Plan a flight · Sun 8:01 pm MDT (02:01 UTC)

Missoula Montana Airport to Raleigh-Durham International MSO → RDU

1,705 nautical miles (1,962 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 100°, about 087° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 10 h 28 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 43-knot tailwind), arriving about 8:29 am EDT (12:29 UTC). Right now MSO is marginal VFR, wind calm; RDU is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 12 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

AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the first 618 nm of the route.
AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 16,000 ft. Over the first 120 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 518 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 259 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Near the route, 239 nm along the route.
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 827 to 967 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 1416 to 1605 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1465 to 1635 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 8,000 ft. Over the route from 1555 to 1655 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 MSO.

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

E75L at 14,000 ft, 23 nm south, 5:22 pm MDT (23:22 UTC): moderate turbulence from 14,000 ft to 21,000 ft, remarks: during the climb zlc. At the departure end, 23 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MSO UA /OV 32S/TM 2322/FL140/TP E75L/TB MOD 140-210/RM DURC /ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through MSO
Where
over 32S
Time
23:22 UTC
Height
at 14,000 ft
Aircraft
E75L
Turbulence
moderate from 14,000 ft to 21,000 ft
Remarks
during the climb zlc
BCS1 at 3,700 ft, 1 nm southeast, 7:47 pm MDT (01:47 UTC): snow, rain, remarks: during the descent ils runway 12. At the departure end, 1 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MSO UA /OV MSO/TM 0147/FL037/TP BCS1/SK 037/WX SN RA/RM DURD ILS RY 12
```
Report
a routine report filed through MSO
Where
over MSO
Time
01:47 UTC
Height
at 3,700 ft
Aircraft
BCS1
Sky
at 3,700 ft
Weather
snow, rain
Remarks
during the descent ils runway 12
C25B at 4,100 ft, 1 nm southeast, 6:36 pm MDT (00:36 UTC): no icing, overcast above 4,100 ft, remarks: during the descent ils runway 12. At the departure end, 1 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MSO UA /OV MSO/TM 0036/FL041/TP C25B/SK OVC041/IC NEG/RM DURD ILS RY 12
```
Report
a routine report filed through MSO
Where
over MSO
Time
00:36 UTC
Height
at 4,100 ft
Aircraft
C25B
Sky
overcast from 4,100 ft
Icing
none
Remarks
during the descent ils runway 12
B738 at 24,000 ft, 40 nm south, 5:13 pm MDT (23:13 UTC): remarks: snow top flight level at 24,000 ft zlc. 100 nm along the route, 40 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BZN UA /OV BZN270030/TM 2313/FL240/TP B738/RM SN TOP FL 240 /ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through BZN
Where
30 nm west (270°) of BZN
Time
23:13 UTC
Height
at 24,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Remarks
snow top flight level at 24,000 ft zlc
E75L descending, 43 nm south, 7:04 pm MDT (01:04 UTC): remarks: had the airport in sight at 400-500FT above ground. 130 nm along the route, 43 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0104/FLDURD/TP E75L/RM HAD THE AIRPORT IN SIGHT AT 400-500FT AGL
```
Report
a routine report filed through BZN
Where
over BZN
Time
01:04 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
E75L
Remarks
had the airport in sight at 400-500FT above ground
