Denver International to Phoenix Sky Harbor International DEN → PHX
523 nautical miles (602 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 225°, about 217° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 30 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 25-knot headwind), arriving about 11:17 pm MST (06:17 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DEN is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 17 knots, gusting to 23; PHX is VFR, wind from the west-northwest (300°) at 10 knots, gusting to 21. 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: 17,912 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 W68W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 36,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm MDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 79 to 326 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112355 MKCW WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 68W VALID UNTIL 0155Z CO NM AZ UT FROM 30W CHE-20NNW TBE-60SE ABQ-40N SJN-30SW MTU-30W CHE AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL360.
- SIGMET W69W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm MDT (01:55 UTC). Over the last 148 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112355 MKCW WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 69W VALID UNTIL 0155Z TX NM AZ FROM 50ENE PGS-60SE ABQ-20ENE ELP-70SSW SSO-50SE BZA-50ENE PGS AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 286 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 483 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 109 to 493 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 148 to 207 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Near the route, 316 nm along the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 444 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 DEN.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent E545 at 6,000 ft, 6 nm east, 3:49 pm MDT (21:49 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 5 knots fap runway 17L. At the departure end, 6 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UUA /OV APA350002/TM 2149/FL060/TP E545/RM LLWS +/- 5 KT FAP RWY 17L
- Report
- an urgent report filed through APA
- Where
- 2 nm north (350°) of APA
- Time
- 21:49 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E545
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear + 5 knots fap runway 17L
- urgent GLF6 at 45,000 ft, 35 nm northwest, 5:57 pm MDT (23:57 UTC): severe turbulence, remarks: a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv. 266 nm along the route, 35 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UUA /OV RSK280050/TM 2357/FL450/TP GLF6/TB SEV/RM A/C HAD TO EXIT AUTO PILOT, 45 DEGREE PITCH-ZDV
- Report
- an urgent report filed through FMN
- Where
- 50 nm west (280°) of RSK
- Time
- 23:57 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Turbulence
- severe
- Remarks
- a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv
- A21N at 32,000 ft, 46 nm northeast, 5:42 pm MDT (23:42 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-61. At the departure end, 46 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
AKO UA /OV AKO270030/TM 2342/FL320/TP A21N/TB INTMT MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-61
- Report
- a routine report filed through AKO
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of AKO
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- intermittent moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-61
- BCS3 at 24,000 ft, 42 nm northwest, 5:28 pm MDT (23:28 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 42 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN320045/TM 2328/FL240/TP BCS3/TB MOD 240-220/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 45 nm northwest (320°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:28 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Turbulence
- moderate from 24,000 ft to 22,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- GLF5 at 45,000 ft, 26 nm southeast, 4:44 pm MDT (22:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 30 nm along the route, 26 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV COS350025/TM 2244/FL450/TP GLF5/TB MOD /RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 25 nm north (350°) of COS
- Time
- 22:44 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF5
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- CRJ2 at 19,000 ft, 29 nm southeast, 4:02 pm MDT (22:02 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb from KDEN from 12,000 ft to 19,000 ft ZDVWC-41. 49 nm along the route, 29 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK262015/TM 2202/FL190/TP CRJ2/TB MOD CHOP/RM DURC FROM KDEN 120-190 ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 15 nm west (262°) of BRK
- Time
- 22:02 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- during the climb from KDEN from 12,000 ft to 19,000 ft ZDVWC-41
- C680A at 16,000 ft, 46 nm northwest, 4:59 pm MDT (22:59 UTC): moderate turbulence, scattered clouds above 16,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 99 nm along the route, 46 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV HAERI/TM 2259/FL160/TP C680A/SK SCT160/TB CONS MOD/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- haeri
- Time
- 22:59 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C680A
- Sky
- scattered clouds from 16,000 ft
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- Remarks
- during the descent
- UAL2238 at 38,000 ft, 3 nm northeast, 5:44 pm MDT (23:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, wind 244° at 64 knots. 148 nm along the route, 3 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2238 3807N 10649W 2344 F380 244/064KT TB CONT MOD TURB IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 12 nm northwest, 6:09 pm MDT (00:09 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-38. 207 nm along the route, 12 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UA /OV RSK360050/TM 0009/FL430/TP GLF4/TB MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-38
- Report
- a routine report filed through FMN
- Where
- 50 nm north (360°) of RSK
- Time
- 00:09 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-38
- E545 at 45,000 ft, 9 nm south, 4:29 pm MDT (22:29 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 247 nm along the route, 9 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UA /OV RSK2950301/TM 2229/FL450/TP E545/TB MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through FMN
- Where
- 301 nm southwest (950°) of RSK2
- Time
- 22:29 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E545
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 32 nm northwest, 6:15 pm MDT (00:15 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 257 nm along the route, 32 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UA /OV RSK290045/TM 0015/FL430/TP GLF4/TB CONS MOD/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through FMN
- Where
- 45 nm west (290°) of RSK
