Denver International to Tucson International DEN → TUS
555 nautical miles (639 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 215°, about 207° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 54 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 26-knot headwind), arriving about 10:42 pm MST (05:42 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DEN is VFR, wind from the south (180°) at 13 knots, gusting to 22; TUS is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 16 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: 5,514 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 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). Over the route from 79 to 347 nm out.
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 W64W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 37,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm MDT (00:55 UTC). Over the route from 357 to 536 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112255 MKCW WST 112255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 64W VALID UNTIL 0055Z TX NM AZ FROM 50ENE PGS-60SE ABQ-10W ELP-30E TUS-70SE EED-50ENE PGS AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL370.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 238 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 546 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 149 to 536 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). Near the route, 198 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the last 149 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
Not fetched just now.
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, PUB, ALS, FMN, ABQ, PHX, TUS). 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 26 kt | +26 kt | 12 °C | 94 kt | 5 h 54 min | 10:42 pm MST (05:42 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 210° at 30 kt | +30 kt | 8 °C | 90 kt | 6 h 10 min | 10:58 pm MST (05:58 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 210° at 34 kt | +34 kt | 4 °C | 86 kt | 6 h 27 min | 11:15 pm MST (06:15 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 39 kt | +39 kt | 0 °C | 81 kt | 6 h 51 min | 11:39 pm MST (06:39 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 44 kt | +44 kt | -5 °C | 76 kt | 7 h 18 min | 12:06 am MST (07:06 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 48 kt | +48 kt | -8 °C | 72 kt | 7 h 42 min | 12:30 am MST (07:30 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 55 kt | +54 kt | -20 °C | 66 kt | 8 h 25 min | 1:13 am MST (08:13 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 77 kt | +74 kt | -29 °C | 46 kt | 12 h 04 min | 4:52 am MST (11:52 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 76 kt | +70 kt | -36 °C | 50 kt | 11 h 06 min | 3:54 am MST (10:54 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 64 kt | +59 kt | -47 °C | 61 kt | 9 h 06 min | 1:54 am MST (08:54 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 50 nm out; 61 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; 46 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 198 nm out; 43 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° | ||
| ABQ | used from 347 nm out; 120 nm from the line | 200/28 13° | 210/28 5° | 210/44 -7° | 230/46 -20° | 230/80 -28° | 240/74 -35° | 240/58 -47° | ||
| PHX | used from 397 nm out; 128 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° |
| TUS | used from 446 nm out; 84 nm from the line | 220/17 15° | 210/32 7° | 210/43 5° | 210/49 -7° | 220/64 -18° | 220/83 -26° | 230/81 -36° | 230/72 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEN Denver, CO | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet, scattered clouds at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 13 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 5,433 ft | 4:53 pm MDT (22:53 UTC) |
| APA Denver, CO | 20 nm out, 3 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 14,000 ft | 5,884 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| ANK Salida, CO | 99 nm out, 8 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 8,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 14 knots | 9 mi | 8,000 ft | 7,523 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| RCV Del Norte, CO | 149 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet | from the east (090°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 7,955 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| PSO Pagosa Springs, CO | 188 nm out, 6 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,900 feet, a broken layer at 4,800 feet, overcast at 6,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the west-southwest (240°) at 8 knots | 7 mi | 4,800 ft | 7,663 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| GUP Gallup, NM | 327 nm out, 17 nm northwest of the line | IFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,500 feet, scattered clouds at 4,800 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet Weather: nearby thunderstorms, rain | from the south-southwest (200°) at 24 knots, gusting to 35 | 1.75 mi | 6,000 ft | 6,472 ft | 23:38 UTC |
| XNI Zuni, NM | 357 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,500 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 13 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 6,371 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| JTC Springerville, AZ | 407 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,300 feet, a broken layer at 4,300 feet, a broken layer at 5,500 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 11 knots, gusting to 17 | 9 mi | 4,300 ft | 7,055 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| TUS Tucson, AZ | destination | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 16 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,643 ft | 3:53 pm MST (22:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,955 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At TUS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:42 pm MST (05:42 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for TUS
- From Sun 5:00 pm MST (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet
- From Sun 7:00 pm MST (02:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 am MST (07:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am MST (14:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MST (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet
The forecast for DEN, the departure
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 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 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 20, 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
- 6/8770 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 17 nm from the route, 50 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 12 October · ZDV
- 6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 2 nm from the route, 60 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 TUS 5:55 pm MST (00:55 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:19 pm MST (01:19 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at TUS is before sunrise there (6:25 am MST (13:25 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, Tucson International.