Chicago O'Hare International to Mineta San Jose International ORD → SJC
1,586 nautical miles (1,825 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 271°, about 274° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 14 h 58 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 14-knot headwind), arriving about 11:27 am PDT (18:27 UTC). Right now ORD is VFR, wind from the south (180°) at 7 knots; SJC 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: 595 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 2C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 11:55 pm CDT (04:55 UTC). Over the route from 788 to 788 nm out.
as issued
WSUS32 KKCI 120255 MKCC WST 120255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 2C VALID UNTIL 0455Z NE CO WY FROM 40SE CZI-30WNW BFF-30SSE LAR-70NW LAR-40SE CZI AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL310.
- SIGMET W12W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 11:55 pm CDT (04:55 UTC). Over the route from 1257 to 1386 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120255 MKCW WST 120255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 12W VALID UNTIL 0455Z NV FROM 40SSE TWF-10W ELY-30SE OAL-30W OAL-70WSW TWF-40SSE TWF AREA TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL310.
- 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 229 to 648 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 648 to 1107 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 708 to 1277 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 788 to 1017 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 908 to 1396 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 967 to 1366 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Near the route, 967 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the route from 1306 to 1466 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the last 80 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 ORD.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- CRJ2 at 19,000 ft, 5 nm southeast, 7:47 pm CDT (00:47 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-13. 818 nm along the route, 5 nm southeast 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
- E75L at 28,000 ft, 40 nm south, 8:31 pm CDT (01:31 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 878 nm along the route, 40 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
EEO UA /OV EKR085036/TM 0131/FL280/TP E75L/TB MOD/RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through EEO
- Where
- 36 nm east (085°) of EKR
- Time
- 01:31 UTC
- Height
- at 28,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
- S22T at 14,000 ft, 15 nm south, 8:23 pm CDT (01:23 UTC): moderate rime icing, -16 °C. 1037 nm along the route, 15 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUC UA /OV PUC360015/TM 0123/FL140/TP S22T/TA M16/IC MOD RIME /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUC
- Where
- 15 nm north (360°) of PUC
- Time
- 01:23 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- S22T
- Temperature
- −16 °C
- Icing
- moderate rime zlc
- E75L at 22,000 ft, 8 nm south, 8:04 pm CDT (01:04 UTC): moderate turbulence. 1047 nm along the route, 8 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUC UA /OV PUC320020/TM 0104/FL220/TP E75L/TB MOD /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUC
- Where
- 20 nm northwest (320°) of PUC
- Time
- 01:04 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate zlc
- A321 at 32,000 ft, 3 nm southwest, 8:56 pm CDT (01:56 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: pocket continuous light turbulence. 70 nm along the route, 3 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
RPJ UA /OV PLL/TM 0156/FL320/TP A321/TB CONS LGT/RM POCKET CONS LGT TB
- Report
- a routine report filed through RPJ
- Where
- over PLL
- Time
- 01:56 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- continuous light
- Remarks
- pocket continuous light turbulence
- UAL2499 at 28,000 ft, 21 nm south, 9:15 pm CDT (02:15 UTC): light chop turbulence. 170 nm along the route, 21 nm south 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
- C56X at 13,000 ft, 26 nm north, 8:33 pm CDT (01:33 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 798 nm along the route, 26 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAR UA /OV LAR/TM 0133/FL130/TP C56X/SK BASE160/TB OCNL CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAR
- Where
- over LAR
- Time
- 01:33 UTC
- Height
- at 13,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C56X
- Sky
- BASE160
- Turbulence
- occasional continuous light chop
