Plan a flight · Sun 7:09 pm CDT (00:09 UTC)

Chicago O'Hare International to Los Angeles International ORD → LAX

1,513 nautical miles (1,741 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 261°, about 264° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 14 h 41 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 17-knot headwind), arriving about 7:50 am PDT (14:50 UTC). Right now ORD is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 6 knots; LAX is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 9 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: 14,095 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 W68W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 36,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 8:55 pm CDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 826 to 1045 nm out.

as issued

WSUS33 KKCI 112355
MKCW WST 112355
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 68W
VALID UNTIL 0155Z
CO NM AZ UT
FROM 30W CHE-20NNW TBE-60SE ABQ-40N SJN-30SW MTU-30W CHE
AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL360.

SIGMET W69W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 8:55 pm CDT (01:55 UTC). Near the route, 1204 nm along the route.

as issued

WSUS33 KKCI 112355
MKCW WST 112355
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 69W
VALID UNTIL 0155Z
TX NM AZ
FROM 50ENE PGS-60SE ABQ-20ENE ELP-70SSW SSO-50SE BZA-50ENE PGS
AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340.

AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 737 to 1413 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 756 to 1334 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 876 to 1344 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 896 to 1005 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 1025 to 1075 nm out.
AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 1095 to 1413 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 1174 to 1304 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 1344 to 1493 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1443 to 1503 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 ORD.

