Tucson International to Denver International TUS → DEN
555 nautical miles (639 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 031°, about 022° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9E). At 120 knots that is 2 h 53 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 73-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:24 am MDT (06:24 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now TUS is VFR, wind from the west (260°) at 3 knots; DEN is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 16 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: 5,514 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 W11W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 9:55 pm MST (04:55 UTC). Over the route from 278 to 446 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120255 MKCW WST 120255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 11W VALID UNTIL 0455Z CO NM FROM 20WNW PUB-10ENE CIM-50WNW ABQ-30NNE DVC-20WNW PUB AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 79 to 387 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 436 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 347 to 516 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 159 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 417 to 476 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 TUS.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent B407 at 10,000 ft, 27 nm southeast, 7:13 pm MST (02:13 UTC): moderate to severe turbulence. 496 nm along the route, 27 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UUA /OV 10 W COS/TM 0213/FL100/TP B407/TB MDT-SEV
- Report
- an urgent report filed through COS
- Where
- 10 west cos
- Time
- 02:13 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B407
- Turbulence
- mdt-sev
- BE9L at 24,500 ft, 36 nm southeast, 7:21 pm MST (02:21 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-41. 456 nm along the route, 36 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB250040/TM 0221/FL245/TP BE9L/TB OCNL MOD/RM ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- 40 nm west (250°) of PUB
- Time
- 02:21 UTC
- Height
- at 24,500 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-41
- B738 at 18,000 ft, 7 nm east, 7:02 pm MST (02:02 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 18,000 ft to 25,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-41. 496 nm along the route, 7 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK270030/TM 0202/FL180/TP B738/TB MOD CHOP 180-250/RM DURC ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of BRK
- Time
- 02:02 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- moderate chop from 18,000 ft to 25,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-41
- GLF4 at 25,000 ft, 21 nm northwest, 7:05 pm MST (02:05 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 516 nm along the route, 21 nm northwest 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
- B738 at 23,000 ft, 26 nm northwest, 7:34 pm MST (02:34 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. At the destination end, 26 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DVV270030/TM 0234/FL230/TP B738/TB MOD /RM DURC ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of DVV
- Time
- 02:34 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-05
- BCS1 at 24,000 ft, 26 nm northwest, 6:30 pm MST (01:30 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. At the destination end, 26 nm northwest 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
- E75L at 14,000 ft, 29 nm northwest, 6:28 pm MST (01:28 UTC): light to moderate turbulence from 19,000 ft to 25,000 ft, no icing, remarks: ZDVWC-36. 307 nm along the route, 29 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UA /OV RSK/TM 0128/FL140/TP E75L/TB LGT-MOD 250-190/IC NEG/RM ZDVWC-36
- Report
- a routine report filed through FMN
- Where
- over RSK
- Time
- 01:28 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- light to moderate from 25,000 ft to 19,000 ft
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-36
- PC12 at 16,400 ft, 35 nm northwest, 8:15 pm MST (03:15 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 16,000 ft, clear from 16,400 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-36. 327 nm along the route, 35 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DRO UA /OV DRO230013/TM 0315/FL164/TP PC12/SK SKC/TB CONS LGT CHOP BLO 160/RM DURC ZDVWC-36
- Report
- a routine report filed through DRO
- Where
- 13 nm southwest (230°) of DRO
- Time
- 03:15 UTC
- Height
- at 16,400 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Sky
- clear
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop below 16,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-36
- BE9L at 20,000 ft, 28 nm northwest, 5:59 pm MST (00:59 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: instrument conditions ZDVWC-36. 337 nm along the route, 28 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DRO UA /OV DRO/TM 0059/FL200/TP BE9L/TB LGT CHOP/RM IMC ZDVWC-36
- Report
- a routine report filed through DRO
- Where
- over DRO
- Time
- 00:59 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- instrument conditions ZDVWC-36
- BE20 at 20,400 ft, 16 nm northwest, 8:14 pm MST (03:14 UTC): rain, heavy rain, blowing, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-36. 357 nm along the route, 16 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DRO UA /OV DRO050025/TM 0314/FL204/TP BE20/WX RA-+RA BLO 150/RM DURC ZDVWC-36
- Report
- a routine report filed through DRO
- Where
- 25 nm northeast (050°) of DRO
- Time
- 03:14 UTC
- Height
- at 20,400 ft
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Weather
- ra-+ra, below, at 15,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-36
- B733 at 20,000 ft, 43 nm northwest, 8:16 pm MST (03:16 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 20,000 ft, clear from 20,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-12. 427 nm along the route, 43 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
GUC UA /OV HBU/TM 0316/FL200/TP B733/SK SKC/TB OCNL LGT CHOP BLO 200/RM DURC ZDVWC-12
- Report
- a routine report filed through GUC
- Where
- over HBU
- Time
- 03:16 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B733
- Sky
- clear
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop below 20,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-12
- SW4 at 20,000 ft, 42 nm northwest, 6:00 pm MST (01:00 UTC): light rime icing, 0 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-12. 427 nm along the route, 42 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
