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DTW to ORD Turbulence Forecast

Is the Detroit to Chicago flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast
DTW
→
ORD
Detroit · Chicago · 1h 30m
5.4
Turb Score
1h 30m
Duration
238 nm
Distance
28,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
light-moderate
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for DTW–ORD

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 30m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the DTW–ORD route

The Detroit to Chicago domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 274 miles at around 28,000 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 Delta, United, American on Embraer 175 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 28,000 feet over a distance of 274 miles (238 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on DTW–ORD

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 DTW–ORD

Turbulence by month

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

Best seat on DTW–ORD

Embraer 175

Front
Rows 1–11
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 12-18
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 19+
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

DTW to ORD turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

ORD → JFK
Chicago → New York
Light
DTW → JFK
Detroit → New York
light-moderate
ORD → LAX
Chicago → Los Angeles
Light
See all us domestic flights →
All DTW routes→ All ORD routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Detroit to Chicago flight turbulent?
The DTW–ORD route typically experiences light-moderate turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 5.4/100.
When is turbulence worst on DTW to ORD?
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 DTW to ORD?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Embraer 175 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 12-18. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from DTW to ORD?
The DTW to ORD flight takes approximately 1h 30m, covering 274 miles (238 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly DTW to ORD?
The main airlines operating this route are Delta, United, American, flying Embraer 175 · Boeing 737 aircraft.