EL Paso International to San Diego International ELP → SAN
552 nautical miles (635 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 279°, about 271° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 58 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 9-knot headwind), arriving about 10:30 pm PDT (05:30 UTC), after sunset at the destination. 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: 741 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 W69W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm MDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 10 to 374 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112355 MKCW WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 69W VALID UNTIL 0155Z TX NM AZ FROM 50ENE PGS-60SE ABQ-20ENE ELP-70SSW SSO-50SE BZA-50ENE PGS AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 10 to 246 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 49 to 227 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 79 to 227 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 483 to 532 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 10 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 ELP.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A321 descending, 14 nm south, 6:26 pm MDT (00:26 UTC): light chop turbulence. 236 nm along the route, 14 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
TUS UA /OV FINAL RWY 12/TM 0026/FLDURD/TP A321/TB LIGHT CHOP ON FINAL
- Report
- a routine report filed through TUS
- Where
- final runway 12
- Time
- 00:26 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- light chop on final
- F2TH descending, 14 nm south, 4:58 pm MDT (22:58 UTC): light turbulence. 236 nm along the route, 14 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
TUS UA /OV R22 FINAL/TM 2258/FLDURD/TP F2TH/TB LT TURBULENCE 14000 TO 9000FT
- Report
- a routine report filed through TUS
- Where
- R22 final
- Time
- 22:58 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- F2TH
- Turbulence
- lt turbulence wind from 140° at 0 knots to 9000FT
- CL60 at 3,000 ft, 6 nm north, 6:22 pm MDT (00:22 UTC): remarks: bases 3,000 ft tops 5,500 ft. At the destination end, 6 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
SEE UA /OV 4 MI WEST/TM 0022/FL030/TP CL60/RM BASES 030 TOPS 055
- Report
- a routine report filed through SEE
- Where
- 4 mi west
- Time
- 00:22 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Remarks
- bases 3,000 ft tops 5,500 ft
- BE58 at 2,800 ft, 6 nm north, 4:52 pm MDT (22:52 UTC): overcast above 3,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 6 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
SEE UA /OV SEE32005/TM 2252/FL028/TP BE58/SK OVC030/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through SEE
- Where
- SEE32005
- Time
- 22:52 UTC
- Height
- at 2,800 ft
- Aircraft
- BE58
- Sky
- overcast from 3,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- SR22 descending, 2 nm northeast, 4:43 pm MDT (22:43 UTC): overcast from 2,600 ft to 6,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 2 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
MYF UA /OV MYF100010/TM 2243/FLUNKN/TP SR22/SK OVC026-TOP060/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through MYF
- Where
- 10 nm east (100°) of MYF
- Time
- 22:43 UTC
- Height
- height not given
- Aircraft
- SR22
- Sky
- overcast from 2,600 ft, tops 6,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- C525 at 2,000 ft, 9 nm south, 4:11 pm MDT (22:11 UTC): remarks: bases of clouds at 2000. At the destination end, 9 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
SDM UA /OV 4NM WEST/TM 2211/FL020/TP C525/RM BASES OF CLOUDS AT 2000
- Report
- a routine report filed through SDM
- Where
- 4NM west
- Time
- 22:11 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C525
- Remarks
- bases of clouds at 2000
- B737 at 2,700 ft, 0 nm northwest, 6:08 pm MDT (00:08 UTC): remarks: bases 2,700 ft tops 5,000 ft. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV 3 MI WEST/TM 0008/FL027/TP B737/RM BASES 027 TOPS 050
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- 3 mi west
- Time
- 00:08 UTC
- Height
- at 2,700 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- bases 2,700 ft tops 5,000 ft
- B39M at 3,400 ft, 0 nm northwest, 6:04 pm MDT (00:04 UTC): a broken layer from 3,400 ft to 4,000 ft, remarks: during the descent RY27. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 0004/FL034/TP B39M/SK BKN034-TOP040/RM DURD RY27
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- over SAN
- Time
- 00:04 UTC
- Height
- at 3,400 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,400 ft, tops 4,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent RY27
- B737 at 2,700 ft, 0 nm northwest, 5:18 pm MDT (23:18 UTC): remarks: bases 2,700 ft tops 4,700 ft. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV 2 MI WEST/TM 2318/FL027/TP B737/RM BASES 027 TOPS 047
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- 2 mi west
- Time
- 23:18 UTC
- Height
- at 2,700 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- bases 2,700 ft tops 4,700 ft
- E55P at 2,700 ft, 0 nm northwest, 5:11 pm MDT (23:11 UTC): a broken layer from 2,700 ft to 3,500 ft. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 2311/FL027/TP E55P/SK BKN027/TOP035
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- over SAN
- Time
- 23:11 UTC
- Height
- at 2,700 ft
- Aircraft
- E55P
- Sky
- a broken layer from 2,700 ft; TOP035
- B739 at 2,800 ft, 0 nm northwest, 4:41 pm MDT (22:41 UTC): remarks: bases 2,800 ft tops 4,800 ft. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV 1 MI WEST/TM 2241/FL028/TP B739/RM BASES 028 TOPS 048