GUC UA /OV GUC/TM 0100/FL200/TP SW4/TA 00/IC LGT RIME/RM ZDVWC-12
- Report
- a routine report filed through GUC
- Where
- over GUC
- Time
- 01:00 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- SW4
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-12
- BE9L at 20,000 ft, 15 nm southeast, 5:34 pm MST (00:34 UTC): light rime icing, -9 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-41. 427 nm along the route, 15 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV ALS330035/TM 0034/FL200/TP BE9L/TA M09/IC LGT RIME/RM ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- 35 nm northwest (330°) of ALS
- Time
- 00:34 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Temperature
- −9 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-41
- B38M at 36,000 ft, 29 nm southeast, 7:22 pm MST (02:22 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: mtw +/-200FT ZDVWC-30. 436 nm along the route, 29 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV ALS360035/TM 0222/FL360/TP B38M/TB LGT/RM MTW +/-200FT ZDVWC-30
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- 35 nm north (360°) of ALS
- Time
- 02:22 UTC
- Height
- at 36,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- light
- Remarks
- mtw +/-200FT ZDVWC-30
6 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 (TUS, PHX, ABQ, FMN, ALS, PUB, 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 25 kt | −25 kt | 11 °C | 145 kt | 3 h 50 min | 1:21 am MDT (07:21 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 29 kt | −29 kt | 9 °C | 149 kt | 3 h 43 min | 1:14 am MDT (07:14 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 36 kt | −36 kt | 5 °C | 156 kt | 3 h 33 min | 1:04 am MDT (07:04 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 41 kt | −40 kt | 1 °C | 160 kt | 3 h 28 min | 12:59 am MDT (06:59 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 45 kt | −45 kt | -3 °C | 165 kt | 3 h 22 min | 12:53 am MDT (06:53 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 50 kt | −50 kt | -8 °C | 170 kt | 3 h 16 min | 12:47 am MDT (06:47 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 51 kt | −51 kt | -9 °C | 171 kt | 3 h 15 min | 12:46 am MDT (06:46 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 59 kt | −58 kt | -21 °C | 178 kt | 3 h 07 min | 12:38 am MDT (06:38 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 75 kt | −71 kt | -27 °C | 191 kt | 2 h 54 min | 12:25 am MDT (06:25 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 80 kt | −73 kt | -34 °C | 193 kt | 2 h 53 min | 12:24 am MDT (06:24 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 67 kt | −63 kt | -46 °C | 183 kt | 3 h 02 min | 12:33 am MDT (06:33 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TUS | used from 0 nm out; 25 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° | |
| PHX | used from 99 nm out; 121 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° |
| ABQ | used from 149 nm out; 127 nm from the line | 220/27 11° | 210/35 5° | 220/46 -9° | 230/62 -20° | 240/78 -25° | 240/80 -35° | 240/56 -47° | ||
| FMN | used from 198 nm out; 90 nm from the line | 220/28 9° | 220/40 2° | 220/53 -10° | 220/62 -22° | 230/79 -28° | 240/91 -34° | 230/71 -45° | ||
| ALS | used from 347 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 230/37 4° | 220/54 -9° | 230/62 -22° | 240/77 -26° | 240/74 -33° | 230/59 -45° | |||
| PUB | used from 446 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 230/25 13° | 230/32 6° | 220/44 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 240/70 -28° | 240/67 -34° | 240/58 -46° | ||
| DEN | used from 496 nm out; 35 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TUS Tucson, AZ | departure | VFR | from the west (260°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,643 ft | 7:53 pm MST (02:53 UTC) |
| JTC Springerville, AZ | 149 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 22 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,055 ft | 03:15 UTC |
| XNI Zuni, NM | 198 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,800 feet, a broken layer at 5,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet | from the northwest (310°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 5,500 ft | 6,371 ft | 03:15 UTC |
| GUP Gallup, NM | 228 nm out, 17 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,472 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| PSO Pagosa Springs, CO | 367 nm out, 6 nm west of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,400 feet, a broken layer at 2,300 feet, overcast at 3,800 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the southwest (220°) at 6 knots | 4 mi | 1,400 ft | 7,663 ft | 03:15 UTC |
| RCV Del Norte, CO | 407 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the south-southeast (150°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 7,955 ft | 03:15 UTC |
| ANK Salida, CO | 456 nm out, 8 nm west of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 9 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | none | 7,523 ft | 03:15 UTC |
| APA Denver, CO | 536 nm out, 3 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 21 knots, gusting to 34 | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 5,884 ft | 02:53 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 16 knots | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 5,433 ft | 8:53 pm MDT (02:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,955 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, 12:24 am MDT (06:24 UTC)
Wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for DEN
- From Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet
- At times between Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 25 knots, gusting to 37
- 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 TUS, the departure
- From Sun 6:00 pm MST (01:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet
- From Sun 7:00 pm MST (02:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 am MST (07:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am MST (14:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered 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, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 2 nm from the route, 496 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 13 October · ZDV
- 6/8770 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 17 nm from the route, 506 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 12 October · ZDV
Daylight
Sunset at TUS 5:55 pm MST (00:55 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: Tucson International, Denver International.