The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Plan a flight · Mon 3:30 am EDT (07:30 UTC)

Detroit Metro Wayne County to San Diego International DTW → SAN

1,697 nautical miles (1,952 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 262°, about 269° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 17 h 08 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 21-knot headwind), arriving about 5:38 pm PDT (00:38 UTC). Right now DTW is marginal VFR, wind from the west (260°) at 4 knots; SAN is marginal VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 4 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: 2,549 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.

The return flight

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 C12C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 25,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 4:55 am EDT (08:55 UTC). Over the route from 998 to 1118 nm out.
    as issued
    WSUS32 KKCI 120655
    MKCC WST 120655
    CONVECTIVE SIGMET 12C
    VALID UNTIL 0855Z
    CO NM
    FROM 40W PUB-30SSE PUB-30W CIM-50WSW ALS-40W PUB
    DMSHG AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL250.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist), from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the first 180 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), from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 349 to 938 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft, from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 928 to 1437 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft, from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 958 to 968 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft, from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the last 719 nm of the route.
  • 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), from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 998 to 1068 nm out.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist), from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 1307 to 1487 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), from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 1367 to 1407 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 DTW.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

  • A333 descending, 0 nm south, 1:44 am EDT (05:44 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 0 nm south 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, 0 nm south, 12:54 am EDT (04:54 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 0 nm south 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
  • B738 at 1,700 ft, 34 nm south, 2:20 am EDT (06:20 UTC): overcast from 1,700 ft to 2,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 34 nm south 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, 34 nm south, 1:18 am EDT (05:18 UTC): overcast from 1,800 ft to 2,700 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 34 nm south 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, 34 nm south, 12:45 am EDT (04:45 UTC): overcast from 1,300 ft to 3,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 34 nm south 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
  • LJ45 at 10,000 ft, 42 nm south, 12:31 am EDT (04:31 UTC): no turbulence, clear, remarks: ground fog at fwa FV10SM on final runway 14. 100 nm along the route, 42 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
  • B739 at 35,000 ft, 38 nm south, 3:05 am EDT (07:05 UTC): no turbulence. 220 nm along the route, 38 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    TIP UA /OV RBS010023/TM 0705/FL350/TP B739/TB NEG
    Report
    a routine report filed through TIP
    Where
    23 nm north (010°) of RBS
    Time
    07:05 UTC
    Height
    at 35,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B739
    Turbulence
    none
  • A320 at 31,000 ft, 43 nm northwest, 2:58 am EDT (06:58 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: mtw a 10-knot loss of airspeed 100FT zdvwc. 1028 nm along the route, 43 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    PUB UA /OV PUB260040/TM 0658/FL310/TP A320/TB LGT CHOP/RM MTW +/-10KT 100FT. ZDVWC
    Report
    a routine report filed through PUB
    Where
    40 nm west (260°) of PUB
    Time
    06:58 UTC
    Height
    at 31,000 ft
    Aircraft
    A320
    Turbulence
    light chop
    Remarks
    mtw a 10-knot loss of airspeed 100FT zdvwc
  • PC12 at 11,000 ft, 28 nm northwest, 2:58 am EDT (06:58 UTC): light turbulence, no icing, remarks: during the descent arrival KFMN ZDVWC-36. 1158 nm along the route, 28 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DRO UA /OV DRO/TM 0658/FL110/TP PC12/SK BASE117/TB CONS LGT/IC NEG/RM DURD ARR KFMN. ZDVWC-36
    Report
    a routine report filed through DRO
    Where
    over DRO
    Time
    06:58 UTC
    Height
    at 11,000 ft
    Aircraft
    PC12
    Sky
    BASE117
    Turbulence
    continuous light
    Icing
    none
    Remarks
    during the descent arrival KFMN ZDVWC-36
  • E75L at 700 ft, 0 nm northwest, 2:40 am EDT (06:40 UTC): a broken layer, 18 °C, wind 170° at 6 knots, remarks: rain bases 700 ft to the east. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    SAN UA /OV FINAL RWY 27/TM 0640/FL007/TP E75L/SK BKN/WX 5SM/TA 18/WV 17006/RM -RA BASES 007 TO THE EAST
    Report
    a routine report filed through SAN
    Where
    final runway 27
    Time
    06:40 UTC
    Height
    at 700 ft
    Aircraft
    E75L
    Sky
    a broken layer
    Weather
    5SM
    Temperature
    18 °C
    Wind
    from 170° at 6 knots
    Remarks
    rain bases 700 ft to the east
  • BCS3 at 1,000 ft, 0 nm northwest, 2:20 am EDT (06:20 UTC): remarks: during the descent runway 27. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 0620/FL010/TP BCS3/SK BASE010/RM DURD RY27
    Report
    a routine report filed through SAN
    Where
    over SAN
    Time
    06:20 UTC
    Height
    at 1,000 ft
    Aircraft
    BCS3
    Sky
    BASE010
    Remarks
    during the descent runway 27
  • B737 at 2,500 ft, 0 nm northwest, 1:07 am EDT (05:07 UTC): a broken layer from 3,000 ft to 5,000 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 27. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 0507/FL025/TP B737/SK BKN030-TOP050/RM DURD RY27
    Report
    a routine report filed through SAN
    Where
    over SAN
    Time
    05:07 UTC
    Height
    at 2,500 ft
    Aircraft
    B737
    Sky
    a broken layer from 3,000 ft, tops 5,000 ft
    Remarks
    during the descent runway 27

