Plan a flight · Mon 5:15 am PDT (12:15 UTC)

Sacramento International to Richmond International SMF → RIC

2,072 nautical miles (2,385 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 078°, about 065° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 12 h 07 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 51-knot tailwind), arriving about 8:22 pm EDT (00:22 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SMF is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 3 knots; RIC is VFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 8 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 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 E38E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 32,000 ft, moving from the northwest at 20 knots, until 6:55 am PDT (13:55 UTC). Near the route, at the destination end.

as issued

WSUS31 KKCI 121155
MKCE WST 121155
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 38E
VALID UNTIL 1355Z
NJ DE MD VA AND CSTL WTRS
FROM 50WNW SIE-20E SIE-30NNE ORF-20NE RIC-50WNW SIE
AREA TS MOV FROM 33020KT. TOPS TO FL320.

AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the first 159 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, at the departure end.
AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 199 to 687 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 209 to 747 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 319 to 628 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the route from 458 to 837 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 598 to 687 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 638 to 797 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). Near the route, 797 nm along the route.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: 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 976 to 1415 nm out.
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 route from 1614 to 1963 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 1833 to 1973 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 1903 to 2013 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 159 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: 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 last 90 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 30,000 ft to 41,000 ft. Near the route, at the destination end.

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

A321 at 32,000 ft, 31 nm north, 2:48 am PDT (09:48 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 1873 nm along the route, 31 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CRW UA /OV HVQ045040/TM 0948/FL320/TP A321/TB OCNL MOD CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through CRW
Where
40 nm northeast (045°) of HVQ
Time
09:48 UTC
Height
at 32,000 ft
Aircraft
A321
Turbulence
occasional moderate chop
CRJ2 at 19,000 ft, 23 nm north, 4:49 am PDT (11:49 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-13. 737 nm along the route, 23 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV DEN304074/TM 1149/FL190/TP CRJ2/TB NEG/RM ZDVWC-13
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
74 nm northwest (304°) of DEN
Time
11:49 UTC
Height
at 19,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ2
Turbulence
none
Remarks
ZDVWC-13
B38M at 21,000 ft, 17 nm south, 4:24 am PDT (11:24 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb zdvwc. 747 nm along the route, 17 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV DEN277039/TM 1124/FL210/TP B38M/TB LGT-MOD CHOP BLO 180 NEG ABV 180/RM DURC. ZDVWC
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
39 nm west (277°) of DEN
Time
11:24 UTC
Height
at 21,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
light to moderate chop below 18,000 ft no above 18,000 ft
Remarks
during the climb zdvwc
CRJ2 at 24,000 ft, 18 nm north, 4:45 am PDT (11:45 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-13. 757 nm along the route, 18 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV DEN314057/TM 1145/FL240/TP CRJ2/TB NEG/RM ZDVWC-13
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
57 nm northwest (314°) of DEN
Time
11:45 UTC
Height
at 24,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ2
Turbulence
none
Remarks
ZDVWC-13
B763 at 23,000 ft, 17 nm south, 3:26 am PDT (10:26 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 757 nm along the route, 17 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV DEN278037/TM 1026/FL230/TP B763/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
37 nm west (278°) of DEN
Time
10:26 UTC
Height
at 23,000 ft
Aircraft
B763
Turbulence
occasional light chop
Remarks
zdvwc
CRJ7 at 36,000 ft, 46 nm north, 5:09 am PDT (12:09 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 966 nm along the route, 46 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
LBF UA /OV LBF/TM 1209/FL360/TP CRJ7/TB LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC
```
Report
a routine report filed through LBF
Where
over LBF
Time
12:09 UTC
Height
at 36,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ7
Turbulence
light chop
Remarks
zdvwc
B763 at 26,000 ft, 47 nm south, 4:57 am PDT (11:57 UTC): no turbulence, no icing. 1604 nm along the route, 47 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
EVV UA /OV OWB360045/TM 1157/FL260/TP B763/TB NEG/IC NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through EVV
Where
45 nm north (360°) of OWB
Time
11:57 UTC
Height
at 26,000 ft
Aircraft
B763
Turbulence
none
Icing
none
B38M climbing, 6 nm north, 5:10 am PDT (12:10 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 1714 nm along the route, 6 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CVG UA /OV CVG/TM 1210/FLDURC/TP B38M/SK TOPS 005/WX 1/16SM
```
Report
a routine report filed through CVG
Where
over CVG
Time
12:10 UTC
Height
during the climb
Aircraft
B38M
Sky
tops 500 ft
Weather
1/16SM
C25C , 28 nm north, 5:05 am PDT (12:05 UTC): remarks: hao arrival, had ground contact but no forward visibility. 1714 nm along the route, 28 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CVG UA /OV HAO/TM 1205/FLDURD/TP C25C/WX NO FORWARD VIS/RM HAO ARRIVAL, HAD GROUND CONTACT BUT NO FORWARD VIS
```
Report
a routine report filed through CVG
Where
over HAO
Time
12:05 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
C25C
Weather
no, forward, visibility
Remarks
hao arrival, had ground contact but no forward visibility
A320 climbing, 6 nm north, 4:55 am PDT (11:55 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 1714 nm along the route, 6 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CVG UA /OV CVG/TM 1155/FLDURC/TP A320/SK TOPS 008
```
Report
a routine report filed through CVG
Where
over CVG
Time
11:55 UTC
Height
during the climb
Aircraft
A320
Sky
tops 800 ft
E75L climbing, 6 nm north, 4:42 am PDT (11:42 UTC): sky obscured. 1714 nm along the route, 6 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CVG UA /OV CVG/TM 1142/FLDURC/TP E75L/SK VV001
```
Report
a routine report filed through CVG
Where
over CVG
Time
11:42 UTC
Height
during the climb
Aircraft
E75L
Sky
sky obscured from 100 ft
E170 climbing, 6 nm north, 4:18 am PDT (11:18 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 1714 nm along the route, 6 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CVG UA /OV CVG/TM 1118/FLDURC/TP E170/SK TOPS 011
```
Report
a routine report filed through CVG
Where
over CVG
Time
11:18 UTC
Height
during the climb
Aircraft
E170
Sky
tops 1,100 ft
B737 at 100 ft, 6 nm north, 3:24 am PDT (10:24 UTC): sky obscured, remarks: runway 36R arrival, bases at clear-air turbulence 3 mins. 1714 nm along the route, 6 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CVG UA /OV CVG/TM 1024/FL001/TP B737/SK VV001/RM RWY 36R ARRIVAL, BASES AT CAT 3 MINS
```
Report
a routine report filed through CVG
Where
over CVG
Time
10:24 UTC
Height
at 100 ft
Aircraft
B737
Sky
sky obscured from 100 ft
Remarks
runway 36R arrival, bases at clear-air turbulence 3 mins
B739 climbing, 6 nm north, 3:19 am PDT (10:19 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 1714 nm along the route, 6 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CVG UA /OV 1 W CVG/TM 1019/FLDURC/TP B739/SK TOPS 011
```
Report
a routine report filed through CVG
Where
1 west cvg
Time
10:19 UTC
Height
during the climb
Aircraft
B739
Sky
tops 1,100 ft

