Albuquerque International Sunport to San Diego International ABQ → SAN
545 nautical miles (627 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 258°, about 247° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 11 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 15-knot headwind), arriving about 11:33 pm PDT (06:33 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ABQ is VFR, wind from the south (180°) at 15 knots; SAN is marginal VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 7 knots. For planning, not a briefing: the legal preflight briefing comes from Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF) or the FAA's own tools. Airlines fly this pair: 1,377 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.
The route the straight line, the warnings crossed, restrictions, pilot reports and the airports along the way · click a mark for its words
Green, blue, red and purple airport dots are the flying conditions reported there now (VFR, marginal VFR, IFR, low IFR); grey means no report. Red areas are SIGMETs, orange areas AIRMETs, hatched red areas temporary flight restrictions. Map tiles: OpenFreeMap, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Warnings the route crosses SIGMETs and AIRMETs whose area the line passes through or comes within 25 nm of
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the first 99 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 258 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 50 to 307 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Near the route, 426 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 436 to 525 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 30 nm of the route.
A SIGMET warns of weather hazardous to all aircraft; an AIRMET of weather that matters to small aircraft and to flying without instruments. "From 60 to 180 nm out" is measured along the route from ABQ.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- CRJ7 at 10,000 ft, 43 nm northeast, 5:49 pm MDT (23:49 UTC): remarks: light turbulence, bases above 10,000 ft, vsby 3 miles continuously, during the descent rnav RY20 KSAF. At the departure end, 43 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAF UA /OV KSAF/TM 2349/FL100 /TP CRJ7/RM LIGHT TURBULENCE, BASES ABOVE 100, VSBY 3 MILES CONTINUOUSLY, DURD RNAV RY20 KSAF
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAF
- Where
- over KSAF
- Time
- 23:49 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Remarks
- light turbulence, bases above 10,000 ft, vsby 3 miles continuously, during the descent rnav RY20 KSAF
- B737 at 14,000 ft, 7 nm north, 6:15 pm MDT (00:15 UTC): light turbulence above 14,000 ft. At the departure end, 7 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ABQ UA /OV ABQ275007/TM 0015/FL140/TP B737/TB LGT ABV 140
- Report
- a routine report filed through ABQ
- Where
- 7 nm west (275°) of ABQ
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light above 14,000 ft
- HDJT at 18,000 ft, 12 nm north, 4:38 pm MDT (22:38 UTC): light rime icing from 16,000 ft to 17,500 ft, -9 °C, remarks: during the climb out of abq zab/fd. At the departure end, 12 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ABQ UA /OV ABQ285015/TM 2238/FL180/TP HDJT/TA M09/IC LGT RIME 160-175/RM DURC OUT OF ABQ - ZAB/FD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ABQ
- Where
- 15 nm west (285°) of ABQ
- Time
- 22:38 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- HDJT
- Temperature
- −9 °C
- Icing
- light rime from 16,000 ft to 17,500 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb out of abq zab/fd
- A320 at 14,000 ft, 10 nm north, 6:39 pm MDT (00:39 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: zab fdcs. 258 nm along the route, 10 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHX UA /OV PXR005050/TM 0039/FL140/TP A320/TB LGT-MOD/RM ZAB FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHX
- Where
- 50 nm north (005°) of PXR
- Time
- 00:39 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- zab fdcs
- PC12 at 14,000 ft, 47 nm north, 7:03 pm MDT (01:03 UTC): light rime icing, remarks: zab/fdcs. 268 nm along the route, 47 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
FLG UA /OV FLG210030/TM 0103/FL140/TP PC12/TA UNK/IC LGT RIME/RM ZAB/FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through FLG
- Where
- 30 nm southwest (210°) of FLG
- Time
- 01:03 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Temperature
- UNK
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- zab/fdcs
- C172 at 7,200 ft, 45 nm north, 7:06 pm MDT (01:06 UTC): overcast from 7,200 ft to 9,000 ft. 277 nm along the route, 45 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PRC UA /OV 6NE PRC/TM 0106/FL072/TP C172/SK OVC072-TOP090
- Report
- a routine report filed through PRC
- Where
- 6NE prc
- Time
- 01:06 UTC
- Height
- at 7,200 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Sky
- overcast from 7,200 ft, tops 9,000 ft
- B738 at 17,000 ft, 5 nm east, 5:54 pm MDT (23:54 UTC): light rime icing, 9 °C, remarks: during the descent. 287 nm along the route, 5 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHX UA /OV PXR330030/TM 2354/FL170/TP B738/TA 09/IC LGT RIME/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHX
- Where