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- A321 descending, 3 nm south, 6:26 pm MDT (00:26 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. At the departure end, 3 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0026/FLDURD/TP A321/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 00:26 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- E75L at 10,000 ft, 22 nm north, 5:45 pm MDT (23:45 UTC): light turbulence up to 17,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 22 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN350025/TM 2345/FL100/TP E75L/TB LGT SFC-170/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25 nm north (350°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:45 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- light from the surface to 17,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- A320 at 8,000 ft, 31 nm east, 5:42 pm MDT (23:42 UTC): light chop turbulence from 8,000 ft to 16,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 31 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN080030/TM 2342/FL080/TP A320/TB LGT CHOP 080-160/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm east (080°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 8,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- light chop from 8,000 ft to 16,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
13 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 (DEN, PUB, ALS, FMN, PRC, PHX). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,500 ft | 210° at 25 kt | +25 kt | 12 °C | 95 kt | 5 h 30 min | 11:17 pm MST (06:17 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 210° at 30 kt | +29 kt | 7 °C | 91 kt | 5 h 45 min | 11:32 pm MST (06:32 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 210° at 34 kt | +34 kt | 3 °C | 86 kt | 6 h 05 min | 11:52 pm MST (06:52 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 40 kt | +40 kt | -1 °C | 80 kt | 6 h 32 min | 12:19 am MST (07:19 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 46 kt | +46 kt | -6 °C | 74 kt | 7 h 04 min | 12:51 am MST (07:51 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 50 kt | +50 kt | -9 °C | 70 kt | 7 h 28 min | 1:15 am MST (08:15 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 57 kt | +57 kt | -20 °C | 63 kt | 8 h 18 min | 2:05 am MST (09:05 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 75 kt | +74 kt | -29 °C | 46 kt | 11 h 22 min | 5:09 am MST (12:09 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 75 kt | +73 kt | -36 °C | 47 kt | 11 h 08 min | 4:55 am MST (11:55 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 62 kt | +61 kt | -46 °C | 59 kt | 8 h 52 min | 2:39 am MST (09:39 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEN | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 190/31 16° | 210/32 7° | 240/41 -8° | 230/47 -21° | 240/56 -32° | 250/65 -37° | 250/61 -47° | ||
| PUB | used from 49 nm out; 73 nm from the line | 210/24 16° | 210/28 8° | 230/43 -8° | 240/42 -21° | 240/77 -30° | 240/72 -36° | 250/51 -47° | ||
| ALS | used from 99 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 210/32 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/49 -20° | 230/78 -30° | 240/74 -36° | 240/61 -47° | |||
| FMN | used from 197 nm out; 30 nm from the line | 220/25 13° | 220/28 4° | 210/51 -9° | 220/59 -21° | 230/78 -30° | 230/77 -36° | 230/66 -46° | ||
| PRC | used from 395 nm out; 87 nm from the line | 200/36 6° | 210/46 0° | 220/60 -10° | 220/75 -19° | 220/66 -26° | 230/70 -33° | 230/59 -45° | ||
| PHX | used from 444 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 210/19 | 210/20 14° | 200/20 6° | 210/40 1° | 220/58 -8° | 220/68 -20° | 220/82 -26° | 230/83 -34° | 230/69 -46° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEN Denver, CO | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet, a few clouds at 16,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 17 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 5,433 ft | 5:53 pm MDT (23:53 UTC) |
| APA Denver, CO | 20 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 22 knots, gusting to 33 | 10+ mi | 14,000 ft | 5,884 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| AEJ Buena Vista, CO | 89 nm out, 5 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,100 feet, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,500 feet | from the southeast (140°) at 18 knots, gusting to 25 | 10+ mi | 8,500 ft | 7,950 ft | 00:35 UTC |
| GUC Gunnison, CO | 128 nm out, 20 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 9,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 7,679 ft | 23:56 UTC |
| FMN Farmington, NM | 247 nm out, 9 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet, overcast at 9,500 feet | from the west (270°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 5,506 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| RQE Window Rock, AZ | 326 nm out, 22 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 23 knots, gusting to 40 | 10+ mi | none | 6,742 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| INW Winslow, AZ | 405 nm out, 14 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 27 knots, gusting to 38 | 10+ mi | none | 4,941 ft | 23:56 UTC |
| PAN Payson, AZ | 464 nm out, 7 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 8,500 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 12 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | none | 5,160 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| PHX Phoenix, AZ | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,500 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 10 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 1,134 ft | 4:51 pm MST (23:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,950 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At PHX when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:17 pm MST (06:17 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for PHX
- From Sun 5:00 pm MST (00:00 UTC): wind from the west at 11 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Sun 7:00 pm MST (02:00 UTC): wind from the west at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm MST (05:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MST (09:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MST (16:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MST (20:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm MST (02:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm MST (05:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
The forecast for DEN, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet, a few clouds at 14,000 feet and more above
- From Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 14,000 feet, scattered clouds at 22,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am MDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 22,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MDT (15:00 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, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 11 nm from the route, 59 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 13 October · ZDV
Daylight
Sunset at DEN 6:24 pm MDT (00:24 UTC), at PHX 5:58 pm MST (00:58 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:23 pm MST (01:23 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at PHX is before sunrise there (6:30 am MST (13:30 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: Denver International, Phoenix Sky Harbor International.