Dallas-Fort Worth International to Buffalo Niagara International DFW → BUF
1,052 nautical miles (1,211 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 050°, about 046° magnetic at the departure end (variation 4E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 55 min at the quickest height in today's winds (3,500 ft, a 13-knot tailwind), arriving about 10:40 am EDT (14:40 UTC). Right now DFW is VFR, wind from the south (180°) at 12 knots; BUF is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 3 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: 1,116 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 SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 586 to 884 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 DFW.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B738 at 1,700 ft, 45 nm northwest, 1:20 am CDT (06:20 UTC): overcast from 1,700 ft to 2,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 814 nm along the route, 45 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV KTOL/TM 0620/FL017/TP B738/SK OVC017-TOP020/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over KTOL
- Time
- 06:20 UTC
- Height
- at 1,700 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- overcast from 1,700 ft, tops 2,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- B738 at 1,800 ft, 45 nm northwest, 12:18 am CDT (05:18 UTC): overcast from 1,800 ft to 2,700 ft, remarks: during the climb. 814 nm along the route, 45 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV KTOL/TM 0518/FL018/TP B738/SK OVC018-TOP027/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over KTOL
- Time
- 05:18 UTC
- Height
- at 1,800 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- overcast from 1,800 ft, tops 2,700 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- B738 at 1,300 ft, 45 nm northwest, 11:45 pm CDT (04:45 UTC): overcast from 1,300 ft to 3,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 814 nm along the route, 45 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV KTOL/TM 0445/FL013/TP B738/SK OVC013-TOP030/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over KTOL
- Time
- 04:45 UTC
- Height
- at 1,300 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- overcast from 1,300 ft, tops 3,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed
The eastbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: odd thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 11 forecast points nearest it (DAL, FSM, LIT, SGF, CGI, EVV, IND, FWA, CMH, CLE, BUF). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 250° at 13 kt | −13 kt | 133 kt | 7 h 55 min | 10:40 am EDT (14:40 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 280° at 12 kt | −9 kt | 129 kt | 8 h 09 min | 10:54 am EDT (14:54 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 290° at 13 kt | −7 kt | 13 °C | 127 kt | 8 h 17 min | 11:02 am EDT (15:02 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 300° at 13 kt | −6 kt | 10 °C | 126 kt | 8 h 21 min | 11:06 am EDT (15:06 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 300° at 12 kt | −5 kt | 6 °C | 125 kt | 8 h 25 min | 11:10 am EDT (15:10 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 300° at 13 kt | −5 kt | 2 °C | 125 kt | 8 h 25 min | 11:10 am EDT (15:10 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 300° at 16 kt | −7 kt | -2 °C | 127 kt | 8 h 17 min | 11:02 am EDT (15:02 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 300° at 18 kt | −8 kt | -6 °C | 128 kt | 8 h 13 min | 10:58 am EDT (14:58 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 300° at 19 kt | −8 kt | -7 °C | 128 kt | 8 h 13 min | 10:58 am EDT (14:58 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 300° at 26 kt | −10 kt | -18 °C | 130 kt | 8 h 06 min | 10:51 am EDT (14:51 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 310° at 39 kt | −8 kt | -33 °C | 128 kt | 8 h 13 min | 10:58 am EDT (14:58 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 310° at 48 kt | −13 kt | -42 °C | 133 kt | 7 h 55 min | 10:40 am EDT (14:40 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 320° at 48 kt | −7 kt | -50 °C | 127 kt | 8 h 17 min | 11:02 am EDT (15:02 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAL | used from 0 nm out; 21 nm from the line | 190/29 | 220/23 17° | 220/17 13° | 250/18 8° | 230/18 -5° | 240/18 -15° | 270/34 -29° | 280/33 -39° | 300/36 -51° |
| FSM | used from 99 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 210/27 | 250/23 16° | 250/20 13° | 240/17 8° | 250/18 -6° | 260/31 -16° | 280/42 -30° | 280/44 -40° | 290/38 -51° |
| LIT | used from 248 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 220/21 | 230/17 16° | 250/24 12° | 260/15 7° | 260/13 -5° | 280/25 -16° | 290/35 -30° | 300/42 -40° | 300/40 -52° |
| SGF | used from 298 nm out; 91 nm from the line | 230/33 | 230/28 15° | 250/20 13° | 240/18 7° | 250/20 -6° | 250/24 -17° | 280/42 -31° | 280/49 -40° | 290/46 -51° |
| CGI | used from 348 nm out; 80 nm from the line | 240/20 | 270/15 15° | 280/15 11° | 300/13 6° | 290/20 -6° | 280/24 -18° | 300/34 -32° | 300/47 -41° | 310/49 -51° |
| EVV | used from 496 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 280/15 | 290/12 17° | 310/16 10° | 320/13 5° | 310/22 -6° | 320/26 -18° | 320/38 -33° | 310/56 -41° | 320/55 -51° |
| IND | used from 596 nm out; 42 nm from the line | 290/16 | 310/20 16° | 320/21 10° | 330/13 3° | 300/25 -7° | 320/32 -19° | 330/46 -34° | 320/61 -43° | 320/63 -50° |
| FWA | used from 695 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 300/17 | 320/20 16° | 330/20 10° | 340/15 3° | 310/27 -8° | 320/37 -20° | 330/52 -36° | 330/65 -43° | 330/60 -50° |
| CMH | used from 794 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 330/15 | 340/22 14° | 340/24 9° | 340/23 4° | 340/35 -9° | 340/49 -20° | 340/58 -37° | 330/70 -42° | 340/55 -47° |
| CLE | used from 844 nm out; 20 nm from the line | 340/7 | 010/16 13° | 350/18 8° | 350/20 3° | 340/31 -10° | 340/46 -21° | 340/54 -37° | 330/62 -44° | 340/65 -49° |
| BUF | used from 993 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 320/10 | 010/16 10° | 360/10 6° | 340/13 2° | 330/22 -11° | 300/25 -23° | 320/31 -38° | 300/29 -44° | 280/36 -50° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DFW Dallas-Fort Worth, TX | departure | VFR | from the south (180°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 606 ft | 12:53 am CDT (05:53 UTC) |
| TKI Dallas, TX | 30 nm out, 2 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 588 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| MEZ Mena, AR | 169 nm out, 14 nm southeast of the line | VFR | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,079 ft | 06:35 UTC |
| RUE Russellville, AR | 238 nm out, 14 nm southeast of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 409 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| PYN Piedmont, MO | 397 nm out, 7 nm north of the line | no report just now | 466 ft | ||||
| MDH Carbondale/Murphysboro, IL | 477 nm out, 6 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 411 ft | 05:52 UTC |
| BMG Bloomington, IN | 626 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 100 feet Weather: mist | calm | 1 mi | 100 ft | 845 ft | 06:39 UTC |
| IND Indianapolis, IN | 665 nm out, 13 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the southeast (140°) at 4 knots | 8 mi | none | 796 ft | 05:54 UTC |
| AXV Wapakoneta, OH | 765 nm out, 2 nm west of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,200 feet Weather: mist | from the west (260°) at 3 knots | 5 mi | none | 912 ft | 06:24 UTC |
| BKL Cleveland, OH | 894 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 900 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 8 knots | 9 mi | 1,900 ft | 583 ft | 06:16 UTC |
| ERI Erie, PA | 973 nm out, 14 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 3,000 feet | variable at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 3,000 ft | 732 ft | 00:51 UTC |
| BUF Buffalo, NY | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 12,000 feet, a broken layer at 14,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 14,000 ft | 726 ft | 1:54 am EDT (05:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,079 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At BUF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:40 am EDT (14:40 UTC)
Wind from the west-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 700 feet IFR
The whole forecast for BUF
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility 4 miles, mist, overcast at 2,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility 5 miles, mist, overcast at 300 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 700 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Tue 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 12,000 feet
The forecast for DFW, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south at 12 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8646 Arlington, TX, Thursday, October 15, 2026 through Friday, October 16, 2026 UTC 8 nm from the route, at the departure end · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Thursday 15 October · ZFW
- 9/2934 DALLAS, TX 7 nm from the route, at the departure end · a VIP movement · ZFW
- 6/8829 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 18 nm from the route, 923 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
- 6/8587 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 18 nm from the route, 923 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
Daylight
Sunset at DFW 6:58 pm CDT (23:58 UTC), at BUF 6:37 pm EDT (22:37 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:06 pm EDT (23:06 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: Dallas-Fort Worth International, Buffalo Niagara International.