Des Moines International to Laguardia Airport DSM → LGA
894 nautical miles (1,029 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 086°, about 085° magnetic at the departure end (variation 1E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 29 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 43-knot tailwind), arriving about 8:01 am EDT (12:01 UTC). 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: 1,418 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 3W: 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 first 139 nm of the route.
- 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 last 606 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 626 to 804 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 209 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 DSM.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- LJ45 at 10,000 ft, 23 nm south, 11:31 pm CDT (04:31 UTC): no turbulence, clear, remarks: ground fog at fwa FV10SM on final runway 14. 367 nm along the route, 23 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
FWA UA /OV OLK/TM 0431/FL100/TP LJ45/SK CLR/TB SMOOTH/RM GROUND FOG AT FWA. FV10SM ON FINAL RY 14
- Report
- a routine report filed through FWA
- Where
- over OLK
- Time
- 04:31 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- LJ45
- Sky
- clear
- Turbulence
- smooth
- Remarks
- ground fog at fwa FV10SM on final runway 14
- B738 at 1,700 ft, 4 nm west, 1:20 am CDT (06:20 UTC): overcast from 1,700 ft to 2,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 447 nm along the route, 4 nm west 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, 4 nm west, 12:18 am CDT (05:18 UTC): overcast from 1,800 ft to 2,700 ft, remarks: during the climb. 447 nm along the route, 4 nm west 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, 4 nm west, 11:45 pm CDT (04:45 UTC): overcast from 1,300 ft to 3,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 447 nm along the route, 4 nm west 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
- A333 descending, 39 nm north, 12:44 am CDT (05:44 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 457 nm along the route, 39 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 0544/FLDURD/TP A333/SK TOPS 025
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTW
- Where
- over DTW
- Time
- 05:44 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A333
- Sky
- tops 2,500 ft
- B739 descending, 39 nm north, 11:54 pm CDT (04:54 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 457 nm along the route, 39 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 0454/FLDURD/TP B739/SK BASES 011
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTW
- Where
- over DTW
- Time
- 04:54 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B739
- Sky
- bases 1,100 ft
- GA6C descending, 39 nm north, 11:32 pm CDT (04:32 UTC): overcast above 1,000 ft, remarks: bases OVC010. At the destination end, 39 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
SWF UA /OV SWF 270005/TM 0432/FLDURD/TP GA6C/SK OVC010/RM BASES OVC010
- Report
- a routine report filed through SWF
- Where
- 5 nm west (270°) of SWF
- Time
- 04:32 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- GA6C
- Sky
- overcast from 1,000 ft
- Remarks
- bases OVC010
- B763 at 800 ft, 10 nm southeast, 12:51 am CDT (05:51 UTC): a broken layer, remarks: bases at at 80,000 ft and tops 1500. At the destination end, 10 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
JFK UA /OV JFK 2 MILES SOUTHEAST/TM 0551/FL008/TP B763/SK BKN/RM BASES AT 800 AND TOPS 1500
- Report
- a routine report filed through JFK
- Where
- jfk 2 miles southeast
- Time
- 05:51 UTC
- Height
- at 800 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Sky
- a broken layer
- Remarks
- bases at at 80,000 ft and tops 1500
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 10 forecast points nearest it (DSM, BRL, DBQ, JOT, FWA, CLE, AGC, PSB, AVP, JFK). 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 | 260° at 13 kt | −14 kt | 134 kt | 6 h 40 min | 9:12 am EDT (13:12 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 290° at 13 kt | −13 kt | 13 °C | 133 kt | 6 h 43 min | 9:15 am EDT (13:15 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 300° at 14 kt | −13 kt | 11 °C | 133 kt | 6 h 43 min | 9:15 am EDT (13:15 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 300° at 14 kt | −12 kt | 8 °C | 132 kt | 6 h 46 min | 9:18 am EDT (13:18 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 300° at 12 kt | −11 kt | 5 °C | 131 kt | 6 h 49 min | 9:21 am EDT (13:21 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 290° at 14 kt | −13 kt | 1 °C | 133 kt | 6 h 43 min | 9:15 am EDT (13:15 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 290° at 17 kt | −16 kt | -4 °C | 136 kt | 6 h 34 min | 9:06 am EDT (13:06 