San Francisco International to Denver International SFO → DEN
838 nautical miles (965 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 075°, about 061° magnetic at the departure end (variation 14E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 52 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 52-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:14 am MDT (06:14 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SFO is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 13 knots; DEN is VFR, wind from the south (170°) 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: 11,040 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 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the route from 120 to 319 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 250 to 609 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 539 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 299 to 769 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 439 nm of the route.
- 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 499 to 749 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Near the route, 659 nm along 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 SFO.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E75L at 18,000 ft, 50 nm south, 4:24 pm PDT (23:24 UTC): moderate turbulence from 18,000 ft to 22,000 ft, remarks: mountain wave a 10-knot loss of airspeed entered by zoa fdcs. 180 nm along the route, 50 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
LOL UA /OV BIH300011/TM 2324/FL 180/TP E75L/TB MOD 180-220/RM MTN WAVE /-10 ENTERED BY ZOA FDCS AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through LOL
- Where
- 11 nm northwest (300°) of BIH
- Time
- 23:24 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate from 18,000 ft to 22,000 ft
- Remarks
- mountain wave a 10-knot loss of airspeed entered by zoa fdcs
- E75L at 22,000 ft, 31 nm north, 6:04 pm PDT (01:04 UTC): moderate turbulence. 549 nm along the route, 31 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUC UA /OV PUC320020/TM 0104/FL220/TP E75L/TB MOD /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUC
- Where
- 20 nm northwest (320°) of PUC
- Time
- 01:04 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate zlc
- E170 at 10,000 ft, 38 nm south, 4:41 pm PDT (23:41 UTC): moderate turbulence up to 10,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 659 nm along the route, 38 nm south 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
- C680 at 18,000 ft, 40 nm south, 3:35 pm PDT (22:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: from 18,000 ft to 10,000 ft. 719 nm along the route, 40 nm south 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
- A21N at 33,000 ft, 49 nm north, 3:35 pm PDT (22:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: mountain wave +25-30KTS. 719 nm along the route, 49 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
HDN UA /OV CHE/TM 2235/FL330/TP A21N/TB MOD/RM MTN WAVE +25-30KTS
- Report
- a routine report filed through HDN
- Where
- over CHE
- Time
- 22:35 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- mountain wave +25-30KTS
- C650 at 40,000 ft, 18 nm south, 4:48 pm PDT (23:48 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 739 nm along the route, 18 nm south 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, 31 nm south, 3:59 pm PDT (22:59 UTC): moderate turbulence, scattered clouds above 16,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 739 nm along the route, 31 nm south 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
- B39M at 32,000 ft, 33 nm north, 4:58 pm PDT (23:58 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, no icing, remarks: moderate mtw a 30-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-14. 759 nm along the route, 33 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
EEO UA /OV EKR069073/TM 2358/FL320/TP B39M/TB OCNL MOD CHOP/IC NEG/RM MOD MTW +/-30KT ZDVWC-14
- Report
- a routine report filed through EEO
- Where
- 73 nm east (069°) of EKR
- Time
- 23:58 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate chop
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- moderate mtw a 30-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-14
- BCS3 at 24,000 ft, 37 nm north, 4:28 pm PDT (23:28 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 37 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN320045/TM 2328/FL240/TP BCS3/TB MOD 240-220/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 45 nm northwest (320°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:28 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Turbulence
- moderate from 24,000 ft to 22,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- A21N at 32,000 ft, 46 nm northeast, 4:42 pm PDT (23:42 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-61. At the destination end, 46 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
AKO UA /OV AKO270030/TM 2342/FL320/TP A21N/TB INTMT MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-61
- Report
- a routine report filed through AKO
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of AKO
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- intermittent moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-61
- GLF5 at 45,000 ft, 38 nm south, 3:44 pm PDT (22:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. At the destination end, 38 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV COS350025/TM 2244/FL450/TP GLF5/TB MOD /RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 25 nm north (350°) of COS
- Time
- 22:44 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF5
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- C17 at 27,000 ft, 4 nm southeast, 3:58 pm PDT (22:58 UTC): light rime icing, -25 °C. 469 nm along the route, 4 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTA UA /OV DTA180010/TM 2258/FL270/TP C17/TA M25/IC LGT RIME /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTA
- Where
- 10 nm south (180°) of DTA
- Time
- 22:58 UTC
- Height
- at 27,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C17
- Temperature
- −25 °C
- Icing
- light rime zlc
- PRM1 at 21,000 ft, 36 nm north, 6:03 pm PDT (01:03 UTC): light rime icing, -15 °C. 499 nm along the route, 36 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PVU UA /OV FFU180025/TM 0103/FL210/TP PRM1/TA M15/IC LGT RIME /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PVU
- Where
- 25 nm south (180°) of FFU
- Time
- 01:03 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PRM1
- Temperature
- −15 °C
- Icing
- light rime zlc
- UAL1791 at 31,000 ft, 20 nm north, 3:40 pm PDT (22:40 UTC): light turbulence, -34 °C, wind 224° at 52 knots. 679 nm along the route, 20 nm north 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