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- 1 mi west
- Time
- 22:41 UTC
- Height
- at 2,800 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Remarks
- bases 2,800 ft tops 4,800 ft
- C172 at 2,500 ft, 24 nm north, 4:34 pm MDT (22:34 UTC): a broken layer, remarks: bases 2,500 ft tops 4,000 ft. At the destination end, 24 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRQ UA /OV 1 MI WEST/TM 2234/FL025/TP C172/SK BKN/RM BASES 025 TOPS 040
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRQ
- Where
- 1 mi west
- Time
- 22:34 UTC
- Height
- at 2,500 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Sky
- a broken layer
- Remarks
- bases 2,500 ft tops 4,000 ft
- B38M at 2,500 ft, 0 nm northwest, 4:04 pm MDT (22:04 UTC): a broken layer from 2,500 ft to 8,000 ft, remarks: during the descent RY27. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 2204/FL025/TP B38M/SK BKN025-TOP080/RM DURD RY27
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- over SAN
- Time
- 22:04 UTC
- Height
- at 2,500 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Sky
- a broken layer from 2,500 ft, tops 8,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent RY27
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 5 forecast points nearest it (ELP, TUS, PHX, BLH, SAN). 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 | 220° at 18 kt | +9 kt | 15 °C | 111 kt | 4 h 58 min | 10:30 pm PDT (05:30 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 220° at 20 kt | +10 kt | 12 °C | 110 kt | 5 h 01 min | 10:33 pm PDT (05:33 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 220° at 23 kt | +12 kt | 7 °C | 108 kt | 5 h 07 min | 10:39 pm PDT (05:39 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | +14 kt | 5 °C | 106 kt | 5 h 12 min | 10:44 pm PDT (05:44 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 32 kt | +15 kt | 2 °C | 105 kt | 5 h 15 min | 10:47 pm PDT (05:47 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 36 kt | +18 kt | -2 °C | 102 kt | 5 h 25 min | 10:57 pm PDT (05:57 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 41 kt | +20 kt | -6 °C | 100 kt | 5 h 31 min | 11:03 pm PDT (06:03 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 44 kt | +22 kt | -8 °C | 98 kt | 5 h 38 min | 11:10 pm PDT (06:10 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 57 kt | +36 kt | -18 °C | 84 kt | 6 h 34 min | 12:06 am PDT (07:06 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 69 kt | +40 kt | -27 °C | 80 kt | 6 h 54 min | 12:26 am PDT (07:26 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 72 kt | +48 kt | -36 °C | 72 kt | 7 h 40 min | 1:12 am PDT (08:12 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 63 kt | +44 kt | -47 °C | 76 kt | 7 h 16 min | 12:48 am PDT (07:48 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELP | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 200/15 | 200/16 15° | 200/17 6° | 220/40 -6° | 240/53 -16° | 230/62 -27° | 240/63 -38° | 250/59 -49° | |
| TUS | used from 98 nm out; 110 nm from the line | 220/17 15° | 210/32 7° | 210/43 5° | 210/49 -7° | 220/64 -18° | 220/83 -26° | 230/81 -36° | 230/72 -48° | |
| PHX | used from 295 nm out; 66 nm from the line | 210/19 | 210/20 14° | 200/20 6° | 210/40 1° | 220/58 -8° | 220/68 -20° | 220/82 -26° | 230/83 -34° | 230/69 -46° |
| BLH | used from 345 nm out; 86 nm from the line | 230/22 | 210/24 11° | 230/23 5° | 230/26 0° | 220/38 -10° | 230/52 -19° | 220/58 -28° | 220/69 -34° | 220/59 -45° |
| SAN | used from 492 nm out; 34 nm from the line | 200/10 | 240/19 9° | 240/27 5° | 230/22 -1° | 220/40 -10° | 220/49 -19° | 220/54 -29° | 220/61 -35° | 220/56 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELP El Paso, TX | departure | no report just now | 3,961 ft | ||||
| DNA Santa Teresa, NM | 20 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 4,112 ft | ||||
| DMN Deming, NM | 69 nm out, 17 nm north of the line | no report just now | 4,314 ft | ||||
| LSB Lordsburg, NM | 118 nm out, 15 nm north of the line | no report just now | 4,287 ft | ||||
| TUS Tucson, AZ | 236 nm out, 12 nm south of the line, tower | no report just now | 2,643 ft | ||||
| NYL Yuma, AZ | 423 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line, tower | no report just now | 213 ft | ||||
| CXL Calexico, CA | 463 nm out, 4 nm west of the line | no report just now | 5 ft | ||||
| SAN San Diego, CA | destination | no report just now | 16 ft |
The highest airport on this list sits at 4,314 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, 10:30 pm PDT (05:30 UTC)
SAN has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/2656 Coyote Wells, CA, Saturday, July 4, 2026 through Saturday, January 2, 2027 Local 3 nm from the route, 453 nm along the route · security · until 2 January · ZLA
- 6/2657 Calexico, CA, Saturday, July 4, 2026 through Saturday, January 2, 2027 Local 3 nm from the route, 453 nm along the route · security · until 2 January · ZLA
- 6/2652 Coyote Wells, CA, Saturday, July 4, 2026 through Saturday, January 2, 2027 Local 2 nm from the route, 473 nm along the route · security · until 2 January · ZLA
- 6/4812 El Centro, CA, Wednesday, July 15, 2026 through Tuesday, July 13, 2027 Local 21 nm from the route, 492 nm along the route · security · until 13 July · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at ELP 6:36 pm MDT (00:36 UTC), at SAN 6:19 pm PDT (01:19 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:44 pm PDT (01:44 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SAN is after sunset there (6:20 pm PDT (01:20 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: EL Paso International, San Diego International.