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

Sacramento Mather Airport to Chicago/Rockford International MHR → RFD

1,480 nautical miles (1,703 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 071°, about 058° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 8 h 16 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 59-knot tailwind), arriving about 4:36 am CDT (09:36 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MHR is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 6 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: 257 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 TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the route from 70 to 90 nm out.
AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 160 to 570 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 240 to 910 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 260 to 720 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 400 to 780 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 440 to 700 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 590 to 640 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 MHR.

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

urgent BCS3 at 5,400 ft, 24 nm south, 4:35 pm PDT (23:35 UTC): remarks: wind shear 10 knots gain 1000 above ground on final. 450 nm along the route, 24 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PVU UUA /OV PVU310001/TM 2335/FL054/TP BCS3/RM WIND SHEAR 10 KT GAIN 1000 AGL ON FINAL
```
Report
an urgent report filed through PVU
Where
1 nm northwest (310°) of PVU
Time
23:35 UTC
Height
at 5,400 ft
Aircraft
BCS3
Remarks
wind shear 10 knots gain 1000 above ground on final
B739 at 11,000 ft, 15 nm northwest, 3:40 pm PDT (22:40 UTC): moderate turbulence, no icing, -4 °C, wind 180° at 40 knots, remarks: during the descent. 440 nm along the route, 15 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV TCH240014/TM 2240/FL110/TP B739/TA M04/WV 180040/TB CONT MOD /IC NEG/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
14 nm southwest (240°) of TCH
Time
22:40 UTC
Height
at 11,000 ft
Aircraft
B739
Temperature
−4 °C
Wind
from 180° at 40 knots
Turbulence
continuous moderate
Icing
none
Remarks
during the descent
PA44 at 6,000 ft, 23 nm south, 4:25 pm PDT (23:25 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: runway in sight at at 6,400 ft. 450 nm along the route, 23 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PVU UA /OV PVU310002/TM 2325/FL060/TP PA44/TB MOD /RM RWY IN SIGHT AT 064
```
Report
a routine report filed through PVU
Where
2 nm northwest (310°) of PVU
Time
23:25 UTC
Height
at 6,000 ft
Aircraft
PA44
Turbulence
moderate
Remarks
runway in sight at at 6,400 ft
A339 at 16,000 ft, 38 nm north, 4:35 pm PDT (23:35 UTC): moderate chop turbulence up to 16,000 ft, remarks: during the climb zlc. 460 nm along the route, 38 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
OGD UA /OV OGD063012/TM 2335/FL160/TP A339/TB MOD CHOP 160 BLO/RM DURC /ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through OGD
Where
12 nm northeast (063°) of OGD
Time
23:35 UTC
Height
at 16,000 ft
Aircraft
A339
Turbulence
moderate chop at 16,000 ft below
Remarks
during the climb zlc
E75L at 14,500 ft, 35 nm north, 4:05 pm PDT (23:05 UTC): moderate turbulence up to 15,800 ft, heavy rain, remarks: during the climb zlc. 460 nm along the route, 35 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
OGD UA /OV OGD086008/TM 2305/FL145/TP E75L/WX +RA/TB MOD 158 BLO/RM DURC /ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through OGD
Where
8 nm east (086°) of OGD
Time
23:05 UTC
Height
at 14,500 ft
Aircraft
E75L
Weather
heavy rain
Turbulence
moderate at 15,800 ft below
Remarks
during the climb zlc
E75L at 12,500 ft, 27 nm north, 3:25 pm PDT (22:25 UTC): moderate turbulence. 460 nm along the route, 27 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
HIF UA /OV HIF103005/TM 2225/FL125/TP E75L/TB MOD /ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through HIF
Where
5 nm east (103°) of HIF
Time
22:25 UTC
Height
at 12,500 ft
Aircraft
E75L
Turbulence
moderate zlc
A21N at 33,000 ft, 47 nm south, 3:35 pm PDT (22:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: mountain wave +25-30KTS. 660 nm along the route, 47 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
HDN UA /OV CHE/TM 2235/FL330/TP A21N/TB MOD/RM MTN WAVE +25-30KTS
```
Report
a routine report filed through HDN
