LAS to MDW Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Las Vegas to Chicago flight turbulent?

The LAS–MDW route typically experiences light turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on LAS to MDW?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (186 seats), that's rows 14–22. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

Q: How long is the flight from LAS to MDW?

The LAS to MDW flight takes approximately 4h 0m.

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

Live forecast

LAS

→

MDW

Las Vegas · Chicago · 4h 0m

Turb Score

4h 0m

Duration

1,519 nm

Distance

38,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Light

Typical

⚠️ Light turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for LAS–MDW

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h4h 0m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the LAS–MDW route

The Las Vegas to Chicago domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 1,748 miles at around 38,000 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 on Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 38,000 feet over a distance of 1,748 miles (1,519 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on LAS–MDW

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 LAS–MDW

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on LAS–MDW

Boeing 737 (186 seats)

Front

Rows 1–13

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 14–22

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

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

Los Angeles → Chicago

See all us domestic flights →

Passenger Reports

There was some noticeable movement over the Midwest that made me grip the armrest. My seatmate (clearly a regular) didn't even look up from their book. Perspective.

First-time flyer · April

Kids barely noticed the turbulence — just some mild bumps crossing the Rockies. Seatbelt sign was on and off a couple times. Nothing dramatic.

Parent traveling with kids · April

Some light chop crossing the Rockies — seatbelt sign came on for maybe 20 minutes but nothing to worry about. Typical for this route in July.

Regular traveler · July

All LAS routes→ All MDW routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Las Vegas to Chicago flight turbulent?

The LAS–MDW route typically experiences light turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps. The turbulence score for this route is 42/100.

When is turbulence worst on LAS to MDW?

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 LAS to MDW?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (186 seats) (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 14–22. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from LAS to MDW?

The LAS to MDW flight takes approximately 4h 0m, covering 1,748 miles (1,519 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly LAS to MDW?

The main airlines operating this route are Southwest, flying 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