DEN to JAC Turbulence Forecast
Is the Denver to Jackson Hole flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.
Denver · Jackson Hole · 1h 10m
⚠️ Heavy turbulence today
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Typical turbulence along the route
Historical average pattern for DEN–JAC
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 10m
About the DEN–JAC route
The Denver to Jackson Hole 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 Delta Air Lines, United Airlines on Boeing 737 · Embraer E175 aircraft,
with flights typically cruising at 28,000 feet over a distance of 368 miles (320 nautical miles).
💡 Tip: Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy.
Denver to Jackson Hole Flight Time
How long is the flight from DEN to JAC?
28,000 ft
Cruising Altitude
The Denver (DEN) to Jackson Hole (JAC) flight takes approximately 1h 10m,
covering 368 miles (320 nautical miles) at 28,000 feet.
The route is operated by Delta Air Lines, United Airlines.
Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.
Turbulence levels on DEN–JAC
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
Get minute-by-minute timing for your specific flight
Best time to fly DEN–JAC
Turbulence by month
Best seat on DEN–JAC
Embraer E175
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
Related guides
Learn more about flight turbulence
Passenger Reports
Fly Denver–Jackson Hole a few times a year. June is the worst month for this route — over the mountains it was severe turbulence, no question. Seatbelt sign on from about an hour in until descent. Experienced crews handle it well.
Frequent flyer · June
Laptop stayed closed the whole flight — crossing the Rockies the plane was bouncing around badly, things flying off trays. Probably 90 minutes of rough air. Not the route I'd pick for a first flight.
Business traveler · September
I had no idea this route was known for turbulence. Things got terrifying crossing the Rockies — massive drops, the whole plane groaning. Nobody was hurt but I've never seen flight attendants look that focused. Would have been nice to know in advance.
First-time passenger · May
Frequently asked questions
Is the Denver to Jackson Hole flight turbulent?
The DEN–JAC route typically experiences heavy turbulence. Heavy turbulence likely — stay seated with seatbelt fastened. The turbulence score for this route is 82/100.
When is turbulence worst on DEN to JAC?
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 DEN to JAC?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Embraer E175 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 6–12. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from DEN to JAC?
The DEN to JAC flight takes approximately 1h 10m, covering 368 miles (320 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly DEN to JAC?
The main airlines operating this route are Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, flying Boeing 737 · Embraer E175 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
