Detroit Metro Wayne County to Los Angeles International DTW → LAX
1,716 nautical miles (1,975 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 265°, about 272° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 16 h 11 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 14-knot headwind), arriving about 11:08 am PDT (18:08 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: 4,893 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 first 20 nm of the route.
- 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 route from 439 to 868 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 928 to 1497 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 948 to 1437 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). Over the route from 1028 to 1187 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1028 to 1157 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1247 to 1506 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 1267 to 1616 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1367 to 1477 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 1516 to 1696 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 80 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
- urgent GLF6 at 45,000 ft, 19 nm south, 7:57 pm EDT (23:57 UTC): severe turbulence, remarks: a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv. 1217 nm along the route, 19 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UUA /OV RSK280050/TM 2357/FL450/TP GLF6/TB SEV/RM A/C HAD TO EXIT AUTO PILOT, 45 DEGREE PITCH-ZDV
- Report
- an urgent report filed through FMN
- Where
- 50 nm west (280°) of RSK
- Time
- 23:57 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Turbulence
- severe
- Remarks
- a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv
- A320 at 33,000 ft, 12 nm north, 8:36 pm EDT (00:36 UTC): moderate turbulence above 33,000 ft, remarks: zob. 80 nm along the route, 12 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
JXN UA /OV JXN280030/TM 0036/FL330/TP A320/TB OCNL MOD 330/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through JXN
- Where
- 30 nm west (280°) of JXN
- Time
- 00:36 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate at 33,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
- UAL2238 at 38,000 ft, 3 nm west, 7:44 pm EDT (23:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, wind 244° at 64 knots. 1097 nm along the route, 3 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2238 3807N 10649W 2344 F380 244/064KT TB CONT MOD TURB IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 13 nm south, 8:09 pm EDT (00:09 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-38. 1157 nm along the route, 13 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UA /OV RSK360050/TM 0009/FL430/TP GLF4/TB MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-38
- Report
- a routine report filed through FMN
- Where
- 50 nm north (360°) of RSK
- Time
- 00:09 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-38
- GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 18 nm southeast, 8:15 pm EDT (00:15 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 1217 nm along the route, 18 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UA /OV RSK290045/TM 0015/FL430/TP GLF4/TB CONS MOD/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through FMN
- Where
- 45 nm west (290°) of RSK
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- E145 at 15,000 ft, 31 nm northwest, 9:45 pm EDT (01:45 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, light rime icing, -9 °C. 1556 nm along the route, 31 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAS UA /OV LAS213045/TM 0145/FL150/TP E145/TA M09/TB MOD CHOP/IC LGT RIME
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAS
- Where
- 45 nm southwest (213°) of LAS
- Time
- 01:45 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Temperature
- −9 °C
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Icing
- light rime
- B38M at 14,000 ft, 14 nm southeast, 8:13 pm EDT (00:13 UTC): moderate turbulence, light rime icing, 8 °C. 1646 nm along the route, 14 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ONT UA /OV ONT053034/TM 0013/FL140/TP B38M/TA 08/TB MODERATE TURBULENCE/IC LIGHT RIME ICE 190 - 170
- Report
- a routine report filed through ONT
- Where
- 34 nm northeast (053°) of ONT
- Time
- 00:13 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Temperature
- 8 °C
- Turbulence
- moderate turbulence
- Icing
- light rime ice at 19,000 ft at 17,000 ft
- 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
- 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
- PA32 at 1,500 ft, 27 nm north, 7:03 pm EDT (23:03 UTC): overcast above 1,500 ft. At the departure end, 27 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PTK UA /OV PTK 1W/TM 2303/FL015/TP PA32/SK OVC015
- Report
- a routine report filed through PTK
- Where
- ptk 1W
- Time
- 23:03 UTC
- Height
- at 1,500 ft
- Aircraft
- PA32
- Sky
- overcast from 1,500 ft
