Sacramento International to Tucson International SMF → TUS
653 nautical miles (752 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 124°, about 111° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 04 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 9-knot tailwind), arriving about 5:30 am MST (12:30 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SMF is VFR, wind from the southwest (220°) at 3 knots; TUS is VFR, wind calm. 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: 94 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 69 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the route from 218 to 376 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Over the route from 247 to 277 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 376 to 554 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 435 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
Not fetched just now.
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, FAT, BIH, LAS, BLH, PHX, TUS). 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 | 170° at 8 kt | +6 kt | 114 kt | 5 h 44 min | 6:10 am MST (13:10 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 200° at 13 kt | +4 kt | 11 °C | 116 kt | 5 h 38 min | 6:04 am MST (13:04 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 200° at 15 kt | +4 kt | 7 °C | 116 kt | 5 h 38 min | 6:04 am MST (13:04 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 200° at 17 kt | +4 kt | 3 °C | 116 kt | 5 h 38 min | 6:04 am MST (13:04 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 210° at 20 kt | +4 kt | -1 °C | 116 kt | 5 h 38 min | 6:04 am MST (13:04 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 210° at 24 kt | +3 kt | -4 °C | 117 kt | 5 h 35 min | 6:01 am MST (13:01 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 210° at 29 kt | +2 kt | -8 °C | 118 kt | 5 h 32 min | 5:58 am MST (12:58 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 35 kt | +1 kt | -12 °C | 119 kt | 5 h 29 min | 5:55 am MST (12:55 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 36 kt | 0 | -13 °C | 120 kt | 5 h 26 min | 5:52 am MST (12:52 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 42 kt | −2 kt | -22 °C | 122 kt | 5 h 21 min | 5:47 am MST (12:47 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 56 kt | −7 kt | -28 °C | 127 kt | 5 h 09 min | 5:35 am MST (12:35 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 63 kt | −9 kt | -35 °C | 129 kt | 5 h 04 min | 5:30 am MST (12:30 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 58 kt | −4 kt | -45 °C | 124 kt | 5 h 16 min | 5:42 am MST (12:42 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; 16 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° |
| FAT | used from 99 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 130/16 | 160/20 5° | 190/28 -1° | 210/25 -5° | 220/27 -15° | 230/21 -26° | 220/42 -29° | 220/44 -35° | 220/44 -44° |
| BIH | used from 148 nm out; 23 nm from the line | L/V | 240/7 1° | 190/13 -3° | 200/26 -16° | 210/43 -26° | 220/54 -28° | 220/51 -35° | 220/47 -43° | |
| LAS | used from 247 nm out; 87 nm from the line | 210/21 10° | 200/18 5° | 200/23 -2° | 210/49 -14° | 210/63 -21° | 220/58 -30° | 220/61 -35° | 210/56 -44° | |
| BLH | used from 396 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 210/13 | 200/21 11° | 200/22 5° | 210/25 -1° | 210/51 -10° | 220/61 -20° | 220/81 -29° | 220/92 -34° | 220/79 -45° |
| PHX | used from 495 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 150/5 | 200/21 12° | 200/27 6° | 200/35 3° | 220/58 -8° | 220/69 -19° | 220/87 -26° | 230/93 -35° | 230/79 -47° |
| TUS | used from 594 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 210/13 13° | 200/35 9° | 210/40 5° | 220/50 -7° | 220/59 -18° | 230/79 -26° | 230/84 -35° | 230/84 -48° |
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 broken layer at 11,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 11,000 ft | 26 ft | 11:53 pm PDT (06:53 UTC) |
| MHR Sacramento, CA | 20 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the southeast (140°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 98 ft | 06:15 UTC |
| MPI Mariposa, CA | 99 nm out, 17 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 2,254 ft | ||||
| MMH Mammoth Lakes, CA | 139 nm out, 22 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 7,134 ft | 07:15 UTC |
| HII Lake Havasu City, AZ | 426 nm out, 6 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 11,000 feet | from the east-southeast (120°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 11,000 ft | 782 ft | 07:15 UTC |
| GYR Goodyear, AZ | 544 nm out, 14 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,000 feet, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 969 ft | 03:47 UTC |
| AVQ Marana, AZ | 633 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,500 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 2,031 ft | 07:15 UTC |
| TUS Tucson, AZ | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 5,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,500 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 2,643 ft | 11:53 pm MST (06:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,134 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At TUS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:30 am MST (12:30 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for TUS
- From Sun 11:00 pm MST (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 8,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am MST (08:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MST (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm MST (03:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet
The forecast for SMF, the departure
- 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
- From Mon 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 6 knots, 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 on the route, 109 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 24 nm from the route, 336 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZLA
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 17 nm from the route, 396 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at SMF 6:31 pm PDT (01:31 UTC), at TUS 5:53 pm MST (00:53 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:18 pm MST (01:18 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at TUS is before sunrise there (6:25 am MST (13:25 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, Tucson International.