When is the Salt Lake City to Las Vegas route most turbulent?

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

What aircraft operates the SLC to LAS route?

The SLC–LAS route is typically operated by Boeing 737 · Embraer 175. Airlines include Southwest, Delta, United.

Is turbulence on SLC to LAS dangerous?

No — turbulence on the SLC–LAS route is not dangerous to the aircraft. Modern commercial aircraft are built to withstand far more stress than any turbulence encountered. The main risk is to unbelted passengers. Always keep your seatbelt fastened when seated.

How can I check turbulence before my SLC to LAS flight?

Use the Turbulence Forecast app (iOS & Android) for real-time PIREPs, SIGMET alerts, and AI-powered forecasts for the SLC–LAS route. The app shows minute-by-minute turbulence timing for your specific flight date.

SLC to LAS Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Salt Lake City to Las Vegas flight turbulent?

The SLC–LAS route typically experiences moderate turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on SLC to LAS?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 737 · Embraer 175, that's rows 15-22. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Q: How long is the flight from SLC to LAS?

The SLC to LAS flight takes approximately 1h 17m, covering 423 miles (368 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 28,000 feet.

Is the Salt Lake City to Las Vegas flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

SLC

→

LAS

Salt Lake City · Las Vegas · 1h 17m

7.8

Turb Score

1h 17m

Duration

368 nm

Distance

28,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

moderate

Typical

⚠️ moderate turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for SLC–LAS

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 17m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the SLC–LAS route

The Salt Lake City to Las Vegas 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 Southwest, Delta, United on Boeing 737 · Embraer 175 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 28,000 feet over a distance of 423 miles (368 nautical miles).

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

Salt Lake City to Las Vegas Flight Time

How long is the flight from SLC to LAS?

1h 17m

Flight Time

423 mi

Distance

28,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 737

Aircraft

The Salt Lake City (SLC) to Las Vegas (LAS) flight takes approximately 1h 17m, covering 423 miles (368 nautical miles) at 28,000 feet. The route is operated by Southwest, Delta, United. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on SLC–LAS

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

Get minute-by-minute timing for your specific flight

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Best time to fly SLC–LAS

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on SLC–LAS

Boeing 737

Front

Rows 1–14

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 15-22

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

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

SLC → IAH

Salt Lake City → Houston

Severe

SLC → FLL

Salt Lake City → Fort Lauderdale

Severe

SLC → RDU

Salt Lake City → Raleigh

Milwaukee → Las Vegas

Light

See all mountain routes →

Related guides

Learn more about flight turbulence

Turbulence Tracker

Track any flight in real time

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Best Seat Guide

Which rows feel turbulence least

→

Mountain Turbulence

Why mountain routes are the bumpiest

→

Severe Turbulence

What it feels like and how to prepare

→

Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

→

Passenger Reports

There was some noticeable movement crossing the Rockies that made me grip the armrest. My seatmate (clearly a regular) didn't even look up from their book. Perspective.

First-time flyer · March

Kids barely noticed the turbulence — just some mild bumps over the mountains. Seatbelt sign was on and off a couple times. Nothing dramatic.

Parent traveling with kids · October

The 1h 17m flight had some light shaking around the halfway point. Nothing spilled, nobody panicked. Just normal flying.

Leisure traveler · July

All SLC routes→ All LAS routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Salt Lake City to Las Vegas flight turbulent?

The SLC–LAS route typically experiences moderate turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 7.8/100.

When is turbulence worst on SLC to LAS?

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 SLC to LAS?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 15-22. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from SLC to LAS?

The SLC to LAS flight takes approximately 1h 17m, covering 423 miles (368 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly SLC to LAS?

The main airlines operating this route are Southwest, Delta, United, flying Boeing 737 · Embraer 175 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