Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport to Southwest Florida International DCA → RSW
777 nautical miles (894 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 199°, about 210° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 7 h 08 min at the quickest height in today's winds (6,500 ft, a 11-knot headwind), arriving about 2:57 am EDT (06:57 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DCA is IFR, wind from the north-northeast (020°) at 9 knots; RSW is VFR, wind from the east-northeast (060°) at 4 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: 1,614 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 E12E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 30 knots, until 8:55 pm EDT (00:55 UTC). Over the first 10 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 112255 MKCE WST 112255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 12E VALID UNTIL 0055Z NJ PA DE MD VA DC WV AND NJ CSTL WTRS FROM 30WNW SAX-40ESE CYN-20SW DCA-50SSE JST-30WNW SAX AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 24030KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- SIGMET E13E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 32,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 15 knots, until 8:55 pm EDT (00:55 UTC). Over the route from 50 to 139 nm out.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 112255 MKCE WST 112255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 13E VALID UNTIL 0055Z PA MD VA NC WV OH KY FROM 30NNW AIR-30NNE RIC-60S RIC-30NW HMV-10ESE APE-30NNW AIR AREA TS MOV FROM 24015KT. TOPS TO FL320.
- 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 129 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Near the route, 50 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 DCA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent G280 climbing, 43 nm east, 4:59 pm EDT (20:59 UTC): a broken layer above 900 ft. 209 nm along the route, 43 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ISO UUA /OV KISO/TM 2059/FLDURC/TP G280/SK BKN009
- Report
- an urgent report filed through ISO
- Where
- over KISO
- Time
- 20:59 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- G280
- Sky
- a broken layer from 900 ft
- urgent B772 at 12,000 ft, 9 nm northwest, 5:15 pm EDT (21:15 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 647 nm along the route, 9 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
MCO UUA /OV ORL045010/TM 2115/FL120/TP B772/TB ENCOUNTERED A POCKET OF CAT THAT CAUSES PAX INJURIES
- Report
- an urgent report filed through MCO
- Where
- 10 nm northeast (045°) of ORL
- Time
- 21:15 UTC
- Height
- at 12,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B772
- Turbulence
- encountered A pocket of clear-air turbulence that causes pax injuries
- A21N at 22,000 ft, 8 nm east, 5:09 pm EDT (21:09 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the destination end, 8 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
RSW UA /OV RSW055015/TM 2109/FL220/TP A21N/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through RSW
- Where
- 15 nm northeast (055°) of RSW
- Time
- 21:09 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- moderate
- 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
- B738 at 7,000 ft, 20 nm north, 7:40 pm EDT (23:40 UTC): overcast above 40,000 ft, remarks: top 6,500 ft. At the departure end, 20 nm north 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
- CRJ9 at 7,000 ft, 12 nm northwest, 7:17 pm EDT (23:17 UTC): overcast from 500 ft to 7,200 ft. At the departure end, 12 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV DCA320012/TM 2317/FL070/TP CRJ9/SK BASES 005 OVC TOPS 072
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- 12 nm northwest (320°) of DCA
- Time
- 23:17 UTC
- Height
- at 7,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- bases 500 ft overcast tops 7,200 ft
- B39M at 2,000 ft, 25 nm west, 7:03 pm EDT (23:03 UTC): overcast above 700 ft. At the departure end, 25 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV AML320005/TM 2303/FL020/TP B39M/SK BASES OVC 007
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 5 nm northwest (320°) of AML
- Time
- 23:03 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Sky
- bases overcast at 700 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
- A319 descending, 21 nm west, 6:25 pm EDT (22:25 UTC): overcast above 700 ft, light rain. At the departure end, 21 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV RWY 1R/TM 2225/FLDURD/TP A319/SK OVC 007/WX 4SM W/ -RA
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- runway 1R
- Time
- 22:25 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A319
- Sky
- overcast from 700 ft
- Weather
- 4SM, west, light rain
- 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
- BE58 at 3,000 ft, 24 nm west, 6:22 pm EDT (22:22 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 24 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV AML300003/TM 2222/FL030/TP BE58/SK BASES009 OVC
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 3 nm northwest (300°) of AML
- Time
- 22:22 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE58
- Sky
- BASES009 overcast
- B38M at 3,000 ft, 26 nm northeast, 6:07 pm EDT (22:07 UTC): overcast above 30,000 ft. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast 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, 26 nm northeast, 5:40 pm EDT (21:40 UTC): a broken layer above 40,000 ft. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast 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
