team in the middle of a dynasty taking part in a sacred American ritual is tough to pass up.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - EH. Only the 49ers and Patriots stadiums are farther away.
• Weather - CHECK. The high in Kansas City is the same as the low in Dallas.
• Things To Do/Eat -  CHECK. Deep Ellum, the potential Stars or Mavericks game, Texas BBQ (Get a smoked turkey!), and Tex-Mex.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK. Dallas has a helpful rapid transit line downtown.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. The chance to celebrate a win as Cowboy fans are heading for the exits...

Las Vegas Raiders Road Trip - Sunday, September 7 at New England

Get out of the desert and see the unveiling of the Pete Carroll Raiders.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - EH. Foxboro is an outer-ring suburb of Boston.
• Weather - CHECK. In early September, Vegas is still 100 degrees, while Boston is in the pleasant 70s.
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK. History, Seafood, North End Italian food.  
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK. Boston was once dubbed the second most walkable city in the world.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. Time to exorcise some Tuck Rule demons.

Los Angeles Chargers Road Trip - Monday, September 15 at Las Vegas

There aren't many suggested trips on this list that you can actually do in a drive. 

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - CHECK.
• Weather - EH. Just stay inside
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. A rivalry game and a chance to show out and be in one of the biggest Charger fan crowds the team will play in front of all season.

Los Angeles Rams Road Trip - Sunday, November 9 at San Francisco

Renewing a bitter rivalry practically a hop, skip, and a jump away.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - EH.
• Weather - EH. You are leaving Los Angeles when the weather is outstanding.
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK. Los Angeles is a great food city in its own right, but without a lot of overlap with what San Francisco excels at. Unlike LA, the San Francisco neighborhoods are easy to get to from one another.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. The Rams have won two in a row at Levi's Stadium after losing the previous four.

Miami Dolphins Road Trip - Thursday, September 18 at Buffalo

The Dolphins' road schedule doesn't have much pizazz, so why not leave the city during hurricane and humidity seasons and head to Buffalo? 

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - EH. Orchard Park is nine miles away from Buffalo. At least the tailgate scene is fun.
• Weather - EH. Buffalo's weather in September is ideal. Miami's September is "wet season".
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK. Two words. Buffalo wings. You can also take your rental car to Niagara Falls or Letchworth State Park.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - EH. On the bright side, you might not be spending that much time in Buffalo on this trip.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. This is a classic venue and fanbase, and the Bills are a very good team in their prime. Miami hasn't won in Buffalo since 2016,  but three of the last four games (including a playoff game) were decided by a field goal.

Minnesota Vikings Road Trip - Thursday, October 23 at LA Chargers

I wanted to give Vikings fans a reprieve from the dead of winter - not that it isn't getting cooler in October up there - but a chance to have a "home road game" in Los Angeles on a Thursday was too good to pass up.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - EH. It's Los Angeles, what did you expect?
• Weather - CHECK. It's perfect in Los Angeles around this time of year.
• Things To Do/Eat -  CHECK. A wide variety of outstanding food from all of the cultures in the city.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - EH. It's Los Angeles, what did you expect?
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. The Chargers are a solid team, and it should be a good game if the Thursday quick turnaround doesn't sabotage it. The Vikings fans could be in the majority and will be loud.

New England Patriots Road Trip - Sunday, November 9 at Tampa Bay

Head to the beach and enjoy what central Florida has to offer - a lot!

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - EH. It's a drive to the stadium from downtown Tampa, but you might want to stay on the beach anyway, and you'll want a car to get around and check out the area.
• Weather - CHECK. Tampa's weather is ideal, just as New England's is getting cold.
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK. Underrated food, the beach, the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, and an hour's drive to Disney World
• Walkability/Public Transportation - EH. 
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. The Pirate ship and some Tom Brady nostalgia to go with a very entertaining Bucs team.

New Orleans Saints Road Trip - Sunday, September 21 at Seattle

If you're going to know what it means to miss New Orleans, make it happen during hurricane season.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - CHECK.
• Weather - CHECK. It is mild in Seattle, and New Orleans' summer heat is just starting to let up.
• Things To Do/Eat -  CHECK. Compare two of the best seafood cities in the country, not to mention something us New Orleanians don't see often - MOUNTAINS!
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. If you're going to travel to watch the Saints lose this year, at least it will be with an enthusiastic crowd.

