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LAS to RNO Turbulence Forecast

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

Live forecast
LAS
→
RNO
Las Vegas · Reno · 1h
7.9
Turb Score
1h
Duration
301 nm
Distance
26,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
moderate
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for LAS–RNO

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the LAS–RNO route

The Las Vegas to Reno 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 Southwest, United on Embraer 175 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 26,000 feet over a distance of 346 miles (301 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on LAS–RNO

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–RNO

Turbulence by month

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

Best seat on LAS–RNO

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

LAS to RNO turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

LAS → SLC
Las Vegas → Salt Lake City
moderate
RNO → SLC
Reno → Salt Lake City
moderate-severe
LAS → LAX
Las Vegas → Los Angeles
Smooth
See all mountain routes →
All LAS routes→ All RNO routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Las Vegas to Reno flight turbulent?
The LAS–RNO route typically experiences moderate turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 7.9/100.
When is turbulence worst on LAS to RNO?
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 LAS to RNO?
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 LAS to RNO?
The LAS to RNO flight takes approximately 1h, covering 346 miles (301 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly LAS to RNO?
The main airlines operating this route are Southwest, United, flying Embraer 175 · Boeing 737 aircraft.