Origin
Hampton, IA
Late night in Hampton on Saturday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hampton, IA to Ankeny, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 38m
Distance
84.8 mi
136 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 31m
★
6 AM
1h 38m
8 AM
1h 53m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 42m
3 PM
1h 44m
5 PM
1h 52m
8 PM
1h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hampton, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Ankeny, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Hampton, IA to Ankeny, IA is 84.8 miles and takes about 1h 38m via I 35 and State Highway 3, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically crossing through Iowa. The drive is primarily on well-maintained highways, making it a straightforward journey for anyone looking to cover ground efficiently. Given its relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a same-day trip, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. Consider this an easy transit between two points in Iowa.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.4 miles from Hampton, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 84.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 96% of it spent on high-speed roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 72.4 miles on I 35, which forms the backbone of this journey. Expect smooth sailing for the majority of the trip, characterized by consistent speeds and minimal traffic delays. The transition from I 35 to State Highway 3 and then East 1st Street in Ankeny will be gradual, maintaining the highway feel without sudden changes in road type. It's a dependable drive designed for covering distance.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 72.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 3. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 10.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Hampton, IA to Ankeny, IA is easy. At 1h 38m with 96% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 82.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
82.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
Take the exit toward 1st Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
5
83.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
84.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
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 Ankeny, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Clarion along the way.
Clarion
10.1 mi in
|
~14m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 72.4 mi | 1h 18m |
| State Highway 3 | 9 mi | 12m |
| East 1st Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Central Avenue East | 1 mi | 2m |
| Southwest Walnut Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Balsam Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Southwest 3rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 4th Street Northeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 72.4 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, IA and Ankeny, 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
72 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
8
Keep slight right at fork
301 ft
·
9 sec
9
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East 1st Street
10
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest Walnut Street
11
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
12
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility on when to depart for this trip. Leaving in the morning ensures you arrive with plenty of daylight, and since it's a single-day journey, you won't need to worry about splitting the drive. The longest stretch on I 35 is over 72 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you embark, as opportunities might be less frequent on the highway itself. Given the short duration and low fuel cost of around $13, this is an easy trip to tackle without extensive planning.
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 42.4 miles from Hampton, IA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.4 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 19 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.4 miles or 49m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ankeny, 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 84.8 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 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 72.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.4 mi from Hampton, IA · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.4 miles from Hampton, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.4 miles.
Arriving in Ankeny, IA
The final approach into Ankeny, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.59 one way
$25.18 round trip
$3.77/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $14.20 | $28.40 |
| premium | $4.65 | $15.54 | $31.08 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $17.71 | $35.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.4 | 0 | $8.90 | $4.07 |
| Efficient EV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.42 | $3.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.9 | 0 | $11.87 | $5.43 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Ankeny, IA
Late night in Ankeny on Saturday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
23 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 38m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hampton, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 84.8 miles and takes about 1h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, State Highway 3, East 1st Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.4 miles from Hampton, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.59 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Hampton, IA to Ankeny, IA is easy. At 1h 38m with 96% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 82.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Hampton, IA to Ankeny, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Clarion along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Ankeny, IA
More trips to Ankeny, IA
Explore more options from Hampton, IA or browse trips ending in Ankeny, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.