LAX to SAN Turbulence Forecast

Is the Los Angeles to San Diego flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast
LAX
SAN
Los Angeles · San Diego · 0h 57m
3
Turb Score
0h 57m
Duration
109 nm
Distance
26,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
Light
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for LAX–SAN

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h0h 57m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the LAX–SAN route

The Los Angeles to San Diego domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 125 miles at around 26,000 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 United, Delta, Alaska, American on Embraer 175 · CRJ-700 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 26,000 feet over a distance of 125 miles (109 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on LAX–SAN

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 LAX–SAN

Turbulence by month

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

Best seat on LAX–SAN

Embraer E175

Front
Rows 1–7
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 8-14
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 15+
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

LAX to SAN turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Los Angeles to San Diego flight turbulent?
The LAX–SAN route typically experiences light turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 3/100.
When is turbulence worst on LAX to SAN?
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 LAX to SAN?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Embraer E175 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 8-14. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from LAX to SAN?
The LAX to SAN flight takes approximately 0h 57m, covering 125 miles (109 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly LAX to SAN?
The main airlines operating this route are United, Delta, Alaska, American, flying Embraer 175 · CRJ-700 · Boeing 737 aircraft.

Data Sources

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