The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Plan a flight · Sun 7:51 pm CDT (00:51 UTC)

Chicago/Rockford International to Ted Stevens Anchorage International RFD → ANC

2,422 nautical miles (2,788 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 319°, about 322° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 19 h 41 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 3-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:32 pm AKDT (20:32 UTC). Right now RFD is VFR, wind from the southeast (130°) at 3 knots; ANC is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) at 3 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: 368 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.

The return flight

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 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 399 to 558 nm out.
  • AIRMET ZULU 4C: moderate icing up to 20,000 ft. Over the route from 409 to 568 nm out.

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 RFD.

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

  • B737 at 32,000 ft, 41 nm northeast, 5:42 pm CDT (22:42 UTC): light clear-air turbulence. At the departure end, 41 nm northeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    UES UA /OV BAE270030/TM 2242/FL320/TP B737/TB OCNL LGT CAT
    Report
    a routine report filed through UES
    Where
    30 nm west (270°) of BAE
    Time
    22:42 UTC
    Height
    at 32,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B737
    Turbulence
    occasional light clear-air turbulence
  • CRJ7 at 18,000 ft, 26 nm southwest, 6:41 pm CDT (23:41 UTC): light rime icing from 18,000 ft to 20,000 ft, -13 °C, remarks: during the descent. 389 nm along the route, 26 nm southwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    FAR UA /OV FAR090050/TM 2341/FL180/TP CRJ7/SK BASE180-TOP200/TA M13/IC LGT RIME 180-200/RM DURD
    Report
    a routine report filed through FAR
    Where
    50 nm east (090°) of FAR
    Time
    23:41 UTC
    Height
    at 18,000 ft
    Aircraft
    CRJ7
    Sky
    BASE180-TOP200
    Temperature
    −13 °C
    Icing
    light rime from 18,000 ft to 20,000 ft
    Remarks
    during the descent
  • C56X at 1,300 ft, 46 nm southwest, 6:17 pm CDT (23:17 UTC): overcast above 1,300 ft. 429 nm along the route, 46 nm southwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    FAR UA /OV KFAR/TM 2317/FL013/TP C56X/SK OVC013
    Report
    a routine report filed through FAR
    Where
    over KFAR
    Time
    23:17 UTC
    Height
    at 1,300 ft
    Aircraft
    C56X
    Sky
    overcast from 1,300 ft
  • CRJ7 at 1,500 ft, 11 nm southwest, 7:01 pm CDT (00:01 UTC): overcast above 1,500 ft. 488 nm along the route, 11 nm southwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    GFK UA /OV GFK090002/TM 0001/FL015/TP CRJ7/SK OVC015
    Report
    a routine report filed through GFK
    Where
    2 nm east (090°) of GFK
    Time
    00:01 UTC
    Height
    at 1,500 ft
    Aircraft
    CRJ7
    Sky
    overcast from 1,500 ft
  • PC12 at 1,500 ft, 11 nm southwest, 6:45 pm CDT (23:45 UTC): overcast above 1,500 ft, 6 °C. 488 nm along the route, 11 nm southwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    GFK UA /OV GFK350001/TM 2345/FL015/TP PC12/SK OVC015/TA 06
    Report
    a routine report filed through GFK
    Where
    1 nm north (350°) of GFK
    Time
    23:45 UTC
    Height
    at 1,500 ft
    Aircraft
    PC12
    Sky
    overcast from 1,500 ft
    Temperature
    6 °C
  • B789 at 37,000 ft, 12 nm northeast, 6:10 pm CDT (23:10 UTC): light chop turbulence. 518 nm along the route, 12 nm northeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    GFK UA /OV GFK340040/TM 2310/FL370/TP B789/TB LGT CHOP
    Report
    a routine report filed through GFK
    Where
    40 nm north (340°) of GFK
    Time
    23:10 UTC
    Height
    at 37,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B789
    Turbulence
    light chop
  • B737 at 3,500 ft, 38 nm south, 6:07 pm CDT (23:07 UTC): light chop turbulence, no icing, remarks: during the climb zan. 2293 nm along the route, 38 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    CDV UA /OV CDV/TM 2307/FL035/TP B737/SK TOP 035/TB LGT CHOP/IC NEG/RM DURC ZAN
    Report
    a routine report filed through CDV
    Where
    over CDV
    Time
    23:07 UTC
    Height
    at 3,500 ft
    Aircraft
    B737
    Sky
    top 3,500 ft
    Turbulence
    light chop
    Icing
    none
    Remarks
    during the climb zan
  • B737 at 14,000 ft, 7 nm southwest, 5:45 pm CDT (22:45 UTC): light rime icing up to 14,000 ft, remarks: during the descent peter arrival. At the destination end, 7 nm southwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ANC UA /OV TED090015/TM 2245/FL140/TP B737/IC LGT RIME 140 BLO/RM DURD PETER ARR
    Report
    a routine report filed through ANC
    Where
    15 nm east (090°) of TED
    Time
    22:45 UTC
    Height
    at 14,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B737
    Icing
    light rime at 14,000 ft below
    Remarks
    during the descent peter arrival
  • BE20 at 2,000 ft, 5 nm northeast, 7:48 pm CDT (00:48 UTC): no turbulence, no icing. At the destination end, 5 nm northeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    MRI UA /OV MRI/TM 0048/FL020/TP BE20/WX FV20SM/TB NEG/IC NEG
    Report
    a routine report filed through MRI
    Where
    over MRI
    Time
    00:48 UTC
    Height
    at 2,000 ft
    Aircraft
    BE20
    Weather
    flight visibility 20 miles
    Turbulence
    none
    Icing
    none
  • B737 at 5,000 ft, 9 nm southwest, 6:30 pm CDT (23:30 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, remarks: during the descent gasto. At the destination end, 9 nm southwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ANC UA /OV TED230010/TM 2330/FL050/TP B737/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM DURD GASTO
    Report
    a routine report filed through ANC
    Where
    10 nm southwest (230°) of TED
    Time
    23:30 UTC
    Height
    at 5,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B737
    Turbulence
    none
    Icing
    none
    Remarks
    during the descent gasto
  • PC12 at 4,000 ft, 19 nm northwest, 6:30 pm CDT (23:30 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, remarks: during the climb northwest bound. At the destination end, 19 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ANC UA /OV TED300020/TM 2330/FL040/TP PC12/SK TOP070/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM DURC NORTHWEST BOUND
    Report
    a routine report filed through ANC
    Where
    20 nm northwest (300°) of TED
    Time
    23:30 UTC
    Height
    at 4,000 ft
    Aircraft
    PC12
    Sky
    TOP070
    Turbulence
    none
    Icing
    none
    Remarks
    during the climb northwest bound
  • C207 at 1,000 ft, 3 nm northeast, 6:08 pm CDT (23:08 UTC): no turbulence. At the destination end, 3 nm northeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    MRI UA /OV MRI260003/TM 2308/FL010/TP C207/TB NEG
    Report
    a routine report filed through MRI
    Where
    3 nm west (260°) of MRI
    Time
    23:08 UTC
    Height
    at 1,000 ft
    Aircraft
    C207
    Turbulence
    none
  • B747 at 5,800 ft, 13 nm southwest, 5:48 pm CDT (22:48 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, overcast from 4,000 ft to 5,500 ft; a broken layer above 2,000 ft, -11 °C, remarks: clear between layers, clear above. At the destination end, 13 nm southwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ANC UA /OV TED200013/TM 2248/FL058/TP B747/SK BKN020 OVC040 TOP055/WX M11/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM CLEAR BETWEEN LAYERS, CLEAR ABOVE
    Report
    a routine report filed through ANC
    Where
    13 nm south (200°) of TED
    Time
    22:48 UTC
    Height
    at 5,800 ft
    Aircraft
    B747
    Sky
    BKN020 OVC040 TOP055
    Weather
    −11 °C
    Turbulence
    none
    Icing
    none
    Remarks
    clear between layers, clear above
  • B777 at 6,400 ft, 11 nm southwest, 5:17 pm CDT (22:17 UTC): no turbulence, no icing. At the destination end, 11 nm southwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ANC UA /OV TED222012/TM 2217/FL064/TP B777/SK TOP065/TB NEG/IC NEG
    Report
    a routine report filed through ANC
    Where
    12 nm southwest (222°) of TED
    Time
    22:17 UTC
    Height
    at 6,400 ft
    Aircraft
    B777
    Sky
    TOP065
    Turbulence
    none
    Icing
    none

2 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 (DBQ, LSE, MSP, AXN, GFK, MOT, GGW, GPI, SEA). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
4,500 ft040° at 5 kt−3 kt0 °C123 kt19 h 41 min12:32 pm AKDT (20:32 UTC)
6,500 ft020° at 3 kt−2 kt3 °C122 kt19 h 51 min12:42 pm AKDT (20:42 UTC)
8,500 ftlight and variable−2 kt0 °C122 kt19 h 51 min12:42 pm AKDT (20:42 UTC)
10,500 ft250° at 1 kt−2 kt-3 °C122 kt19 h 51 min12:42 pm AKDT (20:42 UTC)
12,500 ft300° at 2 kt−2 kt-6 °C122 kt19 h 51 min12:42 pm AKDT (20:42 UTC)
14,500 ft310° at 5 kt−1 kt-9 °C121 kt20 h 01 min12:52 pm AKDT (20:52 UTC)
16,500 ft310° at 8 kt0-12 °C120 kt20 h 11 min1:02 pm AKDT (21:02 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180310° at 10 kt0-15 °C120 kt20 h 11 min1:02 pm AKDT (21:02 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240310° at 21 kt+8 kt-24 °C112 kt21 h 38 min2:29 pm AKDT (22:29 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300290° at 33 kt+20 kt-38 °C100 kt24 h 13 min5:04 pm AKDT (01:04 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340290° at 33 kt+22 kt-44 °C98 kt24 h 43 min5:34 pm AKDT (01:34 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390270° at 40 kt+27 kt-48 °C93 kt26 h 03 min6:54 pm AKDT (02:54 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
PointFrom3,0006,0009,00012,00018,00024,00030,00034,00039,000
DBQused from 0 nm out; 55 nm from the line220/23240/22 16°240/24 10°260/18 5°270/16 -8°290/27 -19°310/42 -35°320/55 -44°300/71 -52°
LSEused from 100 nm out; 15 nm from the line220/33250/29 17°250/15 9°260/12 6°280/21 -9°280/33 -20°300/43 -36°310/56 -45°300/79 -53°
MSPused from 199 nm out; 30 nm from the line200/28240/30 19°240/24 12°240/17 5°270/24 -10°270/33 -20°280/48 -35°290/55 -45°280/84 -54°
AXNused from 299 nm out; 54 nm from the lineL/V220/23 17°230/24 12°240/25 5°260/32 -11°260/40 -21°270/50 -35°270/57 -45°270/81 -55°
GFKused from 399 nm out; 63 nm from the line050/18L/V 10°240/20 7°240/36 1°250/47 -11°260/53 -21°270/59 -36°270/65 -47°260/88 -56°
MOTused from 598 nm out; 108 nm from the line070/8 6°180/7 2°220/18 -1°240/37 -11°250/55 -20°250/64 -36°250/70 -46°250/80 -54°
GGWused from 847 nm out; 258 nm from the line090/18 0°140/12 -2°150/13 -3°200/35 -12°230/56 -22°240/75 -37°240/81 -46°240/78 -49°
GPIused from 1097 nm out; 413 nm from the line060/19 -3°110/11 -8°130/6 -8°200/40 -19°190/58 -28°200/101 -39°220/73 -43°230/41 -43°
SEAused from 1545 nm out; 651 nm from the line360/9350/10 1°010/10 -5°030/20 -11°020/60 -17°010/86 -26°360/90 -40°010/68 -42°360/31 -43°

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

AirportWhereConditionsWindVisibilityCeilingElevationReported
RFD Chicago/Rockford, IL departure VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet from the southeast (130°) at 3 knots 10+ mi none 742 ft 6:54 pm CDT (23:54 UTC)
LSE La Crosse, WI 140 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower VFR from the south (180°) at 7 knots 10+ mi none 655 ft 23:53 UTC
ANE Minneapolis, MN 249 nm out, 14 nm southwest of the line, tower VFR from the south-southeast (150°) at 4 knots 10+ mi none 912 ft 00:45 UTC
GFK Grand Forks, ND 488 nm out, 12 nm southwest of the line, tower IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet Weather: light rain, mist from the north (350°) at 14 knots 6 mi 700 ft 845 ft 23:53 UTC
CYZW Teslin, 1914 nm out, 1 nm northeast of the line VFR Sky: overcast at 5,300 feet from the south (190°) at 10 knots 30 mi 5,300 ft 2,313 ft 00:00 UTC
CYXY Whitehorse, 1984 nm out, 17 nm north of the line, tower VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,300 feet from the south-southeast (150°) at 13 knots, gusting to 19 40 mi 5,300 ft 2,317 ft 00:00 UTC
VDZ Valdez, AK 2313 nm out, 1 nm southwest of the line VFR Sky: a few clouds at 500 feet, a broken layer at 3,400 feet, overcast at 4,200 feet Weather: rain from the southwest (230°) at 3 knots 10+ mi 3,400 ft 128 ft 23:56 UTC
ANC Anchorage, AK destination VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,500 feet from the south-southeast (150°) at 3 knots 10+ mi 4,500 ft 151 ft 3:53 pm AKDT (23:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 2,317 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At ANC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:32 pm AKDT (20:32 UTC)

Wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for ANC
  • From Sun 4:00 pm AKDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 3,500 feet
  • At times between Sun 4:00 pm AKDT (00:00 UTC) and 6:00 pm AKDT (02:00 UTC): visibility 3 miles, light rain, mist, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
  • From Sun 6:00 pm AKDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
  • At times between Sun 6:00 pm AKDT (02:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm AKDT (06:00 UTC): a broken layer at 2,500 feet
  • From Sun 10:00 pm AKDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
  • From Mon 7:00 am AKDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 4 knots, visibility 6 miles, mist, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 500 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
  • From Mon 12:00 pm AKDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
The forecast for RFD, the departure
  • From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
  • From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 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

  • 6/6656 ANOKA, MN, Monday, October 5, 2026 through Monday, October 19, 2026 Local 16 nm from the route, 259 nm along the route · security · until 19 October · ZMP
  • 6/4348 GRAND FORKS AFB, ND, Sunday, March 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 Local 9 nm from the route, 498 nm along the route · security · until 1 November · ZMP
  • 6/8889 Anchorage, AK, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local on the route, at the destination end · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZAN
  • 6/8772 Anchorage, AK, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 4 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · starts tomorrow · ZAN

Daylight

Sunset at RFD 6:19 pm CDT (23:19 UTC), at ANC 6:57 pm AKDT (02:57 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:40 pm AKDT (03:40 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
Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the northern Rockies
Radar now, the northern Rockies · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, Alaska
Radar now, Alaska · loop National Weather Service
Radar, the whole country
Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service
Surface analysis now
Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead
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/Rockford International, Ted Stevens Anchorage International.