Where
over CHE
Time
22:35 UTC
Height
at 33,000 ft
Aircraft
A21N
Turbulence
moderate
Remarks
mountain wave +25-30KTS
CRJ2 at 19,000 ft, 40 nm south, 5:47 pm PDT (00:47 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-13. 720 nm along the route, 40 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
EGE UA /OV RLG010052/TM 0047/FL190/TP CRJ2/TB COSN MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-13
```
Report
a routine report filed through EGE
Where
52 nm north (010°) of RLG
Time
00:47 UTC
Height
at 19,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ2
Turbulence
cosn moderate chop
Remarks
ZDVWC-13
PRM1 at 21,000 ft, 41 nm south, 6:03 pm PDT (01:03 UTC): light rime icing, -15 °C. 430 nm along the route, 41 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PVU UA /OV FFU180025/TM 0103/FL210/TP PRM1/TA M15/IC LGT RIME /ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through PVU
Where
25 nm south (180°) of FFU
Time
01:03 UTC
Height
at 21,000 ft
Aircraft
PRM1
Temperature
−15 °C
Icing
light rime zlc
B737 at 16,000 ft, 11 nm north, 5:45 pm PDT (00:45 UTC): no turbulence, light rime icing from 13,000 ft to 17,000 ft, 8 °C, remarks: during the climb. 430 nm along the route, 11 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV TCH230020/TM 0045/FL160/TP B737/TA 8/TB NEG/IC LT RIME 130-170/RM DURC
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
20 nm southwest (230°) of TCH
Time
00:45 UTC
Height
at 16,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Temperature
8 °C
Turbulence
none
Icing
lt rime from 13,000 ft to 17,000 ft
Remarks
during the climb
B38M at 16,000 ft, 12 nm northwest, 5:06 pm PDT (00:06 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, 13 °C, remarks: during the climb. 440 nm along the route, 12 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV TCH230015/TM 0006/FL160/TP B38M/TA 13/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM DURC
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
15 nm southwest (230°) of TCH
Time
00:06 UTC
Height
at 16,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Temperature
13 °C
Turbulence
none
Icing
none
Remarks
during the climb
A321 at 10,000 ft, 6 nm southwest, 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): light chop turbulence, no icing, remarks: during the descent. 450 nm along the route, 6 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV TCH165020/TM 0000/FL100/TP A321/TB LGT CHOP/IC NEG/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
20 nm south (165°) of TCH
Time
00:00 UTC
Height
at 10,000 ft
Aircraft
A321
Turbulence
light chop
Icing
none
Remarks
during the descent
BCS1 at 12,500 ft, 29 nm north, 4:09 pm PDT (23:09 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb from 8,000 ft to 12,500 ft. 460 nm along the route, 29 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV TCH350015/TM 2309/FL125/TP BCS1/TB LGT TO MOD TURB/RM DURC 080-125
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
15 nm north (350°) of TCH
Time
23:09 UTC
Height
at 12,500 ft
Aircraft
BCS1
Turbulence
light to moderate turbulence
Remarks
during the climb from 8,000 ft to 12,500 ft
UAL2395 at 37,000 ft, 30 nm north, 5:58 pm PDT (00:58 UTC): no turbulence, wind 240° at 70 knots. 590 nm along the route, 30 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ARP UAL2395 4135N 10900W 0058 F370 240/070KT TB NONE SK CLEAR IC NONE
```
Report
a routine report filed through ARP

5 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 12 forecast points nearest it (SAC, RNO, BAM, ELY, SLC, RKS, BFF, ONL, OMA, DSM, MCW, 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	200° at 11 kt	−5 kt	17 °C	125 kt	11 h 50 min	8:10 am CDT (13:10 UTC)
7,500 ft	210° at 19 kt	−11 kt	11 °C	131 kt	11 h 18 min	7:38 am CDT (12:38 UTC)
9,500 ft	210° at 24 kt	−17 kt	8 °C	137 kt	10 h 48 min	7:08 am CDT (12:08 UTC)
11,500 ft	220° at 28 kt	−22 kt	4 °C	142 kt	10 h 25 min	6:45 am CDT (11:45 UTC)
13,500 ft	220° at 29 kt	−24 kt	-1 °C	144 kt	10 h 17 min	6:37 am CDT (11:37 UTC)
15,500 ft	220° at 30 kt	−25 kt	-5 °C	145 kt	10 h 12 min	6:32 am CDT (11:32 UTC)
