Plan a flight · Sun 9:15 pm EDT (01:15 UTC)

Raleigh-Durham International to San Diego International RDU → SAN

1,902 nautical miles (2,188 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 276°, about 285° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9W). At 120 knots that is 17 h 57 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 14-knot headwind), arriving about 12:12 pm PDT (19:12 UTC). Right now RDU is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 11 knots; SAN is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 6 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: 413 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 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 7,000 ft. Over the route from 90 to 199 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 129 to 299 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 269 to 329 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 6W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 28,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the route from 358 to 408 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 1245 to 1613 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 1294 to 1474 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1414 to 1663 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Near the route, 1782 nm along the route.
AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 1792 to 1882 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 30 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 RDU.

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

PA46 at 23,000 ft, 22 nm north, 7:28 pm EDT (23:28 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 22,000 ft to 23,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-44. 149 nm along the route, 22 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TRI UA /OV HMV090010/TM 2328/FL230/TP PA46/TB LGT- MOD CHOP 230-220/RM ZTLFD-44
```
Report
a routine report filed through TRI
Where
10 nm east (090°) of HMV
Time
23:28 UTC
Height
at 23,000 ft
Aircraft
PA46
Turbulence
light moderate chop from 23,000 ft to 22,000 ft
Remarks
ZTLFD-44
B763 at 3,000 ft, 14 nm north, 7:26 pm EDT (23:26 UTC): a broken layer above 3,000 ft. At the departure end, 14 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GSO UA /OV HEVED/TM 2326/FL030/TP B763/SK BKN030
```
Report
a routine report filed through GSO
Where
heved
Time
23:26 UTC
Height
at 3,000 ft
Aircraft
B763
Sky
a broken layer from 3,000 ft
B763 descending, 13 nm north, 7:24 pm EDT (23:24 UTC): a broken layer above 3,000 ft. At the departure end, 13 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GSO UA /OV 10 NE GSO/TM 2324/FLDURD/TP B763/SK BKN030
```
Report
a routine report filed through GSO
Where
10 northeast gso
Time
23:24 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B763
Sky
a broken layer from 3,000 ft
CRJ7 descending, 5 nm north, 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 UTC): a broken layer above 4,500 ft. At the departure end, 5 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GSO UA /OV GSO/TM 2232/FLDURD/TP CRJ7/SK BKN045
```
Report
a routine report filed through GSO
Where
over GSO
Time
22:32 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
CRJ7
Sky
a broken layer from 4,500 ft
PC24 at 4,000 ft, 39 nm north, 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: 18 final. 110 nm along the route, 39 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CLT UA /OV CLT005090/TM 2300/FL040/TP PC24/WX FIS/TB SMOOTH/RM 18 FINAL
```
Report
a routine report filed through CLT
Where
90 nm north (005°) of CLT
Time
23:00 UTC
Height
at 4,000 ft
Aircraft
PC24
Weather
fi s
Turbulence
smooth
Remarks
18 final
SF50 at 7,000 ft, 11 nm south, 6:37 pm EDT (22:37 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, imc, remarks: ZTLFD-45. 119 nm along the route, 11 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
HKY UA /OV BZM/TM 2237/FL070/TP SF50/SK IMC/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM ZTLFD-45
```
Report
a routine report filed through HKY
Where
over BZM
Time
22:37 UTC
Height
at 7,000 ft
Aircraft
SF50
Sky
instrument conditions
Turbulence
none
Icing
none
Remarks
ZTLFD-45
S22T descending, 23 nm north, 8:24 pm EDT (00:24 UTC): a broken layer above 2,600 ft, remarks: during the descent RY23 tri. 179 nm along the route, 23 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TRI UA /OV KTRI050002/TM 0024/FLUNKN/TP S22T/SK BKN026-TOPUNKN/RM DURD RY23 TRI
```
Report
a routine report filed through TRI
Where
2 nm northeast (050°) of KTRI
Time
00:24 UTC
Height
height not given
Aircraft
S22T
Sky
a broken layer from 2,600 ft, tops unknown
Remarks
during the descent RY23 tri
CRJ9 at 30,000 ft, 12 nm south, 6:46 pm EDT (22:46 UTC): light to moderate turbulence above 30,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-42. 209 nm along the route, 12 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TYS UA /OV VXV090040/TM 2246/FL300/TP CRJ9/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD 300/RM ZTLFD-42
```
Report
a routine report filed through TYS
Where
40 nm east (090°) of VXV
Time
22:46 UTC
Height
at 30,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate at 30,000 ft
Remarks
ZTLFD-42
E75S at 29,000 ft, 16 nm south, 6:21 pm EDT (22:21 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: ZTLFD-39. 249 nm along the route, 16 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TYS UA /OV VXV/TM 2221/FL290/TP E75S/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD/RM ZTLFD-39
```
Report
a routine report filed through TYS
Where
over VXV
Time
22:21 UTC
Height
at 29,000 ft
Aircraft
E75S
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate
Remarks
ZTLFD-39
E170 at 33,000 ft, 19 nm south, 6:22 pm EDT (22:22 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence above 33,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-03. 269 nm along the route, 19 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TYS UA /OV VXV270025/TM 2222/FL330/TP E170/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP 330/RM ZTLFD-03
```
Report
a routine report filed through TYS
Where
25 nm west (270°) of VXV
Time
22:22 UTC
Height
at 33,000 ft
Aircraft
E170
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate chop at 33,000 ft
Remarks
ZTLFD-03
T206 at 9,000 ft, 43 nm south, 6:47 pm EDT (22:47 UTC): remarks: ZME60. 329 nm along the route, 43 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV CHA340032/TM 2247/FL090/TP T206/SK TOP070/RM ZME60
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
32 nm north (340°) of CHA
Time
22:47 UTC
Height
at 9,000 ft
Aircraft
T206
Sky
TOP070
Remarks
ZME60
A319 at 32,000 ft, 7 nm north, 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZME62. 398 nm along the route, 7 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BNA UA /OV BNA315020/TM 2256/FL320/TP A319/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZME62
```
Report
a routine report filed through BNA
Where
20 nm northwest (315°) of BNA
Time
22:56 UTC
Height
at 32,000 ft
Aircraft
A319
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate chop
Remarks
ZME62
B77W at 31,000 ft, 13 nm north, 7:27 pm EDT (23:27 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zme. 408 nm along the route, 13 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BNA UA /OV BNA315030/TM 2327/FL310/TP B77W/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZME
```
Report
a routine report filed through BNA
Where
30 nm northwest (315°) of BNA
Time
23:27 UTC
Height
at 31,000 ft
Aircraft
B77W
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate chop
Remarks
zme
B738 at 34,000 ft, 22 nm north, 7:41 pm EDT (23:41 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zme. 418 nm along the route, 22 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CKV UA /OV CKV/TM 2341/FL340/TP B738/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZME
```
Report
a routine report filed through CKV
Where
over CKV
Time
23:41 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate chop
Remarks
zme

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 17 forecast points nearest it (RDU, TRI, TYS, BNA, CGI, LIT, SGF, FSM, TUL, OKC, GAG, AMA, TCC, ABQ, PHX, BLH, 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	230° at 16 kt	+14 kt	15 °C	106 kt	17 h 57 min	12:12 pm PDT (19:12 UTC)
6,500 ft	240° at 15 kt	+15 kt	13 °C	105 kt	18 h 07 min	12:22 pm PDT (19:22 UTC)
8,500 ft	240° at 17 kt	+17 kt	11 °C	103 kt	18 h 28 min	12:43 pm PDT (19:43 UTC)
10,500 ft	250° at 19 kt	+20 kt	8 °C	100 kt	19 h 01 min	1:16 pm PDT (20:16 UTC)
12,500 ft	250° at 21 kt	+22 kt	4 °C	98 kt	19 h 24 min	1:39 pm PDT (20:39 UTC)
14,500 ft	250° at 23 kt	+24 kt	0 °C	96 kt	19 h 49 min	2:04 pm PDT (21:04 UTC)
16,500 ft	250° at 24 kt	+25 kt	-4 °C	95 kt	20 h 01 min	2:16 pm PDT (21:16 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	250° at 26 kt	+27 kt	-7 °C	93 kt	20 h 27 min	2:42 pm PDT (21:42 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	250° at 33 kt	+34 kt	-18 °C	86 kt	22 h 07 min	4:22 pm PDT (23:22 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	250° at 46 kt	+46 kt	-30 °C	74 kt	25 h 42 min	7:57 pm PDT (02:57 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	250° at 47 kt	+48 kt	-38 °C	72 kt	26 h 25 min	8:40 pm PDT (03:40 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	260° at 42 kt	+43 kt	-49 °C	77 kt	24 h 42 min	6:57 pm PDT (01:57 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
RDU	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	240/28	250/22 10°	230/30 11°	230/40 7°	230/45 -4°	220/69 -15°	220/83 -29°	210/84 -40°	220/75 -52°
TRI	used from 100 nm out; 58 nm from the line		310/28 11°	320/32 7°	330/30 2°	300/28 -9°	280/34 -21°	250/37 -31°	240/39 -38°	250/35 -48°
TYS	used from 199 nm out; 36 nm from the line	290/19	310/22 11°	330/25 7°	330/34 3°	320/37 -7°	300/37 -18°	300/37 -34°	280/29 -39°	270/29 -48°
BNA	used from 299 nm out; 60 nm from the line	280/13	340/34 16°	330/38 10°	330/44 5°	330/39 -8°	330/38 -19°	320/49 -34°	330/53 -40°	330/35 -47°
CGI	used from 448 nm out; 77 nm from the line	250/10	290/12 17°	290/18 11°	300/22 5°	320/25 -8°	330/30 -18°	320/53 -33°	320/66 -42°	320/56 -50°
