Quad Cities International to San Diego International MLI → SAN
1,374 nautical miles (1,581 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 256°, about 255° magnetic at the departure end (variation 1E). At 120 knots that is 14 h 19 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 24-knot headwind), arriving about 1:47 pm PDT (20:47 UTC). Right now MLI is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 9 knots; SAN is marginal VFR, wind from the east-southeast (120°) 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: 1 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 C10C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 2:55 am CDT (07:55 UTC). Over the route from 647 to 786 nm out.
as issued
WSUS32 KKCI 120555 MKCC WST 120555 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 10C VALID UNTIL 0755Z CO NM FROM 20NNE PUB-40WSW LAA-30WSW CIM-50WSW ALS-50ESE HBU-20NNE PUB AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: 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 10 to 607 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 597 to 1115 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the route from 627 to 667 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 667 to 757 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the last 697 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 976 to 1165 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 1045 to 1085 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Near the route, 1254 nm along 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 MLI.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- BCS3 at 1,000 ft, 0 nm northwest, 1:20 am CDT (06:20 UTC): remarks: during the descent runway 27. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 0620/FL010/TP BCS3/SK BASE010/RM DURD RY27
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- over SAN
- Time
- 06:20 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Sky
- BASE010
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 27
- B737 at 2,500 ft, 0 nm northwest, 12:07 am CDT (05:07 UTC): a broken layer from 3,000 ft to 5,000 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 27. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 0507/FL025/TP B737/SK BKN030-TOP050/RM DURD RY27
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- over SAN
- Time
- 05:07 UTC
- Height
- at 2,500 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,000 ft, tops 5,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 27
- B38M at 3,100 ft, 0 nm northwest, 11:11 pm CDT (04:11 UTC): a broken layer above 3,100 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 27. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 0411/FL031/TP B38M/SK BKN031/RM DURD RY27
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- over SAN
- Time
- 04:11 UTC
- Height
- at 3,100 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,100 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 27
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 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 11 forecast points nearest it (BRL, DSM, OMA, SLN, GLD, PUB, ALS, FMN, PRC, 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 | 230° at 35 kt | +32 kt | 88 kt | 15 h 37 min | 3:05 pm PDT (22:05 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 230° at 32 kt | +31 kt | 14 °C | 89 kt | 15 h 26 min | 2:54 pm PDT (21:54 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 230° at 25 kt | +24 kt | 10 °C | 96 kt | 14 h 19 min | 1:47 pm PDT (20:47 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 25 kt | +24 kt | 7 °C | 96 kt | 14 h 19 min | 1:47 pm PDT (20:47 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 27 kt | +25 kt | 3 °C | 95 kt | 14 h 28 min | 1:56 pm PDT (20:56 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 31 kt | +29 kt | -1 °C | 91 kt | 15 h 06 min | 2:34 pm PDT (21:34 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 35 kt | +34 kt | -5 °C | 86 kt | 15 h 59 min | 3:27 pm PDT (22:27 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 39 kt | +37 kt | -9 °C | 83 kt | 16 h 33 min | 4:01 pm PDT (23:01 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 46 kt | +45 kt | -20 °C | 75 kt | 18 h 19 min | 5:47 pm PDT (00:47 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 64 kt | +64 kt | -30 °C | 56 kt | 24 h 32 min | 12:00 am PDT (07:00 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 70 kt | +71 kt | -36 °C | 49 kt | 28 h 02 min | 3:30 am PDT (10:30 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 61 kt | +62 kt | -47 °C | 58 kt | 23 h 41 min | 11:09 pm PDT (06:09 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRL | used from 0 nm out; 34 nm from the line | 230/24 | 240/29 15° | 290/16 10° | 280/15 4° | 260/23 -7° | 260/32 -19° | 260/36 -33° | 280/48 -41° | 280/59 -52° |