16 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 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 15 forecast points nearest it (FWA, MKG, JOT, BRL, DSM, OMA, GRI, GLD, PUB, ALS, FMN, BCE, PRC, LAS, ONT). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,500 ft | 210° at 19 kt | +14 kt | 15 °C | 106 kt | 16 h 11 min | 11:08 am PDT (18:08 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 230° at 18 kt | +16 kt | 14 °C | 104 kt | 16 h 30 min | 11:27 am PDT (18:27 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 230° at 19 kt | +18 kt | 11 °C | 102 kt | 16 h 49 min | 11:46 am PDT (18:46 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 20 kt | +20 kt | 7 °C | 100 kt | 17 h 10 min | 12:07 pm PDT (19:07 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 240° at 21 kt | +21 kt | 3 °C | 99 kt | 17 h 20 min | 12:17 pm PDT (19:17 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 240° at 23 kt | +24 kt | -1 °C | 96 kt | 17 h 52 min | 12:49 pm PDT (19:49 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 240° at 26 kt | +27 kt | -6 °C | 93 kt | 18 h 27 min | 1:24 pm PDT (20:24 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 29 kt | +29 kt | -9 °C | 91 kt | 18 h 51 min | 1:48 pm PDT (20:48 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 31 kt | +33 kt | -20 °C | 87 kt | 19 h 43 min | 2:40 pm PDT (21:40 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 42 kt | +45 kt | -31 °C | 75 kt | 22 h 53 min | 5:50 pm PDT (00:50 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 47 kt | +50 kt | -39 °C | 70 kt | 24 h 31 min | 7:28 pm PDT (02:28 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 49 kt | +51 kt | -48 °C | 69 kt | 24 h 52 min | 7:49 pm PDT (02:49 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FWA | used from 0 nm out; 92 nm from the line | 350/9 | 350/24 15° | 360/25 9° | 360/29 4° | 350/31 -10° | 340/39 -22° | 330/40 -37° | 320/38 -43° | 320/48 -48° |
| MKG | used from 100 nm out; 71 nm from the line | 250/5 | 320/10 15° | 310/19 9° | 320/21 3° | 310/23 -10° | 330/37 -22° | 330/51 -38° | 320/44 -47° | 300/60 -49° |
| JOT | used from 150 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 230/11 | 290/12 16° | 300/19 10° | 320/19 4° | 300/17 -9° | 330/31 -20° | 320/49 -37° | 320/53 -45° | 320/67 -49° |
| BRL | used from 299 nm out; 51 nm from the line | 200/20 | 250/21 16° | 240/22 10° | 260/20 5° | 270/16 -7° | 290/22 -18° | 320/41 -34° | 320/56 -43° | 310/68 -53° |
| DSM | used from 399 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 200/32 | 240/27 17° | 260/19 10° | 260/16 5° | 260/19 -7° | 240/22 -19° | 270/20 -32° | 270/38 -42° | 290/58 -53° |
| OMA | used from 499 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 190/34 | 230/34 19° | 250/25 12° | 250/18 6° | 250/22 -7° | 250/28 -19° | 260/34 -32° | 260/39 -41° | 280/56 -51° |
| GRI | used from 599 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 210/31 19° | 240/21 14° | 240/17 6° | 260/27 -7° | 260/34 -18° | 240/45 -32° | 250/56 -40° | 260/62 -51° | |
| GLD | used from 748 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 190/29 | 200/30 15° | 240/23 8° | 250/39 -7° | 230/39 -19° | 230/57 -31° | 240/67 -39° | 250/62 -49° | |
| PUB | used from 948 nm out; 33 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 1048 nm out; 53 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 1147 nm out; 56 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° | ||
| BCE | used from 1297 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 210/47 0° | 200/50 -12° | 220/31 -23° | 220/56 -26° | 220/58 -35° | 230/58 -45° | |||
| PRC | used from 1397 nm out; 90 nm from the line | 200/36 6° | 210/46 0° | 220/60 -10° | 220/75 -19° | 220/66 -26° | 230/70 -33° | 230/59 -45° | ||
| LAS | used from 1447 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 200/25 11° | 230/22 5° | 240/25 -1° | 220/37 -12° | 220/44 -21° | 210/52 -27° | 210/60 -34° | 220/58 -44° | |
| ONT | used from 1596 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 230/11 | 200/17 6° | 230/27 4° | 230/32 -2° | 210/39 -12° | 220/51 -20° | 220/48 -29° | 210/51 -34° | 210/52 -44° |
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 | no report just now | 645 ft | ||||
| ARB Ann Arbor, MI | 20 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line, tower | no report just now | 839 ft | ||||
| ARR Chicago/Aurora, IL | 229 nm out, 1 nm northwest of the line, tower | no report just now | 712 ft | ||||
| CSQ Creston, IA | 499 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | no report just now | 1,299 ft | ||||
| LNK Lincoln, NE | 609 nm out, 20 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 1,218 ft | ||||
| NRN Norton, KS | 758 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 2,384 ft | ||||
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | 998 nm out, 8 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 6,187 ft | ||||
| TEX Telluride, CO | 1147 nm out, 12 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 9,069 ft | ||||
| BDG Blanding, UT | 1227 nm out, 17 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 5,867 ft | ||||
| IFP Bullhead City, AZ | 1516 nm out, 19 nm southeast of the line, tower | no report just now | 707 ft | ||||
| EMT El Monte, CA | 1696 nm out, 1 nm southeast of the line, tower | no report just now | 295 ft | ||||
| LAX Los Angeles, CA | destination | no report just now | 127 ft |
The highest airport on this list sits at 9,069 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At LAX when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:08 am PDT (18:08 UTC)
LAX has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.
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 19 nm from the route, 998 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 24 nm from the route, 1018 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 13 October · ZDV
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 9 nm from the route, 1516 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
- 6/8890 LAS VEGAS, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 16 nm from the route, 1516 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZLA
- 4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 16 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at DTW 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC), at LAX 6:23 pm PDT (01:23 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:48 pm PDT (01:48 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, Los Angeles International.