Plan a flight · Mon 10:51 am CDT (15:51 UTC)

Chicago Executive to Los Angeles International PWK → LAX

1,514 nautical miles (1,743 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 261°, about 263° magnetic at the departure end (variation 2W). At 120 knots that is 15 h 18 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 21-knot headwind), arriving about 12:09 am PDT (07:09 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now PWK is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 7 knots; LAX is VFR, wind from the east-southeast (120°) at 7 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 TANGO 2W: 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 219 to 538 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the route from 687 to 1215 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 747 to 966 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 827 to 966 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 897 to 1275 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 976 to 1206 nm out.
AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Near the route, 1126 nm along the route.
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 1166 to 1255 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft. Over the route from 1405 to 1504 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 90 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 PWK.

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

urgent C700 at 43,000 ft, 29 nm north, 10:25 am CDT (15:25 UTC): severe turbulence, remarks: +-1400FT and 15KTS-ZDV. 658 nm along the route, 29 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AKO UUA /OV AKO088045/TM 1525/FL430/TP C700/TB SEV MTW/RM +-1400FT AND 15KTS-ZDV
```
Report
an urgent report filed through AKO
Where
45 nm east (088°) of AKO
Time
15:25 UTC
Height
at 43,000 ft
Aircraft
C700
Turbulence
severe mtw
Remarks
+-1400FT and 15KTS-ZDV
urgent E75L at 6,600 ft, 5 nm southwest, 9:08 am CDT (14:08 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: low-level wind shear a 25-knot gain of airspeed during the climb 17L. 787 nm along the route, 5 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
COS UUA /OV COS/TM 1408/FL066/TP E75L/TB LGT/RM LLWS +25KTS DURC 17L
```
Report
an urgent report filed through COS
Where
over COS
Time
14:08 UTC
Height
at 6,600 ft
Aircraft
E75L
Turbulence
light
Remarks
low-level wind shear a 25-knot gain of airspeed during the climb 17L
urgent C172 at 6,700 ft, 44 nm north, 7:54 am CDT (12:54 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 10 knots during the climb. 787 nm along the route, 44 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
APA UUA /OV KAPA/TM 1254/FL067/TP C172/RM LLWS +/- 10 KTS DURC
```
Report
an urgent report filed through APA
Where
over KAPA
Time
12:54 UTC
Height
at 6,700 ft
Aircraft
C172
Remarks
low-level wind shear + 10 knots during the climb
urgent A21N at 3,000 ft, 13 nm south, 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): remarks: bases 3,000 ft tops 9,000 ft. At the destination end, 13 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
LAX UUA /OV LGB/TM 1500/FL030/TP A21N/RM BASES 030 TOPS 090
```
Report
an urgent report filed through LAX
Where
over LGB
Time
15:00 UTC
Height
at 3,000 ft
Aircraft
A21N
Remarks
bases 3,000 ft tops 9,000 ft
B38M at 12,000 ft, 43 nm north, 9:07 am CDT (14:07 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: from 11,000 ft to 12,000 ft. 747 nm along the route, 43 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV DEN090025/TM 1407/FL120/TP B38M/TB MOD/RM 110-120
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
25 nm east (090°) of DEN
Time
14:07 UTC
Height
at 12,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
moderate
Remarks
from 11,000 ft to 12,000 ft
C172 at 7,500 ft, 39 nm north, 10:27 am CDT (15:27 UTC): moderate turbulence. 777 nm along the route, 39 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
APA UA /OV APA100008/TM 1527/FL075/TP C172/TB CONT MOD
```
Report
a routine report filed through APA
Where
8 nm east (100°) of APA
Time
15:27 UTC
Height
at 7,500 ft
Aircraft
C172
Turbulence
continuous moderate
F2TH at 36,300 ft, 35 nm south, 8:15 am CDT (13:15 UTC): moderate clear-air turbulence above 36,300 ft, wind 255° at 90 knots. 787 nm along the route, 35 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PUB UA /OV PUB /TM 1315 /FL363 /TP F2TH /WV 25590KT /TB MOD CAT 363
```
Report
a routine report filed through PUB
Where
over PUB
Time
13:15 UTC
Height
at 36,300 ft
Aircraft
F2TH
Wind
from 255° at 90 knots
Turbulence
moderate clear-air turbulence at 36,300 ft
E55P at 8,000 ft, 7 nm southeast, 9:30 am CDT (14:30 UTC): moderate turbulence. 797 nm along the route, 7 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
COS UA /OV 5S COS/TM 1430/FL080/TP E55P/TB MOD
```
Report
a routine report filed through COS
Where
5S cos
Time
14:30 UTC
Height
at 8,000 ft
Aircraft
E55P
Turbulence
moderate
B738 descending, 42 nm north, 7:55 am CDT (12:55 UTC): moderate turbulence from 16,000 ft to 20,000 ft. 807 nm along the route, 42 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV 40SW DEN/TM 1255/FLDURD/TP B738/TB MOD 200-160
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
40SW den
Time
12:55 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B738
Turbulence
moderate from 20,000 ft to 16,000 ft
BE20 at 15,000 ft, 42 nm south, 9:45 am CDT (14:45 UTC): moderate turbulence, light icing, 0 °C, remarks: ice 150-125-ZDVWC-36. 966 nm along the route, 42 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
FMN UA /OV RSK008025/TM 1445/FL150/TP BE20/SK TOP 160 BASE 115/TA 00/TB OCNL MOD/IC LGT MX/RM ICE 150-125-ZDVWC-36
```
Report
a routine report filed through FMN
Where
25 nm north (008°) of RSK
Time
14:45 UTC
Height
at 15,000 ft
Aircraft
BE20
Sky
top 16,000 ft base 11,500 ft
Temperature
0 °C
Turbulence
occasional moderate
Icing
light mixed
Remarks
ice 150-125-ZDVWC-36
E75L climbing, 49 nm south, 10:35 am CDT (15:35 UTC): moderate turbulence up to 7,500 ft. 1425 nm along the route, 49 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PSP UA /OV PSP30006/TM 1535/FLDURC/TP E75L/TB MOD TURB BELOW 075
```
Report
a routine report filed through PSP
Where
PSP30006
Time
15:35 UTC
Height
during the climb
Aircraft
E75L
Turbulence
moderate turbulence below 7,500 ft
B737 at 13,000 ft, 8 nm north, 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: dur desct from 13,000 ft to 11,000 ft. At the destination end, 8 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ONT UA /OV 25N ONT/TM 1400/FL130/TP B737/TB MOD TURB/RM DUR DESCT 130-110
```
Report
a routine report filed through ONT
Where
25N ont
Time
14:00 UTC
Height
at 13,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Turbulence
moderate turbulence
Remarks
dur desct from 13,000 ft to 11,000 ft
C172 at 5,000 ft, 41 nm southeast, 10:05 am CDT (15:05 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the destination end, 41 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SNA UA /OV DANAH/TM 1505/FL050/TP C172/TB MOD
```
Report
a routine report filed through SNA
Where
danah
Time
15:05 UTC
Height
at 5,000 ft
Aircraft
C172
Turbulence
moderate
B737 at 8,000 ft, 1 nm southwest, 10:42 am CDT (15:42 UTC): moderate turbulence up to 10,000 ft. At the destination end, 1 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
LAX UA /OV 10 W OF LAX/TM 1542/FL080/TP B737/TB MOD TURB BELOW 100
```
Report
a routine report filed through LAX
Where
10 west of lax
Time
15:42 UTC
Height
at 8,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Turbulence
moderate turbulence below 10,000 ft

