Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport to Denver International DCA → DEN
1,279 nautical miles (1,472 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 282°, about 293° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 12 h 32 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 18-knot headwind), arriving about 5:43 pm MDT (23:43 UTC). Right now DCA is marginal VFR, wind from the north-northwest (340°) at 11 knots; DEN is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 14 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: 2,675 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 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 440 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Near the route, at the departure end.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: 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, at the departure end.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 20 to 130 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 60 to 200 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). Over the route from 640 to 1089 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Over the route from 1219 to 1269 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the last 50 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the last 0 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 DCA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A321 at 32,000 ft, 35 nm south, 5:48 am EDT (09:48 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 190 nm along the route, 35 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRW UA /OV HVQ045040/TM 0948/FL320/TP A321/TB OCNL MOD CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRW
- Where
- 40 nm northeast (045°) of HVQ
- Time
- 09:48 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate chop
- B737 at 700 ft, 26 nm northeast, 5:33 am EDT (09:33 UTC): remarks: light rain. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 0933/FL007/TP B737/RM LIGHT RAIN
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 09:33 UTC
- Height
- at 700 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- light rain
- B39M descending, 2 nm north, 6:42 am EDT (10:42 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft. At the departure end, 2 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV RWY 1R/TM 1042/FLDURD/TP B39M/SK OVC 040/WX 10 SM
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- runway 1R
- Time
- 10:42 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Sky
- overcast from 4,000 ft
- Weather
- 10, miles
- B738 at 33,000 ft, 49 nm south, 4:44 am EDT (08:44 UTC): -39 °C, wind 350° at 65 knots, remarks: produced by skypath. 140 nm along the route, 49 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
EKN UA /OV EKN188027 /TM 0844 /FL330 /TP B738 /TA M39 /WV 35065KT /TB MOD-CONS /RM PRODUCED BY SKYPATH
- Report
- a routine report filed through EKN
- Where
- 27 nm south (188°) of EKN
- Time
- 08:44 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Temperature
- −39 °C
- Wind
- from 350° at 65 knots
- Turbulence
- mod-cons
- Remarks
- produced by skypath
- SR22 , 7 nm south, 6:30 am EDT (10:30 UTC): no icing. 210 nm along the route, 7 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PKB UA /OV PKB/TM 1030/FL000/TP SR22/SK TOP 045 BASE 004/IC NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through PKB
- Where
- over PKB
- Time
- 10:30 UTC
- Height
- at 0 ft
- Aircraft
- SR22
- Sky
- top 4,500 ft base 400 ft
- Icing
- none
- E75L at 21,000 ft, 26 nm north, 6:23 am EDT (10:23 UTC): clear from 21,000 ft to 60,000 ft. 230 nm along the route, 26 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ZZV UA /OV ZZV/TM 1023/FL210/TP E75L/SK SKC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ZZV
- Where
- over ZZV
- Time
- 10:23 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Sky
- clear
- B737 at 39,000 ft, 33 nm north, 4:40 am EDT (08:40 UTC): light chop turbulence. 270 nm along the route, 33 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CMH UA /OV APE/TM 0840/FL390/TP B737/TB CONS LGT CHOP 390 NEG 350-330
- Report
- a routine report filed through CMH
- Where
- over APE
- Time
- 08:40 UTC
- Height
- at 39,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop at 39,000 ft no from 35,000 ft to 33,000 ft
- E170 at 6,000 ft, 22 nm north, 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): remarks: during the climb. 280 nm along the route, 22 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CMH UA /OV CMH/TM 1000/FL060/TP E170/SK B008-TOP031/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through CMH
- Where
- over CMH
- Time
- 10:00 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Sky
- B008-TOP031
- Remarks
- during the climb
- CRJ7 at 3,000 ft, 9 nm north, 6:08 am EDT (10:08 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 340 nm along the route, 9 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CMH UA /OV DAY/TM 1008/FL030/TP CRJ7/SK TOP015
