Washington Dulles International to Sacramento International IAD → SMF
2,044 nautical miles (2,352 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 284°, about 294° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10W). At 120 knots that is 18 h 15 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 8-knot headwind), arriving about 12:24 pm PDT (19:24 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: 721 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 100 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 140 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 30 to 179 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 160 to 339 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 1136 to 1794 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 1246 to 1645 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1326 to 1774 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 1336 to 1605 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Over the route from 1406 to 1446 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 1475 to 1874 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Near the route, at the destination end.
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 IAD.
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 20 forecast points nearest it (EKN, AGC, CMH, CVG, FWA, IND, SPI, BRL, DSM, OMA, GRI, GLD, BFF, DEN, RKS, SLC, ELY, BAM, RNO, SAC). 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 | 230° at 10 kt | +8 kt | 16 °C | 112 kt | 18 h 15 min | 12:24 pm PDT (19:24 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 250° at 10 kt | +10 kt | 14 °C | 110 kt | 18 h 35 min | 12:44 pm PDT (19:44 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 230° at 14 kt | +12 kt | 10 °C | 108 kt | 18 h 56 min | 1:05 pm PDT (20:05 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 16 kt | +14 kt | 6 °C | 106 kt | 19 h 17 min | 1:26 pm PDT (20:26 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 18 kt | +17 kt | 2 °C | 103 kt | 19 h 51 min | 2:00 pm PDT (21:00 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 240° at 20 kt | +19 kt | -3 °C | 101 kt | 20 h 14 min | 2:23 pm PDT (21:23 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 240° at 22 kt | +21 kt | -7 °C | 99 kt | 20 h 39 min | 2:48 pm PDT (21:48 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 23 kt | +22 kt | -10 °C | 98 kt | 20 h 51 min | 3:00 pm PDT (22:00 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 29 kt | +26 kt | -21 °C | 94 kt | 21 h 45 min | 3:54 pm PDT (22:54 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 38 kt | +36 kt | -32 °C | 84 kt | 24 h 20 min | 6:29 pm PDT (01:29 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 47 kt | +46 kt | -39 °C | 74 kt | 27 h 37 min | 9:46 pm PDT (04:46 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 49 kt | +50 kt | -47 °C | 70 kt | 29 h 12 min | 11:21 pm PDT (06:21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EKN | used from 0 nm out; 88 nm from the line | 270/18 13° | 310/5 7° | 140/7 3° | 210/16 -9° | 220/41 -20° | 210/57 -32° | 220/57 -38° | 230/49 -47° | |
| AGC | used from 150 nm out; 72 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° |
| CMH | used from 199 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 340/14 | 320/13 12° | 350/12 8° | 360/10 2° | 350/27 -10° | 340/20 -22° | 320/31 -35° | 270/25 -39° | 260/32 -48° |
| CVG | used from 299 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 350/13 | 340/20 13° | 340/22 8° | 350/30 3° | 340/30 -9° | 340/38 -21° | 330/37 -35° | 320/38 -40° | 310/35 -47° |
| FWA | used from 349 nm out; 49 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° |
| IND | used from 399 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 320/10 | 350/30 16° | 350/32 10° | 350/30 4° | 340/31 -10° | 340/42 -21° | 340/49 -37° | 320/46 -41° | 320/47 -47° |
| SPI | used from 498 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 210/13 | 260/11 17° | 270/18 10° | 290/21 4° | 310/20 -8° | 330/25 -19° | 320/49 -34° | 320/60 -44° | 320/59 -50° |
| BRL | used from 598 nm out; 16 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 698 nm out; 53 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 798 nm out; 40 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 897 nm out; 43 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 1047 nm out; 106 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° | |
| BFF | used from 1146 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 120/24 | 180/31 13° | 210/26 7° | 230/25 -7° | 240/41 -20° | 230/52 -36° | 250/56 -41° | 260/57 -45° | |
| DEN | used from 1246 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 190/31 16° | 210/32 7° | 240/41 -8° | 230/47 -21° | 240/56 -32° | 250/65 -37° | 250/61 -47° | ||
| RKS | used from 1346 nm out; 100 nm from the line | 190/43 | 210/65 3° | 210/57 -9° | 210/56 -21° | 210/47 -33° | 230/63 -37° | 240/77 -46° | ||
| SLC | used from 1495 nm out; 72 nm from the line | 280/8 | 210/39 5° | 210/52 -1° | 200/50 -11° | 200/56 -23° | 220/61 -28° | 230/73 -37° | 230/73 -45° | |
| ELY | used from 1645 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 210/20 4° | 240/21 -1° | 230/37 -13° | 200/58 -25° | 220/73 -27° | 220/73 -36° | 220/69 -44° | ||
| BAM | used from 1794 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 270/8 4° | 230/27 -4° | 220/49 -18° | 210/52 -26° | 220/77 -29° | 220/71 -33° | 220/63 -43° | ||
| RNO | used from 1844 nm out; 85 nm from the line | 320/7 | 260/13 1° | 230/21 -7° | 210/38 -17° | 220/43 -26° | 230/54 -29° | 230/59 -32° | 230/54 -41° | |
| SAC | used from 1994 nm out; 26 nm from the line | 270/5 | L/V 5° | L/V -1° | 240/11 -5° | 250/22 -15° | 270/25 -24° | 260/31 -27° | 240/39 -33° | 240/39 -42° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IAD Washington, DC | departure | no report just now | 312 ft | ||||
| CKB Clarksburg, WV | 130 nm out, 9 nm south of the line, tower | no report just now | 1,223 ft | ||||
| TZR Columbus, OH | 269 nm out, 1 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 904 ft | ||||
| LAF Lafayette, IN | 449 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line, tower | no report just now | 605 ft | ||||
| FSW Fort Madison, IA | 648 nm out, 4 nm south of the line | no report just now | 721 ft | ||||
| GRI Grand Island, NE | 967 nm out, 2 nm east of the line, tower | no report just now | 1,847 ft | ||||
| GTE Gothenburg, NE | 1047 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 2,558 ft | ||||
| CYS Cheyenne, WY | 1256 nm out, 21 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 6,159 ft | ||||
| PVU Provo, UT | 1575 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line, tower | no report just now | 4,496 ft | ||||
| TMT Austin, NV | 1834 nm out, 2 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 5,735 ft | ||||
| TRK Truckee, CA | 1964 nm out, 20 nm northwest of the line, tower | no report just now | 5,904 ft | ||||
| SMF Sacramento, CA | destination | no report just now | 26 ft |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,159 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SMF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:24 pm PDT (19:24 UTC)
SMF has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 8 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 4 nm from the route, at the departure end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
- 6/3475 BEALE AFB, CA, Sunday, March 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 Local 14 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 1 November · ZOA
- 6/6740 SACRAMENTO, CA, Thursday, October 8, 2026 through Sunday, October 11, 2026 Local 5 nm from the route, at the destination end · air shows/sports · ended 11 October · ZOA
Daylight
Sunset at IAD 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC), at SMF 6:32 pm PDT (01:32 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:59 pm PDT (01:59 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: Washington Dulles International, Sacramento International.