Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport to San Diego International DCA → SAN
1,973 nautical miles (2,271 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 272°, about 283° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 19 h 09 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 17-knot headwind), arriving about 9:51 pm PDT (04:51 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DCA is marginal VFR, wind from the north-northwest (340°) at 9 knots, gusting to 18; SAN is marginal VFR, wind calm. 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: 713 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 E31E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 30,000 ft, until 6:55 am EDT (10:55 UTC). Over the first 10 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120855 MKCE WST 120855 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 31E VALID UNTIL 1055Z MD VA DC FROM 20NNE DCA-30WSW SBY-RIC-CSN-20NNE DCA AREA TS MOV LTL. TOPS TO FL300.
- AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist, fog). Over the first 478 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 10 to 150 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 80 to 229 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 708 to 1365 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 route from 1256 to 1674 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 1336 to 1455 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 1505 to 1664 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 1585 to 1944 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1635 to 1674 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1654 to 1744 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1934 to 1963 nm out.
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 BE20 at 500 ft, 3 nm north, 5:34 am EDT (09:34 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear 500FT a 10-knot loss of airspeed zkc fd dl. 1136 nm along the route, 3 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
LBL UUA /OV LBL/TM 0934/FL005/TP BE20/RM LLWS 500FT +/-10KT ZKC FD DL
- Report
- an urgent report filed through LBL
- Where
- over LBL
- Time
- 09:34 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear 500FT a 10-knot loss of airspeed zkc fd dl
- 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
- B737 at 800 ft, 26 nm northeast, 3:30 am EDT (07:30 UTC): remarks: bases 800 ft. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 0730/FL008/TP B737/RM BASES 008
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 07:30 UTC
- Height
- at 800 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- bases 800 ft
- B738 at 33,000 ft, 26 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, 26 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
- CRJ7 at 5,000 ft, 42 nm south, 5:37 am EDT (09:37 UTC): scattered clouds above 10,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 359 nm along the route, 42 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
LEX UA /OV HYK330010/TM 0937/FL050/TP CRJ7/SK SCT001/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through LEX
- Where
- 10 nm northwest (330°) of HYK
- Time
- 09:37 UTC
- Height
- at 5,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- scattered clouds from 100 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- B763 at 100 ft, 13 nm north, 5:05 am EDT (09:05 UTC): sky obscured, remarks: during the climb. 359 nm along the route, 13 nm north 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
- B763 at 200 ft, 13 nm north, 4:05 am EDT (08:05 UTC): sky obscured, remarks: during the climb. 359 nm along the route, 13 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CVG UA /OV CVG270001/TM 0805/FL002/TP B763/SK VV002/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through CVG
- Where
- 1 nm west (270°) of CVG
- Time
- 08:05 UTC
- Height
- at 200 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Sky
- sky obscured from 200 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- B752 climbing, 14 nm north, 3:37 am EDT (07:37 UTC): overcast. 359 nm along the route, 14 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CVG UA /OV 5 W CVG/TM 0737/FLDURC/TP B752/SK B001 OVC T015
- Report
- a routine report filed through CVG
- Where
- 5 west cvg
- Time
- 07:37 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- B752
- Sky
- B001 overcast T015
- B739 at 1,800 ft, 0 nm northwest, 3:34 am EDT (07:34 UTC): a broken layer, 18 °C, remarks: bases 1,800 ft to the east. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV FINAL RWY 27/TM 0734/FL018/TP B739/SK BKN/WX 4SM/TA 18/WV CALM/RM BASES 018 TO THE EAST