B737 descending, 43 nm south, 6:28 pm MDT (00:28 UTC): scattered clouds above 8,000 ft, fog, snow, remarks: broke out about 100FT above mins. 130 nm along the route, 43 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0028/FLDURD/TP B737/SK SCT080/WX 1/2SM SN FG/RM BROKE OUT ABOUT 100FT ABOVE MINS
```
Report
a routine report filed through BZN
Where
over BZN
Time
00:28 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B737
Sky
scattered clouds from 8,000 ft
Weather
1/2SM, snow, fog
Remarks
broke out about 100FT above mins
A306 at 4,700 ft, 18 nm southwest, 6:51 pm MDT (00:51 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 239 nm along the route, 18 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BIL UA /OV BIL280001/TM 0051/FL047/TP A306/SK BASE 047
```
Report
a routine report filed through BIL
Where
1 nm west (280°) of BIL
Time
00:51 UTC
Height
at 4,700 ft
Aircraft
A306
Sky
base 4,700 ft
B763 at 32,000 ft, 43 nm southwest, 7:29 pm MDT (01:29 UTC): light to moderate clear-air turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 578 nm along the route, 43 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
RAP UA /OV RAP084081/TM 0129/FL320/TP B763/TB OCNL LGT-MOD CAT/RM ZDVWC
```
Report
a routine report filed through RAP
Where
81 nm east (084°) of RAP
Time
01:29 UTC
Height
at 32,000 ft
Aircraft
B763
Turbulence
occasional light to moderate clear-air turbulence
Remarks
zdvwc
BE20 at 14,000 ft, 46 nm north, 6:20 pm MDT (00:20 UTC): light turbulence. 738 nm along the route, 46 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
FSD UA /OV FSD340035/TM 0020/FL140/TP BE20/TB CONS LGT/ NEG 120
```
Report
a routine report filed through FSD
Where
35 nm north (340°) of FSD
Time
00:20 UTC
Height
at 14,000 ft
Aircraft
BE20
Turbulence
continuous light no at 12,000 ft
E170 at 23,000 ft, 19 nm northeast, 5:14 pm MDT (23:14 UTC): light turbulence. 1256 nm along the route, 19 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
IND UA /OV VHP315020/TM 2314/FL230/TP E170/TB LGT
```
Report
a routine report filed through IND
Where
20 nm northwest (315°) of VHP
Time
23:14 UTC
Height
at 23,000 ft
Aircraft
E170
Turbulence
light
A21N at 17,000 ft, 29 nm southwest, 7:28 pm MDT (01:28 UTC): no icing, clear from 17,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: clear since departing KIND southbound. 1306 nm along the route, 29 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
IND UA /OV IND183045/TM 0128/FL170/TP A21N/SK SKC/IC NEG/RM CLR SINCE DEPARTING KIND SOUTHBOUND
```
Report
a routine report filed through IND
Where
45 nm south (183°) of IND
Time
01:28 UTC
Height
at 17,000 ft
Aircraft
A21N
Sky
clear
Icing
none
Remarks
clear since departing KIND southbound
B744 climbing, 18 nm northeast, 6:02 pm MDT (00:02 UTC): light turbulence, overcast. 1356 nm along the route, 18 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CVG UA /OV 10 N CVG/TM 0002/FLDURC/TP B744/SK B022 OVC T036/TB LT TB SFC-036
```
Report
a routine report filed through CVG
Where
10 north cvg
Time
00:02 UTC
Height
during the climb
Aircraft
B744
Sky
B022 overcast T036
Turbulence
lt turbulence from the surface to 3,600 ft
B737 at 23,000 ft, 10 nm northeast, 5:51 pm MDT (23:51 UTC): light turbulence. 1366 nm along the route, 10 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
IND UA /OV CVG/TM 2351/FL230/TP B737/TB LGT
```
Report
a routine report filed through IND
Where
over CVG
Time
23:51 UTC
Height
at 23,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Turbulence
light
B739 climbing, 8 nm north, 5:31 pm MDT (23:31 UTC): overcast. 1366 nm along the route, 8 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CVG UA /OV 5 W CVG/TM 2331/FLDURC/TP B739/SK B026 OVC T036
```
Report
a routine report filed through CVG
Where
5 west cvg
Time
23:31 UTC
Height
during the climb
Aircraft
B739
Sky
B026 overcast T036

