Plan a flight · Sun 6:20 pm PDT (01:20 UTC)

Los Angeles International to Chicago/Rockford International LAX → RFD

1,463 nautical miles (1,683 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 062°, about 050° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 8 h 22 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 55-knot tailwind), arriving about 4:42 am CDT (09:42 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now LAX is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 8 knots; RFD is VFR, wind calm. 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: 304 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 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 10 to 70 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 20 to 169 nm out.
AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 100 to 428 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 100 to 826 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 169 to 647 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 179 to 756 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 269 to 348 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Over the route from 438 to 488 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 498 to 617 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 LAX.

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

urgent GLF6 at 45,000 ft, 29 nm south, 4:57 pm PDT (23:57 UTC): severe turbulence, remarks: a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv. 498 nm along the route, 29 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
B38M at 14,000 ft, 15 nm southeast, 5:13 pm PDT (00:13 UTC): moderate turbulence, light rime icing, 8 °C. 70 nm along the route, 15 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
UAL493 at 24,000 ft, 44 nm north, 3:54 pm PDT (22:54 UTC): moderate turbulence. 289 nm along the route, 44 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ARP UAL493 3648N 11330W 2254 F240 TB MODERATE SK IN CLOUDS IC LIGHT
```
Report
a routine report filed through ARP
GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 28 nm south, 5:15 pm PDT (00:15 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 507 nm along the route, 28 nm south 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
GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 25 nm southeast, 5:09 pm PDT (00:09 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-38. 557 nm along the route, 25 nm southeast 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
UAL2238 at 38,000 ft, 12 nm south, 4:44 pm PDT (23:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, wind 244° at 64 knots. 617 nm along the route, 12 nm south 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
C680 at 18,000 ft, 48 nm north, 3:35 pm PDT (22:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: from 18,000 ft to 10,000 ft. 617 nm along the route, 48 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ASE UA /OV ASE230020/TM 2235/FL180/TP C680/TB MOD/RM 180-100
```
Report
a routine report filed through ASE
Where
20 nm southwest (230°) of ASE
Time
22:35 UTC
Height
at 18,000 ft
Aircraft
C680
Turbulence
moderate
Remarks
from 18,000 ft to 10,000 ft
GLF5 at 45,000 ft, 16 nm north, 3:44 pm PDT (22:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 726 nm along the route, 16 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
COS UA /OV COS350025/TM 2244/FL450/TP GLF5/TB MOD /RM ZDVWC-46
```
Report
a routine report filed through COS
Where
25 nm north (350°) of COS
Time
22:44 UTC
Height
at 45,000 ft
Aircraft
GLF5
Turbulence
moderate
Remarks
ZDVWC-46
UAL2199 at 35,000 ft, 48 nm north, 4:31 pm PDT (23:31 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, wind 247° at 79 knots. 796 nm along the route, 48 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ARP UAL2199 4007N 10337W 2331 F350 247/079KT TB MOD CHOP IC
```
Report
a routine report filed through ARP
UAL1340 at 40,000 ft, 44 nm northwest, 5:18 pm PDT (00:18 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, wind 244° at 70 knots. 935 nm along the route, 44 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ARP UAL1340 4046N 10049W 0018 F400 244/070KT TB OCNL MOD CHOP IC
```
Report
a routine report filed through ARP
A21B at 4,000 ft, 1 nm southwest, 5:11 pm PDT (00:11 UTC): a broken layer above 4,000 ft, remarks: during the descent RY25L. At the departure end, 1 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
LAX UA /OV LAX/TM 0011/FL040/TP A21B/SK BKN-BASE040/RM DURD RY25L
```
Report
a routine report filed through LAX
Where
over LAX
Time
00:11 UTC
Height
at 4,000 ft
Aircraft
A21B
Sky
BKN-BASE040
Remarks
during the descent RY25L
C172 at 5,000 ft, 43 nm west, 4:15 pm PDT (23:15 UTC): remarks: tops 5,000 ft on departure runway 25. At the departure end, 43 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
OXR UA /OV KOXR/TM 2315/FL050/TP C172/RM TOPS 050 ON DEP RWY25
```
Report
a routine report filed through OXR
Where
over KOXR
Time
23:15 UTC
Height
at 5,000 ft
Aircraft
C172
Remarks
tops 5,000 ft on departure runway 25
E50P at 3,200 ft, 43 nm west, 3:57 pm PDT (22:57 UTC): remarks: bases 3,600 ft on arrival runway 25. At the departure end, 43 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
OXR UA /OV KOXR/TM 2257/FL032/TP E50P/RM BASES 036 ON ARR RWY25
```
Report
a routine report filed through OXR
Where
over KOXR
Time
22:57 UTC
Height
at 3,200 ft
Aircraft
E50P
Remarks
bases 3,600 ft on arrival runway 25
C172 at 1,400 ft, 12 nm southeast, 3:53 pm PDT (22:53 UTC): remarks: base 3,400 ft. At the departure end, 12 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TOA UA /OV 4 E KTOA/TM 2253/FL014/TP C172/RM BASE 034
```
Report
a routine report filed through TOA
Where
4 east KTOA
Time
22:53 UTC
Height
at 1,400 ft
Aircraft
C172
Remarks
base 3,400 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 eastbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: odd thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 13 forecast points nearest it (ONT, LAS, BCE, FMN, GJT, ALS, PUB, DEN, GLD, GRI, OMA, DSM, DBQ). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

Height	Average wind	Head- or tailwind	Temperature	Ground speed	Time en route	Arrival
5,500 ft	210° at 25 kt	−20 kt	14 °C	140 kt	10 h 27 min	6:47 am CDT (11:47 UTC)
7,500 ft	220° at 24 kt	−21 kt	13 °C	141 kt	10 h 23 min	6:43 am CDT (11:43 UTC)
9,500 ft	230° at 23 kt	−22 kt	10 °C	142 kt	10 h 18 min	6:38 am CDT (11:38 UTC)
11,500 ft	230° at 25 kt	−24 kt	5 °C	144 kt	10 h 10 min	6:30 am CDT (11:30 UTC)
