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 2:14 am PDT (09:14 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DEN is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 13 knots; SMF is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 9 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: 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 1W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 8:55 pm MDT (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 90 to 210 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120055 MKCW WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 1W VALID UNTIL 0255Z CO NM WY AZ UT FROM 40NNW CHE-40WNW TBE-60WNW CME-40N SJN-40ESE MTU-40NNW CHE AREA SEV TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340. WIND GUSTS TO 60KT POSS.
- SIGMET 5W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 33,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 8:55 pm MDT (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 489 to 599 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120055 MKCW WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 5W VALID UNTIL 0255Z NV FROM 10NNE BAM-40WSW BVL-60SW ELY-10SE OAL-30WNW OAL-10NNE BAM AREA TS MOV FROM 23020KT. TOPS TO FL330.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 629 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 539 nm of the route.
- 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 40 to 249 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 50 to 90 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 180 to 649 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 190 to 579 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 210 to 219 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 239 to 359 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the route from 549 to 559 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the last 30 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 DEN.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- 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
- 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, 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
- BCS1 at 24,000 ft, 6 nm north, 7:30 pm MDT (01:30 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. At the departure end, 6 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DVV270030/TM 0130/FL240/TP BCS1/TB MOD 220-240/RM DURC ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of DVV
- Time
- 01:30 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS1
- Turbulence
- moderate from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-05
- B39M at 32,000 ft, 27 nm north, 5:58 pm MDT (23:58 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, no icing, remarks: moderate mtw a 30-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-14. 80 nm along the route, 27 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
EEO UA /OV EKR069073/TM 2358/FL320/TP B39M/TB OCNL MOD CHOP/IC NEG/RM MOD MTW +/-30KT ZDVWC-14
- Report
- a routine report filed through EEO
- Where
- 73 nm east (069°) of EKR
- Time
- 23:58 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate chop
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- moderate mtw a 30-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-14
- C650 at 40,000 ft, 25 nm south, 5:48 pm MDT (23:48 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 100 nm along the route, 25 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV DBL/TM 2348/FL400/TP C650/TB MOD /RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- over DBL
- Time
- 23:48 UTC
- Height
- at 40,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C650
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
- 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
- E75L at 28,000 ft, 11 nm north, 7:31 pm MDT (01:31 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 110 nm along the route, 11 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
EEO UA /OV EKR085036/TM 0131/FL280/TP E75L/TB MOD/RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through EEO
- Where
- 36 nm east (085°) of EKR
- Time
- 01:31 UTC
- Height
- at 28,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
- 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
- S22T at 14,000 ft, 7 nm north, 7:23 pm MDT (01:23 UTC): moderate rime icing, -16 °C. 279 nm along the route, 7 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUC UA /OV PUC360015/TM 0123/FL140/TP S22T/TA M16/IC MOD RIME /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUC
- Where
- 15 nm north (360°) of PUC
- Time
- 01:23 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- S22T
- Temperature
- −16 °C
- Icing
- moderate rime zlc
- E75L at 22,000 ft, 11 nm north, 7:04 pm MDT (01:04 UTC): moderate turbulence. 289 nm along the route, 11 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUC UA /OV PUC320020/TM 0104/FL220/TP E75L/TB MOD /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUC
- Where
- 20 nm northwest (320°) of PUC
- Time
- 01:04 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate zlc
- 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
- B737 descending, 3 nm south, 7:23 pm MDT (01:23 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 0123/FLDURD/TP B737/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 01:23 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- 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
15 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 | 2:14 am PDT (09:14 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | +18 kt | 3 °C | 102 kt | 7 h 44 min | 2:36 am PDT (09:36 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 33 kt | +22 kt | -2 °C | 98 kt | 8 h 02 min | 2:54 am PDT (09:54 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 37 kt | +24 kt | -6 °C | 96 kt | 8 h 13 min | 3:05 am PDT (10:05 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 41 kt | +26 kt | -9 °C | 94 kt | 8 h 23 min | 3:15 am PDT (10:15 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 43 kt | +28 kt | -13 °C | 92 kt | 8 h 34 min | 3:26 am PDT (10:26 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 210° at 52 kt | +30 kt | -24 °C | 90 kt | 8 h 45 min | 3:37 am PDT (10:37 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 59 kt | +45 kt | -29 °C | 75 kt | 10 h 30 min | 5:22 am PDT (12:22 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 64 kt | +52 kt | -35 °C | 68 kt | 11 h 35 min | 6:27 am PDT (13:27 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 63 kt | +52 kt | -44 °C | 68 kt | 11 h 35 min | 6:27 am PDT (13:27 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 | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet, a few clouds at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 5,433 ft | 6:53 pm MDT (00:53 UTC) |
| BJC Denver, CO | 20 nm out, 3 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the north (350°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,673 ft | 00:45 UTC |
| EGE Eagle, CO | 100 nm out, 13 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 9,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 11,000 ft | 6,547 ft | 00:56 UTC |
| PUC Price, UT | 279 nm out, 7 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,700 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 5,957 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| DTA Delta, UT | 359 nm out, 15 nm south of the line | VFR | from the north-northeast (030°) at 7 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | none | 4,759 ft | 17:35 UTC |
| ELY Ely, NV | 469 nm out, 10 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 12 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | none | 6,259 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| 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 | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,268 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| PVF Placerville, CA | 748 nm out, 5 nm south of the line | reported, no category | calm | 10+ mi | none | 2,585 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| SMF Sacramento, CA | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 26 ft | 5:53 pm PDT (00:53 UTC) |
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, 2:14 am PDT (09:14 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for SMF
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 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
- 6/3475 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 · ended 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.