- 30 nm northwest (330°) of PXR
- Time
- 23:54 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Temperature
- 9 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the descent
- CL60 at 3,000 ft, 3 nm northeast, 6:22 pm MDT (00:22 UTC): remarks: bases 3,000 ft tops 5,500 ft. At the destination end, 3 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
SEE UA /OV 4 MI WEST/TM 0022/FL030/TP CL60/RM BASES 030 TOPS 055
- Report
- a routine report filed through SEE
- Where
- 4 mi west
- Time
- 00:22 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Remarks
- bases 3,000 ft tops 5,500 ft
- BE58 at 2,800 ft, 3 nm northeast, 4:52 pm MDT (22:52 UTC): overcast above 3,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 3 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
SEE UA /OV SEE32005/TM 2252/FL028/TP BE58/SK OVC030/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through SEE
- Where
- SEE32005
- Time
- 22:52 UTC
- Height
- at 2,800 ft
- Aircraft
- BE58
- Sky
- overcast from 3,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- SR22 descending, 3 nm southeast, 4:43 pm MDT (22:43 UTC): overcast from 2,600 ft to 6,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 3 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
MYF UA /OV MYF100010/TM 2243/FLUNKN/TP SR22/SK OVC026-TOP060/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through MYF
- Where
- 10 nm east (100°) of MYF
- Time
- 22:43 UTC
- Height
- height not given
- Aircraft
- SR22
- Sky
- overcast from 2,600 ft, tops 6,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- E75L at 2,800 ft, 0 nm northwest, 7:05 pm MDT (01:05 UTC): a broken layer from 2,800 ft to 5,500 ft. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 0105/FL28/TP E75L/SK BKN028/TOP055
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- over SAN
- Time
- 01:05 UTC
- Height
- at 2,800 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Sky
- a broken layer from 2,800 ft; TOP055
- B737 at 2,700 ft, 0 nm northwest, 6:08 pm MDT (00:08 UTC): remarks: bases 2,700 ft tops 5,000 ft. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV 3 MI WEST/TM 0008/FL027/TP B737/RM BASES 027 TOPS 050
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- 3 mi west
- Time
- 00:08 UTC
- Height
- at 2,700 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- bases 2,700 ft tops 5,000 ft
- B39M at 3,400 ft, 0 nm northwest, 6:04 pm MDT (00:04 UTC): a broken layer from 3,400 ft to 4,000 ft, remarks: during the descent RY27. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 0004/FL034/TP B39M/SK BKN034-TOP040/RM DURD RY27
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- over SAN
- Time
- 00:04 UTC
- Height
- at 3,400 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,400 ft, tops 4,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent RY27
- B737 at 2,700 ft, 0 nm northwest, 5:18 pm MDT (23:18 UTC): remarks: bases 2,700 ft tops 4,700 ft. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV 2 MI WEST/TM 2318/FL027/TP B737/RM BASES 027 TOPS 047
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- 2 mi west
- Time
- 23:18 UTC
- Height
- at 2,700 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- bases 2,700 ft tops 4,700 ft
3 more routine reports are on the map.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed
The westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 4 forecast points nearest it (ABQ, PHX, BLH, SAN). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,500 ft | 220° at 20 kt | +15 kt | 105 kt | 5 h 11 min | 11:33 pm PDT (06:33 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 210° at 21 kt | +16 kt | 11 °C | 104 kt | 5 h 14 min | 11:36 pm PDT (06:36 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 210° at 23 kt | +16 kt | 8 °C | 104 kt | 5 h 14 min | 11:36 pm PDT (06:36 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 210° at 27 kt | +20 kt | 5 °C | 100 kt | 5 h 27 min | 11:49 pm PDT (06:49 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 32 kt | +25 kt | 1 °C | 95 kt | 5 h 44 min | 12:06 am PDT (07:06 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 38 kt | +29 kt | -3 °C | 91 kt | 5 h 59 min | 12:21 am PDT (07:21 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 43 kt | +34 kt | -6 °C | 86 kt | 6 h 20 min | 12:42 am PDT (07:42 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 47 kt | +37 kt | -8 °C | 83 kt | 6 h 34 min | 12:56 am PDT (07:56 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 56 kt | +48 kt | -20 °C | 72 kt | 7 h 34 min | 1:56 am PDT (08:56 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 72 kt | +61 kt | -27 °C | 59 kt | 9 h 14 min | 3:36 am PDT (10:36 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 74 kt | +67 kt | -34 °C | 53 kt | 10 h 17 min | 4:39 am PDT (11:39 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 62 kt | +55 kt | -46 °C | 65 kt | 8 h 23 min | 2:45 am PDT (09:45 UTC) |
Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 UTC; temperatures above 24,000 ft are below zero. Heights are above sea level; a height is left out when the forecast has no wind for it over most of the line (the ground is higher). Ground speed is the airspeed less the headwind; the time en route is for the straight line and ignores climb, descent and routing around weather.
