Plan a flight · Mon 8:13 am EDT (12:13 UTC)

Richmond International to Sacramento International RIC → SMF

2,072 nautical miles (2,385 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 286°, about 296° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10W). At 120 knots that is 20 h 07 min at the quickest height in today's winds (6,500 ft, a 17-knot headwind), arriving about 1:20 am PDT (08:20 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RIC is VFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 8 knots; SMF is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) 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: 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 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 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 100 to 239 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 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 658 to 1096 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 route from 1235 to 1614 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). Near the route, 1275 nm along the route.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 1275 to 1435 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1345 to 1863 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 1385 to 1475 nm out.
AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 1385 to 1873 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 1445 to 1754 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the last 159 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, at the destination end.

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, 31 nm north, 5:48 am EDT (09:48 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 199 nm along the route, 31 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, 44 nm south, 7:09 am EDT (11:09 UTC): a broken layer above 3,700 ft. 120 nm along the route, 44 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
CRJ9 at 26,000 ft, 48 nm north, 7:50 am EDT (11:50 UTC): light chop turbulence above 26,000 ft. 149 nm along the route, 48 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CMH UA /OV EKN/TM 1150/FL260/TP CRJ9/TB OCNL LGT CHOP 260
```
Report
a routine report filed through CMH
Where
over EKN
Time
11:50 UTC
Height
at 26,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Turbulence
occasional light chop at 26,000 ft
C25A at 36,000 ft, 11 nm north, 7:54 am EDT (11:54 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence. 169 nm along the route, 11 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, 7 nm north, 7:57 am EDT (11:57 UTC): light chop turbulence. 179 nm along the route, 7 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, 1 nm south, 8:05 am EDT (12:05 UTC): a broken layer from 1,200 ft to 4,600 ft. 209 nm along the route, 1 nm south 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, 1 nm south, 7:12 am EDT (11:12 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 209 nm along the route, 1 nm south 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, 1 nm south, 7:11 am EDT (11:11 UTC): overcast above 1,300 ft. 209 nm along the route, 1 nm south 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, 1 nm south, 6:15 am EDT (10:15 UTC): a broken layer above 1,300 ft. 209 nm along the route, 1 nm south 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, 20 nm southwest, 7:01 am EDT (11:01 UTC): no turbulence, clear from 17,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: lil dark. 339 nm along the route, 20 nm southwest 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
CRJ7 at 5,000 ft, 47 nm south, 5:37 am EDT (09:37 UTC): scattered clouds above 10,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 339 nm along the route, 47 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
C25C , 28 nm north, 8:05 am EDT (12:05 UTC): remarks: hao arrival, had ground contact but no forward visibility. 359 nm along the route, 28 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CVG UA /OV HAO/TM 1205/FLDURD/TP C25C/WX NO FORWARD VIS/RM HAO ARRIVAL, HAD GROUND CONTACT BUT NO FORWARD VIS
```
Report
a routine report filed through CVG
Where
over HAO
Time
12:05 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
C25C
Weather
no, forward, visibility
Remarks
hao arrival, had ground contact but no forward visibility