13,500 ft	230° at 27 kt	−26 kt	1 °C	146 kt	10 h 01 min	6:21 am CDT (11:21 UTC)
15,500 ft	230° at 30 kt	−29 kt	-4 °C	149 kt	9 h 49 min	6:09 am CDT (11:09 UTC)
17,500 ft	230° at 33 kt	−31 kt	-8 °C	151 kt	9 h 41 min	6:01 am CDT (11:01 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	230° at 33 kt	−32 kt	-9 °C	152 kt	9 h 38 min	5:58 am CDT (10:58 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	230° at 37 kt	−36 kt	-20 °C	156 kt	9 h 23 min	5:43 am CDT (10:43 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	230° at 47 kt	−47 kt	-30 °C	167 kt	8 h 46 min	5:06 am CDT (10:06 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	240° at 51 kt	−53 kt	-38 °C	173 kt	8 h 27 min	4:47 am CDT (09:47 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	250° at 53 kt	−55 kt	-48 °C	175 kt	8 h 22 min	4:42 am CDT (09:42 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
ONT	used from 0 nm out; 19 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°
LAS	used from 100 nm out; 87 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°
BCE	used from 299 nm out; 82 nm from the line				210/47 0°	200/50 -12°	220/31 -23°	220/56 -26°	220/58 -35°	230/58 -45°
FMN	used from 448 nm out; 80 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°
GJT	used from 547 nm out; 75 nm from the line			210/40 11°	210/46 3°	210/61 -10°	210/68 -22°	220/57 -29°	230/59 -36°	240/66 -46°
ALS	used from 597 nm out; 69 nm from the line				210/32 5°	230/48 -8°	230/49 -20°	230/78 -30°	240/74 -36°	240/61 -47°
PUB	used from 647 nm out; 64 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°
DEN	used from 746 nm out; 56 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°
GLD	used from 796 nm out; 51 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°
GRI	used from 945 nm out; 76 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°
OMA	used from 1095 nm out; 37 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°
DSM	used from 1194 nm out; 36 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°
DBQ	used from 1343 nm out; 37 nm from the line	220/23	240/22 16°	240/24 10°	260/18 5°	270/16 -8°	290/27 -19°	310/42 -35°	320/55 -44°	300/71 -52°

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
LAX Los Angeles, CA	departure	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,600 feet, a broken layer at 4,900 feet	from the west-southwest (240°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	4,900 ft	127 ft	5:53 pm PDT (00:53 UTC)
EMT El Monte, CA	20 nm out, 1 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,000 feet	from the south-southeast (150°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	295 ft	00:45 UTC
IFP Bullhead City, AZ	199 nm out, 23 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,500 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet	from the south (190°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	7,500 ft	707 ft	01:15 UTC
PGA Page, AZ	388 nm out, 9 nm northwest of the line	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet	from the south (190°) at 12 knots, gusting to 20	10+ mi	none	4,316 ft	00:53 UTC
TEX Telluride, CO	567 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,600 feet, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet	from the south (170°) at 16 knots, gusting to 22	10+ mi	7,000 ft	9,069 ft	00:55 UTC
COS Colorado Springs, CO	726 nm out, 9 nm south of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 17,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet	from the west-southwest (240°) at 14 knots, gusting to 25	10+ mi	10,000 ft	6,187 ft	00:54 UTC
LIC Limon, CO	776 nm out, 2 nm northeast of the line	VFR	from the south-southeast (150°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	5,374 ft	00:55 UTC
ADT Atwood, KS	905 nm out, 6 nm south of the line	VFR	from the south (180°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	2,990 ft	00:55 UTC
LNK Lincoln, NE	1104 nm out, 6 nm east of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (170°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	1,218 ft	00:54 UTC
DSM Des Moines, IA	1254 nm out, 2 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 20,000 feet	from the south (170°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	20,000 ft	957 ft	00:54 UTC
CID Cedar Rapids, IA	1343 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (170°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	869 ft	00:52 UTC
RFD Chicago/Rockford, IL	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet	calm	10+ mi	none	742 ft	7:54 pm CDT (00:54 UTC)

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 RFD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:42 am CDT (09:42 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 LAX, the departure

From Sun 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
From Sun 9:00 pm PDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
30% chance between Sun 9:00 pm PDT (04:00 UTC) and 3:00 am PDT (10:00 UTC): light rain showers
From Mon 4:00 am PDT (11:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
30% chance between Mon 4:00 am PDT (11:00 UTC) and 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC): light rain showers
From Mon 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
30% chance between Mon 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC) and 4:00 pm PDT (23:00 UTC): light rain showers
From Mon 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 16 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · ZLA
6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 13 nm from the route, 199 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
6/8890 LAS VEGAS, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 12 nm from the route, 199 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZLA
6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 9 nm from the route, 697 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 13 October · ZDV
6/8770 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 4 nm from the route, 716 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 12 October · ZDV

Daylight

Sunset at LAX 6:23 pm PDT (01:23 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

Radar now, the Pacific Southwest · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the southern Rockies · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the southern Plains · loop National Weather Service

Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service

Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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: Los Angeles International, Chicago/Rockford International.