Super Bowl 2026 Transportation Guide

Event Overview: Super Bowl LX is coming to the San Francisco Bay Area on February 8, 2026 with the big game set for Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. As fans descend on the region, transportation will be a top concern. Levi’s Stadium, home of the 49ers, is located about 45 miles south of San Francisco in the heart of Silicon Valley. Whether you’re a local or traveling from afar, this guide will help you navigate airports, game-day travel, and intra-city transport so you can focus on enjoying the Super Bowl festivities.

Levi’s Stadium has hosted a Super Bowl once before (Super Bowl 50 in 2016), and it will again showcase the Bay Area’s ability to throw a massive sporting event. But with crowds flocking to the Bay, planning your transportation in advance is crucial. Below we’ll compare the nearest airports, break down the best ways to get to the stadium on game day (from rental vans to public transit), discuss parking and traffic expectations, and give tips for getting around the Bay Area during Super Bowl week. Let’s dive in!

Choosing an Airport: SFO vs. SJC vs. OAK

If you’re flying into the Bay Area for the Super Bowl, you have multiple airport options. The three major airports are:

• SJC San Jose Mineta International:Distance to Levi’s Stadium: ~5 miles (10-15 minute’s drive). Overview: Closest airport to the stadium, just one city over. A mid-sized airport right in Silicon Valley, very convenient for Santa Clara. Fewer international flights than SFO, but well-connected domestically.
• SFO San Francisco International:Distance: ~32 miles (approximately 40 50 minutes south of SF, north of Santa Clara). Overview: The region’s largest international airport. Tons of flight options from all over. However, it’s on the Peninsula ~30+ miles from the stadium, meaning you’ll commute down 101 or 280 (which can have heavy traffic).
• OAK Oakland International:Distance: ~33 miles (around 40 60 minutes depending on traffic). Overview: An alternative across the Bay. Smaller than SFO but often less hectic. Good for Southwest and some budget airlines. It’s on the east side of the Bay; reaching Santa Clara involves crossing a bridge or going south then west around the Bay.

Airport Comparison Table:

Bay Area Airports → Levi’s Stadium (Super Bowl 2026)

San Jose International (SJC)

• Distance: ~5 miles
• Drive Time: 10-15 minutes
• Pros: Closest airport; small and fast to navigate; quick baggage claim.
• Cons: Limited nonstop international routes; may still feel crowded during Super Bowl week.

San Francisco International (SFO)

• Distance: ~32 miles
• Drive Time: ~45 minutes south
• Pros: Major international hub; widest flight options; often best fares for long-distance travelers.
• Cons: Farther from Santa Clara; heavy Bay Area traffic; very busy terminals.

Oakland International (OAK)

• Distance: ~33 miles
• Drive Time: 45- 55 minutes (via I-880)
• Pros: Generally, less congested than SFO; strong domestic flight availability; convenient for East Bay stays.
• Cons: Still ~30+ miles away; freeway congestion; fewer flights than SFO.

Driving times above assume light traffic; expect longer during Super Bowl week, especially at peak hours. Santa Clara is in the South Bay, so if you fly into SFO or OAK, you’ll traverse significant portions of the metro area to get to the stadium.

Which should you choose? If you can get a convenient flight into SJC (San Jose), that’s ideal for proximity you’ll basically have a short hop to your hotel in Santa Clara. SJC might also lay on extra services for Super Bowl visitors (check for any announcements e.g., special fan experiences or shuttles). SFO will have the most flights and is great if you plan to stay in San Francisco before the game. Just budget time to get down to Santa Clara (you could even do some tourism in SF, then head south game-day or the night before). OAK can be a smart choice if you find a good deal or are lodging in the East Bay (Oakland/Berkeley area) and then going to the game. For example, if hotels are full near Santa Clara, you might stay somewhere like Fremont or Hayward in that case OAK is on the same side of the Bay.

