Sacramento International to Denver International SMF → DEN
788 nautical miles (907 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 080°, about 067° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 52 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 42-knot tailwind), arriving about 1:32 am MDT (07:32 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SMF is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 8 knots; DEN is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 14 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: 7,690 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 W10W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 30,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 8:55 pm PDT (03:55 UTC). Over the route from 190 to 299 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120155 MKCW WST 120155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 10W VALID UNTIL 0355Z NV FROM 70SW TWF-40NNW BVL-40SW ELY-30ESE OAL-40WNW OAL-70SW TWF AREA TS MOV FROM 23020KT. TOPS TO FL300.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the first 30 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 140 to 609 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 629 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 210 to 599 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the route from 229 to 239 nm out.
- 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 429 to 549 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 539 to 748 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Over the route from 569 to 579 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 698 to 738 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 SMF.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E75L at 22,000 ft, 11 nm north, 6:04 pm PDT (01:04 UTC): moderate turbulence. 499 nm along the route, 11 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
- S22T at 14,000 ft, 7 nm north, 6:23 pm PDT (01:23 UTC): moderate rime icing, -16 °C. 509 nm along the route, 7 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUC UA /OV PUC360015/TM 0123/FL140/TP S22T/TA M16/IC MOD RIME /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUC
- Where
- 15 nm north (360°) of PUC
- Time
- 01:23 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- S22T
- Temperature
- −16 °C
- Icing
- moderate rime zlc
- E170 at 10,000 ft, 50 nm south, 4:41 pm PDT (23:41 UTC): moderate turbulence up to 10,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 609 nm along the route, 50 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
- E75L at 28,000 ft, 11 nm north, 6:31 pm PDT (01:31 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 678 nm along the route, 11 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
EEO UA /OV EKR085036/TM 0131/FL280/TP E75L/TB MOD/RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through EEO
- Where
- 36 nm east (085°) of EKR
- Time
- 01:31 UTC
- Height
- at 28,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
- C650 at 40,000 ft, 25 nm south, 4:48 pm PDT (23:48 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 688 nm along the route, 25 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
- B39M at 32,000 ft, 27 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. 708 nm along the route, 27 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
- GLF4 at 25,000 ft, 17 nm south, 7:05 pm PDT (02:05 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 748 nm along the route, 17 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV FQF250040/TM 0205/FL250/TP GLF4/TB MOD /RM DURC ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 40 nm west (250°) of FQF
- Time
- 02:05 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-05
- BCS1 at 24,000 ft, 6 nm north, 6:30 pm PDT (01:30 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. At the destination end, 6 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DVV270030/TM 0130/FL240/TP BCS1/TB MOD 220-240/RM DURC ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of DVV
- Time
- 01:30 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS1
- Turbulence
- moderate from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-05
- 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
- B38M descending, 24 nm north, 6:28 pm PDT (01:28 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: during the descent runway 35L rno. 90 nm along the route, 24 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
RNO UA /OV KRNO167009/TM 0128/FLUNKN/TP B38M/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM DURD RY35L RNO
- Report
- a routine report filed through RNO
- Where
- 9 nm south (167°) of KRNO
- Time
- 01:28 UTC
- Height
- height not given
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 35L rno
- PC12 at 25,000 ft, 10 nm south, 6:35 pm PDT (01:35 UTC): light rime icing, -16 °C, remarks: during the descent zlc. 429 nm along the route, 10 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTA UA /OV DTA360010/TM 0135/FL250/TP PC12/TA M16/IC LGT RIME /RM DURD /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTA
- Where
- 10 nm north (360°) of DTA
- Time
- 01:35 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Temperature
- −16 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the descent zlc
- PRM1 at 21,000 ft, 13 nm north, 6:03 pm PDT (01:03 UTC): light rime icing, -15 °C. 449 nm along the route, 13 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
- GLF6 at 45,000 ft, 8 nm south, 7:24 pm PDT (02:24 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 509 nm along the route, 8 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUC UA /OV PUC1130028/TM 0224/FL450/TP GLF6/TB CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUC
- Where
- 28 nm southeast (130°) of PUC1
- Time
- 02:24 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
- UAL796 at 30,000 ft, 14 nm north, 5:09 pm PDT (00:09 UTC): light chop turbulence, wind 230° at 42 knots. 639 nm along the route, 14 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
9 more routine reports are on the map.