- Report
- a routine report filed through CMH
- Where
- over DAY
- Time
- 10:08 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- TOP015
- B737 at 100 ft, 47 nm south, 6:24 am EDT (10:24 UTC): sky obscured, remarks: runway 36R arrival, bases at clear-air turbulence 3 mins. 360 nm along the route, 47 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
CVG UA /OV CVG/TM 1024/FL001/TP B737/SK VV001/RM RWY 36R ARRIVAL, BASES AT CAT 3 MINS
- Report
- a routine report filed through CVG
- Where
- over CVG
- Time
- 10:24 UTC
- Height
- at 100 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- sky obscured from 100 ft
- Remarks
- runway 36R arrival, bases at clear-air turbulence 3 mins
- B739 climbing, 47 nm south, 6:19 am EDT (10:19 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 360 nm along the route, 47 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
CVG UA /OV 1 W CVG/TM 1019/FLDURC/TP B739/SK TOPS 011
- Report
- a routine report filed through CVG
- Where
- 1 west cvg
- Time
- 10:19 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- B739
- Sky
- tops 1,100 ft
- B763 at 100 ft, 47 nm south, 5:05 am EDT (09:05 UTC): sky obscured, remarks: during the climb. 360 nm along the route, 47 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
CVG UA /OV CVG270001/TM 0905/FL001/TP B763/SK VV001/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through CVG
- Where
- 1 nm west (270°) of CVG
- Time
- 09:05 UTC
- Height
- at 100 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Sky
- sky obscured from 100 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- E75S at 24,000 ft, 36 nm north, 7:07 am EDT (11:07 UTC): light chop turbulence from 24,000 ft to 25,000 ft. 410 nm along the route, 36 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
MZZ UA /OV MZZ/TM 1107/FL240/TP E75S/TB OCNL LGT CHOP 250-240
- Report
- a routine report filed through MZZ
- Where
- over MZZ
- Time
- 11:07 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75S
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop from 25,000 ft to 24,000 ft
- B38M at 32,000 ft, 27 nm north, 7:03 am EDT (11:03 UTC): light turbulence. 420 nm along the route, 27 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
MZZ UA /OV MZZ240015/TM 1103/FL320/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT
- Report
- a routine report filed through MZZ
- Where
- 15 nm southwest (240°) of MZZ
- Time
- 11:03 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- continuous light
2 more routine reports are on the map.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 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 13 forecast points nearest it (RIC, EKN, CMH, CVG, IND, SPI, BRL, DSM, MKC, OMA, GRI, GLD, DEN). 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 | 270° at 22 kt | +23 kt | 16 °C | 97 kt | 13 h 11 min | 6:22 pm MDT (00:22 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 270° at 19 kt | +21 kt | 15 °C | 99 kt | 12 h 55 min | 6:06 pm MDT (00:06 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 280° at 17 kt | +18 kt | 11 °C | 102 kt | 12 h 32 min | 5:43 pm MDT (23:43 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 270° at 16 kt | +18 kt | 8 °C | 102 kt | 12 h 32 min | 5:43 pm MDT (23:43 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 270° at 17 kt | +19 kt | 4 °C | 101 kt | 12 h 40 min | 5:51 pm MDT (23:51 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 270° at 20 kt | +22 kt | 0 °C | 98 kt | 13 h 03 min | 6:14 pm MDT (00:14 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 280° at 23 kt | +24 kt | -4 °C | 96 kt | 13 h 19 min | 6:30 pm MDT (00:30 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 280° at 24 kt | +26 kt | -8 °C | 94 kt | 13 h 36 min | 6:47 pm MDT (00:47 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 270° at 31 kt | +33 kt | -20 °C | 87 kt | 14 h 42 min | 7:53 pm MDT (01:53 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 280° at 42 kt | +44 kt | -33 °C | 76 kt | 16 h 50 min | 10:01 pm MDT (04:01 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 280° at 54 kt | +56 kt | -39 °C | 64 kt | 19 h 59 min | 1:10 am MDT (07:10 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 280° at 53 kt | +54 kt | -49 °C | 66 kt | 19 h 23 min | 12:34 am MDT (06:34 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIC | used from 0 nm out; 86 nm from the line | 350/34 | 340/27 12° | 340/36 8° | 330/31 3° | 310/32 -9° | 320/34 -21° | 300/37 -34° | 290/37 -39° | 290/42 -46° |
| EKN | used from 50 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 330/20 10° | 350/29 7° | 340/32 2° | 340/44 -8° | 350/50 -21° | 350/63 -35° | 340/69 -40° | 330/42 -50° | |
| CMH | used from 200 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 320/12 | 340/26 15° | 340/22 9° | 320/24 3° | 320/32 -7° | 320/36 -20° | 330/42 -35° | 320/59 -44° | 320/57 -50° |
