When is the Reno to Chicago route most turbulent?

Check the monthly chart for exact patterns. Transatlantic and mountain routes are typically roughest in winter (Dec–Mar). Tropical routes peak during monsoon season.

RNO to MDW Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Reno to Chicago flight turbulent?

The RNO–MDW route typically experiences moderate turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on RNO to MDW?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Airbus A320 · Boeing 737, that's rows 10–20. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

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

The RNO to MDW flight takes approximately 3h 45m, covering 1,677 miles at 35,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

RNO

→

MDW

Reno · Chicago · 3h 45m

63.8

Turb Score

3h 45m

Duration

1,457 nm

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Moderate

Typical

⚠️ Moderate turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for RNO–MDW

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h3h 45m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the RNO–MDW route

The Reno to Chicago 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, American Airlines, Delta on Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 35,000 feet over a distance of 1,677 miles (1,457 nautical miles).

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

Reno to Chicago Flight Time

How long is the flight from RNO to MDW?

3h 45m

Flight Time

1,677 mi

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Airbus A320

Aircraft

The Reno (RNO) to Chicago (MDW) flight takes approximately 3h 45m, covering 1,677 miles (1,457 nautical miles) at 35,000 feet. The route is operated by United, American Airlines, Delta. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on RNO–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 RNO–MDW

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on RNO–MDW

Airbus A320

Front

Rows 1–9

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 10–20

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 21+

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

RNO → SLC

Reno → Salt Lake City

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Related guides

Learn more about flight turbulence

Turbulence Tracker

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Best Seat Guide

Which rows feel turbulence least

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Mountain Turbulence

Why mountain routes are the bumpiest

→

Severe Turbulence

What it feels like and how to prepare

→

Is Turbulence Dangerous?

What the safety data shows

→

Passenger Reports

The crossing the ridge section was legitimately rough. I was holding on to the armrests. Lasted maybe 40 minutes. One of the flight attendants had to sit down. Not a fun 3h 45m flight but we landed fine.

Solo traveler · May

Rough patch crossing the ridge in October — drinks went everywhere on the row behind me. Probably 45 minutes of actual turbulence. Nothing dangerous but definitely uncomfortable.

Business traveler · October

This was genuinely difficult for me. Real bumps for a long stretch crossing the Rockies, seatbelt sign on for what felt like forever. The flight attendants were calm which helped. Got through it.

Nervous flyer · April

All RNO routes→ All MDW routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Reno to Chicago flight turbulent?

The RNO–MDW route typically experiences moderate turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 63.8/100.

When is turbulence worst on RNO to MDW?

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 RNO to MDW?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Airbus A320 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 10–20. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from RNO to MDW?

The RNO to MDW flight takes approximately 3h 45m, covering 1,677 miles (1,457 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly RNO to MDW?

The main airlines operating this route are United, American Airlines, Delta, flying Airbus A320 · 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