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 43 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 23-knot headwind), arriving about 12:49 pm MST (19:49 UTC). Right now DEN is VFR, wind from the southwest (220°) at 7 knots; TUS is VFR, wind from the south (180°) at 7 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
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the first 427 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the first 208 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 169 to 317 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 357 to 456 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 C172 at 6,700 ft, 3 nm east, 6:54 am MDT (12:54 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 10 knots during the climb. At the departure end, 3 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UUA /OV KAPA/TM 1254/FL067/TP C172/RM LLWS +/- 10 KTS DURC
- Report
- an urgent report filed through APA
- Where
- over KAPA
- Time
- 12:54 UTC
- Height
- at 6,700 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear + 10 knots during the climb
- urgent FA7X at 6,800 ft, 3 nm east, 6:40 am MDT (12:40 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear a 40-knot loss of airspeed knots during the climb runway 35R. At the departure end, 3 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UUA /OV KAPA/TM 1240/FL068/TP FA7X/RM LLWS -40 KTS DURC RY 35R
- Report
- an urgent report filed through APA
- Where
- over KAPA
- Time
- 12:40 UTC
- Height
- at 6,800 ft
- Aircraft
- FA7X
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear a 40-knot loss of airspeed knots during the climb runway 35R
- urgent TBM7 at 100 ft, 4 nm southeast, 6:30 am MDT (12:30 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: low-level wind shear a 10-knot loss of airspeed. At the departure end, 4 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UUA /OV APA140001/TM 1230/FL001/TP TBM7/TB LGT CHOP/RM LLWS +-10KTS
- Report
- an urgent report filed through APA
- Where
- 1 nm southeast (140°) of APA
- Time
- 12:30 UTC
- Height
- at 100 ft
- Aircraft
- TBM7
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear a 10-knot loss of airspeed
- B738 descending, 37 nm northwest, 7:01 am MDT (13:01 UTC): moderate turbulence from 11,000 ft to 20,000 ft. At the departure end, 37 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV 40NW DEN/TM 1301/FLDURD/TP B738/TB MOD 200-110
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 40NW den
- Time
- 13:01 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- moderate from 20,000 ft to 11,000 ft
- B737 at 16,000 ft, 37 nm northwest, 6:23 am MDT (12:23 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 37 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN320040/TM 1223/FL160/TP B737/TB MOD/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 40 nm northwest (320°) of DEN
- Time
- 12:23 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- during the descent
- C172 at 200 ft, 3 nm east, 6:35 am MDT (12:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: low-level wind shear a 15-knot loss of airspeed. At the departure end, 3 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UA /OV APA350001/TM 1235/FL002/TP C172/TB MOD TURB/RM LLWS +-15KTS
- Report
- a routine report filed through APA
- Where
- 1 nm north (350°) of APA
- Time
- 12:35 UTC
- Height
- at 200 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Turbulence
- moderate turbulence
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear a 15-knot loss of airspeed
- B738 descending, 10 nm northwest, 6:55 am MDT (12:55 UTC): moderate turbulence from 16,000 ft to 20,000 ft. 40 nm along the route, 10 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV 40SW DEN/TM 1255/FLDURD/TP B738/TB MOD 200-160
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 40SW den
- Time
- 12:55 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- moderate from 20,000 ft to 16,000 ft
- C172 at 9,500 ft, 30 nm southeast, 6:43 am MDT (12:43 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 40 nm along the route, 30 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK348/005/TM 1243/FL095/TP C172/TB TB MOD CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- BRK348/005
- Time
- 12:43 UTC
- Height
- at 9,500 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Turbulence
- turbulence moderate chop
- B737 at 18,000 ft, 17 nm north, 7:50 am MDT (13:50 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: from the surface to 18,000 ft. At the departure end, 17 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN350020/TM 1350/FL180/TP B737/TB LGT-MOD/RM SFC-180
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 20 nm north (350°) of DEN
- Time
- 13:50 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- from the surface to 18,000 ft
- CRJ2 at 7,000 ft, 3 nm south, 7:30 am MDT (13:30 UTC): no turbulence. At the departure end, 3 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV 5N/TM 1330/FL070/TP CRJ2/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 5N
- Time
- 13:30 UTC
- Height
- at 7,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Turbulence
- none
- B738 at 5,500 ft, 0 nm northwest, 6:28 am MDT (12:28 UTC): no turbulence. At the departure end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV KDEN/TM 1228/FLSFC/TP B738/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over KDEN
- Time
- 12:28 UTC
- Height
- at the surface
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- none
- C172 at 7,800 ft, 9 nm southeast, 7:57 am MDT (13:57 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence. At the departure end, 9 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UA /OV APA150006/TM 1357/FL078/TP C172/TB LGT-MOD CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through APA
- Where
- 6 nm southeast (150°) of APA
- Time
- 13:57 UTC
- Height
- at 7,800 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Turbulence
- light to moderate chop
- B38M at 21,000 ft, 35 nm northwest, 5:24 am MDT (11:24 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb zdvwc. At the departure end, 35 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN277039/TM 1124/FL210/TP B38M/TB LGT-MOD CHOP BLO 180 NEG ABV 180/RM DURC. ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 39 nm west (277°) of DEN
- Time
- 11:24 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- light to moderate chop below 18,000 ft no above 18,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb zdvwc
- B737 descending, 7 nm north, 7:26 am MDT (13:26 UTC): light chop turbulence from 16,000 ft to 23,000 ft, wind 235° at 53 knots. 30 nm along the route, 7 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV 25SW DEN/TM 1326/FLDURD/TP B737/WV 235/53/TB OCNL LGT CHOP 230-160
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25SW den
- Time
- 13:26 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Wind
- 235/53
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop from 23,000 ft to 16,000 ft
5 more routine reports are on the map.