There are also secondary airports like Sacramento (SMF) ~120 miles away or smaller regional fields, but those are quite far likely not worth it unless you have special circumstances (or a private jet, in which case you might even use San Jose’s private terminals or nearby Palo Alto airport for charter flights).

Pro Tip: Compare rental car availability/costs at each airport too. Sometimes renting a van at SFO might be pricier than at SJC or vice versa. If there’s a huge price difference, it could influence your airport choice. (We at AVR have suppliers serving both SFO and SJC see our Bay Area van rental deals below.)

Getting to Levi’s Stadium on Game Day

Once you’re in the Bay Area, how do you actually get to Levi’s Stadium for the Super Bowl? You’ll basically have four main options: drive (and park), public transit (train/light rail), rideshare/taxis, or shuttle services. Let’s break each down:

1. Driving (Rental Car or Personal Vehicle)

Driving yourself gives you the most control you can tailgate out of your vehicle, carry any gear, and leave on your own schedule. Santa Clara, where Levi’s Stadium is, is very much car country (lots of freeways and tech campuses with parking lots). However, on game day expect significant traffic on all routes into the stadium area. The 49ers games already draw ~70,000 fans and Super Bowl will have extensive security, road closures, and designated traffic patterns.

Parking: Levi’s Stadium has numerous parking lots in the surrounding area. For Super Bowl 50, parking passes were sold in advance for about $80 $100 in official lots, and some unofficial lots in the area charged in that range as well. The stadium’s website notes that event day credit-card parking (if available) may cost more than pre-paid passes. In short: buy your parking pass ahead of time if at all possible. Check the official Levi’s Stadium Super Bowl page or your ticket package for parking details. Lots are labeled (Yellow Lot 1, Blue Lot, Green Lot, etc.) and some are adjacent to the stadium, while others can be a 15-20 minute walk. Oversized vehicles (like RVs or buses) may have designated areas if you rented a 15-passenger van, confirm it’s allowed in standard lots (usually it is, as long as it fits in a space our passenger vans do). On Super Bowl Sunday, lots will open several hours early for ticketholders (often 4+ hours before kickoff, as there will be fan plaza activities).

Traffic considerations: The main highways to Santa Clara are US-101 (north-south along the Peninsula), I-880 (north-south along the East Bay towards Oakland), CA-237 (east-west connecting 880 and 101 near the stadium), and Lawrence/Central Expressway (local routes). Expect heavy congestion on all of these by late morning on game day. If you’re driving from San Francisco, plan for extra time even with carpool lanes, the volume will be high. Similarly, from Oakland or the East Bay, I-880 past Fremont into Santa Clara will be slow. Local authorities typically release a traffic management plan closer to the date, which might include some ramp closures or one-way traffic flows post-game. Keep an eye on the Santa Clara city or Levi’s Stadium websites for any announcements.

Navigation tip: Use apps like Waze or Google Maps with live updates on game day, but also be mindful that some routes might be closed by police near the stadium (for security or pedestrian flow). Follow official signage when you get close. Often for big games, certain freeway exits are assigned to specific parking lots. For example, you might be instructed to take the Great America Parkway exit for certain color lots. Have your parking pass visible and follow the directions provided with it.

Internal link (Rentals): If you need wheels, consider renting a van or SUV for your group. Driving one vehicle instead of multiple cars means you only need one parking pass (saving money and keeping everyone together). We offer convenient rentals at all Bay Area airports San Jose Airport (SJC) van rentals and San Francisco Airport (SFO) van rentals so you can pick up upon arrival and head straight to the game.