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 8 forecast points nearest it (RIC, RDU, FLO, CHS, SAV, JAX, MLB, PIE). 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 | 240° at 17 kt | +12 kt | 108 kt | 7 h 12 min | 3:01 am EDT (07:01 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 250° at 19 kt | +11 kt | 13 °C | 109 kt | 7 h 08 min | 2:57 am EDT (06:57 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 240° at 25 kt | +17 kt | 12 °C | 103 kt | 7 h 33 min | 3:22 am EDT (07:22 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 240° at 28 kt | +21 kt | 10 °C | 99 kt | 7 h 51 min | 3:40 am EDT (07:40 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 240° at 31 kt | +24 kt | 7 °C | 96 kt | 8 h 06 min | 3:55 am EDT (07:55 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 240° at 35 kt | +27 kt | 2 °C | 93 kt | 8 h 21 min | 4:10 am EDT (08:10 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 240° at 38 kt | +30 kt | -2 °C | 90 kt | 8 h 38 min | 4:27 am EDT (08:27 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 41 kt | +32 kt | -5 °C | 88 kt | 8 h 50 min | 4:39 am EDT (08:39 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 51 kt | +45 kt | -16 °C | 75 kt | 10 h 22 min | 6:11 am EDT (10:11 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 59 kt | +55 kt | -30 °C | 65 kt | 11 h 57 min | 7:46 am EDT (11:46 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 210° at 62 kt | +61 kt | -41 °C | 59 kt | 13 h 10 min | 8:59 am EDT (12:59 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 210° at 59 kt | +57 kt | -52 °C | 63 kt | 12 h 20 min | 8:09 am EDT (12:09 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; 58 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° |
| RDU | used from 149 nm out; 31 nm from the line | 240/28 | 250/22 10° | 230/30 11° | 230/40 7° | 230/45 -4° | 220/69 -15° | 220/83 -29° | 210/84 -40° | 220/75 -52° |
| FLO | used from 249 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 240/25 | 270/23 11° | 250/36 10° | 240/38 7° | 240/50 -4° | 230/66 -15° | 220/75 -30° | 210/77 -40° | 220/73 -52° |
| CHS | used from 348 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 260/22 | 280/26 12° | 260/37 12° | 250/40 8° | 240/54 -4° | 230/55 -15° | 220/61 -31° | 200/66 -41° | 210/62 -52° |
| SAV | used from 448 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 260/18 | 290/26 13° | 270/33 12° | 260/40 9° | 240/47 -5° | 230/53 -16° | 220/61 -31° | 210/64 -41° | 210/64 -52° |
| JAX | used from 498 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 280/14 | 300/22 16° | 260/27 15° | 260/26 9° | 240/41 -6° | 230/38 -16° | 220/44 -32° | 200/49 -41° | 200/52 -53° |
| MLB | used from 597 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 240/7 | 240/11 17° | 240/13 13° | 250/15 8° | 230/25 -5° | 210/25 -16° | 210/24 -31° | 190/29 -41° | 190/27 -53° |
| PIE | used from 747 nm out; 87 nm from the line | 310/7 | 270/12 17° | 270/14 13° | 260/14 8° | 240/22 -5° | 230/24 -16° | 220/26 -31° | 200/31 -41° | 180/33 -53° |
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 | IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 14 ft | 6:52 pm EDT (22:52 UTC) |
| OFP Richmond/Ashland, VA | 70 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line | low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 200 feet, overcast at 800 feet Weather: mist | from the west-northwest (300°) at 4 knots | 5 mi | 200 ft | 206 ft | 22:54 UTC |
| BKT Blackstone, VA | 119 nm out, 8 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 437 ft | 12:55 UTC |
| RDU Raleigh/Durham, NC | 199 nm out, 22 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,600 feet, a broken layer at 5,500 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | 5,500 ft | 435 ft | 22:51 UTC |
| FAY Fayetteville, NC | 249 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,100 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 4,100 ft | 189 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| MYR Myrtle Beach, SC | 319 nm out, 13 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,400 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 12 knots, gusting to 17 | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 25 ft | 23:18 UTC |
| JZI Charleston, SC | 398 nm out, 21 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 4,300 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 4,300 ft | 18 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| EVB New Smyrna Beach, FL | 617 nm out, 3 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the west (260°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 10 ft | 22:47 UTC |
| MCO Orlando, FL | 657 nm out, 11 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,000 feet, a few clouds at 8,000 feet, a few clouds at 15,000 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet | from the west (270°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 25,000 ft | 96 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| PGD Punta Gorda, FL | 757 nm out, 19 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,200 feet | from the east (090°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 25 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| RSW Fort Myers, FL | destination | VFR | from the east-northeast (060°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 29 ft | 6:53 pm EDT (22:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 437 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RSW when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:57 am EDT (06:57 UTC)
Wind from the north-northeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for RSW
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east-northeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
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 13 nm from the route, at the departure end · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZDC
- 6/8508 Johnsontown, NC 8 nm from the route, 259 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8713 Maxton, NC, Friday, October 16, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 24 nm from the route, 269 nm along the route · air shows/sports · starts Friday 16 October · ZDC
- 6/8298 Daytona Beach, FL, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 9 nm from the route, 607 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZJX
- 4/3634 DISNEY WORLD THEME PARK, ORLANDO, FL 20 nm from the route, 667 nm along the route · security · ZJX
Daylight
Sunset at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC), at RSW 7:03 pm EDT (23:03 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:26 pm EDT (23:26 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RSW is before sunrise there (7:24 am EDT (11:24 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, Southwest Florida International.