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

urgent E545 at 6,000 ft, 50 nm northwest, 4:49 pm CDT (21:49 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 5 knots fap runway 17L. 776 nm along the route, 50 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
APA UUA /OV APA350002/TM 2149/FL060/TP E545/RM LLWS +/- 5 KT FAP RWY 17L
```
Report
an urgent report filed through APA
Where
2 nm north (350°) of APA
Time
21:49 UTC
Height
at 6,000 ft
Aircraft
E545
Remarks
low-level wind shear + 5 knots fap runway 17L
GLF5 at 45,000 ft, 26 nm north, 5:44 pm CDT (22:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 786 nm along the route, 26 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
CRJ2 at 19,000 ft, 14 nm northwest, 5:02 pm CDT (22:02 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb from KDEN from 12,000 ft to 19,000 ft ZDVWC-41. 796 nm along the route, 14 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
COS UA /OV BRK262015/TM 2202/FL190/TP CRJ2/TB MOD CHOP/RM DURC FROM KDEN 120-190 ZDVWC-41
```
Report
a routine report filed through COS
Where
15 nm west (262°) of BRK
Time
22:02 UTC
Height
at 19,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ2
Turbulence
moderate chop
Remarks
during the climb from KDEN from 12,000 ft to 19,000 ft ZDVWC-41
UAL2238 at 38,000 ft, 3 nm south, 6:44 pm CDT (23:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, wind 244° at 64 knots. 896 nm along the route, 3 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
UAL493 at 24,000 ft, 48 nm north, 5:54 pm CDT (22:54 UTC): moderate turbulence. 1224 nm along the route, 48 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
B737 at 14,000 ft, 3 nm north, 4:54 pm CDT (21:54 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the destination end, 3 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ONT UA /OV 20N ONT/TM 2154/FL140/TP B737/TB MOD
```
Report
a routine report filed through ONT
Where
20N ont
Time
21:54 UTC
Height
at 14,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Turbulence
moderate
B738 descending, 5 nm north, 4:37 pm CDT (21:37 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. At the destination end, 5 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ONT UA /OV ONT358021/TM 2137/FLDURD/TP B738/TB MODERATE CHOP STARTING AT 130
```
Report
a routine report filed through ONT
Where
21 nm north (358°) of ONT
Time
21:37 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B738
Turbulence
moderate chop starting at at 13,000 ft
CRJ7 at 17,000 ft, 41 nm east, 7:04 pm CDT (00:04 UTC): no turbulence. At the departure end, 41 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BEH UA /OV ELX270040/TM 0004/FL170/TP CRJ7/TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through BEH
Where
40 nm west (270°) of ELX
Time
00:04 UTC
Height
at 17,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ7
Turbulence
none
C17 at 500 ft, 9 nm southeast, 4:15 pm CDT (21:15 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. At the departure end, 9 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
KADW UA /OV 1L ARR/TM 2115/FL005/TP C17/SK OVC005
```
Report
a routine report filed through KADW
Where
1L arrival
Time
21:15 UTC
Height
at 500 ft
Aircraft
C17
Sky
overcast from 500 ft
A21N at 34,000 ft, 50 nm north, 5:01 pm CDT (22:01 UTC): light chop turbulence. 199 nm along the route, 50 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ALO UA /OV ALO180020/TM 2201/FL340/TP A21N/TB CONS LGT CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through ALO
Where
20 nm south (180°) of ALO
Time
22:01 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
A21N
Turbulence
continuous light chop
A21N at 33,000 ft, 30 nm north, 4:29 pm CDT (21:29 UTC): light chop turbulence. 229 nm along the route, 30 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TNU UA /OV TNU/TM 2129/FL330/TP A21N/TB CONS LGT CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through TNU
Where
over TNU
Time
21:29 UTC
Height
at 33,000 ft
Aircraft
A21N
Turbulence
continuous light chop
CL35 at 6,000 ft, 25 nm north, 4:45 pm CDT (21:45 UTC): remarks: group of multicolored balloons at 6000FT nbd. 358 nm along the route, 25 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
OMA UA /OV OMA180005/TM 2145/FL060/TP CL35/RM GROUP OF MULTICOLORED BALLOONS AT 6000FT NBD
```
Report
a routine report filed through OMA
Where
5 nm south (180°) of OMA
Time
21:45 UTC
Height
at 6,000 ft
Aircraft
CL35
Remarks
group of multicolored balloons at 6000FT nbd
A320 at 8,000 ft, 49 nm north, 6:42 pm CDT (23:42 UTC): light chop turbulence from 8,000 ft to 16,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 737 nm along the route, 49 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV DEN080030/TM 2342/FL080/TP A320/TB LGT CHOP 080-160/RM DURC
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
30 nm east (080°) of DEN
Time
23:42 UTC
Height
at 8,000 ft
Aircraft
A320
Turbulence
light chop from 8,000 ft to 16,000 ft
Remarks
during the climb
B737 at 41,000 ft, 17 nm southeast, 4:23 pm CDT (21:23 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 786 nm along the route, 17 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PUB UA /OV PUB350015/TM 2123/FL410/TP B737/TB CONS LGT-OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-46
```
Report
a routine report filed through PUB
Where
15 nm north (350°) of PUB
Time
21:23 UTC
Height
at 41,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Turbulence
continuous lgt-ocnl moderate chop
Remarks
ZDVWC-46

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 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 14 forecast points nearest it (JOT, DBQ, BRL, DSM, OMA, GRI, GLD, PUB, ALS, FMN, BCE, PRC, LAS, ONT). 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	210° at 24 kt	+17 kt	15 °C	103 kt	14 h 41 min	7:50 am PDT (14:50 UTC)
6,500 ft	220° at 23 kt	+20 kt	14 °C	100 kt	15 h 08 min	8:17 am PDT (15:17 UTC)
8,500 ft	230° at 23 kt	+21 kt	11 °C	99 kt	15 h 17 min	8:26 am PDT (15:26 UTC)
10,500 ft	230° at 24 kt	+23 kt	7 °C	97 kt	15 h 36 min	8:45 am PDT (15:45 UTC)
12,500 ft	230° at 25 kt	+24 kt	3 °C	96 kt	15 h 46 min	8:55 am PDT (15:55 UTC)
14,500 ft	230° at 28 kt	+27 kt	-1 °C	93 kt	16 h 16 min	9:25 am PDT (16:25 UTC)
16,500 ft	230° at 31 kt	+30 kt	-6 °C	90 kt	16 h 49 min	9:58 am PDT (16:58 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	230° at 33 kt	+32 kt	-9 °C	88 kt	17 h 12 min	10:21 am PDT (17:21 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	230° at 37 kt	+37 kt	-20 °C	83 kt	18 h 14 min	11:23 am PDT (18:23 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	240° at 48 kt	+49 kt	-30 °C	71 kt	21 h 19 min	2:28 pm PDT (21:28 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	240° at 52 kt	+53 kt	-38 °C	67 kt	22 h 35 min	3:44 pm PDT (22:44 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	250° at 52 kt	+54 kt	-48 °C	66 kt	22 h 55 min	4:04 pm PDT (23:04 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
