Chicago/Rockford International to Washington Dulles International RFD → IAD
565 nautical miles (650 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 106°, about 109° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 3 h 40 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 34-knot tailwind), arriving about 1:27 am EDT (05:27 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: 161 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 3E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 9:55 pm CDT (02:55 UTC). Over the last 208 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120055 MKCE WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 3E VALID UNTIL 0255Z PA MD VA NC WV OH KY FROM 20NE APE-30SE JST-30SSE DCA-40SW ECG-70NNW HMV-20NE APE AREA TS MOV FROM 28015KT. TOPS TO FL310.
- 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 last 327 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 396 to 535 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 119 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 RFD.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B38M at 29,000 ft, 2 nm south, 7:55 pm CDT (00:55 UTC): moderate turbulence above 29,000 ft, remarks: zob. 426 nm along the route, 2 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
MPG UA /OV AIR120030/TM 0055/FL290/TP B38M /TB OCNL MOD 290/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through MPG
- Where
- 30 nm southeast (120°) of AIR
- Time
- 00:55 UTC
- Height
- at 29,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate at 29,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
- UAL2761 at 31,000 ft, 25 nm south, 6:57 pm CDT (23:57 UTC): moderate turbulence, wind 218° at 58 knots. 456 nm along the route, 25 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2761 3917N 07949W 2357 F310 218/058KT TB CONT MOD TURB IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- A321 at 30,000 ft, 22 nm northeast, 6:49 pm CDT (23:49 UTC): moderate turbulence above 30,000 ft, remarks: zob. 456 nm along the route, 22 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
2G9 UA /OV IHD/TM 2349/FL300/TP A321/TB MOD 300/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through 2G9
- Where
- over IHD
- Time
- 23:49 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- moderate at 30,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
- E170 at 22,500 ft, 7 nm southwest, 6:44 pm CDT (23:44 UTC): moderate clear-air turbulence from 18,000 ft to 22,500 ft, remarks: during the descent FRDMM7 star. 515 nm along the route, 7 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
OKV UA /OV ESL100020/TM 2344/FL225/TP E170/TB CONS MOD CAT 180-225/RM DURD FRDMM7 STAR
- Report
- a routine report filed through OKV
- Where
- 20 nm east (100°) of ESL
- Time
- 23:44 UTC
- Height
- at 22,500 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate clear-air turbulence from 18,000 ft to 22,500 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent FRDMM7 star
- B39M at 35,000 ft, 20 nm southwest, 7:29 pm CDT (00:29 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: smooth. 79 nm along the route, 20 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
IKK UA /OV CGT/TM 0029/FL350/TP B39M/TB NEG/RM SMOOTH
- Report
- a routine report filed through IKK
- Where
- over CGT
- Time
- 00:29 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- smooth
- CRJ7 at 17,000 ft, 24 nm north, 7:04 pm CDT (00:04 UTC): no turbulence. 89 nm along the route, 24 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
BEH UA /OV ELX270040/TM 0004/FL170/TP CRJ7/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through BEH
- Where
- 40 nm west (270°) of ELX
- Time
- 00:04 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Turbulence
- none
- B38M at 31,000 ft, 50 nm north, 7:04 pm CDT (00:04 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 31,000 ft. 149 nm along the route, 50 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
AZO UA /OV AZO/TM 0004/FL310/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT CHOP 310 BLO
- Report
- a routine report filed through AZO
- Where
- over AZO
- Time
- 00:04 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop at 31,000 ft below
- E145 at 2,600 ft, 16 nm south, 6:05 pm CDT (23:05 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 188 nm along the route, 16 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
FWA UA /OV FWA/TM 2305/FL026/TP E145/SK B026
- Report
- a routine report filed through FWA
- Where
- over FWA
- Time
- 23:05 UTC
- Height
- at 2,600 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Sky
- B026
- UAL2761 at 33,000 ft, 28 nm north, 6:24 pm CDT (23:24 UTC): no turbulence, wind 310° at 40 knots. 198 nm along the route, 28 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2761 4139N 08447W 2324 F330 310/040KT TB SMTH IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- C525 descending, 39 nm north, 8:41 pm CDT (01:41 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 238 nm along the route, 39 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 0141/FLDURD/TP C525/SK TOPS035 BKN010/WX 2SM
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over TOL
- Time
- 01:41 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- C525
- Sky
- TOPS035 BKN010
- Weather
- 2SM
- A320 climbing, 39 nm north, 7:14 pm CDT (00:14 UTC): overcast. 238 nm along the route, 39 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 0014/FLDURC/TP A320/SK B025 OVC T040
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over TOL
- Time
- 00:14 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- B025 overcast T040
- A320 descending, 39 nm north, 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): overcast from 1,600 ft to 3,500 ft, wind 350° at 9 knots. 238 nm along the route, 39 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 2300/FLDURD/TP A320/SK OVC016 TOP035/WV 35009KTS AT 023
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over TOL
- Time
- 23:00 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- overcast from 1,600 ft, tops 3,500 ft
- Wind
- wind from 350° at 9 knots at at 2,300 ft
- A321 at 21,000 ft, 39 nm south, 7:23 pm CDT (00:23 UTC): no turbulence. 248 nm along the route, 39 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
IND UA /OV ROD/TM 0023/FL210/TP A321/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through IND
- Where
- over ROD
- Time
- 00:23 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- none
- P28A descending, 30 nm north, 7:08 pm CDT (00:08 UTC): a broken layer from 2,200 ft to 2,500 ft. 248 nm along the route, 30 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV 1G0/TM 0008/FLDURD/TP P28A/SK BKN022 TOPS025
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over 1G0
- Time
- 00:08 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- P28A
- Sky
- a broken layer from 2,200 ft, tops 2,500 ft
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 eastbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: odd thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 6 forecast points nearest it (JOT, FWA, CMH, AGC, EKN, RIC). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 310° at 4 kt | −3 kt | 123 kt | 4 h 36 min | 2:23 am EDT (06:23 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 320° at 11 kt | −10 kt | 13 °C | 130 kt | 4 h 21 min | 2:08 am EDT (06:08 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 330° at 12 kt | −9 kt | 11 °C | 129 kt | 4 h 23 min | 2:10 am EDT (06:10 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 340° at 11 kt | −7 kt | 8 °C | 127 kt | 4 h 27 min | 2:14 am EDT (06:14 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 350° at 10 kt | −5 kt | 4 °C | 125 kt | 4 h 31 min | 2:18 am EDT (06:18 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 340° at 10 kt | −6 kt | 0 °C | 126 kt | 4 h 29 min | 2:16 am EDT (06:16 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 330° at 11 kt | −8 kt | -4 °C | 128 kt | 4 h 25 min | 2:12 am EDT (06:12 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 320° at 12 kt | −10 kt | -9 °C | 130 kt | 4 h 21 min | 2:08 am EDT (06:08 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 320° at 12 kt | −10 kt | -10 °C | 130 kt | 4 h 21 min | 2:08 am EDT (06:08 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 300° at 18 kt | −17 kt | -21 °C | 137 kt | 4 h 07 min | 1:54 am EDT (05:54 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 280° at 27 kt | −24 kt | -35 °C | 144 kt | 3 h 55 min | 1:42 am EDT (05:42 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 270° at 32 kt | −29 kt | -41 °C | 149 kt | 3 h 48 min | 1:35 am EDT (05:35 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 280° at 36 kt | −34 kt | -48 °C | 154 kt | 3 h 40 min | 1:27 am EDT (05:27 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOT | used from 0 nm out; 38 nm from the line | 230/11 | 290/12 16° | 300/19 10° | 320/19 4° | 300/17 -9° | 330/31 -20° | 320/49 -37° | 320/53 -45° | 320/67 -49° |
| FWA | used from 99 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 350/9 | 350/24 15° | 360/25 9° | 360/29 4° | 350/31 -10° | 340/39 -22° | 330/40 -37° | 320/38 -43° | 320/48 -48° |
| CMH | used from 248 nm out; 51 nm from the line | 340/14 | 320/13 12° | 350/12 8° | 360/10 2° | 350/27 -10° | 340/20 -22° | 320/31 -35° | 270/25 -39° | 260/32 -48° |
| AGC | used from 347 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 140/12 | 350/10 12° | L/V 9° | L/V 3° | 200/11 -11° | 220/21 -22° | 220/47 -33° | 230/51 -39° | 230/45 -48° |
| EKN | used from 446 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 270/18 13° | 310/5 7° | 140/7 3° | 210/16 -9° | 220/41 -20° | 210/57 -32° | 220/57 -38° | 230/49 -47° | |
| RIC | used from 545 nm out; 92 nm from the line | 190/33 | 200/29 14° | 210/31 12° | 210/38 6° | 230/42 -7° | 230/68 -16° | 220/84 -29° | 220/86 -40° | 220/81 -52° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RFD Chicago/Rockford, IL | departure | no report just now | 742 ft | ||||
| DPA Chicago/West Chicago, IL | 40 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower | no report just now | 758 ft | ||||
| ORD Chicago, IL | 59 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line, tower | no report just now | 680 ft | ||||
| SBN South Bend, IN | 129 nm out, 9 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 798 ft | ||||
| FWA Fort Wayne, IN | 188 nm out, 17 nm south of the line, tower | no report just now | 814 ft | ||||
| OWX Ottawa, OH | 238 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 763 ft | ||||
| MFD Mansfield, OH | 307 nm out, 16 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 1,297 ft | ||||
| PHD New Philadelphia, OH | 357 nm out, 15 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 894 ft | ||||
| MGW Morgantown, WV | 446 nm out, 7 nm southwest of the line, tower | no report just now | 1,243 ft | ||||
| CBE Cumberland, MD | 495 nm out, 13 nm north of the line | no report just now | 757 ft | ||||
| MRB Martinsburg, WV | 535 nm out, 16 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 564 ft | ||||
| IAD Washington, DC | destination | no report just now | 312 ft |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,297 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At IAD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:27 am EDT (05:27 UTC)
IAD has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 8 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 4 nm from the route, at the destination end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at RFD 6:19 pm CDT (23:19 UTC), at IAD 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:02 pm EDT (23:02 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at IAD is before sunrise there (7:16 am EDT (11:16 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: Chicago/Rockford International, Washington Dulles International.