Rapid City Regional to San Diego International RAP → SAN
948 nautical miles (1,091 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 229°, about 221° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 8 h 37 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 10-knot headwind), arriving about 3:51 am PDT (10:51 UTC), after sunset at the destination. 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
- SIGMET 8W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 35,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 9:55 pm MDT (03:55 UTC). Over the route from 80 to 190 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120155 MKCW WST 120155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 8W VALID UNTIL 0355Z CO MT WY FROM 40N SHR-60WNW RAP-20ENE CYS-30SW CYS-10NW BOY-40N SHR AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL350.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, at the departure end.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 688 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 90 to 728 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 140 to 429 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Over the route from 249 to 369 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 309 to 828 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 309 to 748 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 409 to 708 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 758 to 928 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 70 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 RAP.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent CRJ2 at 7,000 ft, 49 nm northwest, 7:04 pm MDT (01:04 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: low-level wind shear dept runway 03 gain/loss unknown. 150 nm along the route, 49 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CPR UUA /OV CPR035002/TM 0104/FL070/TP CRJ2/TB CONT MOD TURB/RM LLWS DEPT RY03 GAIN/LOSS UNKN
- Report
- an urgent report filed through CPR
- Where
- 2 nm northeast (035°) of CPR
- Time
- 01:04 UTC
- Height
- at 7,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate turbulence
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear dept runway 03 gain/loss unknown
- BE9L at 21,000 ft, 6 nm south, 5:22 pm MDT (23:22 UTC): light chop turbulence above 21,000 ft, moderate icing above 21,000 ft, -21 °C, remarks: zdvwc. 140 nm along the route, 6 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DGW UA /OV IIP200020/TM 2322/FL210/TP BE9L/SK BASE 200/TA M21/TB OCNL LGT CHOP 210/IC MOD MIX 210/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DGW
- Where
- 20 nm south (200°) of IIP
- Time
- 23:22 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Sky
- base 20,000 ft
- Temperature
- −21 °C
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop at 21,000 ft
- Icing
- moderate mix at 21,000 ft
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- B752 at 35,000 ft, 45 nm southeast, 5:21 pm MDT (23:21 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-33. 140 nm along the route, 45 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
CYS UA /OV CYS350045/TM 2321/FL350/TP B752/TB CONS LGT-MOD/RM ZDVWC-33
- Report
- a routine report filed through CYS
- Where
- 45 nm north (350°) of CYS
- Time
- 23:21 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B752
- Turbulence
- continuous light to moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-33
- CRJ2 at 9,000 ft, 49 nm northwest, 6:35 pm MDT (00:35 UTC): light chop turbulence, vmc, remarks: occasional moderate turbulence at at 15,000 ft. 170 nm along the route, 49 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CPR UA /OV CPR215015/TM 0035/FL090/TP CRJ2/WX VMC/TB LGT CHOP/RM OCNL MOD TURB AT 150
- Report
- a routine report filed through CPR
- Where
- 15 nm southwest (215°) of CPR
- Time
- 00:35 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Weather
- visual conditions
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- occasional moderate turbulence at at 15,000 ft
- C56X at 13,000 ft, 43 nm southeast, 7:33 pm MDT (01:33 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 200 nm along the route, 43 nm southeast 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