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 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 | 220° at 23 kt | +23 kt | 8 °C | 97 kt | 5 h 43 min | 12:49 pm MST (19:49 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 30 kt | +30 kt | 5 °C | 90 kt | 6 h 10 min | 1:16 pm MST (20:16 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 36 kt | +36 kt | 2 °C | 84 kt | 6 h 36 min | 1:42 pm MST (20:42 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 42 kt | +41 kt | -2 °C | 79 kt | 7 h 02 min | 2:08 pm MST (21:08 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 47 kt | +46 kt | -6 °C | 74 kt | 7 h 30 min | 2:36 pm MST (21:36 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 51 kt | +50 kt | -9 °C | 70 kt | 7 h 56 min | 3:02 pm MST (22:02 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 64 kt | +61 kt | -20 °C | 59 kt | 9 h 24 min | 4:30 pm MST (23:30 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 84 kt | +82 kt | -28 °C | 38 kt | 14 h 36 min | 9:42 pm MST (04:42 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 90 kt | +86 kt | -35 °C | 34 kt | 16 h 19 min | 11:25 pm MST (06:25 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 81 kt | +77 kt | -47 °C | 43 kt | 12 h 54 min | 8:00 pm MST (03:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEN | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 270/24 11° | 230/13 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/46 -20° | 230/63 -30° | 240/78 -36° | 240/78 -48° | ||
| PUB | used from 50 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 260/45 11° | 240/38 6° | 230/47 -8° | 230/51 -19° | 240/74 -29° | 240/82 -35° | 250/72 -48° | ||
| ALS | used from 99 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 240/35 3° | 230/54 -9° | 240/66 -19° | 230/85 -26° | 240/87 -34° | 240/70 -47° | |||
| FMN | used from 198 nm out; 43 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° | ||
| ABQ | used from 347 nm out; 120 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° | ||
| PHX | used from 397 nm out; 128 nm from the line | 190/15 | 210/25 12° | 200/34 4° | 200/34 2° | 220/58 -9° | 220/75 -19° | 220/91 -28° | 220/100 -35° | 220/95 -47° |
| TUS | used from 446 nm out; 84 nm from the line | 200/12 13° | 200/34 7° | 210/41 4° | 230/53 -7° | 220/69 -19° | 220/84 -27° | 220/88 -36° | 220/83 -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 8,000 feet, a few clouds at 12,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,433 ft | 7:53 am MDT (13:53 UTC) |
| APA Denver, CO | 20 nm out, 3 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,884 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| ANK Salida, CO | 99 nm out, 8 nm west of the line | VFR | from the west (260°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,523 ft | 13:55 UTC |
| RCV Del Norte, CO | 149 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 10 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | none | 7,955 ft | 13:55 UTC |
| PSO Pagosa Springs, CO | 188 nm out, 6 nm west of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,700 feet, a broken layer at 2,500 feet, overcast at 7,500 feet | variable at 1 knots | 10+ mi | 2,500 ft | 7,663 ft | 13:55 UTC |
| GUP Gallup, NM | 327 nm out, 17 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,500 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,472 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| XNI Zuni, NM | 357 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 feet, a few clouds at 7,000 feet | from the north (360°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,371 ft | 13:55 UTC |
| JTC Springerville, AZ | 407 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 10 knots, gusting to 15 | 10+ mi | none | 7,055 ft | 13:55 UTC |
| TUS Tucson, AZ | destination | VFR | from the south (180°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,643 ft | 6:53 am MST (13:53 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, 12:49 pm MST (19:49 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for TUS
- From Mon 5:00 am MST (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 7,000 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, a broken layer at 8,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 pm MST (23:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 pm MST (06:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet
The forecast for DEN, the departure
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet
- From Tue 4:00 am MDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
- From Tue 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
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 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 6:22 pm MDT (00:22 UTC), at TUS 5:53 pm MST (00:53 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:18 pm MST (01:18 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.