When is the Denver to Montrose route most turbulent?

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

What aircraft operates the DEN to MTJ route?

The DEN–MTJ route is typically operated by Embraer E175 · CRJ-700. Airlines include American Airlines, United Airlines.

Is turbulence on DEN to MTJ dangerous?

No — turbulence on the DEN–MTJ route is not dangerous to the aircraft. Modern commercial aircraft are built to withstand far more stress than any turbulence encountered. The main risk is to unbelted passengers. Always keep your seatbelt fastened when seated.

How can I check turbulence before my DEN to MTJ flight?

Use the Turbulence Forecast app (iOS & Android) for real-time PIREPs, SIGMET alerts, and AI-powered forecasts for the DEN–MTJ route. The app shows minute-by-minute turbulence timing for your specific flight date.

DEN to MTJ Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Denver to Montrose flight turbulent?

The DEN–MTJ route typically experiences moderate turbulence. Heavy turbulence likely — stay seated with seatbelt fastened.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on DEN to MTJ?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Embraer E175 · CRJ-700, that's rows 4–8. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Q: How long is the flight from DEN to MTJ?

The DEN to MTJ flight takes approximately 1h 02m, covering 196 miles (170 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 27,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

DEN

→

MTJ

Denver · Montrose · 1h 02m

Turb Score

1h 02m

Duration

170 nm

Distance

27,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Moderate

Typical

⚠️ Moderate turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for DEN–MTJ

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 02m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the DEN–MTJ route

The Denver to Montrose 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 American Airlines, United Airlines on Embraer E175 · CRJ-700 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 27,000 feet over a distance of 196 miles (170 nautical miles).

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

Denver to Montrose Flight Time

How long is the flight from DEN to MTJ?

1h 02m

Flight Time

196 mi

Distance

27,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Embraer E175

Aircraft

The Denver (DEN) to Montrose (MTJ) flight takes approximately 1h 02m, covering 196 miles (170 nautical miles) at 27,000 feet. The route is operated by American Airlines, United Airlines. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on DEN–MTJ

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

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Best time to fly DEN–MTJ

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on DEN–MTJ

Embraer E175

Front

Rows 1–3

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 4–8

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 9+

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

Montrose → Los Angeles

Severe

MTJ → SFO

Montrose → San Francisco

Severe

ORD → LAX

Chicago → Los Angeles

Light

See all mountain routes →

Related guides

Learn more about flight turbulence

Turbulence Tracker

Track any flight in real time

→

Best Seat Guide

Which rows feel turbulence least

→

Mountain Turbulence

Why mountain routes are the bumpiest

→

Severe Turbulence

What it feels like and how to prepare

→

Is Turbulence Dangerous?

What the safety data shows

→

Passenger Reports

Moderate turbulence on the climb out — the kind where you're glad you kept your seatbelt on. Lasted about 30-40 minutes, then smoothed out. I've had worse on transatlantic routes.

Frequent flyer · June

This was genuinely difficult for me. Real bumps for a long stretch crossing the ridge, seatbelt sign on for what felt like forever. The flight attendants were calm which helped. Got through it.

Nervous flyer · February

The on the climb out section was legitimately rough. I was holding on to the armrests. Lasted maybe 40 minutes. One of the flight attendants had to sit down. Not a fun 1h 02m flight but we landed fine.

Solo traveler · May

All DEN routes→ All MTJ routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Denver to Montrose flight turbulent?

The DEN–MTJ route typically experiences moderate turbulence. Heavy turbulence likely — stay seated with seatbelt fastened. The turbulence score for this route is 70/100.

When is turbulence worst on DEN to MTJ?

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 MTJ?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Embraer E175 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 4–8. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from DEN to MTJ?

The DEN to MTJ flight takes approximately 1h 02m, covering 196 miles (170 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly DEN to MTJ?

The main airlines operating this route are American Airlines, United Airlines, flying Embraer E175 · CRJ-700 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