Football's Back, So Are the 700-Mile Away Days
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Two opening-weekend away trips are over a 600-mile round trip
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Some fans will spend longer on the road than they will at the match
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"The opening weeks of the football season arrive at a time when roads are already busier because of summer holiday travel" – AA expert patrol
Football fans are being encouraged to plan their journeys carefully as the new season gets underway, with thousands of supporters returning to the roads for opening-weekend fixtures across the National League, EFL and Premier League.
Carlisle United’s opening National League fixture against Worthing tops the list at around 720 miles round trip, with Eastleigh’s home game against Gateshead next at almost 660 miles. Sunderland’s Premier League trip to Ipswich Town is the longest opening-weekend journey in the top flight, at around 580 miles.
The National League begins on 8 August, the EFL Championship, League One and League Two get underway on 14 to 17 August, and the Premier League starts on 21 to 24 August.
The return of football coincides with one of the busiest periods on Britain's roads. With families making the most of the summer holidays and heading to staycation destinations, thousands of additional football journeys are expected to add to traffic on key routes including the M1, M5, M6 and A1. Drivers can check The AA Routeplanner before setting off.
For many away supporters, a full day of driving, congestion and finding parking will be as much a part of the experience as the 90 minutes on the pitch.
Before setting off on a long away day, motorists should make sure their vehicle is ready for the miles ahead. Those unsure about their car’s condition can book a service from AA Mobile Mechanics at home or at work, with checks covering brakes, tyres, oil and coolant.
Marathon away days
Analysis of the opening-weekend fixtures across England and Wales shows some supporters face particularly demanding journeys before a ball is even kicked.
Aside from Carlise United’s trip to Worthing, The National League features several other lengthy trips too, while the EFL also throws up substantial opening-weekend away days for clubs such as Exeter City, Stockport County, Wycombe Wanderers and Colchester United.
Longest Opening-Weekend Away Trips
| Date | Fixture | Competition |
Approx. Round Trip Mileage |
| 8 Aug |
Carlise United vs Worthing |
National League | 720 |
| 8 Aug |
Eastleigh vs Gateshead |
National League | 660 |
| 22 Aug |
Ipswich Town vs Sunderland |
Premier League | 580 |
| 15 Aug |
Grimsby Town vs Exeter City |
League 2 | 520 |
| 15 Aug |
Plymouth Argyle vs Stockport County |
League 1 | 500 |
| 8 Aug |
Fylde vs Wealdstone |
National League | 500 |
| 22 Aug |
Everton vs Crystal Palace |
Premier League | 440 |
| 15 Aug |
Blackpool vs Wycombe Wanderers |
League 1 | 430 |
| 15 Aug |
Accrington Stanley vs Colchester United |
League 2 | 430 |
| 23 Aug |
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth |
Premier League | 420 |
Two opening-weekend trips are around 600 miles or more round trip, while six require supporters to travel at least 500 miles.
At the other end of the spectrum, some clubs are taking part in local derby games as their opening fixtures. Chelsea supporters travelling to Fulham on Monday 24 August face the shortest round trip of approximately 3 miles; in the Championship, Preston North End fans face a 42 mile round trip on opening day; and in the National League Sutton United begin with what their club describes as a “short trip down the A3” of 44 miles return to Woking on Saturday, 8 August. These are road-distance estimates rather than supporter travel from individual homes, and actual mileage will vary by route and parking arrangements.
Lee Morley, AA Expert Patrol, said: “The opening weeks of the football season arrive at a time when roads are already busier because of summer holiday travel, so supporters need to be prepared for longer journey times than they might normally expect.
“For many football fans, the season starts long before they reach the stadium. Some supporters will spend most of the day on the road before a ball is even kicked.
“Before setting off, it’s worth carrying out a few basic vehicle checks, including tyres, oil, coolant and fuel levels. A simple check at home could prevent a breakdown that leaves you missing kick-off altogether.
“Drivers should also allow extra time for congestion around stadiums, city centres and major motorway junctions. If you’re facing one of the longer away trips, plan regular breaks and don’t ignore the signs of fatigue.
“A bit of preparation before you leave can make the journey far less stressful and help ensure that the only talking point at the end of the day is the result.”
