Plan a flight · Sun 9:49 pm EDT (01:49 UTC)

Southwest Florida International to Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport RSW → DCA

777 nautical miles (894 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 017°, about 021° magnetic at the departure end (variation 4W). At 120 knots that is 4 h 20 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 59-knot tailwind), arriving about 2:09 am EDT (06:09 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RSW is VFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) at 3 knots; DCA is low IFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) 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: 1,614 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 10:55 pm EDT (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 617 to 767 nm out.

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 90 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 40 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 RSW.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

GLF6 at 17,000 ft, 14 nm east, 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): no turbulence, clear from 17,000 ft to 60,000 ft. At the departure end, 14 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
RSW UA /OV LBV180002/TM 2300/FL170/TP GLF6/SK SKC/TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through RSW
Where
2 nm south (180°) of LBV
Time
23:00 UTC
Height
at 17,000 ft
Aircraft
GLF6
Sky
clear
Turbulence
none
PAY1 at 12,000 ft, 7 nm east, 6:59 pm EDT (22:59 UTC): no turbulence. At the departure end, 7 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
RSW UA /OV RSW030035/TM 2259/FL120/TP PAY1/TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through RSW
Where
35 nm northeast (030°) of RSW
Time
22:59 UTC
Height
at 12,000 ft
Aircraft
PAY1
Turbulence
none
MD11 at 35,000 ft, 44 nm west, 7:18 pm EDT (23:18 UTC): no turbulence. 50 nm along the route, 44 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SRQ UA /OV SRQ080015/TM 2318/FL350/TP MD11/TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through SRQ
Where
15 nm east (080°) of SRQ
Time
23:18 UTC
Height
at 35,000 ft
Aircraft
MD11
Turbulence
none
C172 at 4,000 ft, 6 nm northeast, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): clear from 4,000 ft to 60,000 ft. 80 nm along the route, 6 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MLB UA /OV MLB252035/TM 2330/FL040/TP C172/SK SKC 040
```
Report
a routine report filed through MLB
Where
35 nm west (252°) of MLB
Time
23:30 UTC
Height
at 4,000 ft
Aircraft
C172
Sky
clear from 4,000 ft
C172 at 1,100 ft, 13 nm northwest, 9:12 pm EDT (01:12 UTC): no turbulence. 119 nm along the route, 13 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ORL UA /OV ORL/TM 0112/FL011/TP C172/TB SMOOTH
```
Report
a routine report filed through ORL
Where
over ORL
Time
01:12 UTC
Height
at 1,100 ft
Aircraft
C172
Turbulence
smooth
C172 at 1,100 ft, 13 nm northwest, 8:12 pm EDT (00:12 UTC): no turbulence. 119 nm along the route, 13 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ORL UA /OV 1SM N/TM 0012/FL011/TP C172/TB SMOOTH
```
Report
a routine report filed through ORL
Where
1SM north
Time
00:12 UTC
Height
at 1,100 ft
Aircraft
C172
Turbulence
smooth
P28A at 1,100 ft, 13 nm northwest, 7:15 pm EDT (23:15 UTC): no turbulence, clear from 1,100 ft to 60,000 ft. 119 nm along the route, 13 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ORL UA /OV ORL/TM 2315/FL011/TP P28A/SK SKC/TB SMOOTH
```
Report
a routine report filed through ORL
Where
over ORL
Time
23:15 UTC
Height
at 1,100 ft
Aircraft
P28A
Sky
clear
Turbulence
smooth
P28A at 1,100 ft, 13 nm northwest, 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): no turbulence, clear from 1,100 ft to 60,000 ft. 119 nm along the route, 13 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ORL UA /OV ORL/TM 2300/FL011/TP P28A/SK SKC/TB SMOOTH
```
Report
a routine report filed through ORL
Where
over ORL
Time
23:00 UTC
Height
at 1,100 ft
Aircraft
P28A
Sky
clear
Turbulence
smooth
P28A at 1,000 ft, 13 nm west, 7:15 pm EDT (23:15 UTC): clear. 139 nm along the route, 13 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SFB UA /OV SFB/TM 2315/FL010/TP P28A/SK CLR
```
Report
a routine report filed through SFB
Where
over SFB
Time
23:15 UTC
Height
at 1,000 ft
Aircraft
P28A
Sky
clear
