Denver International to Sacramento International DEN → SMF
788 nautical miles (907 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 270°, about 262° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 22 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 13-knot headwind), arriving about 12:10 am PDT (07:10 UTC), after sunset at the destination. 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: 7,690 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 W66W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 38,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm MDT (00:55 UTC). Near the route, 210 nm along the route.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112255 MKCW WST 112255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 66W VALID UNTIL 0055Z CO WY UT FROM 10NW OCS-60W CHE-50ESE MTU-50N MTU-10NW OCS AREA TS MOV FROM 21040KT. TOPS TO FL380.
- SIGMET W63W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 37,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm MDT (00:55 UTC). Near the route, 259 nm along the route.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112255 MKCW WST 112255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 63W VALID UNTIL 0055Z CO NM AZ UT FROM 30SSW MTU-30NW PUB-20NW TCC-60SE ABQ-40N SJN-30SSW MTU AREA SEV TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL370. WIND GUSTS TO 50KT POSS.
- SIGMET W67W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 28,000 ft, moving from the south at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm MDT (00:55 UTC). Over the route from 289 to 409 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112255 MKCW WST 112255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 67W VALID UNTIL 0055Z WY UT ID NV FROM 40S DBS-40WNW BPI-50N HVE-50W DTA-50SSE TWF-40S DBS AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 20040KT. TOPS TO FL280.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 539 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 409 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 70 to 529 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 90 to 349 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Over the route from 180 to 180 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 229 to 609 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 309 to 409 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the route from 668 to 708 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 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, 16 nm south, 3:49 pm MDT (21:49 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 5 knots fap runway 17L. At the departure end, 16 nm south 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 BCS3 at 5,400 ft, 33 nm north, 5:35 pm MDT (23:35 UTC): remarks: wind shear 10 knots gain 1000 above ground on final. 319 nm along the route, 33 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PVU UUA /OV PVU310001/TM 2335/FL054/TP BCS3/RM WIND SHEAR 10 KT GAIN 1000 AGL ON FINAL
- Report
- an urgent report filed through PVU
- Where
- 1 nm northwest (310°) of PVU
- Time
- 23:35 UTC
- Height
- at 5,400 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Remarks
- wind shear 10 knots gain 1000 above ground on final
- GLF5 at 45,000 ft, 38 nm south, 4:44 pm MDT (22:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. At the departure end, 38 nm south 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
- BCS3 at 24,000 ft, 35 nm north, 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, 35 nm north 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
- A319 at 22,000 ft, 45 nm north, 3:42 pm MDT (21:42 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-13. 40 nm along the route, 45 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
BJC UA /OV BJC322047/TM 2142/FL220/TP A319/TB MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-13
- Report
- a routine report filed through BJC
- Where
- 47 nm northwest (322°) of BJC
- Time
- 21:42 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-13
- C700 at 16,000 ft, 19 nm south, 3:55 pm MDT (21:55 UTC): moderate turbulence. 90 nm along the route, 19 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV WERNR/TM 2155/FL160/TP C700/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- wernr
- Time
- 21:55 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C700
- Turbulence
- moderate
- C680A at 16,000 ft, 38 nm south, 4:59 pm MDT (22:59 UTC): moderate turbulence, scattered clouds above 16,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 100 nm along the route, 38 nm south 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
- B737 at 36,000 ft, 25 nm south, 3:28 pm MDT (21:28 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 100 nm along the route, 25 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV DBL/TM 2128/FL360/TP B737/TB MOD/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- over DBL
- Time
- 21:28 UTC
- Height
- at 36,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- LJ40 at 19,000 ft, 41 nm south, 3:32 pm MDT (21:32 UTC): moderate turbulence. 110 nm along the route, 41 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV ASE240010/TM 2132/FL190/TP LJ40/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- 10 nm southwest (240°) of ASE
- Time
- 21:32 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- LJ40
- Turbulence
- moderate
- C680 at 18,000 ft, 48 nm south, 4:35 pm MDT (22:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: from 18,000 ft to 10,000 ft. 120 nm along the route, 48 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV ASE230020/TM 2235/FL180/TP C680/TB MOD/RM 180-100
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- 20 nm southwest (230°) of ASE
- Time
- 22:35 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C680