12 more routine reports are on the map.

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 19 forecast points nearest it (SAC, RNO, BAM, ELY, SLC, GJT, DEN, GLD, GRI, OMA, MKC, COU, SPI, IND, CVG, CRW, EKN, ROA, 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
5,500 ft	270° at 17 kt	−18 kt	20 °C	138 kt	15 h 01 min	11:16 pm EDT (03:16 UTC)
7,500 ft	260° at 16 kt	−17 kt	10 °C	137 kt	15 h 07 min	11:22 pm EDT (03:22 UTC)
9,500 ft	260° at 16 kt	−17 kt	7 °C	137 kt	15 h 07 min	11:22 pm EDT (03:22 UTC)
11,500 ft	250° at 18 kt	−19 kt	3 °C	139 kt	14 h 54 min	11:09 pm EDT (03:09 UTC)
13,500 ft	250° at 20 kt	−21 kt	-1 °C	141 kt	14 h 42 min	10:57 pm EDT (02:57 UTC)
15,500 ft	250° at 22 kt	−23 kt	-5 °C	143 kt	14 h 29 min	10:44 pm EDT (02:44 UTC)
17,500 ft	250° at 24 kt	−25 kt	-9 °C	145 kt	14 h 17 min	10:32 pm EDT (02:32 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	250° at 25 kt	−25 kt	-10 °C	145 kt	14 h 17 min	10:32 pm EDT (02:32 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	260° at 30 kt	−31 kt	-21 °C	151 kt	13 h 43 min	9:58 pm EDT (01:58 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	260° at 42 kt	−43 kt	-32 °C	163 kt	12 h 43 min	8:58 pm EDT (00:58 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	260° at 48 kt	−51 kt	-38 °C	171 kt	12 h 07 min	8:22 pm EDT (00:22 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	260° at 47 kt	−49 kt	-47 °C	169 kt	12 h 16 min	8:31 pm EDT (00:31 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; 26 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°
RNO	used from 50 nm out; 35 nm from the line		010/6	270/12 -3°	220/26 -10°	280/13 -19°	350/44 -24°	320/30 -32°	260/22 -36°	240/24 -42°
BAM	used from 199 nm out; 73 nm from the line			280/9 -2°	260/18 -8°	190/47 -19°	200/50 -29°	210/56 -29°	220/54 -34°	220/45 -42°
ELY	used from 249 nm out; 47 nm from the line			210/34 1°	220/40 -4°	220/39 -17°	210/51 -24°	220/65 -30°	220/60 -37°	220/56 -44°
SLC	used from 399 nm out; 63 nm from the line		200/16	210/23 4°	220/34 -3°	210/40 -16°	220/66 -23°	220/64 -31°	220/57 -36°	220/50 -43°
GJT	used from 548 nm out; 70 nm from the line			220/26 6°	230/39 0°	220/55 -13°	230/60 -23°	230/78 -31°	230/80 -35°	230/74 -44°
DEN	used from 697 nm out; 70 nm from the line			270/24 11°	230/13 5°	230/48 -8°	230/46 -20°	230/63 -30°	240/78 -36°	240/78 -48°
GLD	used from 847 nm out; 77 nm from the line		260/37	260/25 14°	250/27 8°	230/36 -8°	230/49 -21°	250/71 -30°	260/82 -36°	250/73 -48°
GRI	used from 996 nm out; 72 nm from the line		230/39 23°	230/32 15°	210/29 7°	230/31 -8°	230/43 -21°	250/52 -31°	260/59 -35°	260/59 -46°
OMA	used from 1146 nm out; 73 nm from the line	230/47	240/33 21°	230/22 13°	220/27 5°	240/35 -8°	250/43 -21°	260/47 -33°	260/59 -36°	270/58 -46°
MKC	used from 1196 nm out; 64 nm from the line	240/49	240/21 20°	220/19 13°	230/21 6°	260/26 -7°	250/37 -19°	270/66 -31°	270/65 -38°	280/60 -48°
COU	used from 1295 nm out; 77 nm from the line	250/36	260/14 16°	250/5 12°	260/12 6°	260/24 -7°	260/35 -19°	280/58 -31°	280/62 -40°	290/60 -49°
SPI	used from 1395 nm out; 59 nm from the line	260/28	250/22 15°	250/14 9°	260/20 6°	280/27 -7°	280/34 -19°	280/48 -32°	280/59 -41°	300/60 -49°
IND	used from 1544 nm out; 71 nm from the line	270/22	290/19 15°	270/19 8°	270/18 4°	290/28 -7°	280/35 -20°	270/37 -34°	300/51 -42°	300/61 -51°
CVG	used from 1644 nm out; 46 nm from the line	300/19	310/23 15°	320/20 9°	310/18 3°	300/26 -6°	290/36 -19°	310/32 -34°	310/53 -43°	310/61 -51°
CRW	used from 1793 nm out; 45 nm from the line	320/17	340/23 12°	340/32 8°	340/35 4°	330/40 -7°	340/45 -20°	340/57 -34°	340/64 -42°	320/38 -50°
EKN	used from 1893 nm out; 52 nm from the line		330/20 10°	350/29 7°	340/32 2°	340/44 -8°	350/50 -21°	350/63 -35°	340/69 -40°	330/42 -50°
ROA	used from 1943 nm out; 46 nm from the line	310/32	340/32 14°	350/25 9°	340/24 3°	340/42 -8°	340/52 -20°	350/62 -34°	350/64 -39°	310/44 -48°
RIC	used from 1993 nm out; 55 nm from the line	350/34	340/27 12°	340/36 8°	330/31 3°	310/32 -9°	320/34 -21°	300/37 -34°	290/37 -39°	290/42 -46°