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- CL35 at 41,000 ft, 47 nm south, 9:40 pm CDT (02:40 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-50FT a 15-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-05. 848 nm along the route, 47 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
EGE UA /OV RLG/TM 0240/FL410/TP CL35/RM MTW +/-50FT +/-15KT ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through EGE
- Where
- over RLG
- Time
- 02:40 UTC
- Height
- at 41,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CL35
- Remarks
- mtw +/-50FT a 15-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-05
- GLF6 at 45,000 ft, 28 nm south, 9:24 pm CDT (02:24 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 1047 nm along the route, 28 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUC UA /OV PUC1130028/TM 0224/FL450/TP GLF6/TB CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUC
- Where
- 28 nm southeast (130°) of PUC1
- Time
- 02:24 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
- PRM1 at 21,000 ft, 5 nm northwest, 8:03 pm CDT (01:03 UTC): light rime icing, -15 °C. 1097 nm along the route, 5 nm northwest 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
- PC12 at 25,000 ft, 17 nm southeast, 8:35 pm CDT (01:35 UTC): light rime icing, -16 °C, remarks: during the descent zlc. 1127 nm along the route, 17 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTA UA /OV DTA360010/TM 0135/FL250/TP PC12/TA M16/IC LGT RIME /RM DURD /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTA
- Where
- 10 nm north (360°) of DTA
- Time
- 01:35 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Temperature
- −16 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the descent zlc
- C680 descending, 47 nm south, 7:46 pm CDT (00:46 UTC): a broken layer from 3,000 ft to 3,500 ft. At the destination end, 47 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
MRY UA /OV MRY/TM 0046/FLDURD/TP C680/SK BKN030-TOP035
- Report
- a routine report filed through MRY
- Where
- over MRY
- Time
- 00:46 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- C680
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,000 ft, tops 3,500 ft
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 14 forecast points nearest it (JOT, DBQ, DSM, OMA, GRI, ONL, BFF, DEN, RKS, SLC, ELY, BIH, SAC, SFO). 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 | 220° at 20 kt | +14 kt | 20 °C | 106 kt | 14 h 58 min | 11:27 am PDT (18:27 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 230° at 18 kt | +14 kt | 15 °C | 106 kt | 14 h 58 min | 11:27 am PDT (18:27 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 220° at 20 kt | +16 kt | 9 °C | 104 kt | 15 h 15 min | 11:44 am PDT (18:44 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 20 kt | +17 kt | 5 °C | 103 kt | 15 h 24 min | 11:53 am PDT (18:53 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 22 kt | +18 kt | 1 °C | 102 kt | 15 h 33 min | 12:02 pm PDT (19:02 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 24 kt | +20 kt | -3 °C | 100 kt | 15 h 52 min | 12:21 pm PDT (19:21 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | +22 kt | -7 °C | 98 kt | 16 h 11 min | 12:40 pm PDT (19:40 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 27 kt | +24 kt | -11 °C | 96 kt | 16 h 31 min | 1:00 pm PDT (20:00 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 34 kt | +29 kt | -22 °C | 91 kt | 17 h 26 min | 1:55 pm PDT (20:55 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 43 kt | +38 kt | -31 °C | 82 kt | 19 h 20 min | 3:49 pm PDT (22:49 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 49 kt | +48 kt | -37 °C | 72 kt | 22 h 02 min | 6:31 pm PDT (01:31 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 51 kt | +52 kt | -46 °C | 68 kt | 23 h 19 min | 7:48 pm PDT (02:48 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOT | used from 0 nm out; 31 nm from the line | 250/23 | 270/22 15° | 250/16 10° | 240/9 4° | 280/22 -7° | 280/29 -19° | 300/29 -34° | 290/50 -43° | 300/64 -52° |
| DBQ | used from 50 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 230/33 | 250/30 16° | 280/15 9° | 260/15 5° | 260/21 -7° | 260/24 -20° | 250/37 -33° | 270/42 -43° | 280/63 -52° |
| DSM | used from 199 nm out; 41 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 299 nm out; 47 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° |
| GRI | used from 399 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 230/35 21° | 230/23 13° | 220/20 7° | 240/25 -8° | 240/37 -20° | 250/49 -33° | 260/57 -38° | 260/58 -47° | |
| ONL | used from 499 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 210/31 20° | 230/27 13° | 230/18 7° | 220/19 -8° | 240/26 -20° | 250/44 -35° | 270/52 -39° | 260/57 -47° | |
| BFF | used from 598 nm out; 86 nm from the line | 180/28 | 220/33 15° | 210/31 7° | 230/32 -9° | 220/41 -21° | 220/40 -33° | 240/47 -36° | 250/54 -46° | |
