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DEN to RDU Turbulence Forecast

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

Live forecast
DEN
→
RDU
Denver · Raleigh · 3h 42m
13
Turb Score
3h 42m
Duration
1,397 nm
Distance
37,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
Moderate
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for DEN–RDU

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h3h 42m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the DEN–RDU route

The Denver to Raleigh 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 United, Southwest, Frontier on Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 37,000 feet over a distance of 1,608 miles (1,397 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on DEN–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 DEN–RDU

Turbulence by month

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

Best seat on DEN–RDU

Boeing 737-800

Front
Rows 1–12
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 13-22
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 23+
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

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

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

RDU → DEN
Raleigh → Denver
Moderate
LAX → RDU
Los Angeles → Raleigh-Durham
light-moderate
ORD → RDU
Chicago → Raleigh-Durham
light-moderate
JFK → RDU
New York → Raleigh-Durham
light
See all mountain routes →
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Frequently asked questions

Is the Denver to Raleigh flight turbulent?
The DEN–RDU route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 13/100.
When is turbulence worst on DEN to RDU?
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 RDU?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737-800 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 13-22. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from DEN to RDU?
The DEN to RDU flight takes approximately 3h 42m, covering 1,608 miles (1,397 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly DEN to RDU?
The main airlines operating this route are United, Southwest, Frontier, flying Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 aircraft.

Data Sources

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