Nashville International to Chicago/Rockford International BNA → RFD
381 nautical miles (439 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 344°, about 347° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 3 h 28 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 10-knot headwind), arriving about 10:16 pm CDT (03:16 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now BNA is VFR, wind variable at 3 knots; RFD is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 5 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: 92 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 6W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 28,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the first 20 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 BNA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E170 at 33,000 ft, 46 nm west, 4:09 pm CDT (21:09 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZME25. 108 nm along the route, 46 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
EVV UA /OV PXV225030/TM 2109/FL330/TP E170/TB MOD CHOP/RM ZME25
- Report
- a routine report filed through EVV
- Where
- 30 nm southwest (225°) of PXV
- Time
- 21:09 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZME25
- P28A at 2,100 ft, 10 nm southeast, 4:33 pm CDT (21:33 UTC): remarks: base 2,100 ft. At the departure end, 10 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
MQY UA /OV MQY/TM 2133/FL021/TP P28A/RM BASE 021
- Report
- a routine report filed through MQY
- Where
- over MQY
- Time
- 21:33 UTC
- Height
- at 2,100 ft
- Aircraft
- P28A
- Remarks
- base 2,100 ft
- SR22 at 2,000 ft, 38 nm south, 4:24 pm CDT (21:24 UTC): overcast from 2,100 ft to 3,800 ft, remarks: zme. At the departure end, 38 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
LUG UA /OV LUG/TM 2124/FL020/TP SR22/SK OVC021 TOP 038/RM ZME
- Report
- a routine report filed through LUG
- Where
- over LUG
- Time
- 21:24 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- SR22
- Sky
- overcast from 2,100 ft, tops 3,800 ft
- Remarks
- zme
- E170 at 11,000 ft, 17 nm east, 4:24 pm CDT (21:24 UTC): clear from 11,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: zme. At the departure end, 17 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
BNA UA /OV BNA045020/TM 2124/FL110/TP E170/SK SKC/RM ZME
- Report
- a routine report filed through BNA
- Where
- 20 nm northeast (045°) of BNA
- Time
- 21:24 UTC
- Height
- at 11,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Sky
- clear
- Remarks
- zme
- A319 at 32,000 ft, 10 nm southwest, 5:56 pm CDT (22:56 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZME62. 20 nm along the route, 10 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
BNA UA /OV BNA315020/TM 2256/FL320/TP A319/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZME62
- Report
- a routine report filed through BNA
- Where
- 20 nm northwest (315°) of BNA
- Time
- 22:56 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZME62
- B77W at 31,000 ft, 16 nm southwest, 6:27 pm CDT (23:27 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zme. 29 nm along the route, 16 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
BNA UA /OV BNA315030/TM 2327/FL310/TP B77W/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZME
- Report
- a routine report filed through BNA
- Where
- 30 nm northwest (315°) of BNA
- Time
- 23:27 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B77W
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate chop
- Remarks
- zme
- B738 at 34,000 ft, 25 nm west, 6:41 pm CDT (23:41 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zme. 39 nm along the route, 25 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
CKV UA /OV CKV/TM 2341/FL340/TP B738/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZME
- Report
- a routine report filed through CKV
- Where
- over CKV
- Time
- 23:41 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate chop
- Remarks
- zme
- A319 at 25,000 ft, 43 nm east, 6:14 pm CDT (23:14 UTC): no turbulence. 49 nm along the route, 43 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
IND UA /OV BWG070017/TM 2314/FL250/TP A319/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through IND
- Where
- 17 nm east (070°) of BWG
- Time
- 23:14 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Turbulence
- none
- C182 at 5,000 ft, 21 nm east, 4:46 pm CDT (21:46 UTC): remarks: zme. 49 nm along the route, 21 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWG UA /OV BWG270005/TM 2146/FL050/TP C182/SK TOP 040/RM ZME
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWG
- Where
- 5 nm west (270°) of BWG
- Time
- 21:46 UTC
- Height
- at 5,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C182
- Sky
- top 4,000 ft
- Remarks
- zme
- E50P at 36,000 ft, 3 nm southwest, 4:25 pm CDT (21:25 UTC): light chop turbulence. 303 nm along the route, 3 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PNT UA /OV PNT/TM 2125/FL360/TP E50P/TB INTMT LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through PNT
- Where
- over PNT
- Time
- 21:25 UTC
- Height
- at 36,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E50P
- Turbulence
- intermittent light chop