| DEN | used from 748 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 240/21 14° | 250/44 6° | 220/49 -8° | 220/49 -21° | 230/54 -30° | 240/57 -35° | 240/49 -45° | ||
| RKS | used from 848 nm out; 100 nm from the line | 200/41 | 220/44 1° | 220/35 -11° | 220/46 -24° | 210/53 -27° | 220/62 -35° | 230/61 -44° | ||
| SLC | used from 997 nm out; 81 nm from the line | 200/5 | 230/8 2° | 220/20 -2° | 210/40 -12° | 190/53 -25° | 210/62 -30° | 220/69 -34° | 220/64 -43° | |
| ELY | used from 1147 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 200/39 3° | 210/27 -2° | 210/45 -15° | 220/56 -24° | 210/60 -28° | 210/63 -34° | 220/61 -43° | ||
| BIH | used from 1346 nm out; 78 nm from the line | L/V | 240/7 1° | 190/13 -3° | 200/26 -16° | 210/43 -26° | 220/54 -28° | 220/51 -35° | 220/47 -43° | |
| SAC | used from 1496 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 110/6 | L/V 4° | 010/11 -2° | 350/11 -7° | 340/24 -16° | 360/44 -23° | 330/24 -30° | 270/21 -35° | 230/23 -43° |
| SFO | used from 1546 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 120/13 | 090/14 5° | 040/14 -1° | 350/17 -5° | 360/42 -14° | 360/64 -23° | 350/38 -32° | 300/19 -37° | 250/18 -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 | from the south (180°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 680 ft | 9:51 pm CDT (02:51 UTC) |
| DPA Chicago/West Chicago, IL | 20 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 758 ft | 02:52 UTC |
| CID Cedar Rapids, IA | 170 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 869 ft | 02:52 UTC |
| TQE Tekamah, NE | 369 nm out, 4 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,026 ft | 02:54 UTC |
| ODX Ord, NE | 499 nm out, 4 nm east of the line | VFR | from the northeast (050°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,070 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| CYS Cheyenne, WY | 758 nm out, 8 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the east (090°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,159 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| CAG Craig, CO | 888 nm out, 8 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 13 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | none | 6,197 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| PVU Provo, UT | 1077 nm out, 19 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 900 feet, scattered clouds at 4,800 feet, overcast at 6,500 feet Weather: light rain | from the east (100°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 6,500 ft | 4,496 ft | 03:18 UTC |
| ELY Ely, NV | 1237 nm out, 6 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,100 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 6,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the south (170°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 6,259 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| HTH Hawthorne, NV | 1416 nm out, 14 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 12,000 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 4 knots, gusting to 14 | 10+ mi | none | 4,230 ft | 03:15 UTC |
| MOD Modesto, CA | 1536 nm out, 2 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 8,500 feet | from the west (270°) at 5 knots | 7 mi | none | 99 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| SJC San Jose, CA | destination | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 62 ft | 7:53 pm PDT (02:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,259 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SJC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:27 am PDT (18:27 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for SJC
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Sun 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Sun 10:00 pm PDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 1:00 pm PDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for ORD, the departure
- From Sun 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 30,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 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
- 6/7094 45NM NE MERCED, CA, Sunday, October 4, 2026 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026 UTC 16 nm from the route, 1476 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 20 October · ZOA
- 6/7231 Santa Clara, CA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 2 nm from the route, at the destination end · drones kept away from a public gathering · until 12 October · ZOA
Daylight
Sunset at ORD 6:15 pm CDT (23:15 UTC), at SJC 6:35 pm PDT (01:35 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:01 pm PDT (02:01 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: Chicago O'Hare International, Mineta San Jose International.
