Trip from Hampton, IA to Des Moines, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 48m

Distance

94 mi

151 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

1h 40m ★

6 AM

1h 48m

8 AM

2h 4m

10 AM

1h 54m

12 PM

1h 52m

3 PM

1h 54m

5 PM

2h 3m

8 PM

1h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Hampton, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Des Moines, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 94.2-mile journey from Hampton to Des Moines, Iowa, is easily manageable within a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 28 minutes. With a projected fuel cost of around $14, it's an economical trip for a day outing. The route primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile and 0% highway share, suggesting a more engaging, less direct travel experience. This drive is ideal for a spontaneous trip or a relaxed exploration of the Midwest landscape, allowing for flexibility without the need for an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

47 miles from Hampton, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 35	77.8 mi	1h 24m
State Highway 3	9 mi	12m
John MacVicar Freeway	4 mi	5m
Central Avenue East	1 mi	2m
Pennsylvania Avenue	0.3 mi	<1m
Balsam Avenue	<0.1 mi	<1m
East University Avenue	<0.1 mi	<1m
4th Street Northeast	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 35 — 77.8 mi, about 1h 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, IA and Des Moines, IA.

Start on US 65

27 ft · 4 sec · 4th Street Northeast

Turn right onto IA 3

1.0 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue East

Continue on IA 3

9.0 mi · 12 min · State Highway 3

Continue on IA 3

517 ft · 13 sec · Balsam Avenue

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward Hampton, Clarion

Merge onto I 35

78 mi · 1 hr 24 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min

Toward I 235 West: Des Moines

Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

4.0 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway

Toward I 235 West: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 8B Toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue

Turn left onto East University Avenue

100 ft · 8 sec · East University Avenue

Arrive at destination

East University Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of about 1 hour and 28 minutes and the 94.2-mile distance, this trip offers significant flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, perhaps after a mid-morning coffee in Hampton, and still arrive in Des Moines with plenty of daylight. Since there are no specified stops and the fuel cost is a modest $14, you can focus on enjoying the drive. Keep an eye on your GPS for the many turns indicated by the route's 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. A good tip is to ensure your navigation is set to avoid highways to fully embrace the local road experience.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 47 miles from Hampton, IA, or about 55m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.8 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 21 miles or 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 47 miles or 55m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 27m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Moines, IA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Hampton, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Hampton, IA

This is one driving day of about 94 miles and 1h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Hampton, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 77.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ames, IA

47 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Ames, IA to Des Moines, IA

34.3 mi · 42m

Pacing Suggestions

Oakland, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ames, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 47 miles from Hampton, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Olympic Flame Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 94

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152434361

Visit website

HoQ Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

0.8 mi

Tumea & Sons Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

1.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 94

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+15156307000

Visit website

KaffeGeita

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Story City, Iowa

2.5 mi

Olympic Flame Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 94

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152434361

Visit website

HoQ Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $30 to $50 mile 94

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 5–9 pm

+15152441213

Visit website

Tumea & Sons Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 94

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15152827976

Visit website

It's My Jam Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 87.3

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15158955526

Visit website

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv mile 94

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15152622775

Visit website

Café Madeleine

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $100 or ab mile 94

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 5–8:30 pm

+15158150924

Visit website

Allora Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 94

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–1:30 pm

+15152747787

Visit website

Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 94

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+15152447694

Visit website

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 94

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+15156307000

Visit website

KaffeGeita

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 53.7

Story City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15157332029

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 60.5

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 60.5

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15159563556

Visit website

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 60.5

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15154602116

Juniper & Olive Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 40.3

Jewell, Iowa

Hours: Closed

+15155098435

Visit website

Bookends Cafe

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 60.5

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+15152941383

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Hampton, Iowa

+31880109500

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 13.4

Dows, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 60.5

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 33.6

Williams, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15155160821

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 67.2

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 60.5

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 67.2

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 60.5

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

University Library Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 94

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+15152550433

Visit website

Center Grove Orchard

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 73.9

Cambridge, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+15153834354

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 67.2

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 10.1 and 93.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

10.1 mi into trip | ~14m in

Take the ramp toward Hampton, Clarion

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Hampton, Clarion

10.4 mi into trip | ~15m in | I 35

Merge onto I 35

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

88.2 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 235 West: Des Moines

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 235 West: Des Moines

93.1 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in

Take the exit toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 8B Toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, Ea...

93.4 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in

Keep slight right at fork toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Aven...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.70 one way

$29.39 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 33 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$16.14	$32.27
premium	$4.89	$18.09	$36.18
diesel	$5.61	$20.75	$41.51

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 32.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	28.2	$9.87	$4.51
Efficient EV	23.5	$8.23	$3.76
EV Truck/SUV	37.6	$13.16	$6.02

Gas CO2

33 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Hampton, IA

Late night in Hampton on Sunday

Local time

2:29 AM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Des Moines, IA

Late night in Des Moines on Sunday

Local time

2:29 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

5 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 48m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a consistently engaging drive on this route, characterized by frequent turns rather than long, straight stretches. With a 0% highway share, you'll be navigating local roads for the entirety of the 94.2 miles. While there isn't a 'longest stretch' noted, the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be constantly adjusting your path. This type of driving can be more mentally stimulating than cruising on an interstate, offering a closer look at the Iowa countryside as you make your way toward Des Moines.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 77.8 mi on I 35.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 3. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 10.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.4 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Hampton, IA to Des Moines, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Clarion along the way.

Clarion

10.1 mi in | ~14m

About the Cities

Arriving in Des Moines, IA

Full guide →

Des Moines, capital of Iowa, is in the western region of the American Midwest. Des Moines is the largest city in Iowa and the annual site of the Iowa State Fair and numerous cultural festivals during warm weather months. History enthusiasts will find 110 historic sites in and around the city as part of the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area. The city appeals to travelers with an interest in the arts who marvel at the architecture of the State Capitol with its five domes, including the large main dome with its gleaming 23-karat gold surface. The city has a good art museum, a symphony that performs in the downtown Civic Center (along with opera, ballet, and other performing arts), and a big annual arts festival that draws visitors from across Iowa and beyond.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 94 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 77.8 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Des Moines, IA before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Hampton, IA or browse trips ending in Des Moines, IA.

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Trip from Hampton, IA to Des Moines, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Olympic Flame Restaurant

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

Olympic Flame Restaurant

HoQ Restaurant

Tumea & Sons Restaurant

It's My Jam Cafe

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

Café Madeleine

Allora Cafe

Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

KaffeGeita

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

Cafe Diem

Vinyl Cafe

Juniper & Olive Co.

Bookends Cafe

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

University Library Cafe

Center Grove Orchard

Discover Ames

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Hampton, IA

Des Moines, IA

Same local time

5 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 48m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Des Moines, IA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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