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 290° at 20 kt | −19 kt | -8 °C | 139 kt | 6 h 26 min | 8:58 am EDT (12:58 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 290° at 20 kt | −19 kt | -9 °C | 139 kt | 6 h 26 min | 8:58 am EDT (12:58 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 290° at 26 kt | −24 kt | -21 °C | 144 kt | 6 h 12 min | 8:44 am EDT (12:44 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 290° at 33 kt | −31 kt | -35 °C | 151 kt | 5 h 55 min | 8:27 am EDT (12:27 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 290° at 43 kt | −40 kt | -42 °C | 160 kt | 5 h 35 min | 8:07 am EDT (12:07 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 290° at 47 kt | −43 kt | -50 °C | 163 kt | 5 h 29 min | 8:01 am EDT (12:01 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSM | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 230/40 | 250/33 17° | 250/18 12° | 240/17 5° | 260/28 -8° | 270/34 -19° | 260/41 -33° | 260/55 -41° | 270/62 -51° |
| BRL | used from 50 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 230/24 | 240/29 15° | 290/16 10° | 280/15 4° | 260/23 -7° | 260/32 -19° | 260/36 -33° | 280/48 -41° | 280/59 -52° |
| DBQ | used from 99 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 230/33 | 250/30 16° | 280/15 9° | 260/15 5° | 260/21 -7° | 260/24 -20° | 250/37 -33° | 270/42 -43° | 280/63 -52° |
| JOT | used from 199 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 250/23 | 270/22 15° | 250/16 10° | 240/9 4° | 280/22 -7° | 280/29 -19° | 300/29 -34° | 290/50 -43° | 300/64 -52° |
| FWA | used from 298 nm out; 70 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° |
| CLE | used from 447 nm out; 59 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° |
| AGC | used from 596 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 350/14 | 330/20 11° | 340/18 8° | 330/17 3° | 340/22 -11° | 340/31 -22° | 330/33 -36° | 300/34 -41° | 300/35 -47° |
| PSB | used from 646 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 360/13 13° | 330/14 7° | 300/11 3° | 290/12 -11° | 240/23 -23° | 270/25 -36° | 250/34 -40° | 250/45 -48° | |
| AVP | used from 745 nm out; 42 nm from the line | 150/5 | 350/13 12° | 270/20 8° | 260/17 4° | 260/25 -11° | 240/31 -22° | 240/54 -35° | 230/61 -41° | 240/55 -49° |
| JFK | used from 844 nm out; 31 nm from the line | 250/18 | 250/23 14° | 240/33 9° | 240/33 4° | 240/38 -10° | 240/45 -21° | 230/86 -32° | 230/102 -40° | 230/84 -51° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSM Des Moines, IA | departure | no report just now | 957 ft | ||||
| CID Cedar Rapids, IA | 89 nm out, 16 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 869 ft | ||||
| MLI Moline, IL | 139 nm out, 12 nm south of the line, tower | no report just now | 589 ft | ||||
| LOT Chicago/Romeoville, IL | 248 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line, tower | no report just now | 679 ft | ||||
| GYY Gary/Chicago, IN | 278 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line, tower | no report just now | 596 ft | ||||
| USE Wauseon, OH | 427 nm out, 1 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 780 ft | ||||
| BKL Cleveland, OH | 536 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line, tower | no report just now | 583 ft | ||||
| CGF Cleveland, OH | 546 nm out, 5 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 876 ft | ||||
| UNV State College, PA | 715 nm out, 21 nm south of the line, tower | no report just now | 1,231 ft | ||||
| IPT Williamsport, PA | 755 nm out, 8 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 528 ft | ||||
| CDW Caldwell, NJ | 874 nm out, 3 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 172 ft | ||||
| LGA New York, NY | destination | no report just now | 20 ft |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,231 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At LGA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:01 am EDT (12:01 UTC)
LGA has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8587 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, 566 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
- 6/8888 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 8 nm from the route, 586 nm along the route · security · today · ZOB
- 6/8829 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 4 nm from the route, 586 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
- 5/2811 NEW YORK, NY, Monday, October 20, 2025 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026 Local 4 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 20 October · ZNY
Daylight
Sunset at DSM 6:38 pm CDT (23:38 UTC), at LGA 6:20 pm EDT (22:20 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:47 pm EDT (22:47 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: Des Moines International, Laguardia Airport.