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 (SFO, SAC, FAT, BIH, ELY, BCE, SLC, GJT, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,500 ft | 210° at 22 kt | −12 kt | 8 °C | 132 kt | 6 h 21 min | 1:43 am MDT (07:43 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 210° at 25 kt | −15 kt | 6 °C | 135 kt | 6 h 12 min | 1:34 am MDT (07:34 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 29 kt | −20 kt | 1 °C | 140 kt | 5 h 59 min | 1:21 am MDT (07:21 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 32 kt | −23 kt | -3 °C | 143 kt | 5 h 52 min | 1:14 am MDT (07:14 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 35 kt | −26 kt | -7 °C | 146 kt | 5 h 44 min | 1:06 am MDT (07:06 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 38 kt | −29 kt | -11 °C | 149 kt | 5 h 37 min | 12:59 am MDT (06:59 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 39 kt | −30 kt | -12 °C | 150 kt | 5 h 35 min | 12:57 am MDT (06:57 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 210° at 46 kt | −31 kt | -23 °C | 151 kt | 5 h 33 min | 12:55 am MDT (06:55 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 57 kt | −46 kt | -28 °C | 166 kt | 5 h 03 min | 12:25 am MDT (06:25 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 58 kt | −50 kt | -36 °C | 170 kt | 4 h 56 min | 12:18 am MDT (06:18 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 58 kt | −52 kt | -45 °C | 172 kt | 4 h 52 min | 12:14 am MDT (06:14 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 220/11 | L/V 5° | 280/7 1° | 270/15 -3° | 290/23 -14° | 310/29 -24° | 280/26 -28° | 250/30 -34° | 250/36 -43° |
| SAC | used from 50 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 270/5 | L/V 5° | L/V -1° | 240/11 -5° | 250/22 -15° | 270/25 -24° | 260/31 -27° | 240/39 -33° | 240/39 -42° |
| FAT | used from 100 nm out; 81 nm from the line | 180/7 | 170/9 7° | 200/20 3° | 210/27 -3° | 240/27 -14° | 230/38 -24° | 220/57 -27° | 230/42 -33° | 230/41 -44° |
| BIH | used from 150 nm out; 59 nm from the line | L/V | 210/14 6° | 210/20 -2° | 230/26 -14° | 220/32 -24° | 220/63 -27° | 220/56 -35° | 230/50 -44° | |
| ELY | used from 250 nm out; 96 nm from the line | 210/20 4° | 240/21 -1° | 230/37 -13° | 200/58 -25° | 220/73 -27° | 220/73 -36° | 220/69 -44° | ||
| BCE | used from 449 nm out; 92 nm from the line | 210/47 0° | 200/50 -12° | 220/31 -23° | 220/56 -26° | 220/58 -35° | 230/58 -45° | |||
| SLC | used from 499 nm out; 91 nm from the line | 280/8 | 210/39 5° | 210/52 -1° | 200/50 -11° | 200/56 -23° | 220/61 -28° | 230/73 -37° | 230/73 -45° | |
| GJT | used from 549 nm out; 88 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° | ||
| DEN | used from 749 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 190/31 16° | 210/32 7° | 240/41 -8° | 230/47 -21° | 240/56 -32° | 250/65 -37° | 250/61 -47° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO San Francisco, CA | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a few clouds at 5,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 13 ft | 5:56 pm PDT (00:56 UTC) |
| LVK Livermore, CA | 30 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 7,500 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 399 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| CPU San Andreas, CA | 90 nm out, 11 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the west (280°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,327 ft | 01:15 UTC |
| HTH Hawthorne, NV | 190 nm out, 13 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 11,000 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 14 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | 11,000 ft | 4,230 ft | 01:15 UTC |
| ELY Ely, NV | 369 nm out, 23 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 12 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | none | 6,259 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| DTA Delta, UT | 479 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the north-northeast (030°) at 7 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | none | 4,759 ft | 17:35 UTC |
| PUC Price, UT | 559 nm out, 12 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,700 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 5,957 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| EGE Eagle, CO | 739 nm out, 7 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 9,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 11,000 ft | 6,547 ft | 00:56 UTC |
| BJC Denver, CO | 818 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the north (350°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,673 ft | 00:45 UTC |
| DEN Denver, CO | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet, a few clouds at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 5,433 ft | 6:53 pm MDT (00:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,547 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, 12:14 am MDT (06:14 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 14,000 feet, scattered clouds at 22,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for DEN
- From Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet, a few clouds at 14,000 feet and more above
- From Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 14,000 feet, scattered clouds at 22,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am MDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 22,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 4:00 pm MDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for SFO, the departure
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 16 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet
- From Sun 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am PDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the east-northeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 3:00 pm PDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/7231 Santa Clara, CA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 17 nm from the route, at the departure end · drones kept away from a public gathering · until 12 October · ZOA
- 6/7094 45NM NE MERCED, CA, Sunday, October 4, 2026 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026 UTC 25 nm from the route, 120 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 20 October · ZOA
Daylight
Sunset at SFO 6:36 pm PDT (01:36 UTC), at DEN 6:24 pm MDT (00:24 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:51 pm MDT (00:51 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at DEN is before sunrise there (7:05 am MDT (13:05 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: San Francisco International, Denver International.