16 more routine reports are on the map.

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 14:00–21:00 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 15 forecast points nearest it (JOT, DBQ, BRL, DSM, OMA, GRI, GLD, DEN, 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	240° at 22 kt	+21 kt	13 °C	99 kt	15 h 18 min	12:09 am PDT (07:09 UTC)
6,500 ft	240° at 24 kt	+23 kt	13 °C	97 kt	15 h 36 min	12:27 am PDT (07:27 UTC)
8,500 ft	230° at 24 kt	+23 kt	9 °C	97 kt	15 h 36 min	12:27 am PDT (07:27 UTC)
10,500 ft	230° at 29 kt	+27 kt	5 °C	93 kt	16 h 17 min	1:08 am PDT (08:08 UTC)
12,500 ft	230° at 33 kt	+31 kt	2 °C	89 kt	17 h 01 min	1:52 am PDT (08:52 UTC)
14,500 ft	230° at 36 kt	+34 kt	-3 °C	86 kt	17 h 36 min	2:27 am PDT (09:27 UTC)
16,500 ft	230° at 39 kt	+37 kt	-7 °C	83 kt	18 h 14 min	3:05 am PDT (10:05 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	230° at 41 kt	+39 kt	-10 °C	81 kt	18 h 41 min	3:32 am PDT (10:32 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	230° at 53 kt	+51 kt	-21 °C	69 kt	21 h 57 min	6:48 am PDT (13:48 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	240° at 67 kt	+67 kt	-31 °C	53 kt	28 h 34 min	1:25 pm PDT (20:25 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	240° at 76 kt	+77 kt	-37 °C	43 kt	35 h 13 min	8:04 pm PDT (03:04 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	240° at 75 kt	+76 kt	-47 °C	44 kt	34 h 25 min	7:16 pm PDT (02:16 UTC)

