Origin
Hampton, IA
Morning in Hampton on Friday
Local time
11:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hampton, IA to Iowa City, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 53m
Distance
139.4 mi
224 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 43m
★
6 AM
2h 54m
8 AM
3h 16m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
2h 59m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 15m
8 PM
2h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hampton, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Hampton to Iowa City is 139.4 miles and takes about 2h 53m via Central Avenue East and Highway 3, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, traversing the Midwest region. You'll be navigating mostly surface roads for this drive, so expect a more local feel than a high-speed interstate cruise. It's a straightforward route, perfect for a day trip or a quick connection between these two points without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
69.7 miles from Hampton, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 80 mi | 1h 29m |
| 210th Street | 18 mi | 24m |
| State Highway 3 | 12.5 mi | 17m |
| Leo P Rooff Expressway | 6.7 mi | 8m |
| I 380 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| I 80 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Washington Street | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| South Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 80 mi, about 1h 29m
Traffic on I-380
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,955 veh/hr typical · worst 2,469
Quietest
2 AM
~105 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on US 65
27 ft
·
8 sec
·
4th Street Northeast
2
Turn left onto IA 3
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue East
3
Continue on IA 3
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 3
4
Continue on IA 3
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
210th Street
5
Continue on IA 3
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Street
6
Continue on IA 3
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
210th Street
7
Continue on IA 3; IA 14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 3
8
Continue on IA 3
8.8 mi
·
11 min
·
210th Street
9
Continue on IA 3
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 3
10
Continue on IA 3
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
230th Street
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
12
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
13
Take the exit
317 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
14
Continue on US 218
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 218
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
15
Merge onto US 218
6.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Leo P Rooff Expressway
16
Continue on US 218
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Washington Street
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
I 380
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27
65 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 80
20
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
21
Merge onto I 80
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
I 80
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward Downtown
23
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Dubuque Street
24
Turn left onto Kimball Road
477 ft
·
21 sec
·
Kimball Road
25
Keep slight right at fork onto North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Gilbert Street
26
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour 53-minute drive time, you have a lot of flexibility with when you depart. Leaving in the morning allows you to arrive in Iowa City with plenty of time to explore. With no designated stops, you can make spontaneous breaks as needed, perhaps in one of the smaller towns along Highway 3. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated $21 cost is based on consistent driving; unexpected detours or idling could increase this. Since it's a single-day trip, consider packing snacks to maximize your time at your destination.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.7 miles from Hampton, IA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80 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 31 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.7 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Iowa City, 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.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hampton, IA
This is one driving day of about 139.4 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Hampton, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Avenue of the Saints for about 80 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69.7 miles from Hampton, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 131.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IA 3 / Central Avenue East
Turn left onto IA 3 / Central Avenue East
Navigation decision point
4
50.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward US 218 south: Waterloo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
6
60.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids,...
6
66.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
|
I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
5
131.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.61 one way
$43.22 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $23.70 | $47.40 |
| premium | $4.93 | $27.05 | $54.09 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $30.73 | $61.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.64 | $6.69 |
| Efficient EV | 34.9 | 0 | $12.20 | $5.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.8 | 0 | $19.52 | $8.92 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Iowa City, IA
Morning in Iowa City on Friday
Local time
11:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
19 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 53m 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?
This route is entirely surface roads, meaning you won't encounter any highway driving. You'll be traveling on Central Avenue East, Highway 3, and 210th Street for the entire 139.4 miles. Since there are no highways, anticipate a more relaxed pace with potential for local traffic and intersections. The longest stretch without a significant break is not specified, but the total duration suggests consistent, moderate speeds.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IA 3 / Central Avenue East.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 139.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 3 / Central Avenue East): Navigation decision point; at 50.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 60.3 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hampton, IA and Iowa City, IA, road signs point toward Dubuque and Cedar Falls.
Dubuque
60.3 mi in
|
~1h 20m
|
via I 380
Cedar Falls
60.3 mi in
|
~1h 20m
|
via I 380
About the Cities
Starting in Hampton, IA
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Hampton Double Square Historic District — historic district in Hampton, Iowa
- • Franklin County Sheriff's Residence and Jail — house and prison in Hampton, Iowa
Arriving in Iowa City, IA
Full guide →Founded 1839
Hip and urban, Iowa City is a prominent college town primarily known as the home of the University of Iowa. Along with its adjacent suburb of Coralville, just to the west. Iowa City sits at the center of a metro area home to 171,000 people (2020) in the I-380 Corridor region of Eastern Iowa.
Top landmarks
- • University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art — museum in Iowa City, Iowa
- • Vogt House — historic building located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States
- • First Johnson County Asylum — historic building located on the far west side of Iowa City, Iowa, United States
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 2h 53m. Total distance: 139.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Iowa City, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 3 / Central Avenue East): Navigation decision point; at 50.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 60.3 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Iowa City, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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