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SFO to DEN Turbulence Forecast

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

Live forecast
SFO
→
DEN
San Francisco · Denver · 2h 30m
50
Turb Score
2h 30m
Duration
840 nm
Distance
34,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
Light
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for SFO–DEN

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h2h 30m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the SFO–DEN route

The San Francisco 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 Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines on Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 34,000 feet over a distance of 967 miles (840 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on SFO–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 SFO–DEN

Turbulence by month

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

Best seat on SFO–DEN

Boeing 737

Front
Rows 1–9
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 10–18
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

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

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

DEN → SFO
Denver → San Francisco
Light
SFO → LHR
San Francisco → London
Light
SFO → NRT
San Francisco → Tokyo
Moderate
SFO → HNL
San Francisco → Honolulu
Light
LAX → SFO
Los Angeles → San Francisco
Light
DEN → LAX
Denver → Los Angeles
Moderate
See all mountain routes →
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Frequently asked questions

Is the San Francisco to Denver flight turbulent?
The SFO–DEN route typically experiences light turbulence. Moderate turbulence expected — fasten seatbelt when seated. The turbulence score for this route is 50/100.
When is turbulence worst on SFO 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 SFO to DEN?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 10–18. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from SFO to DEN?
The SFO to DEN flight takes approximately 2h 30m, covering 967 miles (840 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly SFO to DEN?
The main airlines operating this route are United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, flying Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 aircraft.