New York Giants Road Trip - Sunday, October 5 at New Orleans

New Orleans is often the right answer. And the worst part of hurricane season is over.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - CHECK. Walkable from the Quarter!
• Weather - CHECK. The humidity is lifting, and the city is finally cooling.
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK. The crowds won't be big at the best restaurants
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK. Compare a streetcar ride to a subway ride
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. The Giants might be favored, and tickets will be cheap.

New York Jets Road Trip - Sunday, December 21 at New Orleans

New Orleans is lovely at Christmas. A ton of holiday-themed concerts and Christmas-themed pop-up bars. We even got 10 inches of snow in a day this year, but it was in January.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - CHECK.
• Weather - CHECK. New York is cold in December. New Orleans is not.
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK. Make sure to get some Creole Italian food while you're here.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. The Jets should be favored, and tickets will be cheap.

Philadelphia Eagles Road Trip - Sunday, September 14 at Kansas City

A chance to lord a thundering Super Bowl victory over the Chiefs fanbase. It's rare for a Super Bowl rematch to happen this soon after the game.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - EH. You need a car to get to Arrowhead. The Royals' stadium is right next door, but ironically, they are playing the Phillies on the road that weekend.
• Weather - CHECK.
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK. Jazz, Blues, and BBQ. What more does one need?
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK. Downtown is walkable, and that's what we care about.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. The best game on this list.

Pittsburgh Steelers Road Trip - Sunday, November 9 at LA Chargers

A tear will come to your eye when you see how much black and gold there is in the stands.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - EH. It's LA. You need a car.
• Weather - CHECK. Pittsburgh is getting dreary and cold around this time.
• Things To Do/Eat -  CHECK.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - EH. It's LA. You need a car.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. The last game these two teams played in Los Angeles was a 41-37 barnburner.

San Francisco 49ers Road Trip - Sunday, September 14 at New Orleans

The timing isn't great re: hurricane season, but that just makes y'all honorary New Orleanians. 

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - CHECK.
• Weather - EH. Just watch the Atlantic tropical storm report.
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK. One of the only cities that can rival San Francisco for food and culture.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. Should be a W for the 49ers.

Seattle Seahawks Road Trip - Sunday, January 4 at San Francisco

Get out of the Seattle cold and see a game that should have playoff implications on the last day of the regular season.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - EH. The one drawback of traveling to see a 49ers game.
• Weather - CHECK. A welcome change from Seattle winter.
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK. A great live music city in addition to a great food city and great historical city of great neighborhoods.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. Week 18 games can be unpredictable, but roll the dice on this one actually meaning something.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Road Trip - Monday, October 20 at Detroit

I know, you're shocked I didn't pick the game in New Orleans the next week. Detroit is a city of great food and culture in its own right, and with a great football team - finally.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - CHECK. Maybe the Tigers will be in the playoffs; their stadium is basically next door.
• Weather - CHECK. Southwest Michigan is wonderful in the early fall. Take a drive and go to an apple orchard for fresh cider.
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK. Motown, Ford Village, architecture, amazing food in Dearborn, Mexicantown, Greektown, Coneys, and Detroit-style pizza.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - EH. The Motor City is walkable downtown, but you'll want a car to see what the area has to offer.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. Two of the best in the NFC tangle on Monday night.

Tennessee Titans Road Trip - Sunday, October 19 at Las Vegas

The Titans are rebuilding, so put fun ahead of football intrigue.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - CHECK.
• Weather - CHECK. Vegas is just starting to cool down.
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK. Only boring people are bored in Vegas.
• Walkability/Public Transportation - CHECK. If you stay on the strip, you might be able to avoid being in a car except to and from the airport.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - EH. There should be a good contingent of Titans fans, at least, and maybe the Raiders will be fun again by then.

Washington Commanders Road Trip - Sunday, October 5 at LA Chargers

With the Washington fanbase walking on air, there is no better road trip than one to a stadium that will be mostly Commanders fans with cheap tickets.

• Stadium Proximity to City Center - EH. You know, Los Angeles
• Weather - CHECK. 
• Things To Do/Eat - CHECK. The Dodgers might have a playoff series that weekend!  
• Walkability/Public Transportation - EH. You know, Los Angeles.
• Quality of Game/Opponent/Venue - CHECK. This will be a Washington party and likely a competitive and entertaining game.