2. Public Transit (Trains & Light Rail)

The Bay Area has a decent web of public transit, and on game day it will be a popular way to avoid traffic and parking costs. Key transit options for Levi’s Stadium include Caltrain, VTA Light Rail, and BART (plus possibly ACE trains). Here’s how they come into play:

• Caltrain: This commuter rail runs from San Francisco down the Peninsula to San Jose. While Caltrain doesn’t go directly to Levi’s Stadium, it connects with VTA light rail. The typical plan: take Caltrain to Mountain View station, then transfer to the VTA Light Rail Orange Line which goes directly to Levi’s Stadium. For Super Bowl 50, Caltrain ran extra trains and even sold joint Caltrain+VTA tickets for fans. We expect similar for 2026 possibly special service or at least extra capacity. If you’re staying in San Francisco or along the Peninsula (e.g. Palo Alto, Redwood City), this is a great option. Note: Caltrain Mountain View to stadium via light rail takes about another 20-25 minutes. Mountain View station will be very busy with transferring fans, but they handle big events regularly (e.g., 49ers games, concerts).
• VTA Light Rail: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) operates light rail trains in the South Bay. The Orange Line directly serves Great America Station, which is adjacent to Levi’s Stadium. That’s the same station used for 49ers games. The Orange Line runs from Mountain View (Caltrain connection) through Sunnyvale and Santa Clara right to the stadium, and onward to Alum Rock in East San Jose. Additionally, the Green Line and Blue Line of VTA Light Rail can get you close: they connect from Campbell/San Jose areas to a transfer point at Old Ironsides or Great America. VTA usually ramps up service for big events expect packed trains, but they’re capable of moving thousands of people. Pro: Light rail drops you literally at the stadium gates, no parking fuss. Con: you’ll be on their schedule and might have to wait in a queue after the game.
• BART: Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is the regional metro that covers East Bay, San Francisco, and now extends into Santa Clara County as far as Milpitas/Berryessa. BART does not go directly to Santa Clara or the stadium (future extensions are planned but won’t be ready by 2026). If you’re coming from the East Bay or SF via BART, one approach in previous events was to take BART to its endpoint (like Fremont or Milpitas) and then transfer to other transport. For SB50, there were special express buses from the Fremont BART station to Levi’s Stadium. For SB LX, officials might again arrange shuttle buses from a BART station (possibly Milpitas or Warm Springs) to the stadium. Keep an eye on announcements. Alternatively, you could BART to Milpitas and then hop a VTA light rail from there (Milpitas station connects to VTA’s Orange Line too, heading toward Levi’s, though that’s going the long way around).
• ACE Train: The Altamont Corridor Express is a commuter train from Stockton/Modesto area into Santa Clara. It actually stops at Great America Station (by Levi’s) on weekdays. However, Super Bowl is on a Sunday, and ACE doesn’t normally run weekends. Unlikely to be a factor unless they run a special service.

Bottom line: If you’re staying in San Francisco, the Caltrain → VTA route is your best bet (or possibly charter buses, see below). If you’re in the South Bay (San Jose area), VTA light rail or even buses can get you there easily VTA has several bus lines too, and they often implement an event service plan. If you’re in the East Bay or city of Oakland, BART + shuttle or driving might be needed.

Safety & Convenience: Public transit will be very safe expect lots of fellow fans. After the game, there may be waits (picture queues to board trains). Be patient; historically, the systems manage to clear out crowds within an hour or two. Pro tip: if you can linger a bit after the final whistle (celebrate, take photos, let traffic die down), you might have a smoother trip back.

3. Rideshare or Taxi

Uber, Lyft, and taxis will be active, but be wary: with tens of thousands of people leaving at once, surge pricing and wait times will likely spike dramatically. Levi’s Stadium has a designated rideshare pickup zone (for regular games it’s often in Red Lot 7 or a nearby area). For Super Bowl, they will have a specific area for Uber/Lyft to stage. Even so, at Super Bowl 50 many locals recommended against rideshare due to the high demand and surge.

If you must rideshare:

• Pre-arrange if possible: Some services offered pre-booking for Super Bowl (e.g., Uber Reserve). Or consider a local car service/limo if you’re in a group the cost split 5 ways might not be far off surge Uber pricing and you’ll have a dedicated ride.
• Meetup spot: The stadium area will have road closures. You might have to walk a bit to the rideshare lot. Follow the signs and app instructions.
• Budget extra $$: It wouldn’t be surprising to see triple or quadruple fares. For example, one Reddit thread from SB50 mentioned people paying $200 for rides that normally cost $30. If you’re okay with that for the convenience, just brace yourself. (Splitting $200 UberXL six ways is about $33 each still pricy, but maybe tolerable if you’re stuck.)
• After the game: Everyone will be requesting at once. You might find it faster to hang out in downtown Santa Clara or a nearby restaurant until the initial rush passes and then call a ride. Sometimes surge will drop after an hour.

