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Trip from Hampton, IA to West 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 57m

Distance

100.2 mi

161 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 49m ★
6 AM
1h 57m
8 AM
2h 14m
10 AM
2h 3m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 4m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 52m

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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city in Iowa, United States

Hampton, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Polk, Dallas, Warren, and Madison counties, Iowa, United States

West Des Moines, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 100.2-mile drive from Hampton, IA, to West Des Moines, IA, is easily manageable in under two hours, making it a perfect one-day trip. You'll spend about 96% of your time on highways, primarily I 35, with a brief stretch on John MacVicar Freeway and State Highway 3. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, this is an economical way to travel between two points within the Midwest. The route is focused on efficient travel, so if you're looking for a quick and simple journey, this is a solid option.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

50.1 miles from Hampton, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 77.8 mi 1h 24m
John MacVicar Freeway 9.4 mi 12m
State Highway 3 9 mi 12m
63rd Street 1.1 mi 2m
Central Avenue East 1 mi 2m
Vine Street 0.4 mi <1m
Balsam 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 West Des Moines, IA.

1

Start on US 65

27 ft · 4 sec · 4th Street Northeast
2

Turn right onto IA 3

1.0 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue East
3

Continue on IA 3

9.0 mi · 12 min · State Highway 3
4

Continue on IA 3

517 ft · 13 sec · Balsam Avenue
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward Hampton, Clarion
6

Merge onto I 35

78 mi · 1 hr 24 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
8

Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

9.4 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 4 Toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Turn left onto IA 28

1.1 mi · 2 min · 63rd Street
11

Turn right onto Vine Street

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Vine Street
12

Arrive at destination

Vine Street

Trip Plan

Given the short 1 hour and 57-minute duration, this route offers plenty of flexibility. You can easily depart Hampton, IA, in the morning and arrive in West Des Moines, IA, by lunchtime, or even leave after work. With no specific stops recommended, you can tailor your break times to your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longest stretch of 77.8 miles on I 35, to ensure you don't need to make an unplanned stop. The total fuel cost is estimated at $15.

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 50.1 miles from Hampton, IA, or about 58m 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 22 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 50.1 miles or 58m 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 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West 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 100.2 miles and 1h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 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

50 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

Oakland, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ames, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 50.1 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

St. Kilda Collective

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 100.2

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+15157052030

Visit website

Paula's Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

0.3 mi

Olympic Flame Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

0.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

KaffeGeita

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Story City, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 50.1

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15157332029

Visit website

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

2.6 mi

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

2.6 mi

St. Kilda Collective

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 100.2

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+15157052030

Visit website

Paula's Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.2

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15152773404

Olympic Flame Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 93.1

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152434361

Visit website

HoQ Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $30 to $50 mile 93.1

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 5–9 pm

+15152441213

Visit website

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Inexpensiv mile 93.1

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15152622775

Visit website

It's My Jam Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 85.9

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15158955526

Visit website

Tumea & Sons Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 93.1

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15152827976

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 85.9

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+15159647374

Visit website

KaffeGeita

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 50.1

Story City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15157332029

Visit website

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 93.1

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+15156307000

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 64.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 64.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15159563556

Visit website

SweetDude Coffee & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.2

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+15155090915

Visit website

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 64.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15154602116

TMC Chrome Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 100.2

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15154758085

Juniper & Olive Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 43

Jewell, Iowa

Hours: Closed

+15155098435

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 64.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

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

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 64.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 14.3

Dows, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 64.4

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 64.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 64.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 64.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Paris Banh Mi Windsor Heights

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.2

Windsor Heights, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+15152778888

Visit website

University Library Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.2

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+15152550433

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 64.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

Center Grove Orchard

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 71.6

Cambridge, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+15153834354

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 98.4 — 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 right onto IA 3 / Central Avenue East

Navigation decision point

6
10.1 mi into trip | ~14m in

Take the ramp toward Hampton, Clarion

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Hampton, Clarion
5
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.
5
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
8
98.4 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in

Take the exit toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 4 Toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.67 one way

$31.33 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $17.20 $34.40
premium $4.89 $19.28 $38.57
diesel $5.61 $22.12 $44.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.1 0 $10.52 $4.81
Efficient EV 25.1 0 $8.77 $4.01
EV Truck/SUV 40.1 0 $14.03 $6.41

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (66% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Hampton, IA

Night in Hampton on Saturday

Local time

11:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

West Des Moines, IA

Night in West Des Moines on Saturday

Local time

11:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

37°F

Mostly Cloudy

NNW 10 to 14 mph 6% chance 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

10 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

1h 57m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 100.2-mile journey. You'll be on high-speed roads for about 96% of the time, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 77.8 miles on I 35. This suggests a consistent pace for much of the trip. While the data doesn't detail specific scenic changes, the profile indicates a drive that prioritizes getting you from point A to point B efficiently, rather than a winding, scenic exploration.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 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?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and John MacVicar Freeway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IA 3 / Central Avenue East.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 1h 57m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 3 / Central Avenue East): Navigation decision point; 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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,267 ft 825 ft

Total Climb

272 ft

Total Descent

590 ft

Highest Point

1,267 ft

~7.2 mi in

Elevation Range

442 ft

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 West Des Moines, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Clarion along the way.

Clarion

10.1 mi in | ~14m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 100.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.

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.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 3 / Central Avenue East): Navigation decision point; 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at West 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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