Based on data from the 12th at 12:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 18:00 UTC for use 14:00 to 21:00 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; 34 nm from the line	230/30	250/26 16°	270/27 11°	280/34 5°	290/32 -8°	280/37 -21°	280/40 -36°	290/46 -37°	290/56 -47°
DBQ	used from 50 nm out; 59 nm from the line	250/26	240/32 19°	250/35 11°	260/37 5°	270/35 -9°	270/40 -21°	270/43 -35°	280/49 -37°	280/58 -46°
BRL	used from 149 nm out; 57 nm from the line	240/28	240/25 18°	250/26 12°	260/29 5°	260/24 -8°	270/36 -20°	280/57 -33°	290/65 -37°	290/54 -46°
DSM	used from 199 nm out; 38 nm from the line	230/34	230/32 20°	220/33 12°	240/35 5°	250/39 -7°	250/43 -21°	280/61 -31°	280/73 -37°	280/67 -47°
OMA	used from 299 nm out; 44 nm from the line	210/23	240/34 20°	230/40 14°	220/43 7°	240/38 -8°	250/47 -21°	270/70 -29°	270/79 -36°	270/68 -48°
GRI	used from 399 nm out; 58 nm from the line		270/26 19°	230/33 13°	230/39 8°	230/43 -9°	240/55 -21°	250/76 -28°	260/84 -36°	260/68 -47°
GLD	used from 548 nm out; 76 nm from the line		240/22	250/24 13°	250/39 6°	230/42 -8°	230/55 -21°	240/87 -30°	240/96 -36°	250/93 -48°
DEN	used from 697 nm out; 74 nm from the line			230/7 11°	230/13 4°	230/40 -9°	230/48 -20°	240/66 -32°	240/88 -38°	230/100 -47°
PUB	used from 747 nm out; 40 nm from the line			250/31 11°	240/42 5°	230/46 -7°	230/59 -20°	240/77 -30°	230/94 -37°	240/95 -49°
ALS	used from 847 nm out; 60 nm from the line				230/34 2°	230/57 -9°	230/72 -19°	230/82 -27°	230/91 -36°	240/89 -48°
FMN	used from 946 nm out; 62 nm from the line			170/14 8°	210/28 0°	230/57 -10°	220/74 -21°	230/82 -30°	230/95 -37°	230/102 -47°
BCE	used from 1096 nm out; 72 nm from the line				200/31 -2°	190/46 -14°	210/72 -24°	210/87 -30°	220/89 -38°	220/78 -46°
PRC	used from 1196 nm out; 93 nm from the line			200/38 5°	200/44 -1°	210/72 -11°	220/78 -20°	220/85 -29°	230/99 -36°	230/105 -47°
LAS	used from 1245 nm out; 60 nm from the line		220/15 7°	210/23 2°	200/32 -4°	200/43 -14°	210/64 -23°	210/78 -32°	220/81 -38°	220/80 -45°
ONT	used from 1395 nm out; 57 nm from the line	L/V	210/13 3°	220/24 0°	220/31 -3°	230/33 -14°	240/35 -22°	230/55 -31°	230/67 -37°	230/74 -45°

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
PWK Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, IL	departure	VFR	from the west-southwest (240°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	644 ft	9:52 am CDT (14:52 UTC)
DPA Chicago/West Chicago, IL	20 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the southwest (220°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	758 ft	14:52 UTC
DSM Des Moines, IA	259 nm out, 14 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet, a few clouds at 20,000 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet	from the south-southwest (210°) at 13 knots, gusting to 21	10+ mi	25,000 ft	957 ft	14:54 UTC
LNK Lincoln, NE	408 nm out, 8 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 14 knots, gusting to 25	10+ mi	none	1,218 ft	14:54 UTC
OIN Oberlin, KS	588 nm out, 5 nm south of the line	VFR	from the west-southwest (240°) at 11 knots	10+ mi	none	2,706 ft	15:35 UTC
ADT Atwood, KS	608 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line	VFR	from the west-southwest (250°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	2,990 ft	15:35 UTC
COS Colorado Springs, CO	787 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet	from the south (190°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	6,187 ft	14:54 UTC
TEX Telluride, CO	946 nm out, 5 nm west of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,500 feet, overcast at 5,500 feet	from the south-southeast (150°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	5,500 ft	9,069 ft	15:35 UTC
PGA Page, AZ	1126 nm out, 13 nm northwest of the line	marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,600 feet, a broken layer at 2,400 feet, overcast at 7,000 feet Weather: light rain, mist	from the north-northeast (020°) at 5 knots	5 mi	2,400 ft	4,316 ft	15:46 UTC
IFP Bullhead City, AZ	1315 nm out, 21 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 6,000 feet, overcast at 7,500 feet	from the southeast (140°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	6,000 ft	707 ft	15:47 UTC
EMT El Monte, CA	1494 nm out, 1 nm southeast of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 3,000 feet Weather: haze	from the south (180°) at 5 knots	4 mi	3,000 ft	295 ft	15:45 UTC
LAX Los Angeles, CA	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,300 feet, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, overcast at 6,000 feet	from the east-southeast (120°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	6,000 ft	127 ft	7:53 am PDT (14:53 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, 12:09 am PDT (07:09 UTC)

Wind from the west at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR

The whole forecast for LAX

From Mon 8:00 am PDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
At times between Mon 8:00 am PDT (15:00 UTC) and 9:00 am PDT (16:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, 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, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet
From Mon 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Tue 1:00 am PDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies

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

6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 15 nm from the route, 817 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 11 nm from the route, 1315 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
6/8890 LAS VEGAS, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 14 nm from the route, 1315 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 PWK 6:15 pm CDT (23:15 UTC), at LAX 6:22 pm PDT (01:22 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:47 pm PDT (01:47 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at LAX is before sunrise there (6:56 am PDT (13:56 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 Executive, Los Angeles International.