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-southwest (210°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	26 ft	4:53 am PDT (11:53 UTC)
TRK Truckee, CA	70 nm out, 23 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	5,904 ft	11:55 UTC
TMT Austin, NV	209 nm out, 7 nm north of the line	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet	from the east (080°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	6,000 ft	5,735 ft	11:55 UTC
PVU Provo, UT	468 nm out, 18 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,500 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet	from the east-northeast (060°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	7,500 ft	4,496 ft	11:56 UTC
FNL Fort Collins/Loveland, CO	777 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the southwest (230°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	5,020 ft	11:56 UTC
CSB Cambridge, NE	996 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line	VFR	from the south-southwest (210°) at 15 knots	10+ mi	none	2,414 ft	11:55 UTC
STJ St Joseph, MO	1235 nm out, 17 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (180°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	826 ft	11:53 UTC
HAE Hannibal, MO	1395 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line	VFR	from the south (180°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	768 ft	11:55 UTC
BMG Bloomington, IN	1624 nm out, 3 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	calm	7 mi	none	845 ft	11:53 UTC
CRW Charleston, WV	1863 nm out, 1 nm south of the line, tower	IFR Sky: a broken layer at 500 feet, overcast at 1,000 feet Weather: light rain, mist	calm	1 mi	500 ft	947 ft	11:54 UTC
LWB Lewisburg, WV	1923 nm out, 18 nm south of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,900 feet	from the west (280°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	1,900 ft	2,301 ft	05:55 UTC
RIC Richmond, VA	destination	VFR Sky: overcast at 3,900 feet	from the northwest (320°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	3,900 ft	167 ft	7:54 am EDT (11:54 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 5,904 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At RIC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:22 pm EDT (00:22 UTC)

Wind from the north at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for RIC

From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet
At times between Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): a broken layer at 4,000 feet
From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the north at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 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 14 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · until 1 November · ZOA
6/8029 Cincinnati, OH, Friday, October 9, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 3 nm from the route, 1714 nm along the route · a VIP movement · until 12 October · ZID

Daylight

Sunset at SMF 6:31 pm PDT (01:31 UTC), at RIC 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:02 pm EDT (23:02 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RIC is after sunset there (6:36 pm EDT (22:36 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 Pacific Southwest · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the southern Rockies · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the northern Rockies · 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: Sacramento International, Richmond International.