The forecast points as issued
| Point | From | 3,000 | 6,000 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 18,000 | 24,000 | 30,000 | 34,000 | 39,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABQ | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 200/28 13° | 210/28 5° | 210/44 -7° | 230/46 -20° | 230/80 -28° | 240/74 -35° | 240/58 -47° | ||
| PHX | used from 149 nm out; 114 nm from the line | 210/19 | 210/20 14° | 200/20 6° | 210/40 1° | 220/58 -8° | 220/68 -20° | 220/82 -26° | 230/83 -34° | 230/69 -46° |
| BLH | used from 347 nm out; 42 nm from the line | 230/22 | 210/24 11° | 230/23 5° | 230/26 0° | 220/38 -10° | 230/52 -19° | 220/58 -28° | 220/69 -34° | 220/59 -45° |
| SAN | used from 495 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 200/10 | 240/19 9° | 240/27 5° | 230/22 -1° | 220/40 -10° | 220/49 -19° | 220/54 -29° | 220/61 -35° | 220/56 -44° |
The weather now: both ends and the airports along the way public airports with a weather report within 25 nm of the line, one for each stretch
| Airport | Where | Conditions | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling | Elevation | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABQ Albuquerque, NM | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 7,500 feet, a broken layer at 9,500 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | 9,500 ft | 5,354 ft | 7:11 pm MDT (01:11 UTC) |
| BRG Belen, NM | 20 nm out, 21 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 9,500 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 14 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | 9,500 ft | 5,199 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| GNT Grants, NM | 59 nm out, 21 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 20 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | none | 6,536 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| SJN St Johns, AZ | 139 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,736 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| TYL Taylor, AZ | 178 nm out, 4 nm north of the line | reported, no category | from the southwest (220°) at 12 knots, gusting to 32 | 8 mi | none | 5,823 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| PAN Payson, AZ | 238 nm out, 7 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 8,500 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 12 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | none | 5,160 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| DVT Phoenix, AZ | 287 nm out, 17 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 8,500 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,478 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| BLH Blythe, CA | 406 nm out, 15 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 399 ft | 00:52 UTC |
| CLR Calipatria, CA | 456 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | -181 ft | ||||
| RNM Ramona, CA | 525 nm out, 13 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,600 feet, a broken layer at 2,600 feet, overcast at 3,700 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the southwest (220°) at 6 knots, gusting to 12 | 6 mi | 1,600 ft | 1,394 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| SAN San Diego, CA | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,900 feet, overcast at 4,300 feet Weather: light rain | from the southwest (230°) at 7 knots | 6 mi | 2,900 ft | 16 ft | 6:12 pm PDT (01:12 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,536 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SAN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:33 pm PDT (06:33 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SAN
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,800 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet and more above
- From Sun 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
The forecast for ABQ, the departure
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 22 knots, gusting to 35, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
- At times between Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind variable at 25 knots, gusting to 40, light thunderstorms with rain, a broken layer at 6,000 feet (thunderheads)
- From Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am MDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/4812 El Centro, CA, Wednesday, July 15, 2026 through Tuesday, July 13, 2027 Local on the route, 476 nm along the route · security · until 13 July · ZLA
- 6/2652 Coyote Wells, CA, Saturday, July 4, 2026 through Saturday, January 2, 2027 Local 22 nm from the route, 495 nm along the route · security · until 2 January · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at ABQ 6:35 pm MDT (00:35 UTC), at SAN 6:19 pm PDT (01:19 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:44 pm PDT (01:44 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SAN is before sunrise there (6:50 am PDT (13:50 UTC)).
Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times. Ordinary notices to air missions (closed runways, lights out) are not shown: the FAA's notice search is not open to sites like this one at this time.
Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads
Sources: the Aviation Weather Center's data service (SIGMETs, AIRMETs, graphical AIRMETs, pilot reports, winds and temperatures aloft, observations and terminal forecasts), the National Weather Service radar, the Weather Prediction Center's charts, the FAA's temporary flight restriction list and shapes, and the FAA's airport file for the positions, elevations and magnetic variation. Fetched when the page is viewed and kept a few minutes. Each leg is the straight line between its two airports; airways, terrain and airspace are not considered. The airports in detail: Albuquerque International Sunport, San Diego International.