Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport to Detroit Metro Wayne County DCA → DTW
352 nautical miles (405 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 307°, about 318° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 3 h 01 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 3-knot headwind), arriving about 12:16 am EDT (04:16 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DCA is low IFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) at 9 knots; DTW is marginal VFR, wind from the north (350°) 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: 5,738 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 137 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 195 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 49 to 186 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Near the route, 59 nm along the route.
- 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, 117 nm along the route.
- 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 last 29 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
- E170 at 22,500 ft, 25 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. 68 nm along the route, 25 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, 9 nm southwest, 7:49 pm EDT (23:49 UTC): moderate turbulence above 30,000 ft, remarks: zob. 127 nm along the route, 9 nm southwest 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
- B38M at 29,000 ft, 40 nm southwest, 8:55 pm EDT (00:55 UTC): moderate turbulence above 29,000 ft, remarks: zob. 156 nm along the route, 40 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
MPG UA /OV AIR120030/TM 0055/FL290/TP B38M /TB OCNL MOD 290/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through MPG
- Where
- 30 nm southeast (120°) of AIR
- Time
- 00:55 UTC
- Height
- at 29,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate at 29,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
- A320 descending, 0 nm north, 8:27 pm EDT (00:27 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 0 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV RWY 1 FINAL/TM 0027/FLDURD/TP A320/SK BASES 400 FT
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- runway 1 final
- Time
- 00:27 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- bases 40,000 ft ft
- A21N at 600 ft, 26 nm northeast, 8:23 pm EDT (00:23 UTC): a broken layer above 600 ft. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 0023/FL006/TP A21N/SK BKN006
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 00:23 UTC
- Height
- at 600 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Sky
- a broken layer from 600 ft
- A319 descending, 0 nm north, 8:02 pm EDT (00:02 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 0 nm north 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
- B763 at 500 ft, 26 nm northeast, 7:50 pm EDT (23:50 UTC): a broken layer above 500 ft. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast 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, 8 nm east, 7:42 pm EDT (23:42 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. At the departure end, 8 nm east 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, 8 nm east, 6:47 pm EDT (22:47 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. At the departure end, 8 nm east 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, 26 nm northeast, 6:29 pm EDT (22:29 UTC): a broken layer above 30,000 ft. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast 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, 45 nm east, 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, 45 nm east 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
- B738 at 7,000 ft, 20 nm northeast, 7:40 pm EDT (23:40 UTC): overcast above 40,000 ft, remarks: top 6,500 ft. At the departure end, 20 nm northeast 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
- CL60 descending, 20 nm southwest, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. At the departure end, 20 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV HEF160001/TM 2330/FLDURD/TP CL60/SK OVC 005
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 1 nm south (160°) of HEF
- Time
- 23:30 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
- CL60 at 500 ft, 20 nm southwest, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 20 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
HEF UA /OV KHEF150001/TM 2330/FL005/TP CL60/SK OVC005/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through HEF
- Where
- 1 nm southeast (150°) of KHEF
- Time
- 23:30 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
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 4 forecast points nearest it (RIC, PSB, AGC, CLE). 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 | 260° at 4 kt | +3 kt | 13 °C | 117 kt | 3 h 01 min | 12:16 am EDT (04:16 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 290° at 8 kt | +7 kt | 13 °C | 113 kt | 3 h 07 min | 12:22 am EDT (04:22 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 260° at 8 kt | +5 kt | 10 °C | 115 kt | 3 h 04 min | 12:19 am EDT (04:19 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 250° at 8 kt | +4 kt | 6 °C | 116 kt | 3 h 02 min | 12:17 am EDT (04:17 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 250° at 8 kt | +4 kt | 2 °C | 116 kt | 3 h 02 min | 12:17 am EDT (04:17 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 250° at 10 kt | +5 kt | -2 °C | 115 kt | 3 h 04 min | 12:19 am EDT (04:19 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 250° at 12 kt | +7 kt | -7 °C | 113 kt | 3 h 07 min | 12:22 am EDT (04:22 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 250° at 14 kt | +8 kt | -10 °C | 112 kt | 3 h 09 min | 12:24 am EDT (04:24 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 17 kt | +7 kt | -21 °C | 113 kt | 3 h 07 min | 12:22 am EDT (04:22 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 35 kt | +14 kt | -33 °C | 106 kt | 3 h 19 min | 12:34 am EDT (04:34 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 47 kt | +14 kt | -40 °C | 106 kt | 3 h 19 min | 12:34 am EDT (04:34 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 48 kt | +15 kt | -49 °C | 105 kt | 3 h 21 min | 12:36 am EDT (04:36 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIC | used from 0 nm out; 96 nm from the line | 190/33 | 200/29 14° | 210/31 12° | 210/38 6° | 230/42 -7° | 230/68 -16° | 220/84 -29° | 220/86 -40° | 220/81 -52° |
| PSB | used from 49 nm out; 79 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 98 nm out; 40 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 195 nm out; 49 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° |
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 | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist | from the north-northeast (030°) at 9 knots | 6 mi | 400 ft | 14 ft | 8:52 pm EDT (00:52 UTC) |
| JYO Leesburg, VA | 29 nm out, 4 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light drizzle | from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots | 7 mi | 500 ft | 389 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| MRB Martinsburg, WV | 59 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet | from the north (360°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 800 ft | 564 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| JST Johnstown, PA | 117 nm out, 21 nm northeast of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog | from the northeast (050°) at 5 knots | 0.5 mi | 200 ft | 2,284 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| LBE Latrobe, PA | 137 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,600 feet | from the northeast (040°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 1,600 ft | 1,198 ft | 00:47 UTC |
| BVI Beaver Falls, PA | 195 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower | reported, no category | calm | none | 1,252 ft | 19:47 UTC | |
| CAK Akron, OH | 234 nm out, 18 nm southwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet | from the north (010°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 1,225 ft | 00:51 UTC |
| CLE Cleveland, OH | 274 nm out, 5 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,100 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 2,100 ft | 799 ft | 00:51 UTC |
| CYPT Pelee Island, | 313 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 571 ft | ||||
| DTW Detroit, MI | destination | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 500 feet, a broken layer at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet | from the north (350°) at 3 knots | 8 mi | 1,200 ft | 645 ft | 8:53 pm EDT (00:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,284 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At DTW when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:16 am EDT (04:16 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,400 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for DTW
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,400 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am EDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- At times between Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, mist, a broken layer at 400 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
The forecast for DCA, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 9 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 700 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 5 knots, visibility 2 miles, rain showers, mist, overcast at 500 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 22, 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 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 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 on the route, 20 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
- 6/8587 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, 195 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
- 6/8829 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 3 nm from the route, 215 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
- 6/8888 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 18 nm from the route, 225 nm along the route · security · today · ZOB
Daylight
Sunset at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC), at DTW 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:24 pm EDT (23:24 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at DTW is before sunrise there (7:42 am EDT (11:42 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, Detroit Metro Wayne County.