Premier League Travel Costs: The Trade-Off Facing AFC Bournemouth Fans

As the Premier League campaign enters its final stretch, AFC Bournemouth fans know all too well the familiar knot in the stomach that comes with glancing at the table and wondering "what if".

But rather than fixating on points, goal difference, and the potential of European football (I mean, it can't happen this season for Cherries, can it?), it's time to indulge in a different kind of end-of-season daydream - one that has nothing to do with footballing merit and everything to do with the one thing every travelling supporter truly cares about: how long the journey actually takes.

Based on UK average petrol prices and vehicle efficiency (as of April 2026), AFC Bournemouth fans who use their motor to travel to games home and away would have spent £1,050 to £1,200 in petrol this season. Ouch!

No teams have yet to confirm their fate, but Burnley and Wolves look all but consigned to relegation from the Premier League. 

Meanwhile, Coventry are potentially just one game away from making the step up to the top flight - but which of the other teams, both in the race for avoiding the drop AND promotion, would be kinder on the pocket for Cherries fans next season? 

For the purpose of calculating travel mileage, we're using an assumption which would be positively frowned upon by fans of clubs like Manchester United, and that is that - most Bournemouth fans live in Bournemouth. Shocker!

This season, Cherries fans will have travelled a total of 6882 miles - that's the round-trip figure when combining the miles of the "best" routes by road, for all the 19 other Premier League clubs.

This season, we're assuming that the Clarets and Wolves are doomed, as both of whom are at least ten points shy of 17th - with significantly inferior goal differences too.

However, out of the other teams who are in a scrap, the relegation of Leeds United would be best suited for Cherries fans' pockets, with a round-trip distance of 514 miles, compared to 386 for Forest, and less than 230 for both West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur.

So, with Wolves, Burnley and Leeds "going down", who could replace them?

In the second tier, Coventry are just one game away from promotion and look dead-certs for a return to the top flight - so we're assuming this one is nailed on. For Bournemouth fans, a trip up to the Coventry Building Society Arena represents a round-trip of 308 miles.

The race for second place is far from clear cut at the moment though. The weekend's results suggest that Ipswich could be on course to be runners up, however their run in is far from certain - with just one game at home (vs Middlesborough) in April, as well as challenging away trips to Norwich, Pompey, WBA, Saints, Charlton (then QPR at home in May).

Portman Road is a great away day, but it comes in at 392 miles - which isn't ideal for what many regard as a "southern" club.

Meanwhile, Millwall are level on points with Ipswich, but have two fewer games to go. Financially for Cherries fans, they would be the ideal candidate for second spot, with a round trip distance of 220 miles.

Despite their blip at home to Norwich this weekend, the Lions have been in good shape, and whilst the league table suggests it's Ipswich's to lose, don't rule out the South Londoners - as their run in is relatively favourable.

Also level on points with Millwall by the way, are Middlesbrough - which represents a 634 mile round trip - just don't go there. Imagine having them, the Magpies, and the Mackems - all in the Premier League... absolute torture.

In a fantasy-world based on finances alone, teams like Southampton could of course mathematically sneak in to second place, leaving the play-offs to be claimed by Bristol City (which is a 1 48 mile round trip), however - lets be real, this just won't happen.

For Saints, it would require an extraordinary run in - but we think that trying to keep up a flawless run of momentum alongside the distractions of an FA Cup semi-final would be a stretch too far, even for a side whose fans proudly exclaim are "the greatest club the world has ever seen".

You can go down into the depths of the division to find the teams that can "mathematically" have a chance of of promotion via the play offs, but the reality is the race for the coveted 3rd to 6th positions will probably only be contested by those in 8th place or above.

However, for the sake of argument, we'll extend this 12th, thus including the likes of Bristol City and QPR.

Clearly, a return to the Premier League for Bournemouth's nearest and dearest, Southampton, would be beneficial for the Cherries faithful - just a half hour train journey away, or 40 minutes in the car - it represents the shortest journey Bournemouth fans can have in the Premier League and Football League - registering just a 64 mile return.

For Cherries fans keeping an eye on their pockets, losing Burnley, Leeds and Wolves  from the Premier League would be beneficial - as they all represent long journeys (and also, Cherries never win at Elland Road anyway).

But for the teams that could replace them? With Coventry City a shoe-in, Millwall taking second spot would suit Cherries fans massively, and if Southampton were to be successful in the play-offs too, this would provide a 2026/27 Premier League travel distance of 6148 miles, thats 734 miles fewer - or just under a couple of tanks of petrol to me and you.

This saves Cherries fans approximately £110 to £130, assuming an average fuel efficiency of 40-45 miles per gallon (MPG).

For Bournemouth fans, the worst case scenario would be for West Ham to get relegated (with Wolves and Burnley), and for Middlesbrough and Hull to go up (alongside Coventry).

This would mean an increase of 438 miles for Bournemouth fans, which is around £66 - £84 in petrol costs.

Ultimately, while the arithmetic paints a clear picture - fewer miles, lower costs, and more manageable away days if certain clubs rise and others fall - the reality for AFC Bournemouth supporters is far less clinical.

Football isn’t followed on a spreadsheet.

The idea of trimming hundreds of miles from the season’s travel might appeal to the wallet, but it often comes at the expense of the fixtures that stir the most excitement, or ones that could garner the most points.

In truth, many Cherries fans would gladly accept longer journeys and heavier costs if it meant keeping hold of the big occasions, the iconic grounds, and the matches that truly define a Premier League season.

Convenience may win on paper, but passion rarely follows suit.