Origin
Hampton, IA
Afternoon in Hampton on Friday
Local time
1:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hampton, IA to Des Moines, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 28m
Distance
94.2 mi
152 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 22m
★
6 AM
1h 28m
8 AM
1h 42m
10 AM
1h 33m
12 PM
1h 32m
3 PM
1h 34m
5 PM
1h 41m
8 PM
1h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 28m. Total distance: 94.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
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.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Central Avenue East is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Hampton, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 1h 28m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Hampton, IA to Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Avenue East | — | — |
| Highway 3 | — | — |
| Balsam Avenue | — | — |
| Hampton | — | — |
| I 235 West | — | — |
| John MacVicar Freeway | — | — |
| East 6th Street | — | — |
| East Village | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Central Avenue East
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on 4th Street Northeast
26 ft
·
5 sec
·
4th Street Northeast
2
Turn right onto Central Avenue East
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Central Avenue East
3
Continue on State Highway 3
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 3
4
Continue on Balsam Avenue
518 ft
·
13 sec
·
Balsam Avenue
5
Take the ramp left toward Hampton, Clarion
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Hampton, Clarion
6
Merge slight left
78 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 235 West: Des Moines
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 235 West: Des Moines
8
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
9
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
10
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
11
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
12
Turn left onto East University Avenue
98 ft
·
9 sec
·
East University Avenue
13
Arrive at your destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47.1 mi from Hampton, IA · 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 47.1 miles from Hampton, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Des Moines, IA
The final approach into Des Moines, 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
$14.73 one way
$29.45 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.17 | $32.34 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.13 | $36.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.80 | $41.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$15
Estimated CO2 emission: 33 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.3 | 0 | $9.89 | $4.52 |
| Efficient EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.24 | $3.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.7 | 0 | $13.19 | $6.03 |
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.
Destination
Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in Des Moines on Friday
Local time
1:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 28m 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 Des Moines, IA covers 94.2 miles and takes about 1h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Central Avenue East, Highway 3, Balsam Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47.1 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 $14.73 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 Des Moines, IA is easy. At 1h 28m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Hampton, IA to Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Hampton, IA to Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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