- C17 at 500 ft, 19 nm east, 4:15 pm CDT (21:15 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. 352 nm along the route, 19 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
KADW UA /OV 1L ARR/TM 2115/FL005/TP C17/SK OVC005
- Report
- a routine report filed through KADW
- Where
- 1L arrival
- Time
- 21:15 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- C17
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
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 (BNA, EVV, SPI, JOT). 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 | 310° at 12 kt | +10 kt | 110 kt | 3 h 28 min | 10:16 pm CDT (03:16 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 320° at 19 kt | +18 kt | 15 °C | 102 kt | 3 h 44 min | 10:32 pm CDT (03:32 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 320° at 23 kt | +21 kt | 11 °C | 99 kt | 3 h 51 min | 10:39 pm CDT (03:39 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 320° at 25 kt | +23 kt | 7 °C | 97 kt | 3 h 56 min | 10:44 pm CDT (03:44 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 320° at 27 kt | +25 kt | 3 °C | 95 kt | 4 h 01 min | 10:49 pm CDT (03:49 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 320° at 26 kt | +24 kt | -1 °C | 96 kt | 3 h 58 min | 10:46 pm CDT (03:46 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 320° at 25 kt | +23 kt | -6 °C | 97 kt | 3 h 56 min | 10:44 pm CDT (03:44 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 320° at 25 kt | +23 kt | -9 °C | 97 kt | 3 h 56 min | 10:44 pm CDT (03:44 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 330° at 34 kt | +33 kt | -20 °C | 87 kt | 4 h 23 min | 11:11 pm CDT (04:11 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 320° at 53 kt | +50 kt | -35 °C | 70 kt | 5 h 27 min | 12:15 am CDT (05:15 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 320° at 55 kt | +51 kt | -43 °C | 69 kt | 5 h 31 min | 12:19 am CDT (05:19 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 320° at 51 kt | +48 kt | -48 °C | 72 kt | 5 h 18 min | 12:06 am CDT (05:06 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BNA | used from 0 nm out; 24 nm from the line | 280/13 | 340/34 16° | 330/38 10° | 330/44 5° | 330/39 -8° | 330/38 -19° | 320/49 -34° | 330/53 -40° | 330/35 -47° |
| EVV | used from 49 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 310/13 | 340/26 16° | 330/29 10° | 330/32 4° | 330/30 -9° | 340/38 -20° | 330/60 -35° | 320/57 -41° | 330/39 -48° |
| SPI | used from 196 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 210/13 | 260/11 17° | 270/18 10° | 290/21 4° | 310/20 -8° | 330/25 -19° | 320/49 -34° | 320/60 -44° | 320/59 -50° |
| JOT | used from 245 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 230/11 | 290/12 16° | 300/19 10° | 320/19 4° | 300/17 -9° | 330/31 -20° | 320/49 -37° | 320/53 -45° | 320/67 -49° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BNA Nashville, TN | departure | VFR | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 599 ft | 5:53 pm CDT (22:53 UTC) |
| JQD Hartford, KY | 78 nm out, 15 nm east of the line | no report just now | 537 ft | ||||
| OWB Owensboro, KY | 98 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the west (260°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 407 ft | 22:56 UTC |
| LWV Lawrenceville, IL | 166 nm out, 4 nm east of the line | VFR | from the west-northwest (300°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 429 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| RSV Robinson, IL | 176 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 2 knots | 10+ mi | none | 461 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| CMI Champaign/Urbana, IL | 245 nm out, 5 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the west (270°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 754 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| BMI Bloomington/Normal, IL | 284 nm out, 24 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 871 ft | 22:56 UTC |
| PNT Pontiac, IL | 303 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 666 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| ARR Chicago/Aurora, IL | 352 nm out, 19 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 712 ft | 22:52 UTC |
| RFD Chicago/Rockford, IL | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 742 ft | 5:54 pm CDT (22:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 871 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RFD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:16 pm CDT (03:16 UTC)
Wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for RFD
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 feet
The forecast for BNA, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm CDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/0708 Goodlettsville, TN, Saturday, August 1, 2026 through Sunday, August 1, 2027 UTC 4 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · until 1 August · ZME
Daylight
Sunset at BNA 6:16 pm CDT (23:16 UTC), at RFD 6:21 pm CDT (23:21 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:49 pm CDT (23:49 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RFD is after sunset there (6:21 pm CDT (23:21 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: Nashville International, Chicago/Rockford International.