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

The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Hampton, IA is about 100 miles (160.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 84.6 miles (136.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 54m 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
100 mi
01h 57m
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 West Des Moines.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
100 mi
Kilometers
160.94 km
Drive Time
01h 57m

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 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hampton
Fri, Apr 17, 1:21 PM CDT
Return by in West Des Moines
Fri, Apr 17, 3:18 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Des Moines
2026-04-17T11:24
Arrive Hampton
Fri, Apr 17, 1:21 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:57 AM to 11:57 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in West 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
Story City
IA

City in Iowa

From West Des Moines
50 mi
00h 58m
To Hampton
50 mi
00h 58m

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 18 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 West Des Moines and Hampton.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Vine Street

    1051 ft · 33 sec · Vine Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 4th Street

    1949 ft · 56 sec · 4th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Grand Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Grand Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 56th Street

    1 km · 1 min · 56th Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward I-235 east

    1656 ft · 40 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

    10.3 mi · 13 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    77.1 mi · 1 hr 24 min

  8. 8

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

    2550 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Turn right onto State Highway 3

    8.9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 3

  10. 10

    Continue on Central Avenue West

    1.6 km · 2 min · Central Avenue West

  11. 11

    Turn left onto 4th Street Northeast

    8 m · 1 sec · 4th Street Northeast

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 4th Street Northeast

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between West 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
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
John MacVicar Freeway
87.4 mi · 87%
State Highway 3
8.87 mi · 9%
Central Avenue West
0.99 mi · 1%
Grand Avenue
0.71 mi · 1%
56th Street
0.63 mi · 1%
IA 3
0.48 mi
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 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.4 mi
84.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Story City
00h 58m from West Des Moines
Leave By
2:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving West 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 West Des Moines to Hampton?

The road trip is about 100 miles (160.9 km) and usually takes 01h 57m 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 miles from West Des Moines and 50 miles from Hampton.

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 15.4 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 2:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.31 one way or $26.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

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

West Des Moines

#1 West Des Moines

The most populous city in Dallas County, Iowa.

Population69,057
Coordinates41.5772100, -93.7113300
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Hampton

#2 Hampton

City in Iowa

Population4,162
Coordinates42.7419200, -93.2024200
Altitude349
CountryUnited States
Start: West Des Moines (-93.71133, 41.57721)
End: Hampton (-93.20242, 42.74192)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 161 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.53 gal
13.36 L · about $13.31
Round trip
$26.62
7.06 gal · 26.72 L
Estimated CO2
31.4 kg one way
Round trip: 62.7 kg / 138 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.31 $26.62
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.01 $30.03
Premium $4.65 $16.43 $32.86
Diesel $5.30 $18.72 $37.45

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 West Des Moines and Hampton. The current time is 11:24:19.

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.