Sacramento International to Phoenix Sky Harbor International SMF → PHX
562 nautical miles (646 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 121°, about 108° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 15 min at the quickest height in today's winds (30,000 ft, a 12-knot tailwind), arriving about 8:44 am MST (15:44 UTC). Right now SMF is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 4 knots; PHX is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 7 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: 8,006 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: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the first 158 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 49 to 148 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 227 to 502 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 128 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). Near the route, 502 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 SMF.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A35K at 32,000 ft, 44 nm southwest, 1:39 am PDT (08:39 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: fdcs zoa. At the departure end, 44 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
OAK UA /OV OAK348024/TM 0839/FL320/TP A35K/TB MOD CHOP/RM FDCS ZOA
- Report
- a routine report filed through OAK
- Where
- 24 nm north (348°) of OAK
- Time
- 08:39 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A35K
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- fdcs zoa
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 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 6 forecast points nearest it (SAC, BIH, LAS, BLH, PRC, PHX). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,500 ft | 210° at 11 kt | +1 kt | 8 °C | 119 kt | 4 h 43 min | 9:12 am MST (16:12 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 210° at 14 kt | +2 kt | 5 °C | 118 kt | 4 h 46 min | 9:15 am MST (16:15 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 210° at 15 kt | +2 kt | 1 °C | 118 kt | 4 h 46 min | 9:15 am MST (16:15 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 210° at 16 kt | +3 kt | -3 °C | 117 kt | 4 h 48 min | 9:17 am MST (16:17 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 210° at 19 kt | +1 kt | -6 °C | 119 kt | 4 h 43 min | 9:12 am MST (16:12 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 23 kt | −1 kt | -9 °C | 121 kt | 4 h 39 min | 9:08 am MST (16:08 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | −3 kt | -12 °C | 123 kt | 4 h 34 min | 9:03 am MST (16:03 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 29 kt | −4 kt | -13 °C | 124 kt | 4 h 32 min | 9:01 am MST (16:01 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 37 kt | −10 kt | -22 °C | 130 kt | 4 h 19 min | 8:48 am MST (15:48 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 49 kt | −12 kt | -31 °C | 132 kt | 4 h 15 min | 8:44 am MST (15:44 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 59 kt | −12 kt | -37 °C | 132 kt | 4 h 15 min | 8:44 am MST (15:44 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 57 kt | −9 kt | -44 °C | 129 kt | 4 h 21 min | 8:50 am MST (15:50 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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; 17 nm from the line | L/V | L/V 4° | 340/9 -4° | 340/22 -8° | 360/71 -12° | 360/82 -23° | 350/58 -37° | 310/30 -40° | 270/25 -44° |
| BIH | used from 99 nm out; 50 nm from the line | L/V | 020/6 0° | 140/7 -7° | 210/31 -16° | 230/34 -26° | 220/43 -30° | 220/52 -36° | 220/46 -43° | |
| LAS | used from 246 nm out; 81 nm from the line | 210/20 8° | 210/29 4° | 200/32 -3° | 200/51 -15° | 210/64 -21° | 220/70 -30° | 220/66 -38° | 220/55 -44° | |
| BLH | used from 394 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 240/19 | 210/20 10° | 200/27 4° | 210/34 -2° | 220/59 -10° | 220/67 -20° | 220/75 -29° | 230/78 -38° | 220/90 -47° |
| PRC | used from 443 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 200/37 6° | 200/35 0° | 220/60 -11° | 220/71 -20° | 220/88 -29° | 220/98 -35° | 220/94 -45° | ||
| PHX | used from 493 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 190/15 | 210/25 12° | 200/34 4° | 200/34 2° | 220/58 -9° | 220/75 -19° | 220/91 -28° | 220/100 -35° | 220/95 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMF Sacramento, CA | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 26 ft | 3:53 am PDT (10:53 UTC) |
| MHR Sacramento, CA | 20 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the southeast (140°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 98 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| CPU San Andreas, CA | 59 nm out, 6 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 7,500 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,327 ft | 11:15 UTC |
| BIH Bishop, CA | 167 nm out, 15 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the southeast (130°) at 12 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 4,124 ft | 10:56 UTC |
| IFP Bullhead City, AZ | 394 nm out, 10 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,100 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the south-southeast (160°) at 11 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 707 ft | 11:10 UTC |
| BXK Buckeye, AZ | 532 nm out, 21 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,200 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet | from the east (090°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 3,200 ft | 1,033 ft | 11:15 UTC |
| PHX Phoenix, AZ | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,134 ft | 3:51 am MST (10:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 4,124 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At PHX when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:44 am MST (15:44 UTC)
Wind from the east-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for PHX
- From Mon 5:00 am MST (12:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MST (16:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MST (20:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm MST (02:00 UTC): wind from the west at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm MST (05:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Tue 3:00 am MST (10:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Tue 6:00 am MST (13:00 UTC): wind from the west at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
The forecast for SMF, the departure
- 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
- From Mon 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 pm PDT (05:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
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 17 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · until 1 November · ZOA
- 6/7094 45NM NE MERCED, CA, Sunday, October 4, 2026 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026 UTC 4 nm from the route, 118 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 20 October · ZOA
- 6/8890 LAS VEGAS, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 8 nm from the route, 345 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZLA
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local on the route, 394 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at SMF 6:31 pm PDT (01:31 UTC), at PHX 5:57 pm MST (00:57 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:22 pm MST (01:22 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, Phoenix Sky Harbor International.