One more note: traditional taxis may have a queue as well. In 2016, cab companies did queue at the event. If you prefer a taxi (with a metered fare, which won’t surge but can still be high due to traffic time), look for any taxi stand signage.

4. Shuttles and Other Options

Given the magnitude of the Super Bowl, there could be official fan shuttles from key points. For Super Bowl 50, some hotels and the host committee arranged charter buses from San Francisco and other areas for game-day transport (often included in travel packages). The Bay Area Host Committee might announce charter coach services these would pick up at places like downtown SF or a park-and-ride and take you directly to Levi’s Stadium. If you’re part of a corporate group or bought a hospitality package, check if transportation is included.

Another interesting option: ferries. Not to the stadium directly (Santa Clara is inland), but during SB50, some people took the ferry from San Francisco to the East Bay and then BART closer a bit roundabout. Probably not worth it unless you’re doing it as a scenic ride for fun.

For locals or those driving partway, there may be park-and-ride setups: e.g., park at a VTA light rail station or a Caltrain lot and then ride in. This can be smart. For instance, you could park at Mountain View (free parking on weekends) and take light rail for the last few miles, avoiding the tightest bottlenecks.

Parking & Traffic Tips

We touched on parking, but let’s emphasize key tips:

• Buy parking in advance: Do this through official channels (NFL or Levi’s Stadium site) if possible, to ensure a spot. Prices might be steep (expect ~$100). It’s worth it to have a guaranteed place.
• Arrive early: Plan to get to the stadium at least 3 4 hours before kickoff. There will be fan events, music, and more going on it’s like a festival. Arriving early not only avoids last-minute gridlock, but it also lets you soak in the atmosphere. Gates typically open early afternoon for an evening Super Bowl.
• Carpool if driving: Every car needs a pass, so consolidate people into as few vehicles as you can. Also 4+ people per car may get you into HOV lanes on highways (which will help a bit on 101 and 880 during certain hours).
• Expect post-game delays: After the Lombardi Trophy is hoisted, nearly 70,000 people will leave at the same time. If you’re driving, consider hanging out in the parking lot for a tailgate snack or listen to post-game coverage while traffic thins. It can easily take an hour just to exit lots immediately after the game. Patience is key this is the Super Bowl, and it comes with mega-crowds.
• Navigation: Use official directions for your parking lot. Last-minute GPS reroutes might try to take you to a closed road. Stick to the plan given in the event guide or parking pass instructions.
• Local road closures: In Santa Clara, expect streets right around the stadium (like Tasman Drive, Great America Parkway near the stadium) to have restrictions. They often become pedestrian-only zones or one-way outbound after games. Police will direct traffic heed their signals over your nav app.

Getting Around During Super Bowl Week

If you’re in town for more than just game day, you’ll want to explore and also possibly attend NFL events (like the Super Bowl Experience, concerts, etc.). Super Bowl LX events may be spread around the Bay Area. Often there’s a Super Bowl City or NFL fan village in San Francisco (for SB50, one was by the Embarcadero). There could also be events in San Jose or elsewhere. Here’s how to handle intercity travel:

• Bay Area Transit for Tourists: Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Caltrain are great for longer distances (SF <-> Peninsula <-> San Jose for Caltrain; SF <-> East Bay for BART). Within San Francisco, use Muni buses or streetcars. If you’re staying in San Jose or Santa Clara, the Caltrain can take you up to SF for a day trip in ~1.5 hours. Alternatively, drive outside of rush hour a mid-day drive from Santa Clara to San Francisco can be under an hour; just avoid the 7-10am or 4-7pm peak if you can.
• Group outings with a van: If you rented a van or SUV, you have the freedom to take day trips. Some ideas: a group of fans might want to visit San Francisco’s sights (Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf) load up the van and go as a group. Parking in SF can be tight, but there are garages. Or drive down to Monterey or Napa on off days if you’re making a vacation of it. The Bay Area has a lot to offer. Having a vehicle makes these side trips easy. And splitting gas/parking among 5 10 people remains cost-effective.
• Rideshares in the city: In SF or San Jose downtown, using Uber/Lyft for short hops (hotel to restaurant, etc.) is perfectly fine and saves parking hassle. They will likely have high demand though during Super Bowl week, so sometimes grabbing a classic taxi from a hotel rank might be quicker if apps show high wait times.
• Special event transit: The NFL often partners with local transit for Super Bowl week. For instance, there might be a Super Bowl transit pass(you can check out how they handle games today) or free rides on certain lines for ticket holders. Check the Super Bowl host committee website for any promotions like “show your game ticket for free train rides on game day” or similar.
• Walking/Biking: Levi’s Stadium itself is in a suburban area you can walk to it from some hotels in the immediate vicinity (there are a few within 1 2 miles). If you’re staying that close, walking might honestly be the best game-day mode (many fans will walk from nearby parking lots or hotels). Biking is also an option: Levi’s Stadium has bike parking. The weather in early February in Santa Clara is usually mild (~60s°F daytime). Some hardy locals might bike from neighborhoods to avoid traffic. There are trails and bike lanes in the area, but only consider it if you’re experienced and have a plan, as post-game biking in the dark with crowds could be tricky.

Best Vehicle Choices for Groups

If you decide to rent a vehicle for Super Bowl week (highly recommended for families or groups exploring the region), here are some tips on choosing the right type:

• For 2-4 people: A standard sedan or small SUV will do. But if you have lots of luggage (think tailgate gear or camera equipment), consider an SUV for more cargo room. San Francisco’s streets are tight, so smaller is easier for city driving, but around Santa Clara size isn’t an issue.
• For 5-7 people: A minivan (7-8 passenger) is ideal. Something like a Chrysler Pacifica or Toyota Sienna plenty of seating and space for bags. Alternatively, a large SUV (Chevy Tahoe, Ford Expedition) could work, but minivans often have more comfortable third rows and trunk space.
• For 8-15 people: Go with a passenger van. A 12-passenger van can seat your whole crew and still have decent room for souvenirs and cooler boxes. If you have a full 15, a 15-passenger Ford Transit or similar will fit everyone; just be mindful of luggage (maybe bring a soft duffel for each person that can squish under seats). These vans are taller and longer, but if you have multiple drivers to share, it’s manageable. Parking a large van at the stadium is fine (lots are big), but in downtown SF you’ll need to find oversized parking or stick to open lots.
• Rental availability: Since Super Bowl is a high-demand time, book your rental early. Bay Area rental fleets will be stretched that weekend. Particularly specialty vehicles like 12-15 passenger vans could sell out fast. AVR has suppliers at SFO, SJC, OAK and around we recommend reserving as soon as your plans are set. Keep an eye on any special hours or shuttle services the rental location may have on game weekend (for example, some airport rental centers might have modified hours confirm pickup/dropoff times).

One cool thing about having a large van for Super Bowl: you can use it as a “home base” for tailgating. Stock it with snacks, drinks, and a portable grill if you’re parking and hanging out before the game (check tailgate rules some lots allow open grilling, some might restrict due to security). Many Super Bowl attendees make a day of it, and a van gives you both transport and a gathering spot.

We hope this guide helps you map out a winning transportation game plan for Super Bowl 2026. Whether you’re flying into SJC, hopping on a Caltrain, or road-tripping in a van, a bit of prep will ensure you get to Levi’s Stadium smoothly and can enjoy the big game and all the Bay Area has to offer. Welcome to the Bay, and enjoy Super Bowl LX!

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