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 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, JOT, BRL, DSM, MKC, OMA, SLN, GCK, GLD, PUB, ALS, FMN, PRC, BLH, SAN). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
4,500 ft230° at 28 kt+27 kt21 °C93 kt18 h 15 min6:45 pm PDT (01:45 UTC)
6,500 ft240° at 25 kt+26 kt15 °C94 kt18 h 03 min6:33 pm PDT (01:33 UTC)
8,500 ft230° at 21 kt+21 kt10 °C99 kt17 h 08 min5:38 pm PDT (00:38 UTC)
10,500 ft230° at 21 kt+21 kt7 °C99 kt17 h 08 min5:38 pm PDT (00:38 UTC)
12,500 ft230° at 22 kt+21 kt3 °C99 kt17 h 08 min5:38 pm PDT (00:38 UTC)
14,500 ft230° at 26 kt+26 kt-1 °C94 kt18 h 03 min6:33 pm PDT (01:33 UTC)
16,500 ft230° at 30 kt+30 kt-5 °C90 kt18 h 51 min7:21 pm PDT (02:21 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180230° at 34 kt+34 kt-8 °C86 kt19 h 44 min8:14 pm PDT (03:14 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240240° at 40 kt+41 kt-20 °C79 kt21 h 29 min9:59 pm PDT (04:59 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300240° at 54 kt+56 kt-30 °C64 kt26 h 31 min3:01 am PDT (10:01 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340250° at 61 kt+64 kt-37 °C56 kt30 h 18 min6:48 am PDT (13:48 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390250° at 54 kt+57 kt-48 °C63 kt26 h 56 min3:26 am PDT (10:26 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
PointFrom3,0006,0009,00012,00018,00024,00030,00034,00039,000
FWAused from 0 nm out; 91 nm from the line300/17320/20 16°330/20 10°340/15 3°310/27 -8°320/37 -20°330/52 -36°330/65 -43°330/60 -50°
JOTused from 150 nm out; 45 nm from the line250/23270/22 15°250/16 10°240/9 4°280/22 -7°280/29 -19°300/29 -34°290/50 -43°300/64 -52°
BRLused from 299 nm out; 39 nm from the line230/24240/29 15°290/16 10°280/15 4°260/23 -7°260/32 -19°260/36 -33°280/48 -41°280/59 -52°
DSMused from 399 nm out; 65 nm from the line230/40250/33 17°250/18 12°240/17 5°260/28 -8°270/34 -19°260/41 -33°260/55 -41°270/62 -51°
MKCused from 499 nm out; 75 nm from the line220/44250/28 18°250/18 13°240/12 6°280/24 -6°240/34 -18°260/47 -30°260/51 -40°270/58 -50°
OMAused from 549 nm out; 70 nm from the line220/47240/33 19°250/18 11°230/17 6°260/29 -8°250/33 -19°250/51 -33°260/61 -40°270/62 -49°
SLNused from 599 nm out; 77 nm from the line210/53230/41 20°240/26 14°230/16 8°240/25 -7°240/35 -19°250/61 -30°260/65 -38°260/56 -49°
GCKused from 749 nm out; 82 nm from the line220/48 21°230/37 14°250/30 8°230/37 -6°240/37 -20°240/69 -28°250/67 -37°260/58 -48°
GLDused from 798 nm out; 50 nm from the line230/49230/42 15°220/26 8°240/18 -7°230/27 -21°240/62 -30°240/61 -35°250/57 -47°
PUBused from 898 nm out; 77 nm from the line230/25 13°230/32 6°220/44 -8°230/49 -21°240/70 -28°240/67 -34°240/58 -46°
ALSused from 1048 nm out; 7 nm from the line230/37 4°220/54 -9°230/62 -22°240/77 -26°240/74 -33°230/59 -45°
FMNused from 1148 nm out; 26 nm from the line220/28 9°220/40 2°220/53 -10°220/62 -22°230/79 -28°240/91 -34°230/71 -45°
PRCused from 1297 nm out; 110 nm from the line210/25 5°200/30 1°220/55 -10°220/61 -21°220/84 -28°230/90 -34°230/73 -45°
BLHused from 1497 nm out; 42 nm from the line210/13200/21 11°200/22 5°210/25 -1°210/51 -10°220/61 -20°220/81 -29°220/92 -34°220/79 -45°
SANused from 1647 nm out; 25 nm from the line200/11200/23 7°210/27 4°210/31 -3°220/56 -10°220/56 -19°220/52 -30°220/64 -37°220/67 -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