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- final runway 27
- Time
- 07:34 UTC
- Height
- at 1,800 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Sky
- a broken layer
- Weather
- 4SM
- Temperature
- 18 °C
- Wind
- calm
- Remarks
- bases 1,800 ft to the east
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 20 forecast points nearest it (RIC, EKN, CRW, CVG, LOU, EVV, STL, COU, SGF, MKC, ICT, GAG, GCK, AMA, TCC, ABQ, FMN, PRC, BLH, SAN). 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 21 kt | +22 kt | 16 °C | 98 kt | 20 h 08 min | 10:50 pm PDT (05:50 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 260° at 17 kt | +19 kt | 14 °C | 101 kt | 19 h 32 min | 10:14 pm PDT (05:14 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 240° at 16 kt | +17 kt | 10 °C | 103 kt | 19 h 09 min | 9:51 pm PDT (04:51 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 240° at 18 kt | +19 kt | 6 °C | 101 kt | 19 h 32 min | 10:14 pm PDT (05:14 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 240° at 20 kt | +22 kt | 3 °C | 98 kt | 20 h 08 min | 10:50 pm PDT (05:50 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 250° at 24 kt | +26 kt | -1 °C | 94 kt | 20 h 59 min | 11:41 pm PDT (06:41 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 250° at 28 kt | +30 kt | -5 °C | 90 kt | 21 h 55 min | 12:37 am PDT (07:37 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 250° at 31 kt | +33 kt | -8 °C | 87 kt | 22 h 41 min | 1:23 am PDT (08:23 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 250° at 38 kt | +40 kt | -20 °C | 80 kt | 24 h 40 min | 3:22 am PDT (10:22 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 260° at 53 kt | +57 kt | -30 °C | 63 kt | 31 h 19 min | 10:01 am PDT (17:01 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 56 kt | +60 kt | -38 °C | 60 kt | 32 h 53 min | 11:35 am PDT (18:35 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 52 kt | +56 kt | -49 °C | 64 kt | 30 h 50 min | 9:32 am PDT (16:32 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; 82 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; 57 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° | |
| CRW | used from 199 nm out; 32 nm from the line | 320/17 | 340/23 12° | 340/32 8° | 340/35 4° | 330/40 -7° | 340/45 -20° | 340/57 -34° | 340/64 -42° | 320/38 -50° |
| CVG | used from 299 nm out; 36 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° |
| LOU | used from 399 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 300/16 | 310/19 15° | 310/17 9° | 300/15 4° | 300/26 -6° | 280/34 -19° | 290/30 -34° | 310/49 -42° | 310/58 -51° |
| EVV | used from 449 nm out; 42 nm from the line | 270/25 | 290/17 15° | 260/10 8° | 270/16 5° | 280/29 -6° | 280/33 -19° | 290/38 -33° | 300/53 -41° | 310/54 -51° |
| STL | used from 548 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 250/26 | 240/21 15° | 240/22 11° | 250/23 6° | 270/28 -7° | 260/30 -19° | 280/52 -31° | 280/57 -40° | 300/57 -49° |
| COU | used from 648 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 250/36 | 260/14 16° | 250/5 12° | 260/12 6° | 260/24 -7° | 260/35 -19° | 280/58 -31° | 280/62 -40° | 290/60 -49° |
| SGF | used from 748 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 230/37 | 260/20 15° | 250/16 13° | 250/15 8° | 260/28 -7° | 250/31 -17° | 280/59 -31° | 280/59 -39° | 290/55 -50° |
| MKC | used from 797 nm out; 68 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° |
| ICT | used from 897 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 230/45 | 240/33 21° | 230/23 14° | 230/22 7° | 240/29 -7° | 240/36 -20° | 260/78 -29° | 270/69 -36° | 270/56 -49° |
| GAG | used from 1047 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 240/35 22° | 240/27 14° | 230/25 6° | 240/38 -7° | 230/44 -19° | 250/73 -28° | 270/66 -37° | 270/58 -49° | |
| GCK | used from 1096 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 240/40 22° | 240/40 14° | 240/38 7° | 230/39 -7° | 230/45 -20° | 250/73 -28° | 260/74 -36° | 260/64 -49° | |
| AMA | used from 1196 nm out; 99 nm from the line | 230/32 | 230/28 14° | 230/27 7° | 230/38 -6° | 230/50 -17° | 250/69 -28° | 260/62 -37° | 270/65 -49° | |
| TCC | used from 1246 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 240/20 | 230/22 13° | 230/27 6° | 230/40 -7° | 240/55 -18° | 240/74 -27° | 240/68 -37° | 250/64 -49° | |
| ABQ | used from 1346 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 220/19 9° | 220/35 3° | 230/50 -8° | 240/64 -19° | 230/83 -26° | 230/85 -36° | 230/80 -48° | ||