- UAL796 at 30,000 ft, 29 nm southeast, 6:09 pm MDT (00:09 UTC): light chop turbulence, wind 230° at 42 knots. 319 nm along the route, 29 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL796 4004N 10755W 0009 F300 230/042KT TB OCNL LGT CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- GLF4 at 25,000 ft, 13 nm northwest, 6:30 pm MDT (00:30 UTC): overcast up to 24,000 ft, remarks: visual conditions FL250 zlawc. 609 nm along the route, 13 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUC UA /OV BCE200040/TM 0030/FL250/TP GLF4/SK OVC-TOP240/RM VMC FL250 /ZLAWC AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUC
- Where
- 40 nm south (200°) of BCE
- Time
- 00:30 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Sky
- overcast, tops 24,000 ft
- Remarks
- visual conditions FL250 zlawc
- B38M at 27,000 ft, 29 nm northwest, 6:03 pm MDT (00:03 UTC): light rime icing, -27 °C, remarks: during the descent. 659 nm along the route, 29 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CDC UA /OV MMM085025/TM 0003/FL270/TP B38M/TA M27/IC LGT RIME/RM DURD AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through CDC
- Where
- 25 nm east (085°) of MMM
- Time
- 00:03 UTC
- Height
- at 27,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Temperature
- −27 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the descent
- B737 at 24,000 ft, 36 nm northwest, 5:29 pm MDT (23:29 UTC): light rime icing, -21 °C, remarks: during the descent during the descent choww arv zlawc. 669 nm along the route, 36 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CDC UA /OV MMM120015/TM 2329/FL240/TP B737/TA M21/IC LGT RIME/RM DURD DURD CHOWW ARV /ZLAWC AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through CDC
- Where
- 15 nm southeast (120°) of MMM
- Time
- 23:29 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Temperature
- −21 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the descent during the descent choww arv zlawc
- G280 at 41,000 ft, 45 nm northwest, 5:37 pm MDT (23:37 UTC): light to moderate clear-air turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 768 nm along the route, 45 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV LAS190035/TM 2337/FL410/TP G280/TB LGT-MOD CAT/RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- 35 nm south (190°) of LAS
- Time
- 23:37 UTC
- Height
- at 41,000 ft
- Aircraft
- G280
- Turbulence
- light to moderate clear-air turbulence
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- SR22 at 2,700 ft, 4 nm northwest, 8:02 pm MDT (02:02 UTC): overcast above 2,700 ft. At the destination end, 4 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
RNM UA /OV RNM270003/TM 0202/FL027/TP SR22/SK BASES OVC027
- Report
- a routine report filed through RNM
- Where
- 3 nm west (270°) of RNM
- Time
- 02:02 UTC
- Height
- at 2,700 ft
- Aircraft
- SR22
- Sky
- bases OVC027
- E170 at 3,500 ft, 19 nm northwest, 7:59 pm MDT (01:59 UTC): remarks: B035. At the destination end, 19 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRQ UA /OV CRQ/TM 0159/FL035/TP E170/RM B035
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRQ
- Where
- over CRQ
- Time
- 01:59 UTC
- Height
- at 3,500 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Remarks
- B035
- C172 climbing, 5 nm southeast, 7:20 pm MDT (01:20 UTC): overcast from 3,000 ft to 6,200 ft. At the destination end, 5 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
SEE UA /OV 090003/TM 0120/FLDURC/TP C172/SK OVC030-TOP062
- Report
- a routine report filed through SEE
- Where
- wind from 090° at 3 knots
- Time
- 01:20 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- C172
- Sky
- overcast from 3,000 ft, tops 6,200 ft
- CL60 at 3,000 ft, 5 nm southeast, 6:22 pm MDT (00:22 UTC): remarks: bases 3,000 ft tops 5,500 ft. At the destination end, 5 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
SEE UA /OV 4 MI WEST/TM 0022/FL030/TP CL60/RM BASES 030 TOPS 055
- Report
- a routine report filed through SEE
- Where
- 4 mi west
- Time
- 00:22 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Remarks
- bases 3,000 ft tops 5,500 ft