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 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 7 forecast points nearest it (SAC, RNO, BAM, ELY, 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 | 220° at 20 kt | −12 kt | 6 °C | 132 kt | 5 h 58 min | 2:38 am MDT (08:38 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 21 kt | −15 kt | 3 °C | 135 kt | 5 h 50 min | 2:30 am MDT (08:30 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | −21 kt | -1 °C | 141 kt | 5 h 35 min | 2:15 am MDT (08:15 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 31 kt | −23 kt | -5 °C | 143 kt | 5 h 31 min | 2:11 am MDT (08:11 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 34 kt | −24 kt | -9 °C | 144 kt | 5 h 28 min | 2:08 am MDT (08:08 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 38 kt | −25 kt | -13 °C | 145 kt | 5 h 26 min | 2:06 am MDT (08:06 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 39 kt | −25 kt | -14 °C | 145 kt | 5 h 26 min | 2:06 am MDT (08:06 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 45 kt | −29 kt | -24 °C | 149 kt | 5 h 17 min | 1:57 am MDT (07:57 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 50 kt | −35 kt | -29 °C | 155 kt | 5 h 05 min | 1:45 am MDT (07:45 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 54 kt | −42 kt | -34 °C | 162 kt | 4 h 52 min | 1:32 am MDT (07:32 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 51 kt | −38 kt | -43 °C | 158 kt | 4 h 59 min | 1:39 am MDT (07:39 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAC | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 110/6 | L/V 4° | 010/11 -2° | 350/11 -7° | 340/24 -16° | 360/44 -23° | 330/24 -30° | 270/21 -35° | 230/23 -43° |
| RNO | used from 50 nm out; 37 nm from the line | 010/9 | 320/10 -2° | 210/23 -9° | 210/34 -19° | 220/36 -25° | 230/31 -29° | 230/41 -33° | 230/38 -42° | |
| BAM | used from 200 nm out; 79 nm from the line | 310/7 0° | 270/19 -7° | 200/38 -17° | 190/49 -28° | 220/69 -29° | 220/63 -33° | 230/48 -41° | ||
| ELY | used from 249 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 200/39 3° | 210/27 -2° | 210/45 -15° | 220/56 -24° | 210/60 -28° | 210/63 -34° | 220/61 -43° | ||
| SLC | used from 399 nm out; 75 nm from the line | 200/5 | 230/8 2° | 220/20 -2° | 210/40 -12° | 190/53 -25° | 210/62 -30° | 220/69 -34° | 220/64 -43° | |
| GJT | used from 499 nm out; 95 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° | ||
| DEN | used from 698 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 240/21 14° | 250/44 6° | 220/49 -8° | 220/49 -21° | 230/54 -30° | 240/57 -35° | 240/49 -45° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMF Sacramento, CA | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 26 ft | 6:53 pm PDT (01:53 UTC) |
| PVF Placerville, CA | 40 nm out, 5 nm south of the line | reported, no category | calm | 10+ mi | none | 2,585 ft | 02:35 UTC |
| TVL South Lake Tahoe, CA | 80 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots, gusting to 17 | 10+ mi | none | 6,268 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| GAB Gabbs, NV | 170 nm out, 14 nm south of the line | no report just now | 4,699 ft | ||||
| ELY Ely, NV | 319 nm out, 10 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 14 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | none | 6,259 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| DTA Delta, UT | 429 nm out, 15 nm south 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 | 509 nm out, 7 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 13 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 5,957 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| EGE Eagle, CO | 688 nm out, 13 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 8,000 feet, overcast at 9,500 feet | from the west (260°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 6,547 ft | 01:56 UTC |
| BJC Denver, CO | 768 nm out, 3 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,673 ft | 02:35 UTC |
| DEN Denver, CO | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 14 knots | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 5,433 ft | 7:53 pm MDT (01:53 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, 1:32 am MDT (07:32 UTC)
Wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few 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 SMF, the departure
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- 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
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/3475 BEALE AFB, CA, Sunday, March 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 Local 15 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · until 1 November · ZOA
- 6/6740 SACRAMENTO, CA, Thursday, October 8, 2026 through Sunday, October 11, 2026 Local 4 nm from the route, at the departure end · air shows/sports · ended 11 October · ZOA
Daylight
Sunset at SMF 6:32 pm PDT (01:32 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: Sacramento International, Denver International.