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 9:58 am PDT (16:58 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: 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 6W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 10:55 pm CDT (03:55 UTC). Over the route from 647 to 876 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120155 MKCW WST 120155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 6W VALID UNTIL 0355Z CO NM FROM 50SSW DEN-30NNE TBE-50SSW CME-50E SJN-20NE DVC-50SSW DEN AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- SIGMET 9W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 28,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 10:55 pm CDT (03:55 UTC). Over the route from 1035 to 1135 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120155 MKCW WST 120155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 9W VALID UNTIL 0355Z AZ FROM 20S TBC-30S INW-10E PHX-60SW DRK-30WNW DRK-20S TBC DMSHG AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 21020KT. TOPS TO FL280.
- 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 129 to 607 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 617 to 1115 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 657 to 826 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 717 to 896 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 747 to 826 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 986 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 1055 to 1145 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Near the route, 1155 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 1244 to 1354 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 40 nm of 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
- urgent GLF6 at 45,000 ft, 44 nm northwest, 6:57 pm CDT (23:57 UTC): severe turbulence, remarks: a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv. 896 nm along the route, 44 nm northwest 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
- BE9L at 24,500 ft, 29 nm northwest, 9:21 pm CDT (02:21 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-41. 707 nm along the route, 29 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB250040/TM 0221/FL245/TP BE9L/TB OCNL MOD/RM ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- 40 nm west (250°) of PUB
- Time
- 02:21 UTC
- Height
- at 24,500 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-41
- GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 46 nm north, 7:09 pm CDT (00:09 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-38. 836 nm along the route, 46 nm north 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
- GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 45 nm northwest, 7:15 pm CDT (00:15 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 886 nm along the route, 45 nm northwest 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
- UAL2499 at 28,000 ft, 23 nm north, 9:15 pm CDT (02:15 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the departure end, 23 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2499 4138N 09137W 0215 F280 TB INTMT LGT CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- A21N at 31,000 ft, 21 nm northwest, 7:24 pm CDT (00:24 UTC): remarks: mountain wave +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29. 667 nm along the route, 21 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB/TM 0024/FL310/TP A21N/RM MTN WAVE +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- over PUB
- Time
- 00:24 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Remarks
- mountain wave +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29
- CL35 at 43,000 ft, 29 nm northwest, 7:21 pm CDT (00:21 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-300FT zdvwc. 707 nm along the route, 29 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB250040/TM 0021/FL430/TP CL35/RM MTW +/-300FT ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- 40 nm west (250°) of PUB
- Time
- 00:21 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CL35
- Remarks
- mtw +/-300FT zdvwc
- B38M at 36,000 ft, 23 nm northwest, 9:22 pm CDT (02:22 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: mtw +/-200FT ZDVWC-30. 727 nm along the route, 23 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV ALS360035/TM 0222/FL360/TP B38M/TB LGT/RM MTW +/-200FT ZDVWC-30
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- 35 nm north (360°) of ALS
- Time
- 02:22 UTC
- Height
- at 36,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- light
- Remarks
- mtw +/-200FT ZDVWC-30
- BE9L at 20,000 ft, 29 nm northwest, 7:34 pm CDT (00:34 UTC): light rime icing, -9 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-41. 747 nm along the route, 29 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV ALS330035/TM 0034/FL200/TP BE9L/TA M09/IC LGT RIME/RM ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- 35 nm northwest (330°) of ALS
- Time
- 00:34 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Temperature
- −9 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-41