10 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 19 forecast points nearest it (RIC, ROA, CRW, CVG, IND, SPI, BRL, COU, MKC, OMA, GRI, GLD, DEN, GJT, SLC, ELY, BAM, RNO, SAC). 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	260° at 19 kt	+19 kt	23 °C	101 kt	20 h 31 min	1:44 am PDT (08:44 UTC)
6,500 ft	270° at 16 kt	+17 kt	15 °C	103 kt	20 h 07 min	1:20 am PDT (08:20 UTC)
8,500 ft	260° at 16 kt	+17 kt	9 °C	103 kt	20 h 07 min	1:20 am PDT (08:20 UTC)
10,500 ft	250° at 17 kt	+18 kt	5 °C	102 kt	20 h 19 min	1:32 am PDT (08:32 UTC)
12,500 ft	250° at 19 kt	+20 kt	1 °C	100 kt	20 h 43 min	1:56 am PDT (08:56 UTC)
14,500 ft	250° at 22 kt	+22 kt	-3 °C	98 kt	21 h 09 min	2:22 am PDT (09:22 UTC)
16,500 ft	250° at 24 kt	+24 kt	-7 °C	96 kt	21 h 35 min	2:48 am PDT (09:48 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	250° at 25 kt	+26 kt	-10 °C	94 kt	22 h 03 min	3:16 am PDT (10:16 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	260° at 31 kt	+32 kt	-21 °C	88 kt	23 h 33 min	4:46 am PDT (11:46 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	260° at 42 kt	+44 kt	-32 °C	76 kt	27 h 16 min	8:29 am PDT (15:29 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	260° at 47 kt	+51 kt	-38 °C	69 kt	30 h 02 min	11:15 am PDT (18:15 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	260° at 47 kt	+50 kt	-47 °C	70 kt	29 h 36 min	10:49 am PDT (17:49 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; 62 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; 35 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 399 nm out; 37 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; 74 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°
BRL	used from 648 nm out; 63 nm from the line	250/32	250/19 17°	260/15 11°	270/16 3°	290/23 -7°	260/42 -20°	270/52 -34°	280/63 -39°	290/64 -48°
COU	used from 697 nm out; 63 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; 70 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°
OMA	used from 847 nm out; 73 nm from the line	230/47	240/33 21°	230/22 13°	220/27 5°	240/35 -8°	250/43 -21°	260/47 -33°	260/59 -36°	270/58 -46°
GRI	used from 946 nm out; 51 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 1096 nm out; 61 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 1196 nm out; 69 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°
GJT	used from 1395 nm out; 76 nm from the line			220/26 6°	230/39 0°	220/55 -13°	230/60 -23°	230/78 -31°	230/80 -35°	230/74 -44°
SLC	used from 1544 nm out; 70 nm from the line		200/16	210/23 4°	220/34 -3°	210/40 -16°	220/66 -23°	220/64 -31°	220/57 -36°	220/50 -43°
ELY	used from 1694 nm out; 42 nm from the line			210/34 1°	220/40 -4°	220/39 -17°	210/51 -24°	220/65 -30°	220/60 -37°	220/56 -44°
BAM	used from 1843 nm out; 78 nm from the line			280/9 -2°	260/18 -8°	190/47 -19°	200/50 -29°	210/56 -29°	220/54 -34°	220/45 -42°
RNO	used from 1893 nm out; 69 nm from the line		010/6	270/12 -3°	220/26 -10°	280/13 -19°	350/44 -24°	320/30 -32°	260/22 -36°	240/24 -42°
SAC	used from 2042 nm out; 17 nm from the line	L/V	L/V 4°	340/9 -4°	340/22 -8°	360/71 -12°	360/82 -23°	350/58 -37°	310/30 -40°	270/25 -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
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)
LWB Lewisburg, WV	149 nm out, 18 nm south of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,900 feet	from the west (280°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	1,900 ft	2,301 ft	05:55 UTC
CRW Charleston, WV	209 nm out, 1 nm south 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
BMG Bloomington, IN	448 nm out, 3 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	calm	7 mi	none	845 ft	11:53 UTC
HAE Hannibal, MO	677 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line	VFR	from the south (180°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	768 ft	11:55 UTC
STJ St Joseph, MO	837 nm out, 17 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (180°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	826 ft	11:53 UTC
CSB Cambridge, NE	1076 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line	VFR	from the south-southwest (210°) at 15 knots	10+ mi	none	2,414 ft	11:55 UTC
FNL Fort Collins/Loveland, CO	1295 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the southwest (230°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	5,020 ft	11:56 UTC
PVU Provo, UT	1604 nm out, 18 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,500 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet	from the east-northeast (060°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	7,500 ft	4,496 ft	11:56 UTC
TMT Austin, NV	1863 nm out, 7 nm north of the line	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet	from the east (080°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	6,000 ft	5,735 ft	11:55 UTC
TRK Truckee, CA	2003 nm out, 23 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	5,904 ft	11:55 UTC
SMF Sacramento, CA	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet	from the south-southwest (210°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	26 ft	4:53 am PDT (11:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 5,904 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At SMF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:20 am PDT (08:20 UTC)

Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR

The whole forecast for SMF

From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 10:00 pm PDT (05:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies

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 3 nm from the route, 359 nm along the route · a VIP movement · until 12 October · ZID
6/3475 BEALE AFB, CA, Sunday, March 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 Local 14 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 1 November · ZOA

Daylight

Sunset at RIC 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC), at SMF 6:31 pm PDT (01:31 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:57 pm PDT (01:57 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SMF is before sunrise there (7:13 am PDT (14:13 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 Northeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the central Great Lakes · 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: Richmond International, Sacramento International.