6 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 9 forecast points nearest it (RAP, BFF, RKS, GJT, BCE, LAS, BLH, ONT, SAN). 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 | 180° at 15 kt | +10 kt | 11 °C | 110 kt | 8 h 37 min | 3:51 am PDT (10:51 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 180° at 16 kt | +12 kt | 10 °C | 108 kt | 8 h 47 min | 4:01 am PDT (11:01 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 200° at 27 kt | +25 kt | 8 °C | 95 kt | 9 h 59 min | 5:13 am PDT (12:13 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 210° at 35 kt | +33 kt | 4 °C | 87 kt | 10 h 54 min | 6:08 am PDT (13:08 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 38 kt | +37 kt | 1 °C | 83 kt | 11 h 25 min | 6:39 am PDT (13:39 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 210° at 40 kt | +39 kt | -3 °C | 81 kt | 11 h 42 min | 6:56 am PDT (13:56 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 210° at 42 kt | +41 kt | -7 °C | 79 kt | 12 h | 7:14 am PDT (14:14 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 210° at 44 kt | +43 kt | -10 °C | 77 kt | 12 h 19 min | 7:33 am PDT (14:33 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 46 kt | +46 kt | -21 °C | 74 kt | 12 h 49 min | 8:03 am PDT (15:03 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 53 kt | +53 kt | -30 °C | 67 kt | 14 h 09 min | 9:23 am PDT (16:23 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 57 kt | +58 kt | -36 °C | 62 kt | 15 h 17 min | 10:31 am PDT (17:31 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 58 kt | +58 kt | -45 °C | 62 kt | 15 h 17 min | 10:31 am PDT (17:31 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAP | used from 0 nm out; 25 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° | |
| BFF | used from 100 nm out; 85 nm from the line | 120/24 | 180/31 13° | 210/26 7° | 230/25 -7° | 240/41 -20° | 230/52 -36° | 250/56 -41° | 260/57 -45° | |
| RKS | used from 200 nm out; 101 nm from the line | 190/43 | 210/65 3° | 210/57 -9° | 210/56 -21° | 210/47 -33° | 230/63 -37° | 240/77 -46° | ||
| GJT | used from 299 nm out; 75 nm from the line | 210/40 11° | 210/46 3° | 210/61 -10° | 210/68 -22° | 220/57 -29° | 230/59 -36° | 240/66 -46° | ||
| BCE | used from 449 nm out; 88 nm from the line | 210/47 0° | 200/50 -12° | 220/31 -23° | 220/56 -26° | 220/58 -35° | 230/58 -45° | |||
| LAS | used from 649 nm out; 79 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° | |
| BLH | used from 798 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 230/22 | 210/24 11° | 230/23 5° | 230/26 0° | 220/38 -10° | 230/52 -19° | 220/58 -28° | 220/69 -34° | 220/59 -45° |
| ONT | used from 848 nm out; 72 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° |
| SAN | used from 898 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 200/10 | 240/19 9° | 240/27 5° | 230/22 -1° | 220/40 -10° | 220/49 -19° | 220/54 -29° | 220/61 -35° | 220/56 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAP Rapid City, SD | departure | no report just now | 3,203 ft | ||||
| CUT Custer, SD | 30 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 5,619 ft | ||||
| DGW Douglas, WY | 130 nm out, 12 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 4,932 ft | ||||
| DWX Dixon, WY | 269 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 6,548 ft | ||||
| CAG Craig, CO | 289 nm out, 23 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 6,197 ft | ||||
| CNY Moab, UT | 439 nm out, 25 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 4,579 ft | ||||
| HVE Hanksville, UT | 479 nm out, 8 nm south of the line | no report just now | 4,453 ft | ||||
| KNB Kanab, UT | 599 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 4,867 ft | ||||
| IFP Bullhead City, AZ | 748 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower | no report just now | 707 ft | ||||
| TNP Twentynine Palms, CA | 848 nm out, 8 nm north of the line | no report just now | 1,888 ft | ||||
| RNM Ramona, CA | 928 nm out, 3 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 1,394 ft | ||||
| SAN San Diego, CA | destination | no report just now | 16 ft |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,548 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SAN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:51 am PDT (10:51 UTC)
SAN has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.
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, 748 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
- 6/8887 Indio, CA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 3 nm from the route, 878 nm along the route · security · until 12 October · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at RAP 6:13 pm MDT (00:13 UTC), at SAN 6:19 pm PDT (01:19 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:44 pm PDT (01:44 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SAN is before sunrise there (6:50 am PDT (13:50 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: Rapid City Regional, San Diego International.