| FMN | used from 1495 nm out; 88 nm from the line | 220/16 6° | 220/39 1° | 220/50 -10° | 230/67 -23° | 230/94 -29° | 230/102 -35° | 230/90 -46° | ||
| PRC | used from 1595 nm out; 93 nm from the line | 200/37 6° | 200/35 0° | 220/60 -11° | 220/71 -20° | 220/88 -29° | 220/98 -35° | 220/94 -45° | ||
| BLH | used from 1794 nm out; 20 nm from the line | 240/19 | 210/20 10° | 200/27 4° | 210/34 -2° | 220/59 -10° | 220/67 -20° | 220/75 -29° | 230/78 -38° | 220/90 -47° |
| SAN | used from 1894 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 240/10 | 220/19 6° | 230/26 2° | 230/29 -3° | 230/43 -11° | 220/61 -20° | 220/72 -29° | 220/75 -38° | 220/71 -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 1,200 feet, overcast at 1,600 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the north-northwest (340°) at 9 knots, gusting to 18 | 5 mi | 1,200 ft | 14 ft | 5:25 am EDT (09:25 UTC) |
| IAD Washington, DC | 20 nm out, 5 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,000 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet Weather: mist | from the north-northwest (330°) at 11 knots | 6 mi | 1,000 ft | 312 ft | 08:52 UTC |
| CVG Covington, KY | 359 nm out, 15 nm north of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 100 feet Weather: fog | calm | 0.25 mi | 100 ft | 896 ft | 09:30 UTC |
| AJG Mount Carmel, IL | 498 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 500 feet Weather: fog | calm | 0.5 mi | 500 ft | 429 ft | 09:35 UTC |
| BLV Belleville, IL | 598 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 459 ft | 08:55 UTC |
| ICT Wichita, KS | 967 nm out, 6 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,332 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| LBL Liberal, KS | 1136 nm out, 3 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 14 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,885 ft | 08:56 UTC |
| CAO Clayton, NM | 1246 nm out, 7 nm south of the line | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 17 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 4,969 ft | 08:55 UTC |
| SAF Santa Fe, NM | 1395 nm out, 18 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 8,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 6,348 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| PRC Prescott, AZ | 1714 nm out, 23 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,800 feet, scattered clouds at 3,300 feet, overcast at 5,500 feet Weather: light rain | from the east-southeast (120°) at 3 knots | 8 mi | 5,500 ft | 5,045 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| RNM Ramona, CA | 1953 nm out, 12 nm northwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 1,400 feet, overcast at 2,100 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the southwest (220°) at 4 knots | 3 mi | 1,400 ft | 1,394 ft | 09:17 UTC |
| SAN San Diego, CA | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,600 feet, overcast at 3,700 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 2,600 ft | 16 ft | 2:00 am PDT (09:00 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,348 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SAN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:51 pm PDT (04:51 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SAN
- From Mon 2:00 am PDT (09:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 2,600 feet, overcast at 3,500 feet
- At times between Mon 2:00 am PDT (09:00 UTC) and 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
The forecast for DCA, the departure
- From Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, visibility 3 miles, rain, mist, a broken layer at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,900 feet
- 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 8 nm from the route, at the departure end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
- 6/8029 Cincinnati, OH, Friday, October 9, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 10 nm from the route, 359 nm along the route · a VIP movement · until 12 October · ZID
- 6/4812 El Centro, CA, Wednesday, July 15, 2026 through Tuesday, July 13, 2027 Local 4 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 13 July · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC), at SAN 6:18 pm PDT (01:18 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:43 pm PDT (01:43 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SAN is after sunset there (6:19 pm PDT (01:19 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, San Diego International.