Detroit Metro Wayne County to Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport DTW → DCA
352 nautical miles (405 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 123°, about 130° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 36 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 15-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:42 am EDT (04:42 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DTW is marginal VFR, wind from the west-northwest (290°) at 3 knots; DCA is low IFR, wind from the northeast (040°) at 5 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: 5,738 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 7E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 33,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 11:55 pm EDT (03:55 UTC). Over the last 147 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120155 MKCE WST 120155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 7E VALID UNTIL 0355Z PA MD VA DC WV OH FROM 10NNE JST-30WNW SBY-40ENE RIC-50SW BKW-20SE APE-10NNE JST AREA TS MOV FROM 28015KT. TOPS TO FL330.
- 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 whole route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 166 to 303 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 176 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 DTW.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B38M at 29,000 ft, 40 nm southwest, 8:55 pm EDT (00:55 UTC): moderate turbulence above 29,000 ft, remarks: zob. 195 nm along the route, 40 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
MPG UA /OV AIR120030/TM 0055/FL290/TP B38M /TB OCNL MOD 290/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through MPG
- Where
- 30 nm southeast (120°) of AIR
- Time
- 00:55 UTC
- Height
- at 29,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate at 29,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
- A321 at 30,000 ft, 9 nm southwest, 7:49 pm EDT (23:49 UTC): moderate turbulence above 30,000 ft, remarks: zob. 225 nm along the route, 9 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
2G9 UA /OV IHD/TM 2349/FL300/TP A321/TB MOD 300/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through 2G9
- Where
- over IHD
- Time
- 23:49 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- moderate at 30,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
- E170 at 22,500 ft, 25 nm southwest, 7:44 pm EDT (23:44 UTC): moderate clear-air turbulence from 18,000 ft to 22,500 ft, remarks: during the descent FRDMM7 star. 283 nm along the route, 25 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
OKV UA /OV ESL100020/TM 2344/FL225/TP E170/TB CONS MOD CAT 180-225/RM DURD FRDMM7 STAR
- Report
- a routine report filed through OKV
- Where
- 20 nm east (100°) of ESL
- Time
- 23:44 UTC
- Height
- at 22,500 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate clear-air turbulence from 18,000 ft to 22,500 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent FRDMM7 star
- C525 descending, 42 nm southwest, 9:41 pm EDT (01:41 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 42 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 0141/FLDURD/TP C525/SK TOPS035 BKN010/WX 2SM
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over TOL
- Time
- 01:41 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- C525
- Sky
- TOPS035 BKN010
- Weather
- 2SM
- SR22 at 1,300 ft, 27 nm north, 9:25 pm EDT (01:25 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 27 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PTK UA /OV PTK270003/TM 0125/FL013/TP SR22/SK BASES 019 OVC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PTK
- Where
- 3 nm west (270°) of PTK
- Time
- 01:25 UTC
- Height
- at 1,300 ft
- Aircraft
- SR22
- Sky
- bases 1,900 ft overcast
- CRJ7 descending, 0 nm south, 9:01 pm EDT (01:01 UTC): overcast above 2,800 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTW UA /OV FINAL 3R /TM 0101/FLDURD/TP CRJ7/SK OVC 028
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTW
- Where
- final 3R
- Time
- 01:01 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- overcast from 2,800 ft
- C550 at 2,300 ft, 27 nm north, 8:46 pm EDT (00:46 UTC): remarks: fis 4 mile final. At the departure end, 27 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PTK UA /OV 4W/TM 0046/FL023/TP C550/RM FIS 4 MILE FINAL
- Report
- a routine report filed through PTK
- Where
- 4W
- Time
- 00:46 UTC
- Height
- at 2,300 ft
- Aircraft
- C550
- Remarks
- fis 4 mile final
- A21N descending, 0 nm south, 8:22 pm EDT (00:22 UTC): overcast above 1,500 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 0022/FLDURD/TP A21N/SK OVC015
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTW
- Where
- over DTW
- Time
- 00:22 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Sky
- overcast from 1,500 ft
- A320 climbing, 42 nm southwest, 8:14 pm EDT (00:14 UTC): overcast. At the departure end, 42 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 0014/FLDURC/TP A320/SK B025 OVC T040
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over TOL
- Time
- 00:14 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- B025 overcast T040
- CRJ9 descending, 0 nm south, 8:08 pm EDT (00:08 UTC): overcast above 1,100 ft, remarks: final runway 4L. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 0008/FLDURD/TP CRJ9/SK OVC 011/RM FINAL RY 4L
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTW
- Where
- over DTW
- Time
- 00:08 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- overcast from 1,100 ft
- Remarks
- final runway 4L
- GLF5 at 9,000 ft, 27 nm north, 7:13 pm EDT (23:13 UTC): overcast from 1,500 ft to 4,000 ft. At the departure end, 27 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PTK UA /OV PTK 7E/TM 2313/FL090/TP GLF5/SK OVC015-TOP040
- Report
- a routine report filed through PTK
- Where
- ptk 7E
- Time
- 23:13 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF5
- Sky
- overcast from 1,500 ft, tops 4,000 ft
- P28A descending, 48 nm southwest, 8:08 pm EDT (00:08 UTC): a broken layer from 2,200 ft to 2,500 ft. 20 nm along the route, 48 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV 1G0/TM 0008/FLDURD/TP P28A/SK BKN022 TOPS025
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over 1G0
- Time
- 00:08 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- P28A
- Sky
- a broken layer from 2,200 ft, tops 2,500 ft
- CRJ7 descending, 18 nm southwest, 9:17 pm EDT (01:17 UTC): remarks: bases 2,000 ft. 117 nm along the route, 18 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CAK UA /OV CAK/TM 0117/FLDURD/TP CRJ7/RM BASES 020
- Report
- a routine report filed through CAK
- Where
- over CAK
- Time
- 01:17 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Remarks
