Rifle Garfield County to Los Angeles International RIL → LAX
613 nautical miles (705 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 240°, about 230° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 57 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 17-knot headwind), arriving about 11:52 pm PDT (06:52 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RIL is VFR, wind from the west-northwest (290°) at 6 knots; LAX is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 9 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
- 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 first 188 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 504 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 435 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 435 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 119 to 514 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Near the route, 129 nm along the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 217 to 316 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 445 to 593 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 554 to 603 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 RIL.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- C650 at 40,000 ft, 39 nm east, 5:48 pm MDT (23:48 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. At the departure end, 39 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV DBL/TM 2348/FL400/TP C650/TB MOD /RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- over DBL
- Time
- 23:48 UTC
- Height
- at 40,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C650
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
- C680A at 16,000 ft, 44 nm southeast, 4:59 pm MDT (22:59 UTC): moderate turbulence, scattered clouds above 16,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 44 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV HAERI/TM 2259/FL160/TP C680A/SK SCT160/TB CONS MOD/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- haeri
- Time
- 22:59 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C680A
- Sky
- scattered clouds from 16,000 ft
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- Remarks
- during the descent
- C680 at 18,000 ft, 37 nm southeast, 4:35 pm MDT (22:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: from 18,000 ft to 10,000 ft. At the departure end, 37 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV ASE230020/TM 2235/FL180/TP C680/TB MOD/RM 180-100
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- 20 nm southwest (230°) of ASE
- Time
- 22:35 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C680
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- from 18,000 ft to 10,000 ft
- E170 at 10,000 ft, 12 nm southeast, 5:41 pm MDT (23:41 UTC): moderate turbulence up to 10,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 49 nm along the route, 12 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
GJT UA /OV GJT144009/TM 2341/FL100/TP E170/TB MOD SFC-100/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through GJT
- Where
- 9 nm southeast (144°) of GJT
- Time
- 23:41 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- moderate from the surface to 10,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- UAL493 at 24,000 ft, 4 nm northwest, 4:54 pm MDT (22:54 UTC): moderate turbulence. 316 nm along the route, 4 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL493 3648N 11330W 2254 F240 TB MODERATE SK IN CLOUDS IC LIGHT
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- B38M at 14,000 ft, 24 nm southeast, 6:13 pm MDT (00:13 UTC): moderate turbulence, light rime icing, 8 °C. 544 nm along the route, 24 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ONT UA /OV ONT053034/TM 0013/FL140/TP B38M/TA 08/TB MODERATE TURBULENCE/IC LIGHT RIME ICE 190 - 170
- Report
- a routine report filed through ONT
- Where
- 34 nm northeast (053°) of ONT
- Time
- 00:13 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Temperature
- 8 °C
- Turbulence
- moderate turbulence
- Icing
- light rime ice at 19,000 ft at 17,000 ft
- UAL796 at 30,000 ft, 34 nm north, 6:09 pm MDT (00:09 UTC): light chop turbulence, wind 230° at 42 knots. At the departure end, 34 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL796 4004N 10755W 0009 F300 230/042KT TB OCNL LGT CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- B38M at 32,000 ft, 12 nm north, 5:32 pm MDT (23:32 UTC): light turbulence, no icing, remarks: ZDVWC-04. At the departure end, 12 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
EEO UA /OV EKR146023/TM 2332/FL320/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT /IC NEG/RM ZDVWC-04
- Report
- a routine report filed through EEO
- Where
- 23 nm southeast (146°) of EKR
- Time
- 23:32 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- continuous light
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-04
- B38M at 32,000 ft, 45 nm east, 5:27 pm MDT (23:27 UTC): light chop turbulence, no icing, remarks: ZDVWC-03. At the departure end, 45 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV DBL359020/TM 2327/FL320/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT CHOP OCNL MOD CHOP/IC NEG/RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- 20 nm north (359°) of DBL
- Time
- 23:27 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop occasional moderate chop
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
- C680A at 14,000 ft, 39 nm east, 5:02 pm MDT (23:02 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence. At the departure end, 39 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV DBL/TM 2302/FL140/TP C680A/TB LGT OCNL MOD CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- over DBL
- Time
- 23:02 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C680A
- Turbulence
- light occasional moderate chop
- B39M at 31,000 ft, 34 nm north, 4:44 pm MDT (22:44 UTC): remarks: mountain wave a 15-knot loss of airspeed zdvwc. At the departure end, 34 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
EEO UA /OV EKR/TM 2244/FL310/TP B39M/RM MTN WAVE +/-15KTS ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through EEO
- Where
- over EKR
- Time
- 22:44 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Remarks
- mountain wave a 15-knot loss of airspeed zdvwc
- UAL1791 at 31,000 ft, 33 nm northwest, 4:40 pm MDT (22:40 UTC): light turbulence, -34 °C, wind 224° at 52 knots. At the departure end, 33 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL1791 3959N 10807W 2240 F310 MS34 224/052KT TB LIGHT SK CLEAR IC NONE
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- UAL2862 at 34,000 ft, 34 nm southeast, 4:39 pm MDT (22:39 UTC): no turbulence, wind 238° at 63 knots. At the departure end, 34 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2862 3911N 10708W 2239 F340 238/063KT TB SMTH IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- LJ60 at 15,000 ft, 40 nm southeast, 6:28 pm MDT (00:28 UTC): light to moderate icing from 16,500 ft to 19,000 ft, -13 °C, remarks: during the descent zdvwc. At the departure end, 40 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