10 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 16 forecast points nearest it (GPI, GTF, BIL, MLS, RAP, PIR, FSD, MCW, DSM, BRL, SPI, IND, CVG, CRW, ROA, RDU). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

Height	Average wind	Head- or tailwind	Temperature	Ground speed	Time en route	Arrival
3,500 ft	240° at 11 kt	−6 kt		126 kt	13 h 32 min	11:33 am EDT (15:33 UTC)
5,500 ft	270° at 2 kt	−1 kt	10 °C	121 kt	14 h 05 min	12:06 pm EDT (16:06 UTC)
7,500 ft	260° at 5 kt	−4 kt	11 °C	124 kt	13 h 45 min	11:46 am EDT (15:46 UTC)
9,500 ft	250° at 8 kt	−6 kt	7 °C	126 kt	13 h 32 min	11:33 am EDT (15:33 UTC)
11,500 ft	240° at 11 kt	−8 kt	4 °C	128 kt	13 h 19 min	11:20 am EDT (15:20 UTC)
13,500 ft	240° at 14 kt	−10 kt	0 °C	130 kt	13 h 07 min	11:08 am EDT (15:08 UTC)
15,500 ft	240° at 17 kt	−13 kt	-4 °C	133 kt	12 h 49 min	10:50 am EDT (14:50 UTC)
17,500 ft	240° at 20 kt	−15 kt	-8 °C	135 kt	12 h 38 min	10:39 am EDT (14:39 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	240° at 21 kt	−16 kt	-9 °C	136 kt	12 h 32 min	10:33 am EDT (14:33 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	240° at 28 kt	−20 kt	-21 °C	140 kt	12 h 11 min	10:12 am EDT (14:12 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	240° at 35 kt	−25 kt	-35 °C	145 kt	11 h 46 min	9:47 am EDT (13:47 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	250° at 44 kt	−34 kt	-42 °C	154 kt	11 h 04 min	9:05 am EDT (13:05 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	260° at 50 kt	−43 kt	-49 °C	163 kt	10 h 28 min	8:29 am EDT (12:29 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
GPI	used from 0 nm out; 93 nm from the line		060/19 -3°	110/11 -8°	130/6 -8°	200/40 -19°	190/58 -28°	200/101 -39°	220/73 -43°	230/41 -43°
GTF	used from 50 nm out; 61 nm from the line		070/21	080/18 -6°	120/5 -5°	180/30 -14°	200/53 -24°	210/80 -38°	220/83 -44°	230/68 -46°
BIL	used from 150 nm out; 66 nm from the line		080/24	130/14 -1°	180/33 0°	210/43 -10°	220/58 -21°	200/55 -36°	220/75 -44°	240/83 -48°
MLS	used from 299 nm out; 49 nm from the line		120/22 5°	170/18 4°	200/33 1°	230/49 -10°	230/58 -21°	220/54 -37°	230/64 -44°	250/74 -49°
RAP	used from 399 nm out; 87 nm from the line		120/15 12°	180/22 11°	220/26 5°	230/35 -9°	240/40 -22°	240/50 -37°	240/51 -41°	240/47 -47°
PIR	used from 548 nm out; 25 nm from the line		L/V 17°	230/13 12°	220/22 6°	250/31 -9°	250/34 -21°	240/50 -35°	230/61 -43°	240/62 -51°
FSD	used from 698 nm out; 38 nm from the line	200/16	220/20 17°	240/26 13°	230/19 6°	240/25 -9°	240/28 -20°	250/39 -33°	250/44 -43°	260/63 -52°
MCW	used from 847 nm out; 60 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°
DSM	used from 897 nm out; 46 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°
BRL	used from 997 nm out; 50 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°
SPI	used from 1097 nm out; 60 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°
IND	used from 1196 nm out; 60 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°
CVG	used from 1346 nm out; 13 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°
CRW	used from 1445 nm out; 66 nm from the line	320/16	310/16 12°	320/12 7°	320/12 2°	330/15 -11°	280/11 -22°	230/26 -30°	240/33 -37°	240/37 -47°
ROA	used from 1545 nm out; 56 nm from the line	280/9	290/15 12°	290/11 8°	210/6 3°	210/30 -6°	220/46 -19°	210/74 -30°	220/78 -39°	220/64 -48°
RDU	used from 1645 nm out; 35 nm from the line	240/28	250/22 10°	230/30 11°	230/40 7°	230/45 -4°	220/69 -15°	220/83 -29°	210/84 -40°	220/75 -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
MSO Missoula, MT	departure	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,300 feet Weather: light snow, mist	calm	6 mi	2,300 ft	3,205 ft	7:53 pm MDT (01:53 UTC)
HLN Helena, MT	90 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line, tower	IFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet Weather: light snow, mist	from the west (280°) at 8 knots	1.25 mi	1,400 ft	3,877 ft	01:53 UTC
BIL Billings, MT	239 nm out, 17 nm south of the line, tower	IFR Sky: a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet Weather: light rain, light snow, mist	from the north (010°) at 13 knots	5 mi	800 ft	3,662 ft	01:53 UTC
PIR Pierre, SD	598 nm out, 3 nm north of the line	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet	from the east-northeast (070°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	1,200 ft	1,744 ft	01:53 UTC
FSD Sioux Falls, SD	758 nm out, 14 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 18,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet	calm	10+ mi	none	1,430 ft	01:56 UTC
CID Cedar Rapids, IA	1007 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (170°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	869 ft	00:52 UTC
BMI Bloomington/Normal, IL	1156 nm out, 8 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (180°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	871 ft	01:56 UTC
BAK Columbus, IN	1306 nm out, 7 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	656 ft	01:45 UTC
CVG Covington, KY	1366 nm out, 12 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,800 feet	calm	10+ mi	none	896 ft	01:52 UTC
GSO Greensboro, NC	1655 nm out, 20 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,100 feet, a broken layer at 9,500 feet	from the west-southwest (240°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	9,500 ft	925 ft	01:54 UTC
RDU Raleigh/Durham, NC	destination	VFR Sky: overcast at 3,500 feet	from the southwest (230°) at 12 knots	10+ mi	3,500 ft	435 ft	9:51 pm EDT (01:51 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 3,877 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At RDU when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:29 am EDT (12:29 UTC)

Wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for RDU

From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet

The forecast for MSO, the departure

From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain, overcast at 2,500 feet
At times between Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC) and 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, light rain snow, mist, overcast at 1,500 feet
From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, overcast at 2,500 feet
30% chance between Mon 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC) and 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light snow, overcast at 2,500 feet
From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 5,000 feet

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

6/8029 Cincinnati, OH, Friday, October 9, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 7 nm from the route, 1366 nm along the route · a VIP movement · until 12 October · ZID

Daylight

Sunset at MSO 6:54 pm MDT (00:54 UTC), at RDU 6:43 pm EDT (22:43 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:09 pm EDT (23:09 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 northern Rockies · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the central Great Lakes · 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: Missoula Montana Airport, Raleigh-Durham International.