AirportWhereConditionsWindVisibilityCeilingElevationReported
DTW Detroit, MI departure marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,100 feet from the west (260°) at 4 knots 10+ mi 1,100 ft 645 ft 2:53 am EDT (06:53 UTC)
ARB Ann Arbor, MI 20 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line, tower reported, no category calm none 839 ft 06:53 UTC
LOT Chicago/Romeoville, IL 220 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line, tower VFR from the south-southeast (150°) at 7 knots 10+ mi none 679 ft 07:15 UTC
TVK Centerville, IA 439 nm out, 4 nm south of the line VFR from the south (190°) at 7 knots, gusting to 13 9 mi none 1,023 ft 07:15 UTC
EVU Maryville, MO 529 nm out, 4 nm west of the line VFR from the south-southwest (200°) at 12 knots, gusting to 17 10+ mi none 1,145 ft 07:15 UTC
RCP Stockton, KS 749 nm out, 6 nm northeast of the line no report just now 1,999 ft
LHX La Junta, CO 958 nm out, 2 nm east of the line VFR from the southwest (230°) at 6 knots 10+ mi none 4,228 ft 15:53 UTC
ALS Alamosa, CO 1078 nm out, 8 nm north of the line VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,500 feet from the south (190°) at 9 knots 10+ mi 8,500 ft 7,539 ft 06:52 UTC
FMN Farmington, NM 1198 nm out, 15 nm north of the line, tower VFR from the east (100°) at 3 knots 10+ mi none 5,506 ft 06:53 UTC
FLG Flagstaff, AZ 1387 nm out, 2 nm east of the line, tower marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet from the southwest (220°) at 13 knots, gusting to 30 10+ mi 1,200 ft 7,014 ft 06:57 UTC
RNM Ramona, CA 1677 nm out, 9 nm north of the line, tower marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet, scattered clouds at 1,000 feet, overcast at 1,600 feet calm 7 mi 1,600 ft 1,394 ft 07:25 UTC
SAN San Diego, CA destination marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,700 feet, a broken layer at 2,400 feet, overcast at 3,400 feet Weather: light rain, mist from the south-southwest (200°) at 4 knots 4 mi 2,400 ft 16 ft 11:51 pm PDT (06:51 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 7,539 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At SAN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:38 pm PDT (00:38 UTC)

Wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for SAN
  • From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
  • From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
  • From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
  • From Mon 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
  • From Mon 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
The forecast for DTW, the departure
  • From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,500 feet
  • From Mon 3:00 am EDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 4 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, 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 1 mile, mist, a broken layer at 300 feet
  • From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
  • From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 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

  • 6/4812 El Centro, CA, Wednesday, July 15, 2026 through Tuesday, July 13, 2027 Local 11 nm from the route, 1627 nm along the route · security · until 13 July · ZLA

Daylight

Sunset at DTW 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC), at SAN 6:18 pm PDT (01:18 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:43 pm PDT (01:43 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

Radar now, the central Great Lakes
Radar now, the central Great Lakes · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley
Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the southern Plains
Radar now, the southern Plains · loop National Weather Service
Radar, the whole country
Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service
Surface analysis now
Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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, San Diego International.