JOT	used from 0 nm out; 27 nm from the line	230/11	290/12 16°	300/19 10°	320/19 4°	300/17 -9°	330/31 -20°	320/49 -37°	320/53 -45°	320/67 -49°
DBQ	used from 50 nm out; 64 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°
BRL	used from 149 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°
DSM	used from 199 nm out; 40 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°
OMA	used from 299 nm out; 47 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°
GRI	used from 398 nm out; 60 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°
GLD	used from 547 nm out; 75 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°
PUB	used from 697 nm out; 76 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°
ALS	used from 846 nm out; 57 nm from the line				210/32 5°	230/48 -8°	230/49 -20°	230/78 -30°	240/74 -36°	240/61 -47°
FMN	used from 946 nm out; 59 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°
BCE	used from 1095 nm out; 74 nm from the line				210/47 0°	200/50 -12°	220/31 -23°	220/56 -26°	220/58 -35°	230/58 -45°
PRC	used from 1194 nm out; 91 nm from the line			200/36 6°	210/46 0°	220/60 -10°	220/75 -19°	220/66 -26°	230/70 -33°	230/59 -45°
LAS	used from 1244 nm out; 61 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°
ONT	used from 1393 nm out; 57 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°

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
ORD Chicago, IL	departure	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet	from the south (170°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	680 ft	6:51 pm CDT (23:51 UTC)
DPA Chicago/West Chicago, IL	20 nm out, 5 nm east of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southeast (150°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	758 ft	23:52 UTC
DSM Des Moines, IA	259 nm out, 20 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 20,000 feet	from the south (170°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	20,000 ft	957 ft	23:54 UTC
LNK Lincoln, NE	408 nm out, 14 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 11 knots	10+ mi	none	1,218 ft	23:54 UTC
OIN Oberlin, KS	587 nm out, 1 nm north of the line	VFR	from the south (180°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	2,706 ft	23:55 UTC
ADT Atwood, KS	607 nm out, 8 nm northwest of the line	VFR	from the south (170°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	2,990 ft	23:55 UTC
COS Colorado Springs, CO	786 nm out, 4 nm west of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 24,000 feet	from the south-southwest (210°) at 13 knots	10+ mi	14,000 ft	6,187 ft	23:54 UTC
TEX Telluride, CO	946 nm out, 8 nm northwest of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,900 feet, a broken layer at 3,700 feet, overcast at 4,700 feet Weather: light rain	from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	3,700 ft	9,069 ft	23:55 UTC
PGA Page, AZ	1125 nm out, 15 nm northwest of the line	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 feet, overcast at 9,000 feet Weather: light rain	from the south (190°) at 14 knots, gusting to 25	8 mi	9,000 ft	4,316 ft	23:53 UTC
IFP Bullhead City, AZ	1314 nm out, 20 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,700 feet, a broken layer at 4,600 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet	from the south-southeast (150°) at 27 knots, gusting to 32	10+ mi	4,600 ft	707 ft	20:47 UTC
EMT El Monte, CA	1493 nm out, 1 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,000 feet	from the south (170°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	295 ft	23:45 UTC
LAX Los Angeles, CA	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,300 feet, scattered clouds at 4,800 feet	from the west-southwest (240°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	127 ft	4:53 pm PDT (23:53 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 LAX when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:50 am PDT (14:50 UTC)

Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet VFR

30% chance between Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC) and 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): light rain showers

The whole forecast for LAX

From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
30% chance between Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC) and 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): light rain showers
From Sun 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet
30% chance between Sun 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC) and 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): light rain showers
From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
30% chance between Mon 12:00 am PDT (07:00 UTC) and 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): light rain showers
From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 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 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC) and 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): light rain showers
From Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
30% chance between Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC) and 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): light rain showers

The forecast for ORD, the departure

From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 23, 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

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

6/8770 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 15 nm from the route, 796 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 12 October · ZDV
6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 19 nm from the route, 816 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 13 October · ZDV
6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 10 nm from the route, 1314 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
6/8890 LAS VEGAS, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 15 nm from the route, 1314 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZLA
4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 16 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZLA

Daylight

Sunset at ORD 6:16 pm CDT (23:16 UTC), at LAX 6:23 pm PDT (01:23 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:48 pm PDT (01:48 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 upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the northern 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: Chicago O'Hare International, Los Angeles International.