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RDU to DEN Turbulence Forecast

Is the Raleigh to Denver flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast
RDU
→
DEN
Raleigh · Denver · 3h 40m
13
Turb Score
3h 40m
Duration
1,397 nm
Distance
37,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
Moderate
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for RDU–DEN

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h3h 40m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the RDU–DEN route

The Raleigh to Denver 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 United, Southwest, Frontier on Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 37,000 feet over a distance of 1,608 miles (1,397 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on RDU–DEN

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 RDU–DEN

Turbulence by month

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

Best seat on RDU–DEN

Boeing 737-800

Front
Rows 1–12
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 13-22
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

RDU to DEN turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

RDU → LAX
Raleigh-Durham → Los Angeles
light-moderate
RDU → ORD
Raleigh-Durham → Chicago
light-moderate
RDU → JFK
Raleigh-Durham → New York
light
See all mountain routes →
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Frequently asked questions

Is the Raleigh to Denver flight turbulent?
The RDU–DEN route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 13/100.
When is turbulence worst on RDU to DEN?
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 RDU to DEN?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737-800 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 13-22. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from RDU to DEN?
The RDU to DEN flight takes approximately 3h 40m, covering 1,608 miles (1,397 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly RDU to DEN?
The main airlines operating this route are United, Southwest, Frontier, flying Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 aircraft.

Data Sources

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