ORD to STL Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Chicago to St. Louis flight turbulent?

The ORD–STL route typically experiences light turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on ORD to STL?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Embraer 175, that's rows 12-18. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

Q: How long is the flight from ORD to STL?

The ORD to STL flight takes approximately 1h 02m.

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

Live forecast

ORD

→

STL

Chicago · St. Louis · 1h 02m

5.1

Turb Score

1h 02m

Duration

258 nm

Distance

27,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

light

Typical

⚠️ light turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for ORD–STL

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 02m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the ORD–STL route

The Chicago to St. Louis domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 297 miles at around 27,000 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 American, Southwest, United on Embraer 175 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 27,000 feet over a distance of 297 miles (258 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on ORD–STL

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 ORD–STL

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on ORD–STL

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

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

Los Angeles → St. Louis

See all us domestic flights →

All ORD routes→ All STL routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Chicago to St. Louis flight turbulent?

The ORD–STL route typically experiences light turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 5.1/100.

When is turbulence worst on ORD to STL?

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 ORD to STL?

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 ORD to STL?

The ORD to STL flight takes approximately 1h 02m, covering 297 miles (258 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly ORD to STL?

The main airlines operating this route are American, Southwest, United, flying Embraer 175 · 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