LIT	used from 597 nm out; 94 nm from the line	220/12	250/12 17°	250/18 12°	260/22 6°	310/14 -5°	310/25 -17°	310/40 -31°	310/38 -41°	310/46 -52°
SGF	used from 647 nm out; 73 nm from the line	210/21	210/21 16°	240/28 12°	260/24 7°	280/21 -6°	280/26 -18°	290/38 -31°	290/37 -41°	300/49 -52°
FSM	used from 697 nm out; 59 nm from the line	200/18	210/19 15°	230/22 13°	250/18 7°	270/20 -5°	280/24 -16°	280/35 -30°	290/37 -40°	300/40 -52°
TUL	used from 797 nm out; 13 nm from the line	200/27	210/28 15°	240/24 13°	250/19 8°	250/28 -6°	260/25 -16°	270/34 -30°	280/41 -39°	280/41 -52°
OKC	used from 896 nm out; 31 nm from the line	190/29	200/29 16°	230/22 14°	240/17 9°	240/28 -6°	250/35 -15°	270/42 -29°	270/43 -39°	280/38 -51°
GAG	used from 946 nm out; 57 nm from the line		190/34 19°	240/27 14°	240/26 8°	240/24 -6°	240/29 -16°	250/50 -28°	250/50 -39°	260/46 -50°
AMA	used from 1045 nm out; 50 nm from the line		190/28	220/26 14°	230/27 7°	250/24 -6°	250/32 -16°	240/51 -28°	250/52 -38°	250/51 -50°
TCC	used from 1145 nm out; 41 nm from the line		200/26	200/28 14°	220/25 7°	230/28 -7°	240/41 -19°	240/62 -28°	250/61 -37°	250/49 -49°
ABQ	used from 1294 nm out; 39 nm from the line			200/28 13°	210/28 5°	210/44 -7°	230/46 -20°	230/80 -28°	240/74 -35°	240/58 -47°
PHX	used from 1494 nm out; 124 nm from the line	210/19	210/20 14°	200/20 6°	210/40 1°	220/58 -8°	220/68 -20°	220/82 -26°	230/83 -34°	230/69 -46°
BLH	used from 1693 nm out; 53 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°
SAN	used from 1842 nm out; 35 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
RDU Raleigh/Durham, NC	departure	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,000 feet	from the southwest (230°) at 11 knots	10+ mi	none	435 ft	8:51 pm EDT (00:51 UTC)
GSO Greensboro, NC	60 nm out, 9 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 6,000 feet	from the southwest (230°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	6,000 ft	925 ft	00:54 UTC
MQY Smyrna, TN	378 nm out, 15 nm south of the line, tower	reported, no category	calm		none	543 ft	00:56 UTC
JWN Nashville, TN	398 nm out, 6 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	501 ft	00:50 UTC
ASG Springdale, AR	747 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (180°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	1,352 ft	00:48 UTC
RVS Tulsa, OK	836 nm out, 2 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	638 ft	00:53 UTC
AMA Amarillo, TX	1115 nm out, 18 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (170°) at 14 knots	10+ mi	none	3,606 ft	00:53 UTC
TCC Tucumcari, NM	1215 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line	VFR	from the south-southwest (210°) at 12 knots	10+ mi	none	4,064 ft	00:53 UTC
ABQ Albuquerque, NM	1354 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 7,500 feet, a broken layer at 9,500 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet	from the south (180°) at 15 knots	10+ mi	9,500 ft	5,354 ft	01:11 UTC
DVT Phoenix, AZ	1643 nm out, 12 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 8,500 feet	from the north-northwest (340°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	1,478 ft	00:53 UTC
RNM Ramona, CA	1882 nm out, 14 nm north of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,600 feet, a broken layer at 2,600 feet, overcast at 3,700 feet Weather: light rain, mist	from the southwest (220°) at 6 knots, gusting to 12	6 mi	1,600 ft	1,394 ft	00:53 UTC
SAN San Diego, CA	destination	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,100 feet, overcast at 4,300 feet	from the west-southwest (250°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	3,100 ft	16 ft	5:51 pm PDT (00:51 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 5,354 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, 12:12 pm PDT (19:12 UTC)

Wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for SAN

From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,800 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet and more above
From Sun 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
From Mon 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet

The forecast for RDU, the departure

From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet

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

6/0708 Goodlettsville, TN, Saturday, August 1, 2026 through Sunday, August 1, 2027 UTC 6 nm from the route, 388 nm along the route · security · until 1 August · ZME
6/4812 El Centro, CA, Wednesday, July 15, 2026 through Tuesday, July 13, 2027 Local on the route, at the destination end · security · until 13 July · ZLA
6/2652 Coyote Wells, CA, Saturday, July 4, 2026 through Saturday, January 2, 2027 Local 21 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 2 January · ZLA

Daylight

Sunset at RDU 6:43 pm EDT (22:43 UTC), at SAN 6:19 pm PDT (01:19 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:44 pm PDT (01:44 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 Southeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the lower Mississippi valley · 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: Raleigh-Durham International, San Diego International.