A321 at 34,000 ft, 15 nm west, 7:47 pm EDT (23:47 UTC): no turbulence. 169 nm along the route, 15 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
OMN UA /OV OMN/TM 2347/FL340/TP A321/TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through OMN
Where
over OMN
Time
23:47 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
A321
Turbulence
none
E170 at 32,000 ft, 14 nm west, 9:02 pm EDT (01:02 UTC): light chop turbulence above 32,000 ft. 199 nm along the route, 14 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
OMN UA /OV OMN020030/TM 0102/FL320/TP E170/TB LGT CHOP 320
```
Report
a routine report filed through OMN
Where
30 nm north (020°) of OMN
Time
01:02 UTC
Height
at 32,000 ft
Aircraft
E170
Turbulence
light chop at 32,000 ft
C525 at 2,000 ft, 21 nm northwest, 7:56 pm EDT (23:56 UTC): a broken layer above 3,600 ft. 378 nm along the route, 21 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
KCHS UA /OV JZI/TM 2356/FL020/TP C525/SK BKN036
```
Report
a routine report filed through KCHS
Where
over JZI
Time
23:56 UTC
Height
at 2,000 ft
Aircraft
C525
Sky
a broken layer from 3,600 ft
B739 at 15,000 ft, 32 nm northwest, 7:20 pm EDT (23:20 UTC): no turbulence, clear from 15,000 ft to 60,000 ft. 438 nm along the route, 32 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
FLO UA /OV FLO200032/TM 2320/FL150/TP B739/SK SKC /TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through FLO
Where
32 nm south (200°) of FLO
Time
23:20 UTC
Height
at 15,000 ft
Aircraft
B739
Sky
clear
Turbulence
none
SR22 at 8,000 ft, 43 nm west, 8:18 pm EDT (00:18 UTC): no turbulence, clear, remarks: thin layer below but can see lights from the ground. 498 nm along the route, 43 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
FLO UA /OV BBP/TM 0018/FL080/TP SR22/SK CLR/TB SMOOTH/RM THIN LAYER BELOW BUT CAN SEE LIGHTS FROM THE GROUND
```
Report
a routine report filed through FLO
Where
over BBP
Time
00:18 UTC
Height
at 8,000 ft
Aircraft
SR22
Sky
clear
Turbulence
smooth
Remarks
thin layer below but can see lights from the ground

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 9 forecast points nearest it (PIE, MLB, JAX, SAV, CHS, FLO, ILM, RDU, 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	240° at 17 kt	−13 kt		133 kt	5 h 51 min	3:40 am EDT (07:40 UTC)
5,500 ft	250° at 18 kt	−11 kt		131 kt	5 h 56 min	3:45 am EDT (07:45 UTC)
7,500 ft	250° at 22 kt	−15 kt	13 °C	135 kt	5 h 45 min	3:34 am EDT (07:34 UTC)
9,500 ft	240° at 27 kt	−19 kt	12 °C	139 kt	5 h 35 min	3:24 am EDT (07:24 UTC)
11,500 ft	240° at 30 kt	−22 kt	9 °C	142 kt	5 h 28 min	3:17 am EDT (07:17 UTC)
13,500 ft	240° at 33 kt	−25 kt	5 °C	145 kt	5 h 22 min	3:11 am EDT (07:11 UTC)
15,500 ft	240° at 37 kt	−28 kt	0 °C	148 kt	5 h 15 min	3:04 am EDT (07:04 UTC)
17,500 ft	240° at 40 kt	−32 kt	-4 °C	152 kt	5 h 07 min	2:56 am EDT (06:56 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	240° at 41 kt	−32 kt	-5 °C	152 kt	5 h 07 min	2:56 am EDT (06:56 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	230° at 49 kt	−43 kt	-16 °C	163 kt	4 h 46 min	2:35 am EDT (06:35 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	220° at 57 kt	−53 kt	-30 °C	173 kt	4 h 29 min	2:18 am EDT (06:18 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	210° at 60 kt	−59 kt	-41 °C	179 kt	4 h 20 min	2:09 am EDT (06:09 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	210° at 56 kt	−55 kt	-52 °C	175 kt	4 h 26 min	2:15 am EDT (06:15 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
PIE	used from 0 nm out; 82 nm from the line	310/7	270/12 17°	270/14 13°	260/14 8°	240/22 -5°	230/24 -16°	220/26 -31°	200/31 -41°	180/33 -53°
MLB	used from 50 nm out; 44 nm from the line	240/7	240/11 17°	240/13 13°	250/15 8°	230/25 -5°	210/25 -16°	210/24 -31°	190/29 -41°	190/27 -53°
JAX	used from 199 nm out; 65 nm from the line	280/14	300/22 16°	260/27 15°	260/26 9°	240/41 -6°	230/38 -16°	220/44 -32°	200/49 -41°	200/52 -53°
SAV	used from 299 nm out; 69 nm from the line	260/18	290/26 13°	270/33 12°	260/40 9°	240/47 -5°	230/53 -16°	220/61 -31°	210/64 -41°	210/64 -52°
CHS	used from 348 nm out; 32 nm from the line	260/22	280/26 12°	260/37 12°	250/40 8°	240/54 -4°	230/55 -15°	220/61 -31°	200/66 -41°	210/62 -52°
FLO	used from 448 nm out; 35 nm from the line	240/25	270/23 11°	250/36 10°	240/38 7°	240/50 -4°	230/66 -15°	220/75 -30°	210/77 -40°	220/73 -52°
