A system and method display general terrain clearance awareness, whether the aircraft is off route, on airway, off procedure, or on procedure, so altitude thresholds are not violated and EGPWS alerts are avoided, while reducing clutter in displaying the information. Altitude, location, and rate of change in altitude are considered in determining whether the aircraft will exceed the threshold altitude. A flight path or an area to be entered is highlighted when the threshold altitude will be violated by the aircraft with the current flight path. The threshold altitude may be a minimum or maximum allowed altitude, or the terrain.