How far is Des Moines, IA from Hampton, IA?

The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Hampton, IA is about 94.1 miles (151.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 81.6 miles (131.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
94.09 mi
01h 49m
Flight
81.57 mi
131.27 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Des Moines.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
81.57 mi
Kilometers
131.27 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
94.09 mi
Kilometers
151.43 km
Drive Time
01h 49m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hampton
Fri, Apr 17, 1:12 PM CDT
Return by in Des Moines
Fri, Apr 17, 3:01 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Moines
2026-04-17T11:23
Arrive Hampton
Fri, Apr 17, 1:12 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:49 AM to 11:49 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:52 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Des Moines
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Randall
IA

City in Iowa, USA

From Des Moines
47 mi
00h 54m
To Hampton
47 mi
00h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Friday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 17 mph S
Destination
75°F
Friday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 25 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Hampton.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East University Avenue

    147 m · 39 sec · East University Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn uturn onto East University Avenue

    2836 ft · 1 min · East University Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East 14th Street

    1908 ft · 58 sec · East 14th Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet

    1.3 km · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    77.1 mi · 1 hr 24 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 3: Hampton, Clarion

    2550 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Turn right onto State Highway 3

    8.9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 3

  9. 9

    Continue on Central Avenue West

    1.6 km · 2 min · Central Avenue West

  10. 10

    Turn left onto 4th Street Northeast

    8 m · 1 sec · 4th Street Northeast

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 4th Street Northeast

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Hampton.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
11 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
John MacVicar Freeway
81.9 mi · 87%
State Highway 3
8.87 mi · 9%
Central Avenue West
0.99 mi · 1%
US 69
0.81 mi · 1%
East University Avenue
0.63 mi · 1%
IA 3
0.48 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

John MacVicar Freeway

Continue straight

77.1 mi · 01h 24m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.5 mi
81.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Randall
00h 54m from Des Moines
Leave By
2:52 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Des Moines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Hampton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Hampton?

The road trip is about 94.1 miles (151.4 km) and usually takes 01h 49m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Randall is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47 miles from Des Moines and 47 miles from Hampton.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 81.6 miles (131.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:52 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.52 one way or $25.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Des Moines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Hampton.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Hampton. Straight-line distance: 81.57 mi (131.27 km).

Des Moines

#1 Des Moines

The capital of Iowa.

Population212,312
Coordinates41.6005400, -93.6091100
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Hampton

#2 Hampton

City in Iowa

Population4,162
Coordinates42.7419200, -93.2024200
Altitude349
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Moines (-93.60911, 41.60054)
End: Hampton (-93.20242, 42.74192)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 151 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.32 gal
12.57 L · about $12.52
Round trip
$25.04
6.64 gal · 25.14 L
Estimated CO2
29.5 kg one way
Round trip: 59 kg / 130 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.52 $25.04
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.12 $28.24
Premium $4.65 $15.45 $30.90
Diesel $5.30 $17.61 $35.22

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Iowa · Apr 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Des Moines and Hampton. The current time is 11:23:33.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.