Plan a flight · Sun 8:08 pm EDT (00:08 UTC)

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall to Chicago/Rockford International BWI → RFD

594 nautical miles (683 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 292°, about 303° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 5 h 13 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 6-knot headwind), arriving about 12:21 am CDT (05:21 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now BWI is low IFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) at 7 knots; RFD is VFR, wind from the southeast (130°) at 3 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: 215 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

SIGMET E16E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 32,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 25 knots, until 9:55 pm EDT (01:55 UTC). Over the first 69 nm of the route.

as issued

WSUS31 KKCI 112355
MKCE WST 112355
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 16E
VALID UNTIL 0155Z
NY NJ PA DE MD VA DC WV AND NJ NY CSTL WTRS
FROM SAX-30SE JFK-10N DCA-60ENE EKN-SAX
AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 22025KT. TOPS TO FL320.

SIGMET E17E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 9:55 pm EDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 188 to 218 nm out.

as issued

WSUS31 KKCI 112355
MKCE WST 112355
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 17E
VALID UNTIL 0155Z
PA MD VA NC WV OH KY
FROM 30WSW EWC-20E RIC-70NNE ILM-70W BKW-10ESE APE-30WSW EWC
AREA TS MOV FROM 28015KT. TOPS TO FL310.

AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the first 346 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the route from 10 to 188 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 49 to 198 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Near the route, 59 nm along the route.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Near the route, 59 nm along 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 BWI.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