- bases 2,000 ft
- C68A at 2,700 ft, 7 nm southwest, 8:45 pm EDT (00:45 UTC): overcast above 2,700 ft, remarks: landing runway 10R. 176 nm along the route, 7 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PIT UA /OV KPIT/TM 0045/FL027/TP C68A/SK OVC027/RM LANDING RWY 10R
- Report
- a routine report filed through PIT
- Where
- over KPIT
- Time
- 00:45 UTC
- Height
- at 2,700 ft
- Aircraft
- C68A
- Sky
- overcast from 2,700 ft
- Remarks
- landing runway 10R
13 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 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 4 forecast points nearest it (CLE, AGC, PSB, RIC). 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 | 190° at 5 kt | +3 kt | 117 kt | 3 h 01 min | 1:07 am EDT (05:07 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 280° at 6 kt | −5 kt | 13 °C | 125 kt | 2 h 49 min | 12:55 am EDT (04:55 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 270° at 8 kt | −6 kt | 11 °C | 126 kt | 2 h 48 min | 12:54 am EDT (04:54 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 250° at 9 kt | −4 kt | 8 °C | 124 kt | 2 h 50 min | 12:56 am EDT (04:56 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 240° at 8 kt | −4 kt | 4 °C | 124 kt | 2 h 50 min | 12:56 am EDT (04:56 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 240° at 10 kt | −5 kt | 0 °C | 125 kt | 2 h 49 min | 12:55 am EDT (04:55 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 240° at 12 kt | −6 kt | -4 °C | 126 kt | 2 h 48 min | 12:54 am EDT (04:54 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 250° at 14 kt | −7 kt | -9 °C | 127 kt | 2 h 46 min | 12:52 am EDT (04:52 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 250° at 15 kt | −8 kt | -10 °C | 128 kt | 2 h 45 min | 12:51 am EDT (04:51 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 19 kt | −7 kt | -21 °C | 127 kt | 2 h 46 min | 12:52 am EDT (04:52 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 37 kt | −14 kt | -33 °C | 134 kt | 2 h 38 min | 12:44 am EDT (04:44 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 49 kt | −14 kt | -40 °C | 134 kt | 2 h 38 min | 12:44 am EDT (04:44 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 49 kt | −15 kt | -49 °C | 135 kt | 2 h 36 min | 12:42 am EDT (04:42 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLE | used from 0 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 340/5 | 320/13 14° | 300/12 8° | 310/10 2° | 310/14 -10° | 340/14 -23° | 320/27 -35° | 260/28 -40° | 250/36 -48° |
| AGC | used from 147 nm out; 20 nm from the line | 140/12 | 350/10 12° | L/V 9° | L/V 3° | 200/11 -11° | 220/21 -22° | 220/47 -33° | 230/51 -39° | 230/45 -48° |
| PSB | used from 244 nm out; 75 nm from the line | 260/13 13° | 220/12 8° | 220/11 4° | 230/27 -11° | 210/31 -21° | 220/73 -32° | 220/75 -40° | 230/66 -50° | |
| RIC | used from 293 nm out; 102 nm from the line | 190/33 | 200/29 14° | 210/31 12° | 210/38 6° | 230/42 -7° | 230/68 -16° | 220/84 -29° | 220/86 -40° | 220/81 -52° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DTW Detroit, MI | departure | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 3 knots | 8 mi | 2,000 ft | 645 ft | 9:53 pm EDT (01:53 UTC) |
| CYPT Pelee Island, | 39 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 571 ft | ||||
| CLE Cleveland, OH | 78 nm out, 5 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,100 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 2,100 ft | 799 ft | 01:51 UTC |
| BKL Cleveland, OH | 88 nm out, 7 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,800 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 2,800 ft | 583 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| BVI Beaver Falls, PA | 156 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower | reported, no category | calm | none | 1,252 ft | 19:47 UTC | |
| LBE Latrobe, PA | 215 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,600 feet | from the northeast (040°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 1,600 ft | 1,198 ft | 00:47 UTC |
| JST Johnstown, PA | 234 nm out, 21 nm northeast of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog | from the east-northeast (060°) at 7 knots | 0.25 mi | 200 ft | 2,284 ft | 01:54 UTC |
| MRB Martinsburg, WV | 293 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: heavy rain, mist | from the north-northwest (340°) at 5 knots | 0.75 mi | 500 ft | 564 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| JYO Leesburg, VA | 322 nm out, 4 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light drizzle | from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots | 7 mi | 500 ft | 389 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| DCA Washington, DC | destination | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: light rain | from the northeast (040°) at 5 knots | 9 mi | 400 ft | 14 ft | 9:52 pm EDT (01:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,284 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At DCA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:42 am EDT (04:42 UTC)
Wind from the northeast at 5 knots, visibility 2 miles, rain showers, mist, overcast at 500 feet IFR
The whole forecast for DCA
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 9 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 700 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 5 knots, visibility 2 miles, rain showers, mist, overcast at 500 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for DTW, the departure
- From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,600 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am EDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- At times between Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, mist, a broken layer at 400 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
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, 107 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
- 6/8888 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 18 nm from the route, 127 nm along the route · security · today · ZOB
- 6/8829 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 3 nm from the route, 137 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, 332 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA on the route, at the destination end · security · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at DTW 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC), at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:01 pm EDT (23:01 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at DCA is before sunrise there (7:14 am EDT (11:14 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: Detroit Metro Wayne County, Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport.