Richmond International to Denver International RIC → DEN
1,285 nautical miles (1,478 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 285°, about 295° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10W). At 120 knots that is 12 h 21 min at the quickest height in today's winds (10,500 ft, a 16-knot headwind), arriving about 6:40 pm MDT (00:40 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RIC is VFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 8 knots; DEN is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 13 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: 1,563 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 E38E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 32,000 ft, moving from the northwest at 20 knots, until 9:55 am EDT (13:55 UTC). Near the route, at the departure end.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 121155 MKCE WST 121155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 38E VALID UNTIL 1355Z NJ DE MD VA AND CSTL WTRS FROM 50WNW SIE-20E SIE-30NNE ORF-20NE RIC-50WNW SIE AREA TS MOV FROM 33020KT. TOPS TO FL320.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: 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 first 90 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 159 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 30,000 ft to 41,000 ft. Near the route, at the departure end.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 60 to 169 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 110 to 458 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 110 to 249 nm out.
- 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 667 to 1096 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 1215 to 1275 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 last 50 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the last 0 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 RIC.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A321 at 32,000 ft, 35 nm north, 5:48 am EDT (09:48 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 199 nm along the route, 35 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRW UA /OV HVQ045040/TM 0948/FL320/TP A321/TB OCNL MOD CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRW
- Where
- 40 nm northeast (045°) of HVQ
- Time
- 09:48 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate chop
- PC12 at 1,000 ft, 45 nm southeast, 6:42 am EDT (10:42 UTC): overcast above 1,000 ft, remarks: OVC010 during the descent runway 25 KPHF. At the departure end, 45 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHF UA /OV KPHF/TM 1042/FL010/TP PC12/SK OVC010/RM OVC010 DURD RWY25 KPHF
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHF
- Where
- over KPHF
- Time
- 10:42 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Sky
- overcast from 1,000 ft
- Remarks
- OVC010 during the descent runway 25 KPHF
- A320 at 4,000 ft, 5 nm southeast, 7:03 am EDT (11:03 UTC): a broken layer above 4,000 ft, remarks: TOPS048. At the departure end, 5 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
RIC UA /OV RIC270006/TM 1103/FL040/TP A320/SK BKN040/RM TOPS048
- Report
- a routine report filed through RIC
- Where
- 6 nm west (270°) of RIC
- Time
- 11:03 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- a broken layer from 4,000 ft
- Remarks
- TOPS048
- E75L descending, 41 nm south, 7:09 am EDT (11:09 UTC): a broken layer above 3,700 ft. 129 nm along the route, 41 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ROA UA /OV ROA/TM 1109/FLDURD/TP E75L/SK BKN037 050
- Report
- a routine report filed through ROA
- Where
- over ROA
- Time
- 11:09 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Sky
- BKN037 at 5,000 ft
- C25A at 36,000 ft, 14 nm north, 7:54 am EDT (11:54 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence. 169 nm along the route, 14 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRW UA /OV HVQ088045/TM 1154/FL360/TP C25A/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRW
- Where
- 45 nm east (088°) of HVQ
- Time
- 11:54 UTC
- Height
- at 36,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C25A
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate chop
- B38M at 38,000 ft, 10 nm north, 7:57 am EDT (11:57 UTC): light chop turbulence. 179 nm along the route, 10 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRW UA /OV HVQ090035/TM 1157/FL380/TP B38M/TB INTMT LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRW
- Where
- 35 nm east (090°) of HVQ
- Time
- 11:57 UTC
- Height
- at 38,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- intermittent light chop
- SR20 climbing, 4 nm north, 8:05 am EDT (12:05 UTC): a broken layer from 1,200 ft to 4,600 ft. 209 nm along the route, 4 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRW UA /OV CRW/TM 1205/FLDURC/TP SR20/SK BKN012-TOP046
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRW
- Where
- over CRW
- Time
- 12:05 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- SR20
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,200 ft, tops 4,600 ft
- B350 climbing, 4 nm north, 7:12 am EDT (11:12 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 209 nm along the route, 4 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRW UA /OV CRW/TM 1112/FLDURC/TP B350/SK TOP050
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRW
- Where
- over CRW
- Time
- 11:12 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- B350
- Sky
- TOP050
- BE20 climbing, 4 nm north, 7:11 am EDT (11:11 UTC): overcast above 1,300 ft. 209 nm along the route, 4 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRW UA /OV CRW/TM 1111/FLDURC/TP BE20/SK OVC013-TOPUNKN
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRW
- Where
- over CRW
- Time
- 11:11 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Sky
- overcast from 1,300 ft, tops unknown
- CRJ9 climbing, 4 nm north, 6:15 am EDT (10:15 UTC): a broken layer above 1,300 ft. 209 nm along the route, 4 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRW UA /OV CRW/TM 1015/FLDURC/TP CRJ9/SK BKN013-TOPUNKN
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRW
- Where
- over CRW
- Time
- 10:15 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,300 ft, tops unknown
- PC12 at 17,000 ft, 14 nm south, 7:01 am EDT (11:01 UTC): no turbulence, clear from 17,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: lil dark. 349 nm along the route, 14 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
LEX UA /OV HYK360035/TM 1101/FL170/TP PC12/SK SKC/TB NEG/RM LIL DARK
- Report
- a routine report filed through LEX
- Where
- 35 nm north (360°) of HYK
- Time
- 11:01 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Sky
- clear
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- lil dark
- E170 at 1,100 ft, 44 nm south, 6:11 am EDT (10:11 UTC): overcast from 1,100 ft to 1,300 ft, remarks: cig VV001/IN clouds on rotation cor. 349 nm along the route, 44 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
LEX UA /OV LEX /TM 1011 /FL011 /TP E170 /SK OVC011-TOP013 /RM CIG VV001/IN CLOUDS ON ROTATION -COR
- Report
- a routine report filed through LEX
- Where
- over LEX
- Time
- 10:11 UTC
- Height
- at 1,100 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Sky
- overcast from 1,100 ft, tops 1,300 ft
- Remarks
- cig VV001/IN clouds on rotation cor
- E170 at 100 ft, 44 nm south, 6:11 am EDT (10:11 UTC): remarks: in the clouds on rotation. 349 nm along the route, 44 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
LEX UA /OV LEX/TM 1011/FL001/TP E170/SK VV001-TOP013/RM IN THE CLOUDS ON ROTATION
- Report
- a routine report filed through LEX
- Where
- over LEX
- Time
- 10:11 UTC
- Height
- at 100 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Sky
- sky obscured from 100 ft, tops 1,300 ft
- Remarks
- in the clouds on rotation
- CRJ7 at 5,000 ft, 40 nm south, 5:37 am EDT (09:37 UTC): scattered clouds above 10,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 349 nm along the route, 40 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
LEX UA /OV HYK330010/TM 0937/FL050/TP CRJ7/SK SCT001/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through LEX
- Where
- 10 nm northwest (330°) of HYK
- Time
- 09:37 UTC
- Height
- at 5,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- scattered clouds from 100 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
12 more routine reports are on the map.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 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 12 forecast points nearest it (RIC, ROA, CRW, CVG, IND, SPI, COU, MKC, SLN, GRI, GLD, DEN). 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 | 270° at 24 kt | +25 kt | 23 °C | 95 kt | 13 h 32 min | 7:51 pm MDT (01:51 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 280° at 19 kt | +20 kt | 15 °C | 100 kt | 12 h 51 min | 7:10 pm MDT (01:10 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 280° at 16 kt | +17 kt | 11 °C | 103 kt | 12 h 29 min | 6:48 pm MDT (00:48 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 280° at 15 kt | +16 kt | 8 °C | 104 kt | 12 h 21 min | 6:40 pm MDT (00:40 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 280° at 16 kt | +18 kt | 4 °C | 102 kt | 12 h 36 min | 6:55 pm MDT (00:55 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 280° at 20 kt | +21 kt | 0 °C | 99 kt | 12 h 59 min | 7:18 pm MDT (01:18 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 280° at 23 kt | +25 kt | -4 °C | 95 kt | 13 h 32 min | 7:51 pm MDT (01:51 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 280° at 25 kt | +27 kt | -7 °C | 93 kt | 13 h 49 min | 8:08 pm MDT (02:08 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 270° at 31 kt | +33 kt | -20 °C | 87 kt | 14 h 46 min | 9:05 pm MDT (03:05 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 280° at 46 kt | +48 kt | -32 °C | 72 kt | 17 h 51 min | 12:10 am MDT (06:10 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 290° at 54 kt | +56 kt | -39 °C | 64 kt | 20 h 05 min | 2:24 am MDT (08:24 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 280° at 53 kt | +55 kt | -49 °C | 65 kt | 19 h 46 min | 2:05 am MDT (08:05 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIC | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 350/34 | 340/27 12° | 340/36 8° | 330/31 3° | 310/32 -9° | 320/34 -21° | 300/37 -34° | 290/37 -39° | 290/42 -46° |
