How Long Is a NHL Road Trip?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re a National Hockey League (NHL) fan or player, you may have wondered how long a road trip can last. The answer isn’t straightforward since it depends on various factors. In this article, we’ll delve into those factors and give you an idea of how long NHL road trips can be.

Factors That Determine the Length of NHL Road Trips

Several factors determine how long an NHL road trip is. These include:

1. Number of Games

The number of games a team plays on the road is one of the significant determinants of the length of a road trip. The average length of an NHL road trip is three games, but some teams may play up to six games in a row.

2. Distance Traveled

The distance between cities also affects the length of an NHL road trip. Teams playing in the Western Conference usually have longer trips than those in the Eastern Conference since most teams are located in Eastern cities.

3. Scheduling

The scheduling also impacts how long a team’s road trip will last. Some teams may have back-to-back games in different cities, which means they’ll have little time to rest and recover before their next game.

The Length of Typical NHL Road Trips

As mentioned earlier, most NHL road trips last for three games, but some can be shorter or longer depending on various factors.

  • Shortest Road Trip: A team’s shortest possible road trip would be to play one away game against another city.
  • Average Road Trip: An average NHL team’s road trip consists of three away games over six to seven days.
  • Longest Road Trip: The longest possible NHL road trip would be for a team to play six games over 12-13 days.

Conclusion

In summary, the length of NHL road trips varies depending on several factors, including the number of games, distance traveled, and scheduling. While most road trips consist of three games over six to seven days, some teams may play up to six away games over two weeks. It’s also worth noting that longer road trips can be physically and mentally taxing for players since they spend a lot of time traveling and away from their families.