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

The driving distance from Hampton, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 101 miles (162.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 84.6 miles (136.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 13m 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
101 mi
01h 36m
Flight
84.59 mi
136.13 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hampton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
84.59 mi
Kilometers
136.13 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
101 mi
Kilometers
162.54 km
Drive Time
01h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Des Moines
Fri, Apr 17, 11:38 AM CDT
Return by in Hampton
Fri, Apr 17, 1:14 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hampton
2026-04-17T10:01
Arrive West Des Moines
Fri, Apr 17, 11:38 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:37 AM to 11:37 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:16 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hampton
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
Story City
IA

City in Iowa

From Hampton
50.1 mi
00h 48m
To West Des Moines
50.9 mi
00h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Friday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 25 mph SSW
Destination
80°F
Friday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 18 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 4th Street Northeast

    8 m · 5 sec · 4th Street Northeast

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Central Avenue East

    1.6 km · 2 min · Central Avenue East

  3. 3

    Continue on State Highway 3

    9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 3

  4. 4

    Continue on Balsam Avenue

    158 m · 13 sec · Balsam Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left toward Hampton, Clarion

    1610 ft · 39 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    77.8 mi · 1 hr 24 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 235 West: Des Moines

    1.4 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    9.4 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  9. 9

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

    1348 ft · 35 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto 63rd Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · 63rd Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Vine Street

    2147 ft · 59 sec · Vine Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
12 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Balsam Avenue
78.2 mi · 77%
John MacVicar Freeway
9.38 mi · 9%
State Highway 3
9.04 mi · 9%
63rd Street
1.14 mi · 1%
Central Avenue East
0.99 mi · 1%
I 235 West
0.87 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Balsam Avenue

Merge slight left

77.8 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 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.4 mi
84.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Story City
00h 48m from Hampton
Leave By
3:16 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 101 miles (162.5 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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?

Story City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.1 miles from Hampton and 50.9 miles from West Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 84.6 miles (136.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.4 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 3:16 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.42 one way or $26.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hampton and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 84.59 mi (136.13 km).

Hampton

#1 Hampton

City in Iowa

Population4,162
Coordinates42.7419200, -93.2024200
Altitude349
CountryUnited States
West Des Moines

#2 West Des Moines

The most populous city in Dallas County, Iowa.

Population69,057
Coordinates41.5772100, -93.7113300
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Start: 4th Street Northeast (-93.202494, 42.74192)
End: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 163 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.56 gal
13.49 L · about $13.42
Round trip
$26.85
7.12 gal · 26.98 L
Estimated CO2
31.6 kg one way
Round trip: 63.3 kg / 140 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.42 $26.85
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.14 $30.28
Premium $4.65 $16.57 $33.14
Diesel $5.30 $18.88 $37.76

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 Hampton and West Des Moines. The current time is 10:01:19.

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.