The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on the 11th June with Mexico v South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium. It’s set to be the biggest tournament in football history with a record 48 nations competing across sixteen cities over three host countries (Canada, USA and Mexico).
For fans hoping to follow their team and not just watching one game and then flying home, they could find themselves crossing state lines, international borders and multiple time zones. Hiring a car might be the easiest way to explore between fixtures and turn their tournament into an unforgettable road trip. However, as the competition covers some pretty serious distance, planning is essential.
Be Realistic About Distances
North America is a huge continent and a big mistake people make is underestimating its size. Covering almost 25 million square kilometres, it’s more than twice the size of Europe. Some World Cup host cities are relatively close together but others are separated by thousands of miles. This means that no matter how big a football fan you are, you won’t be able to visit all the host cities and watch every match.
Some routes are perfectly driveable:
| Route | Approximate Driving Time |
| New York to Philadelphia | 2 hours |
| Dallas to Houston | 4 hours |
| Los Angeles to San Fransisco | 6 hours |
| Toronto to Boston | 9 hours |
| Mexico City to Guadalajara | 6 hours |
Others are only really manageable by air:
| Route | Approximate Driving Time |
| New York to Los Angeles | Around 40 hours |
| Vancouver to Mexico City | Over 60 hours |
| Seattle to Miami | Around 50 hours |
Rather than attempting to follow the tournament across the continent, supporters will be better off choosing a region and building an itinerary around matches in that area.
World Cup Road Trip Ideas
The good news is that there a several clusters of host cities that would lend themselves well to a road trip.
The East Coast Route
For many travelling fans, the East Coast is likely to be ones of the easiest regions to explore by car.
Stops could include:
These cities are relatively close together and are connected by major roads meaning the East Coast is one of the most manageable regions for supporters wanting to attend lots of games.
The Texas Route
Texas is hosting matches in:
These two cities are about four hours apart making it one of the simplest World Cup road trip options. It also provides an opportunity to experience a different side of America between fixtures.
The Pacific Northwest and West Coast
Fans basing themselves on the western side of the tournament could combine matches in:
These distances are greater than those on the East Coast but the route does include some of North America’s most famous scenery and coastal drives.
Experiencing Mexico
Mexico is hosting matches in:
Mexico is a football loving nation and for those wanting to experience this atmosphere, focusing on the Mexican host cities would make for an incredible trip.
Can You Take a Hire Car Between World Cup Host Countries?
The fact the 2026 tournament is spread across three countries is unique to this World Cup.
If you’re planning to drive between the USA, Canada and Mexico, it’s important to check the hire company’s rules for crossing borders before you book your hire car.
Not all car hire companies allow cross-border travel and if they do, they might require additional documentation, fees or insurance.
Before you pick up the vehicle, make sure you understand:
You shouldn’t assume cross-border travel is automatically included in your rental agreement.
Parking Around Stadiums
The stadiums will attract tens of thousands of supporters meaning roads and car parks around the stadiums are likely to be extremely busy on matchdays.
If you’re planning to drive to games, it can help to:
You might find it easier to drive to a transport hub and then complete the final part of your journey with public transport.
Watch Out for Hire Car Damage
Sporting events as big as the World Cup lead to busier roads, crowded car parks and unfamiliar driving environments. These are the conditions that lead to common hire car damage such as:
Even the smallest damage can lead to a large excess charge from the hire company.
Car Hire Excess Insurance
Although generic vehicle insurance tends to be included in the base rental price, it doesn’t mean you’re fully protected.
In most cases, you’ll be responsible for an excess if the vehicle you’ve hired suffers damage, is stolen or involved in an accident.
Car hire excess insurance can reimburse eligible excess charges if you’re required to pay them following a successful claim.
For hiring a car in the USA, Canada or Mexico, you’ll need a Worldwide ReduceMyExcess policy with CDW.
Arranging your cover before you travel means you’ll avoid needing to purchase the hire company’s own excess waiver which tend to be more expensive yet limited in coverage.
Planning Your Trip
The 2026 World Cup offers an opportunity to combine football with an unforgettable North American road trip, but the key is sensible planning.
Rather than trying to visit every host city, focus on a region, build an itinerary around your team’s fixtures and leave enough time to enjoy the journey as well as the matches.
Hiring a car can give you the flexibility to make the most of your experience just make sure you’ve protected yourself from excess fees before you pick up the keys.
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