How far is Lafayette, IN from Princeton, IN?
The driving distance from Lafayette, IN to Princeton, IN is about 169.1 miles (272.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 147.1 miles (236.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 50m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Vigo County, Indiana, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lafayette and Princeton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette and Princeton.
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1
Start on the route
56 m · 18 sec
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2
Turn left onto Douglas Street
151 m · 25 sec · Douglas Street
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3
Turn slight left onto South 18th Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · South 18th Street
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4
Turn right onto Teal Road
1 mi · 2 min · Teal Road
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5
Turn left onto Old US Highway 231
1 km · 1 min · Old US Highway 231
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6
Turn right
1.3 km · 1 min
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7
Turn left
25.5 mi · 38 min
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8
Turn right onto West South Boulevard
13.2 mi · 20 min · West South Boulevard
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9
Turn left
1853 ft · 33 sec
-
10
Turn right onto Main Street
2.7 mi · 4 min · Main Street
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11
At the end of the road, turn right
2.6 mi · 4 min
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12
Turn left
27.8 mi · 42 min
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13
Take the ramp right
1398 ft · 34 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
10.4 mi · 11 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 40 East, SR 641 South, SR 46
1463 ft · 25 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on US 40 East, SR 46 West
2380 ft · 39 sec
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17
Turn straight
146 m · 16 sec
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18
Continue straight
1533 ft · 39 sec
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19
Turn straight
5.7 mi · 7 min
-
20
Keep slight left
1.3 km · 2 min
-
21
Merge slight left
48.3 mi · 59 min
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22
Take the exit slight right
1162 ft · 28 sec
-
23
Merge slight left
1.5 km · 1 min
-
24
Keep slight right
20.2 mi · 23 min
-
25
Turn left onto Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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26
Continue on Old US Highway 41
3.3 mi · 6 min · Old US Highway 41
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27
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Main Street
3046 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lafayette and Princeton.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
US 40 East
Merge slight left
48.3 mi · 00h 59m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Scattered Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Lafayette and Sunny near Princeton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lafayette to Princeton?
The road trip is about 169.1 miles (272.2 km) and usually takes 03h 50m 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?
Seelyville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.6 miles from Lafayette and 84.5 miles from Princeton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 147.1 miles (236.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 22 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:18 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.51 one way or $45.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Lafayette and Princeton, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Lafayette and Sunny near Princeton.
Stop Ideas Near Seelyville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Seelyville.
Crawfordsville
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Danville, Illinois
Mattoon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lafayette and Princeton. Straight-line distance: 147.15 mi (236.81 km).
#1 Lafayette
The most populous city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.
| Population | 71,484 |
| Coordinates | 40.4167000, -86.8752900 |
| Altitude | 211 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Princeton
City in Indiana, United States
| Population | 8,793 |
| Coordinates | 38.3553200, -87.5675200 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| Country | United States |
End: Princeton (-87.56752, 38.35532)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 272 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.51 | $45.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.39 | $50.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.78 | $55.57 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.66 | $63.33 |
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 Indiana · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.