17,500 ft	220° at 31 kt	−26 kt	-9 °C	146 kt	10 h 08 min	6:28 am CDT (11:28 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	220° at 32 kt	−27 kt	-10 °C	147 kt	10 h 04 min	6:24 am CDT (11:24 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	230° at 37 kt	−32 kt	-21 °C	152 kt	9 h 44 min	6:04 am CDT (11:04 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	230° at 45 kt	−41 kt	-32 °C	161 kt	9 h 12 min	5:32 am CDT (10:32 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	240° at 52 kt	−52 kt	-39 °C	172 kt	8 h 36 min	4:56 am CDT (09:56 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	250° at 58 kt	−59 kt	-47 °C	179 kt	8 h 16 min	4:36 am CDT (09:36 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
SAC	used from 0 nm out; 35 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°
RNO	used from 50 nm out; 33 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°
BAM	used from 150 nm out; 80 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°
ELY	used from 250 nm out; 52 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°
SLC	used from 350 nm out; 76 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°
RKS	used from 500 nm out; 72 nm from the line			190/43	210/65 3°	210/57 -9°	210/56 -21°	210/47 -33°	230/63 -37°	240/77 -46°
BFF	used from 700 nm out; 109 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°
ONL	used from 950 nm out; 83 nm from the line		200/20 17°	230/26 14°	240/21 7°	250/27 -9°	260/32 -19°	240/44 -34°	240/56 -41°	250/62 -51°
OMA	used from 1150 nm out; 54 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 1200 nm out; 67 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°
MCW	used from 1300 nm out; 64 nm from the line	200/35	240/33 18°	250/20 10°	260/10 6°	270/18 -8°	260/28 -19°	280/30 -34°	290/49 -43°	280/70 -54°
DBQ	used from 1350 nm out; 35 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
MHR Sacramento, CA	departure	VFR	from the southwest (230°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	98 ft	3:15 pm PDT (22:15 UTC)
PVF Placerville, CA	30 nm out, 3 nm west of the line	reported, no category	calm	10+ mi	none	2,585 ft	23:35 UTC
TMT Austin, NV	200 nm out, 5 nm south of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,800 feet, scattered clouds at 3,600 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet	from the east (100°) at 7 knots, gusting to 16	10+ mi	10,000 ft	5,735 ft	00:55 UTC
TVY Tooele, UT	430 nm out, 5 nm north of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,500 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet Weather: light rain	from the east-southeast (120°) at 5 knots	9 mi	6,500 ft	4,321 ft	00:55 UTC
SLC Salt Lake City, UT	450 nm out, 11 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 800 feet, scattered clouds at 1,700 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet Weather: rain, mist	from the east-northeast (070°) at 3 knots	6 mi	5,000 ft	4,230 ft	01:11 UTC
SAA Saratoga, WY	690 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 10,000 feet	from the southeast (140°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	7,014 ft	00:50 UTC
BFF Scottsbluff, NE	830 nm out, 10 nm north of the line	VFR	from the east (100°) at 12 knots	10+ mi	none	3,967 ft	00:53 UTC
TIF Thedford, NE	970 nm out, 1 nm southwest of the line	VFR	from the east-northeast (060°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	2,925 ft	00:55 UTC
SUX Sioux City, IA	1160 nm out, 13 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southeast (160°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	1,098 ft	00:52 UTC
ALO Waterloo, IA	1330 nm out, 19 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (170°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	873 ft	00:54 UTC
DBQ Dubuque, IA	1410 nm out, 10 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southeast (160°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	1,076 ft	00:53 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 7,014 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, 4:36 am CDT (09:36 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 MHR, the departure

From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Sun 10:00 pm PDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 6:00 am PDT (13:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet

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

6/6740 SACRAMENTO, CA, Thursday, October 8, 2026 through Sunday, October 11, 2026 Local on the route, at the departure end · air shows/sports · ended 11 October · ZOA

Daylight

Sunset at MHR 6:31 pm PDT (01:31 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 northern Rockies · 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: Sacramento Mather Airport, Chicago/Rockford International.