MTJ UA /OV MTJ030030/TM 0028/FL150/TP LJ60/TA M13/IC LGT-MOD 190-165/RM DURD ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through MTJ
- Where
- 30 nm northeast (030°) of MTJ
- Time
- 00:28 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- LJ60
- Temperature
- −13 °C
- Icing
- light to moderate from 19,000 ft to 16,500 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent zdvwc
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 4 forecast points nearest it (GJT, BCE, LAS, ONT). 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 | 200° at 21 kt | +17 kt | 11 °C | 103 kt | 5 h 57 min | 11:52 pm PDT (06:52 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 210° at 22 kt | +19 kt | 8 °C | 101 kt | 6 h 04 min | 11:59 pm PDT (06:59 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | +27 kt | 7 °C | 93 kt | 6 h 35 min | 12:30 am PDT (07:30 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 34 kt | +32 kt | 3 °C | 88 kt | 6 h 58 min | 12:53 am PDT (07:53 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 37 kt | +35 kt | -1 °C | 85 kt | 7 h 13 min | 1:08 am PDT (08:08 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 40 kt | +37 kt | -5 °C | 83 kt | 7 h 23 min | 1:18 am PDT (08:18 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 210° at 43 kt | +39 kt | -9 °C | 81 kt | 7 h 34 min | 1:29 am PDT (08:29 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 210° at 46 kt | +41 kt | -12 °C | 79 kt | 7 h 46 min | 1:41 am PDT (08:41 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 48 kt | +45 kt | -22 °C | 75 kt | 8 h 10 min | 2:05 am PDT (09:05 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 53 kt | +50 kt | -28 °C | 70 kt | 8 h 45 min | 2:40 am PDT (09:40 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 57 kt | +54 kt | -35 °C | 66 kt | 9 h 17 min | 3:12 am PDT (10:12 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 58 kt | +57 kt | -45 °C | 63 kt | 9 h 44 min | 3:39 am PDT (10:39 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GJT | used from 0 nm out; 20 nm from the line | 210/40 11° | 210/46 3° | 210/61 -10° | 210/68 -22° | 220/57 -29° | 230/59 -36° | 240/66 -46° | ||
| BCE | used from 148 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 210/47 0° | 200/50 -12° | 220/31 -23° | 220/56 -26° | 220/58 -35° | 230/58 -45° | |||
| LAS | used from 297 nm out; 88 nm from the line | 200/25 11° | 230/22 5° | 240/25 -1° | 220/37 -12° | 220/44 -21° | 210/52 -27° | 210/60 -34° | 220/58 -44° | |
| ONT | used from 494 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 230/11 | 200/17 6° | 230/27 4° | 230/32 -2° | 210/39 -12° | 220/51 -20° | 220/48 -29° | 210/51 -34° | 210/52 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIL Rifle, CO | departure | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,500 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 5,536 ft | 6:13 pm MDT (00:13 UTC) |
| GJT Grand Junction, CO | 40 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 16 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | none | 4,861 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| CNY Moab, UT | 109 nm out, 9 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,500 feet, a broken layer at 8,500 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 21 knots, gusting to 36 | 10+ mi | 8,500 ft | 4,579 ft | 00:12 UTC |
| HVE Hanksville, UT | 158 nm out, 15 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,500 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 14 knots, gusting to 29 | 10+ mi | none | 4,453 ft | 00:30 UTC |
| BCE Bryce Canyon, UT | 237 nm out, 14 nm north of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 500 feet, a broken layer at 1,300 feet, overcast at 2,200 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the south (170°) at 15 knots, gusting to 21 | 3 mi | 1,300 ft | 7,589 ft | 00:25 UTC |
| AZC Colorado City, AZ | 297 nm out, 4 nm east of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,600 feet, a broken layer at 2,800 feet, overcast at 3,700 feet Weather: heavy rain | from the southwest (230°) at 9 knots | 4 mi | 2,800 ft | 4,873 ft | 00:35 UTC |
| HND Las Vegas, NV | 415 nm out, 8 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 16 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,491 ft | 23:56 UTC |
| DAG Daggett, CA | 514 nm out, 3 nm south of the line | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 23 knots, gusting to 31 | 10+ mi | none | 1,930 ft | 00:50 UTC |
| EMT El Monte, CA | 593 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,000 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 295 ft | 00:45 UTC |
| LAX Los Angeles, CA | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,300 feet, scattered clouds at 4,800 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 127 ft | 4:53 pm PDT (23:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,589 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At LAX when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:52 pm PDT (06:52 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for LAX
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC) and 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Sun 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC) and 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 12:00 am PDT (07:00 UTC) and 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC) and 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC) and 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): light rain showers
The forecast for RIL, the departure
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 26, visibility 6 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet
- At times between Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind variable at 20 knots, gusting to 35, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 15 knots, gusting to 32, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 5:00 am MDT (11:00 UTC) and 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8890 LAS VEGAS, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local on the route, 386 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZLA
- 6/8808 Las Vegas, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 10 nm from the route, 405 nm along the route · security · starts tomorrow · ZLA
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 20 nm from the route, 415 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
- 4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 19 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at RIL 6:36 pm MDT (00:36 UTC), at LAX 6:23 pm PDT (01:23 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:48 pm PDT (01:48 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at LAX is before sunrise there (6:56 am PDT (13:56 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: Rifle Garfield County, Los Angeles International.