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- from 18,000 ft to 10,000 ft
- A21N at 33,000 ft, 41 nm north, 4:35 pm MDT (22:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: mountain wave +25-30KTS. 120 nm along the route, 41 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
HDN UA /OV CHE/TM 2235/FL330/TP A21N/TB MOD/RM MTN WAVE +25-30KTS
- Report
- a routine report filed through HDN
- Where
- over CHE
- Time
- 22:35 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- mountain wave +25-30KTS
- E170 at 10,000 ft, 50 nm south, 5:41 pm MDT (23:41 UTC): moderate turbulence up to 10,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 180 nm along the route, 50 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
GJT UA /OV GJT144009/TM 2341/FL100/TP E170/TB MOD SFC-100/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through GJT
- Where
- 9 nm southeast (144°) of GJT
- Time
- 23:41 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- moderate from the surface to 10,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- PA44 at 6,000 ft, 34 nm north, 5:25 pm MDT (23:25 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: runway in sight at at 6,400 ft. 319 nm along the route, 34 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PVU UA /OV PVU310002/TM 2325/FL060/TP PA44/TB MOD /RM RWY IN SIGHT AT 064
- Report
- a routine report filed through PVU
- Where
- 2 nm northwest (310°) of PVU
- Time
- 23:25 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PA44
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- runway in sight at at 6,400 ft
- 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
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 7 forecast points nearest it (DEN, GJT, SLC, ELY, BAM, RNO, SAC). 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 23 kt | +13 kt | 8 °C | 107 kt | 7 h 22 min | 12:10 am PDT (07:10 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | +18 kt | 3 °C | 102 kt | 7 h 44 min | 12:32 am PDT (07:32 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 33 kt | +22 kt | -2 °C | 98 kt | 8 h 02 min | 12:50 am PDT (07:50 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 37 kt | +24 kt | -6 °C | 96 kt | 8 h 13 min | 1:01 am PDT (08:01 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 41 kt | +26 kt | -9 °C | 94 kt | 8 h 23 min | 1:11 am PDT (08:11 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 43 kt | +28 kt | -13 °C | 92 kt | 8 h 34 min | 1:22 am PDT (08:22 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 210° at 52 kt | +30 kt | -24 °C | 90 kt | 8 h 45 min | 1:33 am PDT (08:33 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 59 kt | +45 kt | -29 °C | 75 kt | 10 h 30 min | 3:18 am PDT (10:18 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 64 kt | +52 kt | -35 °C | 68 kt | 11 h 35 min | 4:23 am PDT (11:23 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 63 kt | +52 kt | -44 °C | 68 kt | 11 h 35 min | 4:23 am PDT (11:23 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° | ||
| GJT | used from 100 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 210/40 11° | 210/46 3° | 210/61 -10° | 210/68 -22° | 220/57 -29° | 230/59 -36° | 240/66 -46° | ||
| SLC | used from 249 nm out; 89 nm from the line | 280/8 | 210/39 5° | 210/52 -1° | 200/50 -11° | 200/56 -23° | 220/61 -28° | 230/73 -37° | 230/73 -45° | |
| ELY | used from 399 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 210/20 4° | 240/21 -1° | 230/37 -13° | 200/58 -25° | 220/73 -27° | 220/73 -36° | 220/69 -44° | ||
| BAM | used from 549 nm out; 81 nm from the line | 270/8 4° | 230/27 -4° | 220/49 -18° | 210/52 -26° | 220/77 -29° | 220/71 -33° | 220/63 -43° | ||
| RNO | used from 599 nm out; 80 nm from the line | 320/7 | 260/13 1° | 230/21 -7° | 210/38 -17° | 220/43 -26° | 230/54 -29° | 230/59 -32° | 230/54 -41° | |
| SAC | used from 748 nm out; 21 nm from the line | 270/5 | L/V 5° | L/V -1° | 240/11 -5° | 250/22 -15° | 270/25 -24° | 260/31 -27° | 240/39 -33° | 240/39 -42° |
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 | no report just now | 5,433 ft | ||||
| BJC Denver, CO | 20 nm out, 3 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 5,673 ft | ||||
| EGE Eagle, CO | 100 nm out, 13 nm south of the line, tower | no report just now | 6,547 ft | ||||
| PUC Price, UT | 279 nm out, 7 nm south of the line | no report just now | 5,957 ft | ||||
| DTA Delta, UT | 359 nm out, 15 nm south of the line | no report just now | 4,759 ft | ||||
| ELY Ely, NV | 469 nm out, 10 nm south of the line | no report just now | 6,259 ft | ||||
| GAB Gabbs, NV | 619 nm out, 14 nm south of the line | no report just now | 4,699 ft | ||||
| TVL South Lake Tahoe, CA | 708 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 6,268 ft | ||||
| PVF Placerville, CA | 748 nm out, 5 nm south of the line | no report just now | 2,585 ft | ||||
| SMF Sacramento, CA | destination | no report just now | 26 ft |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,547 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SMF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:10 am PDT (07:10 UTC)
SMF has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/3475 BEALE AFB, CA, Sunday, March 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 Local 15 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 1 November · ZOA
- 6/6740 SACRAMENTO, CA, Thursday, October 8, 2026 through Sunday, October 11, 2026 Local 4 nm from the route, at the destination end · air shows/sports · until 11 October · ZOA
Daylight
Sunset at DEN 6:24 pm MDT (00:24 UTC), at SMF 6:32 pm PDT (01:32 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:59 pm PDT (01:59 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SMF is before sunrise there (7:12 am PDT (14:12 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, Sacramento International.