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ABQ to DEN Turbulence Forecast

Is the Albuquerque to Denver flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast
ABQ
→
DEN
Albuquerque · Denver · 1h 30m
72
Turb Score
1h 30m
Duration
348 nm
Distance
29,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
Moderate
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for ABQ–DEN

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 30m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the ABQ–DEN route

The Albuquerque to Denver route crosses the Rocky Mountains — one of the most turbulent regions in North America. Mountain wave turbulence occurs when strong winds blow over mountain peaks, creating powerful invisible waves that extend to cruise altitude. The worst turbulence typically occurs in the first 30–60 minutes when the aircraft is climbing over the range.

The route is served by Southwest Airlines, United Airlines on Boeing 737 · Airbus A319 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 29,000 feet over a distance of 400 miles (348 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy.

Turbulence levels on ABQ–DEN

What to expect at each phase of the flight

SmoothDeparture & arrival — climb and descent phases are generally calm
LightMinor bumps — drink stays in your cup, walking feels slightly unsteady
ModerateNoticeable bumps — stay seated with seatbelt on, service may pause
HeavyStrong jolts — unsecured items move, crew seated. Rare but possible

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Best time to fly ABQ–DEN

Turbulence by month

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Rough

Best seat on ABQ–DEN

Boeing 737

Front
Rows 1–9
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 10–16
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 17+
Rougher
Wing seats are over the center of gravity — least affected by turbulence.

What you'll see in the app

Full forecast, live map & seat recommendations

ABQ to DEN turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

DEN → ABQ
Denver → Albuquerque
Moderate
DEN → LAX
Denver → Los Angeles
Moderate
DEN → JAC
Denver → Jackson Hole
Heavy
DEN → ORD
Denver → Chicago
Light
PHX → LAX
Phoenix → Los Angeles
Light
LAS → LAX
Las Vegas → Los Angeles
Smooth
See all mountain routes →
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Frequently asked questions

Is the Albuquerque to Denver flight turbulent?
The ABQ–DEN route typically experiences moderate turbulence. Heavy turbulence likely — stay seated with seatbelt fastened. The turbulence score for this route is 72/100.
When is turbulence worst on ABQ to DEN?
Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.
Which seat is smoothest on ABQ to DEN?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 10–16. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from ABQ to DEN?
The ABQ to DEN flight takes approximately 1h 30m, covering 400 miles (348 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly ABQ to DEN?
The main airlines operating this route are Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, flying Boeing 737 · Airbus A319 aircraft.