Phoenix Sky Harbor International to Sacramento International PHX → SMF
562 nautical miles (646 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 307°, about 295° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 32 min at the quickest height in today's winds (10,500 ft, a 4-knot tailwind), arriving about 7:38 am PDT (14:38 UTC). Right now PHX is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 knots; SMF 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: 8,006 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 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 39 to 108 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 167 to 355 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the last 128 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 PHX.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A35K at 32,000 ft, 44 nm southwest, 1:39 am MST (08:39 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: fdcs zoa. At the destination end, 44 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
OAK UA /OV OAK348024/TM 0839/FL320/TP A35K/TB MOD CHOP/RM FDCS ZOA
- Report
- a routine report filed through OAK
- Where
- 24 nm north (348°) of OAK
- Time
- 08:39 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A35K
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- fdcs zoa
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 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 7 forecast points nearest it (PHX, PRC, BLH, LAS, BIH, FAT, SAC). 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 10 kt | −2 kt | 8 °C | 122 kt | 4 h 36 min | 7:42 am PDT (14:42 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 210° at 12 kt | −2 kt | 6 °C | 122 kt | 4 h 36 min | 7:42 am PDT (14:42 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 200° at 14 kt | −3 kt | 3 °C | 123 kt | 4 h 34 min | 7:40 am PDT (14:40 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 200° at 16 kt | −4 kt | -2 °C | 124 kt | 4 h 32 min | 7:38 am PDT (14:38 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 200° at 19 kt | −4 kt | -5 °C | 124 kt | 4 h 32 min | 7:38 am PDT (14:38 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 210° at 23 kt | −2 kt | -8 °C | 122 kt | 4 h 36 min | 7:42 am PDT (14:42 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 27 kt | +1 kt | -11 °C | 119 kt | 4 h 43 min | 7:49 am PDT (14:49 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 31 kt | +2 kt | -14 °C | 118 kt | 4 h 46 min | 7:52 am PDT (14:52 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 37 kt | +10 kt | -22 °C | 110 kt | 5 h 07 min | 8:13 am PDT (15:13 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 49 kt | +11 kt | -31 °C | 109 kt | 5 h 09 min | 8:15 am PDT (15:15 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 58 kt | +10 kt | -37 °C | 110 kt | 5 h 07 min | 8:13 am PDT (15:13 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 56 kt | +8 kt | -44 °C | 112 kt | 5 h 01 min | 8:07 am PDT (15:07 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHX | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 190/15 | 210/25 12° | 200/34 4° | 200/34 2° | 220/58 -9° | 220/75 -19° | 220/91 -28° | 220/100 -35° | 220/95 -47° |
| PRC | used from 49 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 200/37 6° | 200/35 0° | 220/60 -11° | 220/71 -20° | 220/88 -29° | 220/98 -35° | 220/94 -45° | ||
| BLH | used from 99 nm out; 71 nm from the line | 240/19 | 210/20 10° | 200/27 4° | 210/34 -2° | 220/59 -10° | 220/67 -20° | 220/75 -29° | 230/78 -38° | 220/90 -47° |
| LAS | used from 148 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 210/20 8° | 210/29 4° | 200/32 -3° | 200/51 -15° | 210/64 -21° | 220/70 -30° | 220/66 -38° | 220/55 -44° | |
| BIH | used from 296 nm out; 71 nm from the line | L/V | 020/6 0° | 140/7 -7° | 210/31 -16° | 230/34 -26° | 220/43 -30° | 220/52 -36° | 220/46 -43° | |
| FAT | used from 443 nm out; 66 nm from the line | 140/11 | 180/15 3° | 150/14 -3° | 200/14 -6° | 240/17 -16° | 320/25 -23° | 270/22 -31° | 240/29 -37° | 230/36 -44° |
| SAC | used from 493 nm out; 35 nm from the line | L/V | L/V 4° | 340/9 -4° | 340/22 -8° | 360/71 -12° | 360/82 -23° | 350/58 -37° | 310/30 -40° | 270/25 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHX Phoenix, AZ | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,134 ft | 2:51 am MST (09:51 UTC) |
| BXK Buckeye, AZ | 30 nm out, 21 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,900 feet, a broken layer at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet | from the east (100°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 4,500 ft | 1,033 ft | 09:55 UTC |
| IFP Bullhead City, AZ | 167 nm out, 10 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,500 feet, scattered clouds at 6,500 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the southeast (130°) at 7 knots | 9 mi | 8,000 ft | 707 ft | 09:50 UTC |
| BIH Bishop, CA | 394 nm out, 15 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the east-southeast (110°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,124 ft | 09:56 UTC |
| CPU San Andreas, CA | 502 nm out, 6 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 8,500 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the north (360°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,327 ft | 09:55 UTC |
| MHR Sacramento, CA | 542 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 98 ft | 07:15 UTC |
| SMF Sacramento, CA | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 26 ft | 2:53 am PDT (09:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 4,124 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SMF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:38 am PDT (14:38 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SMF
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for PHX, the departure
- From Mon 2:00 am MST (09:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MST (16:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MST (20:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm MST (01:00 UTC): wind from the west at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm MST (05:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local on the route, 167 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
- 6/8890 LAS VEGAS, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 8 nm from the route, 217 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZLA
- 6/7094 45NM NE MERCED, CA, Sunday, October 4, 2026 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026 UTC 4 nm from the route, 443 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 20 October · ZOA
- 6/3475 BEALE AFB, CA, Sunday, March 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 Local 17 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 1 November · ZOA
Daylight
Sunset at PHX 5:57 pm MST (00:57 UTC), at SMF 6:31 pm PDT (01:31 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:57 pm PDT (01:57 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: Phoenix Sky Harbor International, Sacramento International.