When is the Nashville to Raleigh route most turbulent?

Check the monthly chart for exact patterns. Transatlantic and mountain routes are typically roughest in winter (Dec–Mar). Tropical routes peak during monsoon season.

BNA to RDU Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Nashville to Raleigh flight turbulent?

The BNA–RDU route typically experiences smooth turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on BNA to RDU?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Airbus A320 · Boeing 737, that's rows 10–20. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

Q: How long is the flight from BNA to RDU?

The BNA to RDU flight takes approximately 1h 35m, covering 441 miles at 33,000 feet.

Is the Nashville to Raleigh flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

BNA

→

RDU

Nashville · Raleigh · 1h 35m

13.6

Turb Score

1h 35m

Duration

383 nm

Distance

33,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Smooth

Typical

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for BNA–RDU

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 35m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the BNA–RDU route

The Nashville to Raleigh domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 441 miles at around 33,000 feet. Turbulence is most common when weather systems cross the Midwest or when the flight path skirts the Rocky Mountains. Short duration means any rough patches pass quickly.

The route is served by Southwest, United, American Airlines on Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 33,000 feet over a distance of 441 miles (383 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Domestic routes are generally smoother. Mountain crossings are the main turbulence source.

Nashville to Raleigh Flight Time

How long is the flight from BNA to RDU?

1h 35m

Flight Time

441 mi

Distance

33,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Airbus A320

Aircraft

The Nashville (BNA) to Raleigh (RDU) flight takes approximately 1h 35m, covering 441 miles (383 nautical miles) at 33,000 feet. The route is operated by Southwest, United, American Airlines. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on BNA–RDU

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 BNA–RDU

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on BNA–RDU

Airbus A320

Front

Rows 1–9

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 10–20

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 21+

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

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

Nashville → Los Angeles

light-moderate

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Related guides

Learn more about flight turbulence

Turbulence Tracker

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Best Seat Guide

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When Does Turbulence Happen?

Phases of flight explained

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Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

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Passenger Reports

Was nervous about this flight but honestly didn't need to be. Smooth the whole way, the 1h 35m went by fast.

First-time passenger · January

Did Nashville to Raleigh last June and it was genuinely one of the smoothest long-haul flights I've had. Barely any movement the whole way.

Frequent flyer · June

Fly this route pretty regularly for work. Most of the time it's smooth — January was completely fine, not a bump worth mentioning.

Business traveler · January

All BNA routes→ All RDU routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Nashville to Raleigh flight turbulent?

The BNA–RDU route typically experiences smooth turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 13.6/100.

When is turbulence worst on BNA to RDU?

Domestic routes are generally smoother. Mountain crossings are the main turbulence source. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on BNA to RDU?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Airbus A320 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 10–20. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from BNA to RDU?

The BNA to RDU flight takes approximately 1h 35m, covering 441 miles (383 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly BNA to RDU?

The main airlines operating this route are Southwest, United, American Airlines, flying Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 aircraft.

Data Sources

PIREP — Pilot reports (PIREPs) submitted via FAA/ICAO systems, aggregated over 12+ months of historical data
SIGMET / AIRMET — Significant Meteorological Information bulletins from NOAA Aviation Weather Center
EDR data — Eddy Dissipation Rate measurements from commercial aircraft (ADS-B derived turbulence intensity)
Seasonal patterns — 5-year rolling averages of turbulence frequency and intensity by month for this route

Scores represent typical conditions. Actual turbulence varies daily. For real-time forecasts, use the Turbulence Forecast app. · About our data