| ROA | used from 50 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 310/32 | 340/32 14° | 350/25 9° | 340/24 3° | 340/42 -8° | 340/52 -20° | 350/62 -34° | 350/64 -39° | 310/44 -48° |
| CRW | used from 149 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 320/17 | 340/23 12° | 340/32 8° | 340/35 4° | 330/40 -7° | 340/45 -20° | 340/57 -34° | 340/64 -42° | 320/38 -50° |
| CVG | used from 299 nm out; 38 nm from the line | 300/19 | 310/23 15° | 320/20 9° | 310/18 3° | 300/26 -6° | 290/36 -19° | 310/32 -34° | 310/53 -43° | 310/61 -51° |
| IND | used from 398 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 270/22 | 290/19 15° | 270/19 8° | 270/18 4° | 290/28 -7° | 280/35 -20° | 270/37 -34° | 300/51 -42° | 300/61 -51° |
| SPI | used from 498 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 260/28 | 250/22 15° | 250/14 9° | 260/20 6° | 280/27 -7° | 280/34 -19° | 280/48 -32° | 280/59 -41° | 300/60 -49° |
| COU | used from 647 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 250/36 | 260/14 16° | 250/5 12° | 260/12 6° | 260/24 -7° | 260/35 -19° | 280/58 -31° | 280/62 -40° | 290/60 -49° |
| MKC | used from 747 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 240/49 | 240/21 20° | 220/19 13° | 230/21 6° | 260/26 -7° | 250/37 -19° | 270/66 -31° | 270/65 -38° | 280/60 -48° |
| SLN | used from 896 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 230/49 | 240/41 22° | 230/26 15° | 220/21 7° | 240/38 -8° | 240/44 -21° | 260/77 -29° | 270/70 -36° | 270/63 -48° |
| GRI | used from 996 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 230/39 23° | 230/32 15° | 210/29 7° | 230/31 -8° | 230/43 -21° | 250/52 -31° | 260/59 -35° | 260/59 -46° | |
| GLD | used from 1046 nm out; 84 nm from the line | 260/37 | 260/25 14° | 250/27 8° | 230/36 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 250/71 -30° | 260/82 -36° | 250/73 -48° | |
| DEN | used from 1195 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 270/24 11° | 230/13 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/46 -20° | 230/63 -30° | 240/78 -36° | 240/78 -48° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIC Richmond, VA | departure | VFR Sky: overcast at 3,900 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 3,900 ft | 167 ft | 7:54 am EDT (11:54 UTC) |
| CHO Charlottesville, VA | 60 nm out, 24 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,700 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 640 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| CRW Charleston, WV | 209 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 500 feet, overcast at 1,000 feet Weather: light rain, mist | calm | 1 mi | 500 ft | 947 ft | 11:54 UTC |
| CVG Covington, KY | 359 nm out, 15 nm north of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 100 feet Weather: fog | from the south (180°) at 5 knots | 0.06 mi | 100 ft | 896 ft | 11:52 UTC |
| BMG Bloomington, IN | 448 nm out, 6 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 7 mi | none | 845 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| TAZ Taylorville, IL | 578 nm out, 11 nm north of the line | no report just now | 622 ft | ||||
| CHT Chillicothe, MO | 767 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 783 ft | 12:15 UTC |
| STJ St Joseph, MO | 837 nm out, 2 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 826 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| MYZ Marysville, KS | 916 nm out, 2 nm east of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,283 ft | 11:55 UTC |
| NRN Norton, KS | 1066 nm out, 4 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 14 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,384 ft | 11:55 UTC |
| RYA Wray, CO | 1175 nm out, 11 nm north of the line | no report just now | 3,677 ft | ||||
| DEN Denver, CO | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 22,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,433 ft | 5:53 am MDT (11:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,433 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At DEN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 6:40 pm MDT (00:40 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for DEN
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet
- From Tue 4:00 am MDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
- From Tue 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
The forecast for RIC, the departure
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet
- At times between Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the north at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8029 Cincinnati, OH, Friday, October 9, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 10 nm from the route, 359 nm along the route · a VIP movement · until 12 October · ZID
Daylight
Sunset at RIC 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC), at DEN 6:22 pm MDT (00:22 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:49 pm MDT (00:49 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at DEN is after sunset there (6:24 pm MDT (00:24 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: Richmond International, Denver International.