- E145 at 7,400 ft, 4 nm west, 7:15 pm CDT (00:15 UTC): remarks: base reported below minimums 1/2 miles visibility ZDVWC-41. 747 nm along the route, 4 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV KALS/TM 0015/FL074/TP E145/RM BASE REPORTED BELOW MINIMUMS 1/2 SM VIS ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- over KALS
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 7,400 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Remarks
- base reported below minimums 1/2 miles visibility ZDVWC-41
- E145 at 7,400 ft, 6 nm south, 7:15 pm CDT (00:15 UTC): remarks: reported below minimums visibility 1/2SM ZDVWC-41. 747 nm along the route, 6 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV ALS/TM 0015/FL074/TP E145/SK VASE UNKN/RM REPORTED BLO MINIMUMS VIS 1/2SM ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- over ALS
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 7,400 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Sky
- vase unknown
- Remarks
- reported below minimums visibility 1/2SM ZDVWC-41
- BE9L at 20,000 ft, 22 nm northwest, 7:59 pm CDT (00:59 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: instrument conditions ZDVWC-36. 836 nm along the route, 22 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DRO UA /OV DRO/TM 0059/FL200/TP BE9L/TB LGT CHOP/RM IMC ZDVWC-36
- Report
- a routine report filed through DRO
- Where
- over DRO
- Time
- 00:59 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- instrument conditions ZDVWC-36
- E75L at 14,000 ft, 7 nm north, 8:28 pm CDT (01:28 UTC): light to moderate turbulence from 19,000 ft to 25,000 ft, no icing, remarks: ZDVWC-36. 866 nm along the route, 7 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UA /OV RSK/TM 0128/FL140/TP E75L/TB LGT-MOD 250-190/IC NEG/RM ZDVWC-36
- Report
- a routine report filed through FMN
- Where
- over RSK
- Time
- 01:28 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- light to moderate from 25,000 ft to 19,000 ft
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-36
- G280 at 45,000 ft, 5 nm southeast, 6:44 pm CDT (23:44 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: zab fdcs. 996 nm along the route, 5 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
INW UA /OV INW015040/TM 2344/FL450/TP G280/TB LGT-MOD/RM ZAB FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through INW
- Where
- 40 nm north (015°) of INW
- Time
- 23:44 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- G280
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- zab fdcs
11 more routine reports are on the map.
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 | 11:16 am PDT (18:16 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 230° at 32 kt | +31 kt | 14 °C | 89 kt | 15 h 26 min | 11:05 am PDT (18:05 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 230° at 25 kt | +24 kt | 10 °C | 96 kt | 14 h 19 min | 9:58 am PDT (16:58 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 25 kt | +24 kt | 7 °C | 96 kt | 14 h 19 min | 9:58 am PDT (16:58 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 27 kt | +25 kt | 3 °C | 95 kt | 14 h 28 min | 10:07 am PDT (17:07 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 31 kt | +29 kt | -1 °C | 91 kt | 15 h 06 min | 10:45 am PDT (17:45 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 35 kt | +34 kt | -5 °C | 86 kt | 15 h 59 min | 11:38 am PDT (18:38 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 39 kt | +37 kt | -9 °C | 83 kt | 16 h 33 min | 12:12 pm PDT (19:12 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 46 kt | +45 kt | -20 °C | 75 kt | 18 h 19 min | 1:58 pm PDT (20:58 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 64 kt | +64 kt | -30 °C | 56 kt | 24 h 32 min | 8:11 pm PDT (03:11 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 70 kt | +71 kt | -36 °C | 49 kt | 28 h 02 min | 11:41 pm PDT (06:41 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 61 kt | +62 kt | -47 °C | 58 kt | 23 h 41 min | 7:20 pm PDT (02:20 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 | no report just now | 589 ft | ||||
| 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 | no report just now | 1,130 ft | ||||
| 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 | no report just now | 3,045 ft | ||||
| PUB Pueblo, CO | 667 nm out, 23 nm northwest of the line, tower | no report just now | 4,729 ft | ||||
| ALS Alamosa, CO | 747 nm out, 4 nm west of the line | no report just now | 7,539 ft | ||||
| FMN Farmington, NM | 866 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line, tower | no report just now | 5,506 ft | ||||
| FLG Flagstaff, AZ | 1065 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line, tower | no report just now | 7,014 ft | ||||
| PRC Prescott, AZ | 1105 nm out, 14 nm south of the line, tower | no report just now | 5,045 ft | ||||
| RNM Ramona, CA | 1354 nm out, 9 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 1,394 ft | ||||
| SAN San Diego, CA | destination | no report just now | 16 ft |
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, 9:58 am PDT (16:58 UTC)
SAN has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.
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.