How far is Killeen, TX from Princeton, TX?

The driving distance from Killeen, TX to Princeton, TX is about 193.1 miles (310.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 159.6 miles (256.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
193.07 mi
03h 32m
Flight
159.66 mi
256.95 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Killeen.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
159.66 mi
Kilometers
256.95 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
193.07 mi
Kilometers
310.71 km
Drive Time
03h 32m

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 03h 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Princeton
Thu, Apr 23, 3:06 AM CDT
Return by in Killeen
Thu, Apr 23, 6:39 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Killeen
2026-04-22T23:33
Arrive Princeton
Thu, Apr 23, 3:06 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:33 AM to 11:33 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:54 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Killeen
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Hillsboro
TX

City in the U.

From Killeen
96.7 mi
01h 46m
To Princeton
96.4 mi
01h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSE
Destination
76°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Killeen and Princeton.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    23 m · 11 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left

    25 m · 11 sec

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Veterans Memorial Boulevard

    5.1 mi · 9 min · East Veterans Memorial Boulevard

  4. 4

    Turn slight right onto Edwards Drive

    2510 ft · 55 sec · Edwards Drive

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight toward I 14 East, US 190 East

    3164 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Central Texas Expressway

    10.7 mi · 11 min · Central Texas Expressway

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

    37.8 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail

  8. 8

    Continue on South Jack Kultgen Expressway

    6.6 mi · 8 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

  9. 9

    Continue on Purple Heart Trail

    33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35E: Dallas

    56.2 mi · 58 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street

    2094 ft · 42 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana

    129 m · 6 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center

    2206 ft · 33 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 30 East: Texarkana

    117 m · 6 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on East R L Thornton Freeway

    1.2 km · 1 min · East R L Thornton Freeway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney

    2421 ft · 46 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on US 75 North: McKinney

    2512 ft · 1 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East

    1697 ft · 27 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto Julius Schepps Freeway

    1.2 km · 49 sec · Julius Schepps Freeway

  20. 20

    Continue on North Central Expressway

    26.6 mi · 29 min · North Central Expressway

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway

    1776 ft · 22 sec

  22. 22

    Keep slight right

    1.2 km · 1 min

  23. 23

    Merge slight left

    1.5 km · 1 min

  24. 24

    Continue on South McDonald Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · South McDonald Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Elm Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Elm Street

  26. 26

    At the end of the road, turn left onto South Airport Drive

    1.4 km · 2 min · South Airport Drive

  27. 27

    Turn right onto East University Drive

    3.3 mi · 4 min · East University Drive

  28. 28

    Continue on West Princeton Drive

    2.8 mi · 4 min · West Princeton Drive

  29. 29

    Turn left onto North 2nd Street

    2102 ft · 1 min · North 2nd Street

  30. 30

    Turn right onto North Front Street

    132 m · 19 sec · North Front Street

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Front Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
31 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Purple Heart Trail
70.8 mi · 37%
I 35E
56.2 mi · 29%
North Central Expressway
26.6 mi · 14%
Central Texas Expressway
10.7 mi · 6%
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.63 mi · 3%
East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
5.14 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 35E

Keep slight right to continue on I 35E: Dallas

56.2 mi · 00h 58m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 32m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33.5 mi
159.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hillsboro
01h 46m from Killeen
Leave By
9:54 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Killeen and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Princeton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Killeen to Princeton?

The road trip is about 193.1 miles (310.7 km) and usually takes 03h 32m in normal driving conditions.

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

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Hillsboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.7 miles from Killeen and 96.4 miles from Princeton.

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

The direct path is about 159.6 miles (256.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:54 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.73 one way or $51.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Killeen and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Princeton.

Stop Ideas Near Hillsboro

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Hillsboro and the surrounding midpoint area.
Historic City Hall
Scenic stop 5.3 mi away

Historic City Hall

Hillsboro , TX
127/129 E Franklin St, Hillsboro, TX 76645
Rating 4.6/5 24 reviews Museum
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 8.1 mi away

Milford City Hall, Police Station, Municipal Court

Milford , TX
107 S Main St, Milford, TX 76670
Rating 1.7/5 3 reviews City Hall,City government office
Town Hall Estates Hillsboro
Nearby stop 4.3 mi away

Town Hall Estates Hillsboro

Hillsboro , TX
300 Happy Ln, Hillsboro, TX 76645
Rating 4.1/5 14 reviews Non-profit organization,Nursing home,Occupational therapist,Physical therapy clinic

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Cleburne

44 mi away
206 North Border St.
BUS

Waco, TX

51 mi away
301 South 8th Street
RAIL

McGregor

69 mi away
1 Amtrak Blvd.
RAIL

Fort Worth Central Station

84 mi away
1001 Jones Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Killeen and Princeton. Straight-line distance: 159.66 mi (256.95 km).

Killeen

#1 Killeen

The 11th most populous city in Texas.

Population153,991
Coordinates31.1171200, -97.7278000
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Princeton

#2 Princeton

City in Collin County, Texas, United States

Population15,699
Coordinates33.1801200, -96.4980400
Altitude175
CountryUnited States
Start: Killeen (-97.7278, 31.11712)
End: Princeton (-96.49804, 33.18012)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 311 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.81 gal
25.79 L · about $25.73
Round trip
$51.47
13.62 gal · 51.58 L
Estimated CO2
60.5 kg one way
Round trip: 121 kg / 267 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $25.73 $51.47
Mid-grade $4.25 $28.96 $57.91
Premium $4.59 $31.26 $62.53
Diesel $3.99 $27.19 $54.38

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 Texas · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Killeen and Princeton. The current time is 23:33:16.

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.