| CVG | used from 350 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 300/19 | 310/23 15° | 320/20 9° | 310/18 3° | 300/26 -6° | 290/36 -19° | 310/32 -34° | 310/53 -43° | 310/61 -51° |
| IND | used from 400 nm out; 15 nm from the line | 270/22 | 290/19 15° | 270/19 8° | 270/18 4° | 290/28 -7° | 280/35 -20° | 270/37 -34° | 300/51 -42° | 300/61 -51° |
| SPI | used from 500 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 260/28 | 250/22 15° | 250/14 9° | 260/20 6° | 280/27 -7° | 280/34 -19° | 280/48 -32° | 280/59 -41° | 300/60 -49° |
| BRL | used from 650 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 250/32 | 250/19 17° | 260/15 11° | 270/16 3° | 290/23 -7° | 260/42 -20° | 270/52 -34° | 280/63 -39° | 290/64 -48° |
| DSM | used from 750 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 250/47 | 260/25 20° | 240/19 11° | 240/31 5° | 250/26 -9° | 260/38 -20° | 260/47 -34° | 270/58 -37° | 270/61 -47° |
| MKC | used from 800 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 240/49 | 240/21 20° | 220/19 13° | 230/21 6° | 260/26 -7° | 250/37 -19° | 270/66 -31° | 270/65 -38° | 280/60 -48° |
| OMA | used from 850 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 230/47 | 240/33 21° | 230/22 13° | 220/27 5° | 240/35 -8° | 250/43 -21° | 260/47 -33° | 260/59 -36° | 270/58 -46° |
| GRI | used from 899 nm out; 75 nm from the line | 230/39 23° | 230/32 15° | 210/29 7° | 230/31 -8° | 230/43 -21° | 250/52 -31° | 260/59 -35° | 260/59 -46° | |
| GLD | used from 1049 nm out; 82 nm from the line | 260/37 | 260/25 14° | 250/27 8° | 230/36 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 250/71 -30° | 260/82 -36° | 250/73 -48° | |
| DEN | used from 1199 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 270/24 11° | 230/13 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/46 -20° | 230/63 -30° | 240/78 -36° | 240/78 -48° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DCA Washington, DC | departure | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,100 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 1,100 ft | 14 ft | 6:52 am EDT (10:52 UTC) |
| IAD Washington, DC | 20 nm out, 2 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,800 feet, a broken layer at 4,400 feet Weather: mist | from the north-northwest (330°) at 10 knots | 6 mi | 4,400 ft | 312 ft | 10:52 UTC |
| CKB Clarksburg, WV | 150 nm out, 1 nm southwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 3 knots | 8 mi | 900 ft | 1,223 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| DAY Dayton, OH | 340 nm out, 9 nm north of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog | from the south-southwest (210°) at 5 knots | 0.25 mi | 200 ft | 1,009 ft | 10:56 UTC |
| IND Indianapolis, IN | 430 nm out, 13 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 796 ft | 10:54 UTC |
| CMI Champaign/Urbana, IL | 530 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 754 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| IRK Kirksville, MO | 720 nm out, 9 nm south of the line | reported, no category | from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 966 ft | 10:55 UTC |
| EVU Maryville, MO | 830 nm out, 6 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 13 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | none | 1,145 ft | 10:55 UTC |
| HJH Hebron, NE | 949 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 9 knots, gusting to 15 | 10+ mi | none | 1,468 ft | 10:55 UTC |
| MCK Mc Cook, NE | 1089 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,582 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| RYA Wray, CO | 1169 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 3,677 ft | ||||
| DEN Denver, CO | destination | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 14 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,433 ft | 4:53 am MDT (10:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,433 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At DEN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:43 pm MDT (23:43 UTC)
Wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for DEN
- From Mon 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 4:00 pm MDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 15,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 3,000 feet
The forecast for DCA, the departure
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 1,000 feet, a broken layer at 1,600 feet and more above
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 3:00 pm EDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA on the route, at the departure end · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 6 nm from the route, at the departure end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC), at DEN 6:22 pm MDT (00:22 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:49 pm MDT (00:49 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: Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport, Denver International.
