How far is Kansas City, MO from Princeton, MO?

The driving distance from Kansas City, MO to Princeton, MO is about 116.9 miles (188.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 104.4 miles (168 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 40m 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
116.86 mi
02h 20m
Flight
104.37 mi
167.96 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kansas City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
104.37 mi
Kilometers
167.96 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
116.86 mi
Kilometers
188.07 km
Drive Time
02h 20m

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 02h 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Princeton
Tue, May 5, 3:27 PM CDT
Return by in Kansas City
Tue, May 5, 5:48 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kansas City
2026-05-05T13:07
Arrive Princeton
Tue, May 5, 3:27 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:20 AM to 12:20 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:50 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kansas City
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
Winston
MO

Village in Daviess County, Missouri, USA

From Kansas City
58.5 mi
01h 10m
To Princeton
58.4 mi
01h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 13 mph NNE
Destination
57°F
Tuesday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Kansas City and Princeton.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and Princeton.

  1. 1

    Start on Oak Street

    6 m · 5 sec · Oak Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East 12th Street

    2100 ft · 1 min · East 12th Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Harrison Street

    133 m · 16 sec · Harrison Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East 11th Street

    64 m · 5 sec · East 11th Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, I 29 North, I 35 North, US 71 North

    139 m · 11 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto George Brett Super Highway

    1157 ft · 22 sec · George Brett Super Highway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 29 North, I 35 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph, Des Moines

    4.6 mi · 6 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35 North: Des Moines

    11.2 mi · 13 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

    72.6 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right

    1036 ft · 27 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Miller Street

    1127 ft · 19 sec · Miller Street

  12. 12

    Continue on East 310th Street

    27.2 mi · 40 min · East 310th Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto North College Street

    39 m · 2 sec · North College Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North College Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and Princeton.

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
14 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
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
72.8 mi · 62%
East 310th Street
27.2 mi · 23%
I 35 North
11.2 mi · 10%
I 29 North
4.62 mi · 4%
East 12th Street
0.4 mi
George Brett Super Highway
0.22 mi
Longest Stretch

Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

72.6 mi · 01h 18m

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
02h 20m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.5 mi
104.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Winston
01h 10m from Kansas City
Leave By
1:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Kansas City and Rain Showers Likely near Princeton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to Princeton?

The road trip is about 116.9 miles (188.1 km) and usually takes 02h 20m 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?

Winston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.5 miles from Kansas City and 58.4 miles from Princeton.

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

The direct path is about 104.4 miles (168 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 1:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.54 one way or $31.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Kansas City and Rain Showers Likely near Princeton.

Stop Ideas Near Winston

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Winston, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Winston.

RAIL

Independence

91 mi away
600 South Grand Ave.
RAIL

Union Station

95 mi away
30 West Pershing Rd.
RAIL

Lee's Summit

108 mi away
217 SW Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kansas City and Princeton. Straight-line distance: 104.37 mi (167.96 km).

Kansas City

#1 Kansas City

The third most populous city in Missouri and the center of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Population495,327
Coordinates39.0997300, -94.5785700
Altitude274
CountryUnited States
Princeton

#2 Princeton

City in Mercer County, Missouri

Population1,078
Coordinates40.4008400, -93.5805000
Altitude293
CountryUnited States
Start: Kansas City (-94.57857, 39.09973)
End: Princeton (-93.5805, 40.40084)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 188 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.12 gal
15.61 L · about $15.54
Round trip
$31.07
8.24 gal · 31.22 L
Estimated CO2
36.6 kg one way
Round trip: 73.2 kg / 161 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $15.54 $31.07
Mid-grade $4.25 $17.52 $35.04
Premium $4.65 $19.17 $38.35
Diesel $5.30 $21.85 $43.70

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 Missouri · May 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Kansas City and Princeton. The current time is 13:07:18.

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.