E170 at 22,500 ft, 31 nm southwest, 7:44 pm EDT (23:44 UTC): moderate clear-air turbulence from 18,000 ft to 22,500 ft, remarks: during the descent FRDMM7 star. 79 nm along the route, 31 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
OKV UA /OV ESL100020/TM 2344/FL225/TP E170/TB CONS MOD CAT 180-225/RM DURD FRDMM7 STAR
```
Report
a routine report filed through OKV
Where
20 nm east (100°) of ESL
Time
23:44 UTC
Height
at 22,500 ft
Aircraft
E170
Turbulence
continuous moderate clear-air turbulence from 18,000 ft to 22,500 ft
Remarks
during the descent FRDMM7 star
A321 at 30,000 ft, 5 nm northwest, 7:49 pm EDT (23:49 UTC): moderate turbulence above 30,000 ft, remarks: zob. 129 nm along the route, 5 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
2G9 UA /OV IHD/TM 2349/FL300/TP A321/TB MOD 300/RM ZOB
```
Report
a routine report filed through 2G9
Where
over IHD
Time
23:49 UTC
Height
at 30,000 ft
Aircraft
A321
Turbulence
moderate at 30,000 ft
Remarks
zob
B763 at 500 ft, 0 nm south, 7:50 pm EDT (23:50 UTC): a broken layer above 500 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 2350/FL005/TP B763/SK BKN005
```
Report
a routine report filed through BWI
Where
over BWI
Time
23:50 UTC
Height
at 500 ft
Aircraft
B763
Sky
a broken layer from 500 ft
C17 at 500 ft, 24 nm southwest, 7:42 pm EDT (23:42 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. At the departure end, 24 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
KADW UA /OV RWY 1L ARR/TM 2342/FL005/TP C17/SK OVC005
```
Report
a routine report filed through KADW
Where
runway 1L arrival
Time
23:42 UTC
Height
at 500 ft
Aircraft
C17
Sky
overcast from 500 ft
B737 at 1,000 ft, 24 nm southwest, 6:47 pm EDT (22:47 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. At the departure end, 24 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
KADW UA /OV 1L DEP/TM 2247/FL010/TP B737/SK OVC005
```
Report
a routine report filed through KADW
Where
1L departure
Time
22:47 UTC
Height
at 1,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Sky
overcast from 500 ft
B738 at 300 ft, 0 nm south, 6:29 pm EDT (22:29 UTC): a broken layer above 30,000 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 2229/FL003/TP B738/SK BKN003
```
Report
a routine report filed through BWI
Where
over BWI
Time
22:29 UTC
Height
at 300 ft
Aircraft
B738
Sky
a broken layer from 300 ft
DA62 at 700 ft, 36 nm southeast, 6:22 pm EDT (22:22 UTC): no turbulence, overcast above 700 ft, mist, 23 °C, wind 190° at 8 knots. At the departure end, 36 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ESN UA /OV ESN/TM 2222/FL007/TP DA62/SK OVC007/WX 5BR/TA 23/WV 19008/TB TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through ESN
Where
over ESN
Time
22:22 UTC
Height
at 700 ft
Aircraft
DA62
Sky
overcast from 700 ft
Weather
5BR
Temperature
23 °C
Wind
from 190° at 8 knots
Turbulence
turbulence no
B38M at 3,000 ft, 3 nm southeast, 6:07 pm EDT (22:07 UTC): overcast above 30,000 ft. At the departure end, 3 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BWI UA /OV BAL150003/TM 2207/FL30/TP B38M/SK OVC003
```
Report
a routine report filed through BWI
Where
3 nm southeast (150°) of BAL
Time
22:07 UTC
Height
at 3,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Sky
overcast from 300 ft
B737 at 400 ft, 0 nm south, 5:40 pm EDT (21:40 UTC): a broken layer above 40,000 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 2140/FL004/TP B737/SK BKN004
```
Report
a routine report filed through BWI
Where
over BWI
Time
21:40 UTC
Height
at 400 ft
Aircraft
B737
Sky
a broken layer from 400 ft
B738 at 4,000 ft, 5 nm south, 5:20 pm EDT (21:20 UTC): overcast from 700 ft to 3,000 ft. At the departure end, 5 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BWI UA /OV BAL180005/TM 2120/FL40/TP B738/SK OVC007-TOP030
```
Report
a routine report filed through BWI
Where
5 nm south (180°) of BAL
Time
21:20 UTC
Height
at 4,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Sky
overcast from 700 ft, tops 3,000 ft
B737 at 300 ft, 0 nm southeast, 5:16 pm EDT (21:16 UTC): overcast from 30,000 ft to 3,600 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BWI UA /OV BAL/TM 2116/FL003/TP B737/SK OVC003-TOP036
```
Report
a routine report filed through BWI
Where
over BAL
Time
21:16 UTC
Height
at 300 ft
Aircraft
B737
Sky
overcast from 300 ft, tops 3,600 ft
A319 descending, 24 nm south, 8:02 pm EDT (00:02 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 24 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DCA UA /OV RWY 1 DEPARTURE/TM 0002/FLDURC/TP A319/SK BASES 500 FT
```
Report
a routine report filed through DCA
Where
runway 1 departure
Time
00:02 UTC
Height
during the climb
Aircraft
A319
Sky
bases 50,000 ft ft
B738 at 7,000 ft, 4 nm south, 7:40 pm EDT (23:40 UTC): overcast above 40,000 ft, remarks: top 6,500 ft. At the departure end, 4 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BWI UA /OV BAL280010/TM 2340/FL070/TP B738/SK OVC004/RM TOP 065
```
Report
a routine report filed through BWI
Where
10 nm west (280°) of BAL
Time
23:40 UTC
Height
at 7,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Sky
overcast from 400 ft
Remarks
top 6,500 ft
A319 descending, 24 nm south, 5:28 pm EDT (21:28 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 24 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DCA UA /OV RWY 1 FINAL/TM 2128/FLDURD/TP A319/SK BASES 400 FT
```
Report
a routine report filed through DCA
Where
runway 1 final
Time
21:28 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
A319
Sky
bases 40,000 ft ft

16 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 6 forecast points nearest it (PSB, AGC, CLE, CMH, FWA, 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	320° at 7 kt	+6 kt	13 °C	114 kt	5 h 13 min	12:21 am CDT (05:21 UTC)
6,500 ft	330° at 12 kt	+9 kt	13 °C	111 kt	5 h 21 min	12:29 am CDT (05:29 UTC)
8,500 ft	330° at 10 kt	+7 kt	10 °C	113 kt	5 h 15 min	12:23 am CDT (05:23 UTC)
10,500 ft	330° at 10 kt	+7 kt	6 °C	113 kt	5 h 15 min	12:23 am CDT (05:23 UTC)
