Rifle Garfield County to San Diego International RIL → SAN
613 nautical miles (706 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 231°, about 221° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10E). At 120 knots that is 6 h 40 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 28-knot headwind), arriving about 5:15 am PDT (12:15 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: 2 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 49 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the first 277 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 386 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 406 nm of 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 267 to 346 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 277 to 317 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the last 336 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the route from 485 to 504 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
- urgent E75L at 9,000 ft, 44 nm southeast, 10:30 pm MDT (04:30 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 20K 1000-1500 above ground on approach. At the departure end, 44 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UUA /OV ASE/TM 0430/FL090/TP E75L/RM LLWS +/- 20K 1000-1500 AGL ON APCH
- Report
- an urgent report filed through ASE
- Where
- over ASE
- Time
- 04:30 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear + 20K 1000-1500 above ground on approach
- E75L climbing, 32 nm northwest, 9:22 pm MDT (03:22 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 534 nm along the route, 32 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PSP UA /OV PSP345013/TM 0322/FLDURC/TP E75L/TB MOD CHOP/LT TURBU SFC-60
- Report
- a routine report filed through PSP
- Where
- 13 nm north (345°) of PSP
- Time
- 03:22 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate chop/lt turbu SFC-60
- BE20 at 16,000 ft, 0 nm east, 9:28 pm MDT (03:28 UTC): light chop turbulence, light rime icing, -3 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-11. At the departure end, 0 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
RIL UA /OV RIL/TM 0328/FL160/TP BE20/TA M03/TB LGT CHOP/IC LGT RIME/RM ZDVWC-11
- Report
- a routine report filed through RIL
- Where
- over RIL
- Time
- 03:28 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Temperature
- −3 °C
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-11
- UAL2479 at 36,000 ft, 12 nm southeast, 9:11 pm MDT (03:11 UTC): no turbulence, wind 231° at 49 knots. At the departure end, 12 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2479 3910N 10753W 0311 F360 231/049KT TB SMTH IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- E75L climbing, 30 nm northwest, 8:36 pm MDT (02:36 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence. 534 nm along the route, 30 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PSP UA /OV PSP347010/TM 0236/FLDURC/TP E75L/TB LT TO MOD CHOP IN CLIMB
- Report
- a routine report filed through PSP
- Where
- 10 nm north (347°) of PSP
- Time
- 02:36 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- lt to moderate chop in climb
- C525 at 2,900 ft, 20 nm northwest, 8:46 pm MDT (02:46 UTC): remarks: B029. At the destination end, 20 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRQ UA /OV CRQ/TM 0246/FL029/TP C525/RM B029
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRQ
- Where
- over CRQ
- Time
- 02:46 UTC
- Height
- at 2,900 ft
- Aircraft
- C525
- Remarks
- B029
- B737 at 2,500 ft, 0 nm northwest, 11:07 pm MDT (05:07 UTC): a broken layer from 3,000 ft to 5,000 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 27. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 0507/FL025/TP B737/SK BKN030-TOP050/RM DURD RY27
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- over SAN
- Time
- 05:07 UTC
- Height
- at 2,500 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,000 ft, tops 5,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 27
- B38M at 3,100 ft, 0 nm northwest, 10:11 pm MDT (04:11 UTC): a broken layer above 3,100 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 27. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 0411/FL031/TP B38M/SK BKN031/RM DURD RY27
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- over SAN
- Time
- 04:11 UTC
- Height
- at 3,100 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,100 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 27
- B737 at 3,100 ft, 0 nm northwest, 9:05 pm MDT (03:05 UTC): remarks: during the descent bases 3,100 ft. At the destination end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 0305/FL031/TP B737/RM DURD BASES 031
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- over SAN
- Time
- 03:05 UTC
- Height
- at 3,100 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- during the descent bases 3,100 ft
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 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 6 forecast points nearest it (GJT, BCE, PRC, LAS, BLH, SAN). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,500 ft | 210° at 29 kt | +28 kt | 6 °C | 92 kt | 6 h 40 min | 5:15 am PDT (12:15 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 210° at 30 kt | +29 kt | 2 °C | 91 kt | 6 h 44 min | 5:19 am PDT (12:19 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 32 kt | +32 kt | -2 °C | 88 kt | 6 h 58 min | 5:33 am PDT (12:33 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 38 kt | +38 kt | -5 °C | 82 kt | 7 h 29 min | 6:04 am PDT (13:04 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 44 kt | +43 kt | -9 °C | 77 kt | 7 h 58 min | 6:33 am PDT (13:33 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 49 kt | +47 kt | -12 °C | 73 kt | 8 h 24 min | 6:59 am PDT (13:59 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 59 kt | +58 kt | -21 °C | 62 kt | 9 h 53 min | 8:28 am PDT (15:28 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 67 kt | +66 kt | -29 °C | 54 kt | 11 h 21 min | 9:56 am PDT (16:56 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 71 kt | +71 kt | -34 °C | 49 kt | 12 h 31 min | 11:06 am PDT (18:06 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 62 kt | +62 kt | -45 °C | 58 kt | 10 h 34 min | 9:09 am PDT (16:09 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 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 | 210/43 7° | 230/45 1° | 220/49 -12° | 220/62 -22° | 220/59 -28° | 230/60 -33° | 220/55 -45° | ||
| BCE | used from 148 nm out; 75 nm from the line | 220/27 -1° | 210/40 -13° | 220/54 -21° | 220/64 -30° | 220/64 -34° | 220/52 -44° | |||
| PRC | used from 297 nm out; 87 nm from the line | 210/25 5° | 200/30 1° | 220/55 -10° | 220/61 -21° | 220/84 -28° | 230/90 -34° | 230/73 -45° | ||
| LAS | used from 396 nm out; 78 nm from the line | 210/21 10° | 200/18 5° | 200/23 -2° | 210/49 -14° | 210/63 -21° | 220/58 -30° | 220/61 -35° | 210/56 -44° | |
| BLH | used from 445 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 210/13 | 200/21 11° | 200/22 5° | 210/25 -1° | 210/51 -10° | 220/61 -20° | 220/81 -29° | 220/92 -34° | 220/79 -45° |
| SAN | used from 544 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 200/11 | 200/23 7° | 210/27 4° | 210/31 -3° | 220/56 -10° | 220/56 -19° | 220/52 -30° | 220/64 -37° | 220/67 -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 | no report just now | 5,536 ft | ||||
| GJT Grand Junction, CO | 40 nm out, 6 nm west of the line, tower | no report just now | 4,861 ft | ||||
| CNY Moab, UT | 99 nm out, 24 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 4,579 ft | ||||
| PGA Page, AZ | 237 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 4,316 ft | ||||
| IFP Bullhead City, AZ | 415 nm out, 15 nm northwest of the line, tower | no report just now | 707 ft | ||||
| EED Needles, CA | 435 nm out, 1 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 983 ft | ||||
| PSP Palm Springs, CA | 544 nm out, 23 nm northwest of the line, tower | no report just now | 476 ft | ||||
| RNM Ramona, CA | 593 nm out, 5 nm north of the line, tower | no report just now | 1,394 ft | ||||
| SAN San Diego, CA | destination | no report just now | 16 ft |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,536 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SAN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:15 am PDT (12:15 UTC)
SAN has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 5 nm from the route, 415 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
- 6/8887 Indio, CA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 8 nm from the route, 544 nm along the route · security · until 12 October · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at RIL 6:36 pm MDT (00:36 UTC), at SAN 6:19 pm PDT (01:19 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:44 pm PDT (01:44 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SAN is before sunrise there (6:50 am PDT (13:50 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, San Diego International.