ILM	used from 498 nm out; 53 nm from the line	230/27	220/35 14°	230/45 13°	230/48 8°	240/59 -4°	230/57 -14°	220/66 -30°	210/66 -40°	210/59 -52°
RDU	used from 548 nm out; 24 nm from the line	240/28	250/22 10°	230/30 11°	230/40 7°	230/45 -4°	220/69 -15°	220/83 -29°	210/84 -40°	220/75 -52°
RIC	used from 647 nm out; 28 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
RSW Fort Myers, FL	departure	VFR	from the north-northeast (030°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	29 ft	8:53 pm EDT (00:53 UTC)
PGD Punta Gorda, FL	20 nm out, 19 nm west of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	25 ft	00:53 UTC
MCO Orlando, FL	119 nm out, 11 nm west of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 25,000 feet	from the west-southwest (250°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	25,000 ft	96 ft	00:53 UTC
EVB New Smyrna Beach, FL	159 nm out, 3 nm west of the line, tower	VFR	from the west (270°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	10 ft	00:47 UTC
JZI Charleston, SC	378 nm out, 21 nm northwest of the line	VFR	from the west (270°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	18 ft	01:35 UTC
MYR Myrtle Beach, SC	458 nm out, 13 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,400 feet	from the west-southwest (250°) at 9 knots, gusting to 14	10+ mi	none	25 ft	00:53 UTC
FAY Fayetteville, NC	528 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the southwest (220°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	189 ft	00:53 UTC
RDU Raleigh/Durham, NC	577 nm out, 22 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,000 feet	from the southwest (230°) at 11 knots	10+ mi	none	435 ft	00:51 UTC
BKT Blackstone, VA	657 nm out, 8 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	437 ft	12:55 UTC
OFP Richmond/Ashland, VA	707 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 300 feet, scattered clouds at 800 feet, overcast at 4,200 feet	from the west (260°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	4,200 ft	206 ft	01:04 UTC
DCA Washington, DC	destination	low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist	from the north-northeast (030°) at 9 knots	6 mi	400 ft	14 ft	8:52 pm EDT (00:52 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 437 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At DCA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:09 am EDT (06:09 UTC)

Wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 800 feet IFR

The whole forecast for DCA

From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 9 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 700 feet
From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 5 knots, visibility 2 miles, rain showers, mist, overcast at 500 feet
From Mon 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 800 feet
From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet
From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet
From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet

The forecast for RSW, the departure

From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east-northeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
From Mon 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

4/3634 DISNEY WORLD THEME PARK, ORLANDO, FL 20 nm from the route, 110 nm along the route · security · ZJX
6/8298 Daytona Beach, FL, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 9 nm from the route, 169 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZJX
6/8713 Maxton, NC, Friday, October 16, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 24 nm from the route, 508 nm along the route · air shows/sports · starts Friday 16 October · ZDC
6/8508 Johnsontown, NC 8 nm from the route, 518 nm along the route · security · ZDC
4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA on the route, at the destination end · security · ZDC
6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 13 nm from the route, at the destination end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC

Daylight

Sunset at RSW 7:02 pm EDT (23:02 UTC), at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:01 pm EDT (23:01 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at DCA is before sunrise there (7:14 am EDT (11:14 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, 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: Southwest Florida International, Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport.