Newark Liberty International to Chicago/Rockford International EWR → RFD
677 nautical miles (779 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 283°, about 296° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13W). At 120 knots that is 5 h 41 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 1-knot headwind), arriving about 1:07 am CDT (06:07 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now EWR is IFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) at 14 knots; RFD is VFR, wind from the southeast (130°) at 3 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: 810 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 E16E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 32,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 25 knots, until 9:55 pm EDT (01:55 UTC). Over the first 40 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 112355 MKCE WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 16E VALID UNTIL 0155Z NY NJ PA DE MD VA DC WV AND NJ NY CSTL WTRS FROM SAX-30SE JFK-10N DCA-60ENE EKN-SAX AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 22025KT. TOPS TO FL320.
- 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 229 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 199 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: 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 20 to 199 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the route from 60 to 289 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 80 to 249 nm out.
- 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 route from 398 to 448 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 EWR.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
Not fetched just now.
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 8 forecast points nearest it (JFK, AVP, PSB, AGC, CLE, FWA, MKG, JOT). 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 3 kt | +1 kt | 13 °C | 119 kt | 5 h 41 min | 1:07 am CDT (06:07 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 270° at 7 kt | +6 kt | 13 °C | 114 kt | 5 h 56 min | 1:22 am CDT (06:22 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 290° at 9 kt | +8 kt | 10 °C | 112 kt | 6 h 03 min | 1:29 am CDT (06:29 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 300° at 10 kt | +9 kt | 6 °C | 111 kt | 6 h 06 min | 1:32 am CDT (06:32 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 300° at 10 kt | +9 kt | 2 °C | 111 kt | 6 h 06 min | 1:32 am CDT (06:32 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 290° at 12 kt | +11 kt | -2 °C | 109 kt | 6 h 13 min | 1:39 am CDT (06:39 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 280° at 14 kt | +13 kt | -6 °C | 107 kt | 6 h 20 min | 1:46 am CDT (06:46 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 280° at 15 kt | +14 kt | -10 °C | 106 kt | 6 h 23 min | 1:49 am CDT (06:49 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 280° at 16 kt | +15 kt | -21 °C | 105 kt | 6 h 27 min | 1:53 am CDT (06:53 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 260° at 34 kt | +31 kt | -35 °C | 89 kt | 7 h 36 min | 3:02 am CDT (08:02 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 43 kt | +37 kt | -42 °C | 83 kt | 8 h 09 min | 3:35 am CDT (08:35 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 47 kt | +42 kt | -49 °C | 78 kt | 8 h 41 min | 4:07 am CDT (09:07 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JFK | used from 0 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 140/43 | 170/35 13° | 230/18 9° | 250/25 5° | 240/40 -7° | 230/50 -17° | 230/75 -31° | 230/78 -41° | 230/88 -53° |
| AVP | used from 50 nm out; 23 nm from the line | 110/36 | 190/34 13° | 230/11 8° | 230/16 4° | 230/26 -8° | 220/40 -19° | 230/73 -33° | 230/98 -41° | 230/87 -51° |
| PSB | used from 149 nm out; 24 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° | |
| AGC | used from 249 nm out; 71 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° |
| CLE | used from 299 nm out; 32 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° |
| FWA | used from 448 nm out; 65 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 548 nm out; 69 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 597 nm out; 40 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EWR Newark, NJ | departure | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 1,700 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the north-northeast (030°) at 14 knots | 4 mi | 900 ft | 17 ft | 7:51 pm EDT (23:51 UTC) |
| ABE Allentown, PA | 60 nm out, 15 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet | from the east-northeast (070°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | 1,500 ft | 393 ft | 23:51 UTC |
| IPT Williamsport, PA | 129 nm out, 7 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 300 feet, a broken layer at 2,000 feet, overcast at 2,600 feet Weather: mist | calm | 4 mi | 2,000 ft | 528 ft | 00:15 UTC |
| UNV State College, PA | 169 nm out, 24 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: scattered clouds at 400 feet, a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the north-northeast (020°) at 6 knots | 2.5 mi | 900 ft | 1,231 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| FKL Franklin, PA | 259 nm out, 8 nm southwest of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet | from the east-northeast (060°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 1,200 ft | 1,540 ft | 23:56 UTC |
| YNG Youngstown/Warren, OH | 299 nm out, 20 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 900 feet, a broken layer at 2,800 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet | from the east-northeast (070°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 2,800 ft | 1,191 ft | 00:15 UTC |
| CGF Cleveland, OH | 339 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet | from the east-northeast (060°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 3,000 ft | 876 ft | 23:46 UTC |
| TOL Toledo, OH | 438 nm out, 18 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 2,200 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 2,200 ft | 683 ft | 00:21 UTC |
| AZO Kalamazoo, MI | 518 nm out, 13 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 873 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| SBN South Bend, IN | 548 nm out, 22 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 798 ft | 23:54 UTC |
| PWK Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, IL | 627 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 644 ft | 23:52 UTC |
| RFD Chicago/Rockford, IL | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the southeast (130°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 742 ft | 6:54 pm CDT (23:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,540 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RFD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:07 am CDT (06:07 UTC)
Wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for RFD
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 feet
The forecast for EWR, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 14 knots, gusting to 19, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 12 knots, visibility 6 miles, mist, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 600 feet
- At times between Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC) and 3:00 am EDT (07:00 UTC): a broken layer at 400 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the north at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 5/2811 NEW YORK, NY, Monday, October 20, 2025 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026 Local 9 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · until 20 October · ZNY
- 6/8587 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, 279 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, 299 nm along the route · security · today · ZOB
- 6/8829 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 14 nm from the route, 299 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
Daylight
Sunset at EWR 6:21 pm EDT (22:21 UTC), at RFD 6:19 pm CDT (23:19 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:47 pm CDT (23:47 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RFD is before sunrise there (7:05 am CDT (12:05 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: Newark Liberty International, Chicago/Rockford International.