12,500 ft	340° at 10 kt	+7 kt	2 °C	113 kt	5 h 15 min	12:23 am CDT (05:23 UTC)
14,500 ft	320° at 10 kt	+8 kt	-2 °C	112 kt	5 h 18 min	12:26 am CDT (05:26 UTC)
16,500 ft	310° at 11 kt	+9 kt	-7 °C	111 kt	5 h 21 min	12:29 am CDT (05:29 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	300° at 12 kt	+10 kt	-10 °C	110 kt	5 h 24 min	12:32 am CDT (05:32 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	300° at 15 kt	+14 kt	-22 °C	106 kt	5 h 36 min	12:44 am CDT (05:44 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	270° at 29 kt	+26 kt	-35 °C	94 kt	6 h 19 min	1:27 am CDT (06:27 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	260° at 34 kt	+30 kt	-41 °C	90 kt	6 h 36 min	1:44 am CDT (06:44 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	270° at 37 kt	+35 kt	-48 °C	85 kt	6 h 59 min	2:07 am CDT (07:07 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
PSB	used from 0 nm out; 103 nm from the line		260/13 13°	220/12 8°	220/11 4°	230/27 -11°	210/31 -21°	220/73 -32°	220/75 -40°	230/66 -50°
AGC	used from 99 nm out; 44 nm from the line	140/12	350/10 12°	L/V 9°	L/V 3°	200/11 -11°	220/21 -22°	220/47 -33°	230/51 -39°	230/45 -48°
CLE	used from 247 nm out; 44 nm from the line	340/5	320/13 14°	300/12 8°	310/10 2°	310/14 -10°	340/14 -23°	320/27 -35°	260/28 -40°	250/36 -48°
CMH	used from 297 nm out; 61 nm from the line	340/14	320/13 12°	350/12 8°	360/10 2°	350/27 -10°	340/20 -22°	320/31 -35°	270/25 -39°	260/32 -48°
FWA	used from 346 nm out; 43 nm from the line	350/9	350/24 15°	360/25 9°	360/29 4°	350/31 -10°	340/39 -22°	330/40 -37°	320/38 -43°	320/48 -48°
JOT	used from 495 nm out; 38 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
BWI Baltimore, MD	departure	low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: light drizzle, mist	from the north-northeast (030°) at 7 knots	3 mi	400 ft	143 ft	7:54 pm EDT (23:54 UTC)
FDK Frederick, MD	40 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower	IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet	from the north-northeast (020°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	600 ft	308 ft	23:47 UTC
CBE Cumberland, MD	99 nm out, 10 nm southwest of the line	IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light rain, mist	from the north-northwest (340°) at 4 knots	1.5 mi	500 ft	757 ft	23:55 UTC
AGC Pittsburgh, PA	168 nm out, 13 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,200 feet, a broken layer at 4,100 feet, overcast at 7,000 feet	variable at 3 knots	10+ mi	4,100 ft	1,251 ft	23:53 UTC
HLG Wheeling, WV	198 nm out, 9 nm south of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,800 feet	from the north (010°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	1,800 ft	1,194 ft	23:53 UTC
MFD Mansfield, OH	287 nm out, 1 nm northeast of the line, tower	IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet Weather: mist	from the north-northwest (330°) at 6 knots	5 mi	600 ft	1,297 ft	23:52 UTC
FDY Findlay, OH	336 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line	marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 2,100 feet Weather: mist	from the west-northwest (290°) at 4 knots	5 mi	2,100 ft	812 ft	23:53 UTC
GWB Auburn, IN	406 nm out, 5 nm south of the line	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,700 feet	from the east-southeast (110°) at 2 knots	10+ mi	1,700 ft	880 ft	23:55 UTC
SBN South Bend, IN	465 nm out, 3 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	798 ft	23:54 UTC
ORD Chicago, IL	534 nm out, 5 nm west of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet	from the south (170°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	680 ft	23:51 UTC
DPA Chicago/West Chicago, IL	554 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southeast (150°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	758 ft	23:52 UTC
RFD Chicago/Rockford, IL	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet	from the southeast (130°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	742 ft	6:54 pm CDT (23:54 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 1,297 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, 12:21 am CDT (05:21 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 BWI, the departure

From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 6 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 500 feet
From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 4 knots, visibility 2 miles, rain showers, mist, overcast at 400 feet
From Mon 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 3 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 800 feet
From Mon 7:00 am EDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet
From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
From Mon 6:00 pm EDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,500 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

6/8800 Baltimore, MD, Saturday, October 17, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 6 nm from the route, at the departure end · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Saturday 17 October · ZDC
4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 11 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · ZDC
6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 13 nm from the route, 30 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
6/8829 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 15 nm from the route, 218 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
6/8587 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 15 nm from the route, 218 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB

Daylight

Sunset at BWI 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 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 before sunrise there (7:05 am CDT (12:05 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

Radar now, the Northeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the central Great Lakes · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service

Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall, Chicago/Rockford International.