| DSM | used from 100 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 230/40 | 250/33 17° | 250/18 12° | 240/17 5° | 260/28 -8° | 270/34 -19° | 260/41 -33° | 260/55 -41° | 270/62 -51° |
| OMA | used from 199 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 220/47 | 240/33 19° | 250/18 11° | 230/17 6° | 260/29 -8° | 250/33 -19° | 250/51 -33° | 260/61 -40° | 270/62 -49° |
| SLN | used from 299 nm out; 72 nm from the line | 210/53 | 230/41 20° | 240/26 14° | 230/16 8° | 240/25 -7° | 240/35 -19° | 250/61 -30° | 260/65 -38° | 260/56 -49° |
| GLD | used from 448 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 230/49 | 230/42 15° | 220/26 8° | 240/18 -7° | 230/27 -21° | 240/62 -30° | 240/61 -35° | 250/57 -47° | |
| PUB | used from 597 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 230/25 13° | 230/32 6° | 220/44 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 240/70 -28° | 240/67 -34° | 240/58 -46° | ||
| ALS | used from 697 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 230/37 4° | 220/54 -9° | 230/62 -22° | 240/77 -26° | 240/74 -33° | 230/59 -45° | |||
| FMN | used from 796 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 220/28 9° | 220/40 2° | 220/53 -10° | 220/62 -22° | 230/79 -28° | 240/91 -34° | 230/71 -45° | ||
| PRC | used from 996 nm out; 90 nm from the line | 210/25 5° | 200/30 1° | 220/55 -10° | 220/61 -21° | 220/84 -28° | 230/90 -34° | 230/73 -45° | ||
| BLH | used from 1195 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 210/13 | 200/21 11° | 200/22 5° | 210/25 -1° | 210/51 -10° | 220/61 -20° | 220/81 -29° | 220/92 -34° | 220/79 -45° |
| SAN | used from 1294 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 200/11 | 200/23 7° | 210/27 4° | 210/31 -3° | 220/56 -10° | 220/56 -19° | 220/52 -30° | 220/64 -37° | 220/67 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLI Moline, IL | departure | VFR | from the south (190°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 589 ft | 12:52 am CDT (05:52 UTC) |
| OTM Ottumwa, IA | 90 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 845 ft | ||||
| LWD Lamoni, IA | 159 nm out, 8 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,130 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| RPB Belleville, KS | 338 nm out, 4 nm south of the line | no report just now | 1,538 ft | ||||
| OEL Oakley, KS | 488 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 17 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 3,045 ft | 06:15 UTC |
| PUB Pueblo, CO | 667 nm out, 23 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,729 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| ALS Alamosa, CO | 747 nm out, 4 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,800 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet, overcast at 9,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the south-southwest (210°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 7,539 ft | 05:52 UTC |
| FMN Farmington, NM | 866 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,506 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| FLG Flagstaff, AZ | 1065 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,000 feet, a broken layer at 1,400 feet, overcast at 2,400 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 16 knots, gusting to 26 | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 7,014 ft | 06:08 UTC |
| PRC Prescott, AZ | 1105 nm out, 14 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,300 feet, a broken layer at 3,000 feet, overcast at 4,100 feet Weather: light rain | from the south (190°) at 7 knots | 9 mi | 2,300 ft | 5,045 ft | 06:00 UTC |
| RNM Ramona, CA | 1354 nm out, 9 nm north of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet Weather: light rain, mist | calm | 5 mi | 900 ft | 1,394 ft | 06:09 UTC |
| SAN San Diego, CA | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,700 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, overcast at 4,800 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the east-southeast (120°) at 3 knots | 5 mi | 2,700 ft | 16 ft | 11:18 pm PDT (06:18 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,539 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, 1:47 pm PDT (20:47 UTC)
Wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SAN
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
The forecast for MLI, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/4812 El Centro, CA, Wednesday, July 15, 2026 through Tuesday, July 13, 2027 Local 12 nm from the route, 1304 nm along the route · security · until 13 July · ZLA
- 6/8887 Indio, CA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 25 nm from the route, 1304 nm along the route · security · until 12 October · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at MLI 6:26 pm CDT (23:26 UTC), at SAN 6:19 pm PDT (01:19 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:44 pm PDT (01:44 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: Quad Cities International, San Diego International.